WHAT IS CLINICAL SOCIAL-WORK - LOOKING BACK TO MOVE AHEAD

This paper traces the evolution of the concept of clinical social work and looks at where we are and where we are headed as clinical social workers. It reaffirms the view that clinical social workers intervene with clients presenting the full range of problems in a variety of fac ilities and in private practice and must draw on a broad knowledge bas e within a person-situation perspective and address the special needs of culturally diverse and oppressed populations. The paper also consid ers the move toward legal regulation, the role of private practice, th e need for clinical doctoral education, the importance of new models f or clinical research, and the significance of advocacy for a broad ran ge of services to clients.