Conceptions and Historicity of Clinical Social Work in Latin America: A Contemporary Overview

This article constitutes a current and contextual historical review regarding Clinical Social Work as an emerging specialty in Latin America, considering the countries that have been pioneers in the region. The article seeks to clarify the latest scientific, professional and disciplinary advances, in relation with conceptions and practical-academic historicity, as well as providing a glimpse of the current epistemological legitimacy. The article provides a deconstructive and critical invitation of certain academic ideologies and the oppressive contexts that have conditioned the movement of Clinical Social Work in Latin America. The methodology used to achieve these reflections has been mainly the investigation of current Latin American publications, contact by correspondence with key stakehorlders in the region and the analysis of journalistic and institutional documentation. Therefore, at first, contextual elements and key data are delivered that support the presence and main tensions of this specialty in Latin America, mainly in the last 5 years. Subsequently, a brief analysis is provided of events related to Clinical Social Work in countries where there is currently evidence of its presence, mainly in Puerto Rico, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico and Brazil. Finally, a reflection is offered on Clinical Social Work in Latin America, contemplating the main challenges and hopes for the near future.