Taylor chatted with Tireeka Watson, LCSW, who has built a thriving forensic evaluation practice serving clients in the criminal justice system. Her background spans jail-based mental health, public defense, crisis response with fire departments, and leadership roles in psychiatric hospitals.

We get into how evaluations work, what they pay, how to get trained, and how to position yourself in this field if you're interested. If you're looking for something outside traditional therapy or case management, or you're just curious about what else is possible in social work, this episode has a lot to offer.

Sign up for the Forensic Evaluations for Clinicians - 6 week training with Tireeka HERE!

Takeaways From This Episode:

1. What forensic social work is and how it shows up in different systems
2. Why picking a population you already know can make forensics easier to learn
3. You don't need a forensics background to start, but training is essential for sustainability.
4. Forensic evaluations can range from $435 to $3,500+ per evaluation, depending on complexity and jurisdiction
5. Social workers need to stop talking poorly about the profession if we want others to respect what we do

Resources:

1. The Hype Playlist
2. Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.
3. Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money.
4. OR text SOCIAL WORK to 33777 to join the newsletter!
5. Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok, Instagram, & YouTube.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

In this episode, we talked with Shajuan "Shay" Alexander, LCSW, to walk us through what it actually looks like to do immigration evaluations. These evaluations are used in legal cases like asylum, VAWA, hardship waivers, and more. Shay shares how she got started, what she’s learned along the way, and what social workers need to know before adding this to their practice.

If you’ve ever been curious about immigration evaluations or want to understand how social work shows up in legal settings, this conversation is a practical place to start!

Takeaways From This Episode:

1. What immigration evaluations are and why they’re needed in court
2. The five types of evaluations social workers can do (and the licensing requirements)
3. How to approach interviews about trauma, violence, and political persecution with care
4. What goes into writing an evaluation
5. Why your relationships with attorneys matter just as much as your clinical skills
6. What to consider if you’re interested in this work but unsure where to start

Resources:

1. Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.
2. Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money.
3. OR text SOCIAL WORK to 33777 to join the newsletter!
4. Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok, Instagram, & YouTube.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

We're very excited to welcome Dr. Frederic Reamer, a longtime social work educator and chair of the task force that wrote the NASW Code of Ethics (!!!). Dr. Reamer has spent decades focusing on ethics and risk management in social work, and he talked with us about artificial intelligence and its impact in the behavioral health space.

We talk about the real-world ways AI is already showing up in clinical settings, how it’s being used by clients (often without us knowing), and the ethical risks clinicians need to watch out for. Dr. Reamer shares his perspective on how mental health clinicians can stay grounded and legally protected while navigating this evolving technology, especially when most of us didn’t learn anything about this in grad school.

This conversation is essential for every clinician, whether you're using AI or not.

Takeaways From This Episode:

1. Why every clinician needs to know about AI, even if you're not using it yourself
2. How to update your consent-to-treat protocols to address AI use with clients
3. The real risks of AI-generated clinical notes, including false narratives and hallucinations
4. Why some states have already banned AI for therapeutic purposes (Illinois and Nevada)
5. The importance of vetting AI tools before using them and consulting an attorney who specializes in this area
6. How AI can be a useful supplement, not a replacement, for clinical judgment
7. Why failing to ask clients about their AI use could be considered negligence

Resources:

1. Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.
2. Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money.
3. OR text SOCIAL WORK to 33777 to join the newsletter!
4. Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok, Instagram, & YouTube.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

In this episode, we talk with Christine Mosher and Ros Wilson, clinical social workers and co-founders of Athlete Wellness Consultants, where they provide training, education, and clinical support focused on athlete well-being. Both bring a wealth of experience to the world of sports social work, not just in mental health, but as lifelong athletes themselves.

In our conversation, they break down what sport social work actually looks like in practice, how it compares to sports psychology, and why this work is needed at all levels of sport. Whether you're a social worker curious about this field or someone already working with athletes, this episode offers insight into what sport social work really looks like and why it matters.

Takeaways From This Episode:

1. Sports social work focuses on the whole athlete, not just how they perform
2. Retirement, injury, and performance pressure can trigger deep grief and disconnection
3. Social workers can collaborate with coaches, trainers, and psychologists to provide stronger support
4. Educating athletic staff is important to reducing stigma and improving mental health access
5. Boundaries and confidentiality get complicated in tight-knit team environments
6. There’s growing space for macro-level advocacy within sports systems

Mentioned resources:

1. Text SOCIAL WORK to 33777 to join the newsletter!
2. Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.

Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money.

Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok, Instagram, & YouTube.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

We’re excited to share this joint episode with Catherine Moore, LCSW, host of Social Workers Rise Podcast, to get into what compensation actually looks like in this profession. Between her experience in medical social work and Taylor’s salary database with over 1,500 entries, we looked at how social workers are getting paid and why we need more transparency around it.

This episode is all about shifting the mindset that social workers should expect to struggle financially. We talk through what influences salary, how job titles can open doors, and why it’s valid to want better pay, even if you love the work you do. Catherine also shares how she’s built multiple income streams and why knowing your financial needs is one of the best things you can do for your career.

Takeaways From This Episode:

1. Why salary transparency helps shift the culture of financial struggle in social work
2. What the real salary landscape looks like across roles and regions (yes, some social workers are making $300K)
3. How to think about total compensation, not just your hourly rate
4. How to identify job titles outside the “social worker” label
5. Tips for negotiating your salary

Mentioned resources:

1. Salary Database – Submit or browse entries
2. Job Title Resource Community (aka Wealth Society)
3. Job Title Resource PDF
4. Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.

Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money.

Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok, Instagram, & YouTube.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

In this episode, we break down one of the biggest decisions for social workers considering private practice: should you take insurance, go fully private pay, or try a hybrid model? We talk through the logistics, mindset shifts, pros and cons, and the financial implications of each route.

We also get into the emotional weight that comes with trying to build a sustainable practice while still staying aligned with your values, including the messy narratives around accessibility and burnout.

Takeaways From This Episode:

• Starting with insurance might make sense for stability, but private pay gives you more freedom in the long run
• The real reason niching down matters
• How insurance audits, clawbacks, and low rates push therapists out of the system
• Being an anti-oppressive therapist isn’t only about taking insurance; there are many ways to practice social justice
• It’s okay to raise your private pay rate and be mindful of inflation
• If you’re starting out, there’s no shame in going into private practice early in your career

Mentioned resources:

• Private Practice Checklist Download
• Text SOCIAL WORK to 33777 to join the newsletter!
• Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.  

Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. 

Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok, Instagram, & YouTube.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

Today’s episode is all about the corporate side of social work! We sat down with Peter Mostachetti, LMSW, who went from a 25-year career in tech at IBM to leading employee experience, learning, and inclusion at IPSY, the largest beauty subscription company. Peter breaks down what corporate social work really is, how he applies the “person-in-environment” approach in HR, and why social workers are already equipped to thrive in corporate spaces.

We dive into what corporate roles can look like for social workers and how to start positioning yourself for work outside of traditional settings. Peter shares how he thinks about charging for his time and the harmful messaging social workers still get about staying broke “for the cause.” This episode is full of insight, especially if you’re curious about nontraditional roles, better pay, or just figuring out your next move.

Takeaways From This Episode:

1. Corporate social work is just macro social work in a new setting
2. Social work skills like crisis response, facilitation, and systems thinking show up all the time in HR, DEI, and employee experience.
3. Your MSW makes you qualified to work in spaces like HR, employee experience, and DEI.
4. You don’t have to give up your values to work in a space that pays you well.
5. Job titles can be misleading, so read the job description before counting yourself out.
6. Entry-level HR roles can pay $80K+ depending on industry and location.

Mentioned resources:

1. Text SOCIAL WORK to 33777 to join the newsletter!
2. Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.

Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money.

Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok, Instagram, & YouTube.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

In this episode, we are doing something a little different! Faith and I are reacting to the conversation that transpired on LinkedIn after I posted: “Don’t post your job for a master’s level clinician if it doesn’t pay at least $100K.” The post got a lot of traction.... essentially went viral. Thousands of reactions, hundreds of comments, and a mix of support and pushback from folks across the field.

We talk through the range of responses, including the common claim that expecting six figures is “unrealistic,” and why that word keeps coming up in conversations about social work and money. We also talk real solutions: collective bargaining, salary transparency, and policy-level shifts that need to happen if this profession is going to survive and thrive.

Takeaways From This Episode:

1. The behind the scenes story of a LinkedIn post that struck a nerve
2. What it really means when people say $100K is “unrealistic” for social workers
3. The importance of salary transparency and why it’s not “greedy” to talk numbers
4. What the data tells us about shortages, turnover, and retention in social work
5. Why “that’s how it’s always been” is not a good enough reason to settle
6. Ideas for what a new, sustainable model of social work could look like

Mentioned resources:

1. Text SOCIAL WORK to 33777 to join the newsletter!
2. Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.

Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money.

Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok, Instagram, & YouTube.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

Welcome to the Salary Series! This is a mini-series where we’re getting into the real numbers behind what social workers make. In this episode, I’m talking with Erika Morris, MSW, a forensic social worker who went from making $44/hr straight out of grad school to making up to $95/hr as a contractor in Washington state. Erika breaks down what forensic social work actually is and how working on public defense teams can be both meaningful and financially sustainable. If you’ve ever wondered about what it’s like to work on a defense team or how to position yourself for work in legal and court-adjacent spaces, this is your episode.

Takeaways From This Episode:

• What forensic social work really looks like in practice
• How Erika went from intern to earning $55/hr in one year
• How contract work offers flexibility and strong pay, especially for working parents
• The differences in public defense systems between states
• Why holistic defense is growing and how social workers fit into this model
• How to approach public defense agencies even if you don’t see job openings
• Common job titles to look for in forensic and legal-focused social work

Mentioned resources:

• Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.  

Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. 

Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok, Instagram, & YouTube.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

This week, we are excited to welcome Jerrel Peterson, MSW, to the podcast! He’s the Head of Global Content Policy at Spotify, and formerly held a trust & safety role at Twitter. Jerrel walks us through his journey from direct practice in mental health to landing a job in tech. We dive into what “trust and safety” means in tech, how his team develops interventions for content-related harm, and how his social work training helps him create safer online spaces. Jerrel also shares practical advice on how social workers can break into the tech space and translate their skills.

Takeaways From This Episode:

1. Why trust & safety work is a perfect fit for social workers
2. Why social work skills (crisis management, systems thinking, advocacy) are in demand in tech
3. The power of policy as intervention in online platforms
4. Negotiation tips: base salary, RSUs, sign-on bonuses, and benefits
5. Advice for social workers exploring tech careers: networking, LinkedIn outreach, and resume rewrites
6. Why being bold matters in corporate spaces

Mentioned resources:

1. Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.

Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money.

Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok, Instagram, & YouTube.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.