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<p>The global demand for clinical social work has risen alongside the growing need for specialized mental health interventions. In Zimbabwe, rise in drug and substance abuse has exacerbated mental health crises, yet clinical social work remains underdeveloped due to gaps in education, regulation, and professional identity. This study examines barriers to professionalizing clinical social work in Zimbabwe, addressing: (1) What systemic and structural obstacles hinder its development? (2) How do cultural and financial factors affect its recognition? The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 16 purposively selected participants, including regulators, educators, and practitioners from various settings. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), five key themes emerged: outdated regulatory frameworks, theoretical and disconnected social work education, weak professional identity in clinical settings, cultural and spiritual barriers, and limited financial incentives. Participants highlighted the need for more explicit clinical guidelines, inadequate faculty expertise, and resistance from other professions as significant obstacles. Additionally, cultural beliefs favoring spiritual and traditional healing over formal interventions further marginalized clinical social work. Low remuneration and restricted opportunities for private practice diminished professional motivation. These findings suggest an urgent need for regulatory reforms, curriculum alignment, and economic incentives to nurture clinical specialization and improve practitioner retention. Integrating cultural and spiritual practices into clinical frameworks could enhance acceptance and accessibility. In conclusion, addressing these gaps through multi-sectoral collaboration and systemic reforms can establish clinical social work as a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s mental health system, ensuring its sustainability and relevance while improving mental health outcomes in the country.</p>

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Barriers to Professionalization of Clinical Social Work in Zimbabwe: Insights from Education, Regulation and Practice

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月1日

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  • Taruvinga Muzingili,
  • Belamino Kurauone Chikwaiwa,
  • Weston Chidyausiku

摘要

The global demand for clinical social work has risen alongside the growing need for specialized mental health interventions. In Zimbabwe, rise in drug and substance abuse has exacerbated mental health crises, yet clinical social work remains underdeveloped due to gaps in education, regulation, and professional identity. This study examines barriers to professionalizing clinical social work in Zimbabwe, addressing: (1) What systemic and structural obstacles hinder its development? (2) How do cultural and financial factors affect its recognition? The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 16 purposively selected participants, including regulators, educators, and practitioners from various settings. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), five key themes emerged: outdated regulatory frameworks, theoretical and disconnected social work education, weak professional identity in clinical settings, cultural and spiritual barriers, and limited financial incentives. Participants highlighted the need for more explicit clinical guidelines, inadequate faculty expertise, and resistance from other professions as significant obstacles. Additionally, cultural beliefs favoring spiritual and traditional healing over formal interventions further marginalized clinical social work. Low remuneration and restricted opportunities for private practice diminished professional motivation. These findings suggest an urgent need for regulatory reforms, curriculum alignment, and economic incentives to nurture clinical specialization and improve practitioner retention. Integrating cultural and spiritual practices into clinical frameworks could enhance acceptance and accessibility. In conclusion, addressing these gaps through multi-sectoral collaboration and systemic reforms can establish clinical social work as a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s mental health system, ensuring its sustainability and relevance while improving mental health outcomes in the country.