This dissertation is the result of the study together with Therapeutic Residential Services (SRTs) of the Institute of Psychiatry of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ) and the presence of Social Work in the same, with emphasis on aspects of the operation of those devices and professional performance in terms of contribution to the objectives of the Brazilian Psychiatric Reform. The research has focused on the search for deinstitutionalization and its articulation with the autonomy of users of Therapeutic Residential Services, in addition to questioning the necessity and the feasibility of increasing the number of these Services. The insertion of the Social Work is studying problems in relation to the current discussions in the profession about acting in the area of Mental Health and the principles of the Code of Professional Ethics (1993) and the Law of Regulation of the Profession (1993), as well as in relation to the assumptions of the Brazilian Psychiatric Reform. The qualitative research was developed through field observation, reading documents and execution of semistructured interviews with the various institutional actors: users and professionals. The findings make it possible to detect major advances in the history of Therapeutic Residential Services and its importance as a Psychosocial Attention Network devices, both from the point of view of users and professionals involved. The basic difficulties to be faced, whether in relation to the autonomy of users, as the extension of the number of these devices have been relativized to deinstitutionalisation process. As regards the Social Work of the Therapeutic Residential Services of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro insertion since the deployment of such devices, as well as in its current coordination and direct assistance to users. The activities are related with the ethical-political commitment to contemporary professional category and the legislation in force, in addition to the recognition of the importance of professional activity on the part of actors involved.