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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: What forensic social work is and how it shows up in different systemsWhy picking a population you already know can make forensics easier to learnYou don't need a forensics background to start, but training is essential for sustainability.Forensic evaluations can range from $435 to $3,500+ per evaluation, depending on complexity and jurisdictionSocial workers need to stop talking poorly about the profession if we want others to respect what we do Resources: The Hype PlaylistCheck 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.OR text SOCIAL WORK to 33777 to join the newsletter!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: What immigration evaluations are and why they’re needed in courtThe five types of evaluations social workers can do (and the licensing requirements)How to approach interviews about trauma, violence, and political persecution with careWhat goes into writing an evaluationWhy your relationships with attorneys matter just as much as your clinical skillsWhat to consider if you’re interested in this work but unsure where to start 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.OR text SOCIAL WORK to 33777 to join the newsletter!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: Why every clinician needs to know about AI, even if you're not using it yourselfHow to update your consent-to-treat protocols to address AI use with clientsThe real risks of AI-generated clinical notes, including false narratives and hallucinationsWhy some states have already banned AI for therapeutic purposes (Illinois and Nevada)The importance of vetting AI tools before using them and consulting an attorney who specializes in this areaHow AI can be a useful supplement, not a replacement, for clinical judgmentWhy failing to ask clients about their AI use could be considered negligence 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.OR text SOCIAL WORK to 33777 to join the newsletter!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: Sports social work focuses on the whole athlete, not just how they performRetirement, injury, and performance pressure can trigger deep grief and disconnectionSocial workers can collaborate with coaches, trainers, and psychologists to provide stronger supportEducating athletic staff is important to reducing stigma and improving mental health accessBoundaries and confidentiality get complicated in tight-knit team environmentsThere’s growing space for macro-level advocacy within sports systems Mentioned resources: 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.

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: Why salary transparency helps shift the culture of financial struggle in social workWhat the real salary landscape looks like across roles and regions (yes, some social workers are making $300K)How to think about total compensation, not just your hourly rateHow to identify job titles outside the “social worker” labelTips for negotiating your salary Mentioned resources: Salary Database – Submit or browse entriesJob Title Resource Community (aka Wealth Society)Job Title Resource PDFCheck 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 runThe real reason niching down mattersHow insurance audits, clawbacks, and low rates push therapists out of the systemBeing an anti-oppressive therapist isn’t only about taking insurance; there are many ways to practice social justiceIt’s okay to raise your private pay rate and be mindful of inflationIf you’re starting out, there’s no shame in going into private practice early in your career Mentioned resources: Private Practice Checklist DownloadText 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: Corporate social work is just macro social work in a new settingSocial work skills like crisis response, facilitation, and systems thinking show up all the time in HR, DEI, and employee experience.Your MSW makes you qualified to work in spaces like HR, employee experience, and DEI.You don’t have to give up your values to work in a space that pays you well.Job titles can be misleading, so read the job description before counting yourself out.Entry-level HR roles can pay $80K+ depending on industry and location. Mentioned resources: 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.

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: The behind the scenes story of a LinkedIn post that struck a nerveWhat it really means when people say $100K is “unrealistic” for social workersThe importance of salary transparency and why it’s not “greedy” to talk numbersWhat the data tells us about shortages, turnover, and retention in social workWhy “that’s how it’s always been” is not a good enough reason to settleIdeas for what a new, sustainable model of social work could look like Mentioned resources: 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.

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 practiceHow Erika went from intern to earning $55/hr in one yearHow contract work offers flexibility and strong pay, especially for working parentsThe differences in public defense systems between statesWhy holistic defense is growing and how social workers fit into this modelHow to approach public defense agencies even if you don’t see job openingsCommon 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: Why trust & safety work is a perfect fit for social workersWhy social work skills (crisis management, systems thinking, advocacy) are in demand in techThe power of policy as intervention in online platformsNegotiation tips: base salary, RSUs, sign-on bonuses, and benefitsAdvice for social workers exploring tech careers: networking, LinkedIn outreach, and resume rewritesWhy being bold matters in corporate spaces 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.

