2001 Minnesota Statutes

     148B.18 Definitions. 

    Subdivision 1.    Applicability.  For the purposes of 
 sections 148B.18 to 148B.289, the following terms have the 
 meanings given them. 

    Subd. 2.    Accredited program of social work.  
 "Accredited program of social work" means a school of social 
 work or other educational program that has been accredited by 
 the council on social work education. 

    Subd. 2a.    Applicant.  "Applicant" means a person who 
 has submitted an application, with the appropriate fee, for 
 licensure by the board. 

    Subd. 3.    Board.  "Board" means the board of social 
 work created in section 148B.19. 

    Subd. 3a.    Client.  "Client" means an individual, 
 couple, family, group, organization, or community that receives, 
 received, or should have received services from an applicant or 
 a licensee. 

    Subd. 4.    County agency social worker.  "County agency 
 social worker" means an individual who is employed by a county 
 social service agency in Minnesota in social work practice. 

    Subd. 4a.    Licensee.  "Licensee" means a person 
 licensed by the board. 

    Subd. 5.    State agency social worker.  "State agency 
 social worker" means an individual who is employed by a state 
 social service agency in Minnesota in social work practice. 

    Subd. 6. Repealed, 1997 c 193 s 48 

    Subd. 7. Repealed, 1997 c 193 s 48 

    Subd. 8.    Private practice.  "Private practice" means 
 social work practice conducted by a licensee practicing within 
 the permissible scope of a license, as defined in subdivision 
 11, and under appropriate supervision, as defined in 
 subdivisions 11 and 12, who is either self-employed, or a member 
 of a partnership or of a group practice, rather than being 
 employed by an agency, clinic, or other similar entity. 

    Subd. 9.    Psychotherapy.  "Psychotherapy" in clinical 
 social work practice means the application of social work 
 theory, methodology, and values in the treatment of a person or 
 persons who have cognitive, emotional, behavioral, or social 
 dysfunctions through psychosocial, psychological, or 
 interpersonal methods.  The treatment is a planned and 
 structured program which is based on information from a 
 differential diagnostic assessment, and is directed toward the 
 accomplishment of goals provided in a plan of care.  The 
 person-in-situation/environment configuration is considered and 
 integrated into the diagnosis and treatment.  Psychotherapy may 
 be conducted by licensed independent clinical social workers and 
 by licensed graduate or licensed independent social workers who 
 practice under the supervision of either a licensed independent 
 clinical social worker or, if approved by the board, by another 
 qualified mental health professional. 

    Subd. 10.    Qualified mental health professional.  
 "Qualified mental health professional" means a psychiatrist, 
 board-certified or eligible for board certification, and 
 licensed under chapter 147; a psychologist licensed under 
 sections 148.88 to 148.98; an independent clinical social worker 
 who has the qualifications in section 148B.21, subdivision 6; a 
 psychiatric registered nurse with a master's degree from an 
 accredited school of nursing, licensed under section 148.211, 
 with at least two years of post-master's supervised experience 
 in direct clinical practice; a marriage and family therapist who 
 is licensed under sections 148B.29 to 148B.39; or an equivalent 
 mental health professional, as determined by the board, who is 
 licensed or certified by a board or agency in another state or 
 territory. 

    Subd. 11.    Social work practice.  (a) "Social work 
 practice" is the application of social work theory, knowledge, 
 methods, and ethics to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, 
 or biopsychosocial functioning of individuals, couples, 
 families, groups, organizations, and communities, with 
 particular attention to the person-in-environment configuration. 

    (b) For all levels of licensure, social work practice 
 includes assessment, treatment planning and evaluation, case 
 management, information and referral, counseling, advocacy, 
 teaching, research, supervision, consultation, community 
 organization, and the development, implementation, and 
 administration of policies, programs, and activities. 

    (c) For persons licensed at the licensed independent 
 clinical social worker level, and for persons licensed at either 
 the licensed graduate social worker or the licensed independent 
 social worker level who practice social work under the 
 supervision of a licensed independent clinical social worker, 
 social work practice includes the diagnosis and treatment of 
 mental and emotional disorders in individuals, families, and 
 groups.  The treatment of mental and emotional disorders 
 includes the provision of individual, marital, and group 
 psychotherapy.  

    Subd. 12.    Supervision.  "Supervision" means the 
 direction of social work practice in face-to-face sessions.  
 Further standards for supervision shall be determined by the 
 board of social work.  Supervision shall be provided: 

    (1) by a social worker licensed at least at the level of 
 the worker being supervised and qualified under section 148B.21 
 to practice without supervision, except that a licensed graduate 
 social worker may supervise a licensed social worker; or 

    (2) by another qualified professional or qualified mental 
 health professional when the board of social work determines 
 that supervision by a social worker as required in clause (1) is 
 unobtainable, or in other situations considered appropriate by 
 the board of social work. 

    HIST: 1987 c 347 art 2 s 1; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 268; 1991 c 292 
 art 2 s 46; 1992 c 460 s 11,12,21; 1993 c 240 s 4,5; 1997 c 193 
 s 11-16,47