A social worker is a professional who helps people with difficult life situations. They are frequently involved in helping people with family violence or poverty, or people who can no longer live on their own. A social worker’s role is to help people find ways to solve their problems. Clinical social workers have training in human behaviour and the common problems that people face. Many will work with special groups like teens, refugees, the homeless, etc. Typically, social workers will work along with other professionals like psychologists, psychiatrists, lawyers, as part of a healthcare team for their clients. They can also work as mediators in cases of divorce or parental separation and can help parents decide what is best for their children. Social Workers will have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work or can have a Masters or PhD in social work. Some social workers can also have extra training in couple and family therapy or in psychotherapy which allows them to work therapeutically with people. Often, social workers will work in the public system but many also work privately. Social workers in Quebec are licensed by l’Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec. Although RAMQ does not cover mental health services, many insurance companies will cover sessions with a licensed clinical social worker.