How does community practice differ from clinical social work?

Community practice is fundamentally distinct from clinical social work in that it specifically addresses larger systemic issues affecting groups or communities, rather than concentrating solely on individuals. This type of practice emphasizes collective strategies for change, aiming to mobilize resources, enhance social justice, and empower community members to tackle the underlying factors contributing to social problems.

By focusing on systemic changes, community practice seeks to improve the overall well-being of populations through initiatives such as organizing, advocacy, and policy reform. This broader approach helps facilitate community development and address social inequities, contrasting with the more individual-focused methods typically employed in clinical social work, which centers on providing therapeutic interventions to individuals dealing with psychological distress or mental health issues.

In this context, the emphasis on structural challenges and collective action positions community practice as a crucial aspect of social work that promotes holistic solutions to societal problems.