Question

What does it mean to be a macro social worker? A micro social worker? Do these differentiations have any real meaning? If not, why is this language used when referring to the social work profession?

Answer 1

Macro social workers work with large groups of people, communities, cities and major institutions. Macro-level social work does not typically involve working directly with individual clients in a patient-social worker relationship. However, the social workers may work with individual community members as part of research or interventions designed to address large-scale problems affecting the community.Macro-level social workers may also be involved in large-scale research. They may be charged with determining what factors are present within particular populations.  

Micro social work involves meeting with individuals, families, and small groups to help them identify and manage mental, emotional, social, behavioral, and/or financial challenges that are negatively impacting their happiness and quality of life. The goal of micro social work is to help vulnerable populations through one-on-one guidance and emotional support. Tasks that micro social workers typically complete include individual and family counseling, resource connection and navigation services (ex. how to apply for Medicare or Medicaid and other federal or state aid programs, what resources are available in one’s community, etc.), helping clients develop skills to address emotional and social difficulties, and intervening in situations in which clients encounter a crisis or severe distress (ex. school violence, domestic abuse, severe substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.).