Clinical Social Work in Germany: Development, current state and future challenges

In Germany, clinical social work is a relatively new (sub-)discipline of social work. The article provides an overview of the development and current state of theories and paradigms of clinical social work as well as of education, practice and research in Germany. Furthermore, central fields of practice and specific client groups are dealt with. The case study of an eleven-year-old girl and her family illustrates psychosocial diagnostics and interventions of clinical social work in a family counselling centre. Finally, future developments and challenges in clinical social work in Germany are presented.