What is the difference between a counsellor and a social worker

Fordham University. Syracuse University. Case Western Reserve University. Baylor University. Some of the specifics vary by institution. Here are a few factors to consider, as you conduct your research:. Both programs prepare candidates to make a difference in the lives of the people they work with, but this can happen in different ways. Counselors are trained to help clients directly. Social workers may develop the skills to provide psychotherapy but are more likely to help clients and communities find the resources they need to change their circumstances, remove social barriers or influence public policy on a broader scale.

Though they sometimes overlap, graduate degrees in social work and counseling normally have different specializations. Reflecting their broader domains, social workers might focus on criminology or trauma and violence, among other areas.

That includes family therapy, addiction counseling, and grief counseling. According to the U. The same can be said for counseling jobs. All of these numbers can fluctuate depending on your credentials, whether you possess a doctorate degree in social work and a host of other factors.

Here are a few similarities between the two:. Flexibility and Length. Part-time options generally take around three years. Many programs are also fully available online, with exception of internships and practicums, allowing you to balance work and study.

In addition, a background in relevant subjects like social or behavioral sciences is often recommended, but this is not usually mandatory. Counselors work with a wide variety of issues ranging from mental health to education, career, and development. As such, counselors often specialize. Counselors also work in various settings such as hospital and clinics, schools, and government or military institutions; much the same as social workers.

A distinct work setting though is private practice, which is common among counselors. Training programs and practitioners are accredited and regulated by governing bodies in their respective countries or states. A social worker is a professional who provides or helps clients gain access to social services.

The main goal of a social worker is to specifically help the client function well in the social context and generally to facilitate and effect social change. A social worker needs to have at least a Bachelor of Social Work degree or an accredited equivalent in order to practice generalist or entry level social work.

Social workers may undergo further education and training in a Master of Social Work degree in order to specialize and practice advanced social work. Some specializations a social worker might undertake are community organization, administration, planning, research, or a field of practice such as child welfare or medical social work. One specialization of a social worker is the direct service, also called clinical social work.

This specialization is similar to that of a counselor as a clinical social worker is trained and licensed to provide counseling in addition to the other duties of a social worker. A social worker works with much the same issues as a counselor and in much the same settings. However, social workers, even clinical social workers usually refer clients to other professionals or to other institutions as needed. Social workers do not do private practice as they need to be in touch with other institutions and professionals that provide services that a client might need.

Social workers also often do field work. They might go to poor communities or even war zones. Social workers also have their own governing bodies. A counselor is a professional who helps clients obtain optimum mental health and wellness, and achieve educational and career goals. A social worker is a professional who provides clients, or helps clients gain access to social services. A counselor undergoes training through a Master in Counseling degree.

A social worker has at least a Bachelor of Social Work to practice generalist or entry level social work, a Master of Social Work degree to practice advanced and specialized social work. A counselor does advanced counseling and therapy while a social worker provides or connects clients to social services.

Examples of specialized counselors are mental health counselors and guidance counselors. Some specialized social workers are clinical social workers and social work administration. Although counselors and social workers share many work settings, a key difference is that a counselor may engage in private practice while a social worker does not.

Cite APA 7 Brown, g. For those considering earning an advanced degree in a field that has the potential to drastically impact the community and the individuals around you, there may be some initial questions you might have. What is the difference between a counselor, a social worker and a psychologist?

How do the responsibilities and expectations in these career paths intersect, and in what ways are they different? How is their training different? Which career path is right for you? Put simply, counselors are often viewed as the first responders for those in need of emotional and psychological support. They work in schools, colleges, hospitals, mental health facilities, private practice, the armed forces and a variety of other areas.

By earning a Master of Arts in Counseling, students are prepared for a number of careers in the mental health field, including school counseling, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, vocational or career counseling, clinical mental health counseling, and substance abuse counseling. From there, students are able to complete the licensing necessary and start their careers. A career in social work, on the other hand, can be much broader. Social workers can pursue jobs in clinical settings, government organizations, social administration, public policy, research, and ethics, as well as schools.

Social workers focus on finding solutions to systemic problems, as well as helping smaller communities that are affected by those problems.

Social work programs focus on preparing students for a leadership role in the care and advocacy of their clients, which can include singular individuals and entire communities.