Whats the difference between a social worker and a therapist

As you search for a rewarding and people-centric career, rest easy knowing there are many humanistic professions you could pursue. If your career goals involve helping others overcome their challenges, it’s natural to be curious about social worker versus psychologist roles.

Both social workers and psychologists are trained to tune in to a person’s cognitive, social and emotional behaviors. They aim to provide guidance, strategies and resources to help individuals cope with the difficulties they face.

Although these professions do overlap, there are also some notable differences between social work and psychology. Understanding these distinctions can help you decide which of is right for you. We dug into the data to outline these two impactful career paths below. You just might find you’re a natural fit for one over the other.

What is the difference between social worker and psychologist duties?

There are numerous subfields within social work and psychology. Practitioners can specialize in working with school children, marriage and families, mental health, or substance abuse, to name a few. With this wide range of services, each professional’s job description may vary, though there are core elements specific to both of these roles.

Social workers not only help people cope with challenges, but they also dedicate ample time and energy to advocacy. They help raise awareness and advance causes both with and on behalf of their clients at the local, state and even national levels. Social workers typically work with families and individuals to help improve their quality of life.

Some of the typical social worker duties include the following:

• Assessing a client’s needs, situations and strengths to determine their goals
• Helping clients adjust to major life changes, such as illness, divorce or the death of a loved one
• Researching, referring and advocating for community resources on a client-by-client basis
• Responding to crisis situations, such as mental health emergencies or child abuse
• Identifying people or communities in need of help
• Following up with clients to ensure improvements are made

Psychologists, on the other hand, observe, interpret and record how people relate to one another and their environments by studying cognitive, emotional and social behaviors. Their goal is to understand and explain complicated thoughts, feelings and actions. A psychologist’s process for doing so can include controlled laboratory experiments, psychoanalysis and psychotherapy. Rather than working with families or community groups, psychologists typically work with clients in a one-on-one capacity.

Psychologists are generally responsible for the following job duties:

• Conducting scientific studies of behavior and brain function
• Identifying psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnosing disorders
• Identifying and testing for patterns that can help them better understand and predict behavior
• Discussing treatment plans with clients and other medical professionals
• Writing articles, research papers and reports to share findings with others

What is the career outlook for a licensed social worker vs. psychologist?

You may plan to pursue a particular career based solely on your passion for the topic, but you still want some assurance that there will be jobs available once you finish school. In the case of social work and psychology, both are steady careers with ample job opportunities.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment of social workers is expected to increase 13 percent through 2029—that’s more than triple the rate of all occupations nationwide. Mental health and substance abuse roles are also projected to rise substantially in that time frame, with a growth rate of 17 percent, closely followed by a 13 percent spike in health care positions.

The BLS forecasts a stable job market for psychologists. Overall employment of psychologists is projected to grow three percent through 2029, with similar rates for clinical, counseling and school psychologist specialties.

Some experts hypothesize demand for psychology services will increase particularly for two groups: aging populations and those within schools. As the population ages, additional services can help people deal with the mental and physical changes that occur as they grow older. And as more people become aware of the connection between mental health and learning, school psychologists’ expertise will be in high demand.

Social worker vs. psychologist: How do you become one?

There are multiple education tracks that could lead you to careers in psychology and social work. The most common requirement for entry-level social work positions is a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). According to the BLS, a BSW prepares students for direct-service positions, such as a case worker or a mental health assistant.

Clinical social work positions require a Master of Social Work (MSW). This program typically prepares students to work in their chosen specialty and requires students to complete a supervised practicum or internship. You’ll also need two years of supervised training and experience. You can then take a clinical exam to become licensed. Licensure requirements vary by state, so be sure to look into the specifics in your area.

Most psychologist positions require a doctoral degree in psychology, but the BLS reports a master’s degree in the field can be sufficient for some roles. A Master of Arts in Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy, like the one at University of Massachusetts Global, for example, can qualify graduates who obtain proper licensure to work in marriage and family counselor positions.

For the clinical, counseling and research psychologist positions that require further education, you have the option of pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree. Ph.D. psychology programs are research intensive and culminate in taking a comprehensive exam and writing a detailed dissertation. The Psy.D. is a clinical degree often based on practical work and examinations rather than a dissertation. Many psychology doctoral programs will include a one-year internship.

In most states, you must be licensed to practice as a psychologist. State-specific licensure requirements can be found at the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards site. Practicing psychologists must complete continuing education courses to maintain licensure in many states, as well.

Is your future in social work or psychology?

This social worker versus psychologist comparison should have you one step closer to determining where you can make your impact. Whichever of these rewarding professions you choose, you’ll need to further your education to make the career your own.

If you find yourself drawn toward social work or psychology, check out the undergraduate and graduate degrees at University of Massachusetts Global’s School of Arts & Sciences for online and hybrid programs that fit your schedule, budget and career ambitions.

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