In this episode, we’re joined by Aja Evans, financial therapist and licensed mental health counselor, to talk all things feelings and finances. We get into what financial therapy actually is, why our money habits are deeply emotional, and how unprocessed shame and avoidance are holding so many of us (especially those of us in helping professions) back from financial clarity and peace. Aja gives us so much permission to pause, reflect, and rewrite our money story without shame. Takeaways From This Episode: Why financial therapy is more than just numbers... It’s about emotions, patterns, and past experiencesThe emotional toll of money avoidance (and how to gently start facing it)Why so many of us feel left out of the financial conversation and how to reclaim our place in itA peek inside what financial therapy can actually look likeThe power of financial confidence and how it can change your entire lifeA reminder: your financial journey takes time. You are not behind. Mentioned resources: Buy Feel Good Finance HereCheck 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, I’m talking with Lauryn Williams, CFP®, and consultant with Student Loan Planner, about what’s really going on with student loans right now, especially for social workers trying to make sense of repayment, forgiveness, and all the recent changes. We break down the current repayment options, what’s happening with the SAVE plan, and how the new RAP plan is expected to work (when it finally rolls out). If your loans feel overwhelming or you’ve been avoiding them altogether, this episode will help you understand your options and what next steps to take. Get $100 off a consult with Student Loan Planner* Takeaways From This Episode: Why repayment isn’t one-size-fits-all and how to choose what works for youWhat’s happening with the SAVE plan and why it might be time to move off itWhich income-driven repayment plans are still available (and who qualifies)What the new RAP plan is, and what we know about it so farHow PSLF actually works and common myths that confuse borrowersWhat to consider before refinancing your federal loansHow a consult with Student Loan Planner works and why it could save you thousands Mentioned resources: Get $100 off a consult with Student Loan Planner* Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript. (This post has extra resources that were not shared in the episode, thanks to Leslie!) 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 episode may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.

In this episode, I’m talking with Leslie Taylor, MSW, about what it looks like to leave traditional social work and build a career in tech, and specifically in the growing field of Trust & Safety. Leslie shares her career journey from intensive in-home therapy to working at organizations like Snap and Adobe. We get into what Trust & Safety actually means, how social workers are already equipped for this work, and why more of us should be exploring this path (especially if we’re feeling stuck, underpaid, or burned out 👀). We also chat about salary ranges and how to start looking for these kinds of roles, even if you don’t have previous experience in tech. This conversation is full of insight for anyone considering a nontraditional path with their MSW. Takeaways From This Episode: What Trust & Safety work involves and how it connects to core social work skillsThe kinds of companies hiring for these roles and what they’re actually looking forCommon job titles to search for if you’re exploring a career pivotPractical advice on how to reposition your experience and update your resume for tech rolesHow Leslie approached negotiating her salary Mentioned resources: Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript. (This post has extra resources that were not shared in the episode, thanks to Leslie!) 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, I’m joined by Dr. Ashley Stephens, LCSW-S, a social worker, supervisor, and consultant who shares how she built a career that’s financially stable and aligned with how she actually wants to live. Ashley walks us through her early money story and how she started creating multiple income streams, from clinical work to supervision, retreats, teaching, and consulting. If you’re feeling stuck in your current job, curious about supervision, or just trying to figure out how to make social work sustainable, this episode is for you! Takeaways From This Episode: The harmful (and persistent) belief that wanting financial stability makes you less “dedicated” as a social workerWhy diversifying your income isn’t about hustle culture... it’s about safety, creativity, and sustainabilityThe powerful ripple effect of becoming a supervisor and pouring into the next generation of cliniciansWhat autonomy really means in your work and how it can lead to more joy, purpose, and freedomHow the Social Work Compact could expand your clinical reach without starting from scratch in every statePermission to leave a job that doesn’t serve you, just because it doesn’t serve you 👀 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: Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, and Pinterest. Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms are 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, I’m joined by Amber Joiner-Hill, MSSW, a social worker and consultant who shares her story of how she transitioned from a traditional role in social work to starting her own consulting business. We get into the nitty gritty of program evaluation, setting up an LLC, pricing your services, and navigating the rollercoaster that is entrepreneurship. If you’ve ever thought about starting your own consulting business or just want a peek behind the scenes of how one social worker made it happen, this episode is for you. Takeaways From This Episode: What sparked Amber’s love for program evaluation and systems-level changeHow she transitioned from full-time work into full-time consulting (and back again)Why her first paid training was $1,300, but her next contract was $15K 👀The mindset shift from hourly to flat-rate pricing (and how it saved her time and made her more money)How building relationships early in her career opened doors years laterWhy your consulting journey doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to start 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: Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, and Pinterest. Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms are 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.