In this chapter, (1) 'board' means the Board of Social Work Examiners; (2) 'clinical social work' means the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders and the use of techniques of applied psychotherapy of a nonmedical nature while practicing social work; (3) 'clinical social worker' means a person who practices clinical social work; (4) 'department' means the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development; (5) 'practitioner of the healing arts' has the meaning given in AS 47.17.290; (6) 'social work' means a service in which a special knowledge of social resources, human capabilities, and the part that unconscious motivation plays in determining behavior is directed, through the application of social work principles and methods, at helping individuals to achieve more adequate, satisfying, and productive social adjustments; (7) 'social work principles and methods' include counseling of a nonmedical nature to assist in the treatment of mental and emotional conditions of individuals, families, and groups; providing information and referral services; providing or arranging for the provision of social services; explaining and interpreting the psychosocial aspects in the situations families, and groups; providing information and referral services; providing or arranging for the provision of social services; explaining and interpreting the psychosocial aspects in the situations of individuals, families, or groups; helping communities to organize, provide, or improve social and health services; and doing research related to social work.
Alaska Legal Code