Confused about social work major. Please help!?

I am so confused. I have been reading stuff on yahoo answers and am scared I am doing the wrong thing. I am 25 and have been in school for a while and I really know what i want to do inside and thought I was taking the right path. I have already started taking social work classes and I am not sure if I am interested in it. I do not really think I want to be a social worker pursue but I do want to work with people in the mental health field. I want to eventually do invididual counseling. I want to help others... Even if it is in a group then that is great. I do love to work with people. Is that what a social worker does? I guess I have lots of interest but when i think of a social worker I think of someone who goes to doors of poor poverished parents who don't take care of their kids. I don't really want to do that. I changed my major from psychology to social work becuase I thought it would open more doors. If I am not so much into political and justice is this the wrong path for me?

Confused about social work major. Please help!?
You have a narrow view of social work. Social work is the broadest of the human service related professions. Most psychotherapy is provided by social workers. I would encourage you to take the intro course and re-evaluate at that point.





DA
Reply:There are many areas social workers can work. They can work in mental health agencies, health care agencies, social welfare, schools, prisons and community agencies. I'm sure there are a lot of other settings I am not even listing. There are also social workers who have private practices but you need to get your license for this as all other mental health providers have to do too. There are many areas that social workers work. Psychology would require you get a doctorates. Some areas they cannot work, but they also can work in other areas where they would be the primary mental health provider.
Reply:I work with people in the mental health field with clients who suffer from chronic mental health illness. I actually just graduated with my BS in Psychology, but I'm getting my SSW and the organization I'm working for has offered to pay for my Master's degree. After I can actually intiate therapy for individuals and work in group settings. I agree with the answers on here that social work is a very broad field---but don't be worried that you are not on the right track...finish your degree and seek out organizations that deal with mental health when you are finished.
Reply:i thought that to. i want to by a physiologist to learn more of maybe what i have. i think your on the right path. you can share your experiences with others.
Reply:Stick with your degree in social work. You can do individual counseling and therapy with a BSW or MSW as much as you can with a BA/BS or Masters in Psychology, but the Social Work degree will allow you to make more money since Social Work degrees are recognized federally and others not.