Section 7701. Definitions

1. Practice of licensed master social work.
    (a)  The  practice  of  licensed  master  social  work  shall mean the
  professional application of social  work  theory,  principles,  and  the
  methods  to prevent, assess, evaluate, formulate and implement a plan of
  action based on client needs and strengths,  and  intervene  to  address
  mental,  social,  emotional,  behavioral,  developmental,  and addictive
  disorders, conditions and disabilities, and of the psychosocial  aspects
  of  illness  and  injury  experienced by individuals, couples, families,
  groups, communities, organizations, and society.
    (b) Licensed master social workers engage  in  the  administration  of
  tests  and  measures  of psychosocial functioning, social work advocacy,
  case management, counseling, consultation, research, administration  and
  management, and teaching.
    (c)  Licensed  master  social workers provide all forms of supervision
  other than supervision of the practice of licensed clinical social  work
  as defined in subdivision two of this section.
    (d)  Licensed  master social workers practice licensed clinical social
  work in facility settings or other supervised settings approved  by  the
  department  under  supervision  in  accordance  with  the commissioner's
  regulations.
    2. Practice of clinical social work.  (a)  The  practice  of  clinical
  social  work encompasses the scope of practice of licensed master social
  work and, in addition, includes  the  diagnosis  of  mental,  emotional,
  behavioral,  addictive  and developmental disorders and disabilities and
  of  the  psychosocial  aspects  of  illness,  injury,   disability   and
  impairment  undertaken  within  a psychosocial framework; administration
  and interpretation of tests and measures  of  psychosocial  functioning;
  development and implementation of appropriate assessment-based treatment
  plans;  and  the  provision  of crisis oriented psychotherapy and brief,
  short-term and long-term psychotherapy and  psychotherapeutic  treatment
  to    individuals,   couples,   families   and   groups,   habilitation,
  psychoanalysis and behavior therapy; all undertaken for the  purpose  of
  preventing, assessing, treating, ameliorating and resolving psychosocial
  dysfunction  with  the  goal  of  maintaining  and enhancing the mental,
  emotional,  behavioral,  and  social  functioning  and   well-being   of
  individuals, couples, families, small groups, organizations, communities
  and society.
    (b) Diagnosis in the context of licensed clinical social work practice
  is the process of distinguishing, beyond general social work assessment,
  between   similar   mental,  emotional,  behavioral,  developmental  and
  addictive disorders, impairments and disabilities within a  psychosocial
  framework  on  the  basis  of  their  similar and unique characteristics
  consistent with accepted classification systems.
    (c) Psychotherapy in the context  of  licensed  clinical  social  work
  practice  is  the  use  of verbal methods in interpersonal relationships
  with the intent of assisting a person or persons to modify attitudes and
  behavior which are intellectually, socially, or emotionally maladaptive.
    (d) Development of assessment-based treatment plans in the context  of
  licensed  clinical  social work practice refers to the development of an
  integrated plan of prioritized  interventions,  that  is  based  on  the
  diagnosis  and psychosocial assessment of the client, to address mental,
  emotional,   behavioral,   developmental   and   addictive    disorders,
  impairments   and   disabilities,   reactions  to  illnesses,  injuries,
  disabilities and impairments, and social problems.