Psychologist vs Social Worker**updated with another question down below

What qualifications to Socials Workers have to do counseling? Can they do the same job as a psychologist. I believe there is a vast difference in education but honestly do not know too much about the difference between the two.
Please enlighten me

Message edited 2/10/2011 12:56:03 PM.

Re: Psychologist vs Social Worker

A social worker has a masters in social work while a psychologist has a Ph.D. In order to practice therapy and be able to bill insurance companies, a social worker must be licensed. First a social worker must take the LMSW exam. Then when they have enough hours they can take the LCSW exam. Both will allow you to practice but most insurance companies want a person with a LMSW to have their reports co-signed by a LCSW.

A psychologist is able to do psychological testing as well as therapy.

What I find to be the true difference between the 2 is the type of theory employed. Both are very capable of helping a person. It all depends on what theory they follow and how they view things.

Hope this helps.

Re: Psychologist vs Social Worker

Re: Psychologist vs Social Worker

I also like what the PP wrote for an explanation!

I am a Licensed Social Worker, and I do counseling within a non profit agency. Like the PP said, social workers do not do testing, and focus on "talk therapy". I use a lot of behavior modification and cognitive behavioral therapy with my clients (mostly adolescents).

Also, I have heard that a lot of people will go see a social worker over a psychologist because social workers are generally a lot cheaper.

ETA: I went to college and graduated with a degree in psychology. For graduate school, a GRE exam was required (kind of like the SATs). I didn't do so well on them, so I re-evaluated, and decided to go to grad school for social work instead. I felt like I didn't want to do the testing that is part of psychology, so social work seemed like a better fit for me.

Message edited 2/10/2011 11:22:53 AM.

Re: Psychologist vs Social Worker

Re: Psychologist vs Social Worker

I can't comment on the differences in qualifications, but I believe that the level of comfort you feel with your therapist is far more important than the initials that come after his/her name.

Re: Psychologist vs Social Worker

Keep in mind also that you have other professions (Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist) aside from SW'ers and Psychologists (Ph.D, Psy.D).

Industrial/Organization and School Psychologists are licensed at the Masters Level, not just doctorate.

Re: Psychologist vs Social Worker

The economy $ucks all around right now for the helping professions, but I would also like to chime in and say that you may be a lot more marketable as a social worker vs. a psychologist. I know a few people who became school psychologists who have never been able to find steady employment in NYS.

Re: Psychologist vs Social Worker

Do social workers take insurance like a Psychologist does?

Re: Psychologist vs Social Worker**updated with another question down below

They can, yes.

Re: Psychologist vs Social Worker**updated with another question down below

Re: Psychologist vs Social Worker**updated with another question down below

Re: Psychologist vs Social Worker**updated with another question down below

Psychologists have much more training and are much more highly skilled with regard to treating a wider variety of mental health issues and severe psychopathology than social workers, IMO, which is obviously biased because I am a psychologist. We can also do psychological testing. The theoretical approach used by social workers can be dramatically different from that of a psychologist. Are you asking from the perspective of someone seeking treatment or from a career perspective?

Re: Psychologist vs Social Worker**updated with another question down below

Re: Psychologist vs Social Worker**updated with another question down below

Re: Psychologist vs Social Worker**updated with another question down below

Re: Psychologist vs Social Worker**updated with another question down below

Re: Psychologist vs Social Worker**updated with another question down below

Re: Psychologist vs Social Worker**updated with another question down below

nm. double post.

Message edited 2/10/2011 6:27:41 PM.

Re: Psychologist vs Social Worker**updated with another question down below

I think its important to find out what is the therapist's approach to therapy, whatever their credential may be. Depending on the issue you are going for (if you know it), there may be one type of approach that is proven to be more effective than another- and one therapist may be more experienced in that or not. Different letters after one's name denote profession but not theory and approach, whether social worker, psychologist, psy d, etc.

Re: Psychologist vs Social Worker**updated with another question down below

I see a Social worker for therapy and I love her. She is fantastic. If anyone needs a recommendation please FM me. She is located in Smithtown. She def is meant to do this, the title doesn't matter much to ME, she obviously is well trained and super caring.