Social therapist
A social therapist is a social worker specialised in substance abuse, gambling and addiction problems. A social therapist works at a substance abuse service point in outpatient or institutional care, where the work is often carried out in multi-professional cooperation. Work involves customer work involving consulting, work guidance and preventive substance abuse work. The work requires guidance skills and knowledge of group processes. Social therapists are required to have interaction skills, openness and flexibility.
A social therapist works in outpatient or institutional care at the service points of substance abuse services: A clinics, youth and detoxification clinics, care and maintenance homes, assisted living facilities, day centres and various support and housing services.
In the work of a social therapist, it is important to be familiar with the care and rehabilitation methods of the social sector, addiction and substance abuse work. Knowledge of mental health work also helps to succeed in the work.
Assessment skills are one of the skills required in the work of a social therapist, as a social therapist participates in the assessment of substance abuse. A social therapist often also needs group guidance skills, as some of the rehabilitation is done in a group format.
A social therapist is required to have interaction skills, cooperation skills and flexibility. Stress tolerance is needed in the profession.
Master's degree, Master of Political Sciences or Social Sciences, which includes or has been supplemented by adequate social work studies (qualification as a social worker) or Master of Psychology, with social psychology as the major subject.
The eligibility criteria for social services are specified in the Act on Social Welfare Professionals.
Median salary
3689 €/mo
Private sector
3451 €/mo
Public sector
3718 €/mo
The data is based on the median income, meaning the amount of salary which is the middle of the salary amounts arranged in order of magnitude.
Source: Statistics Finland's structural statistics on wages and salaries