In recent years, mental health has been a topic of discussion in media, governmental agencies, and schools. As a result of the increase in discussion around the topic, the need for counselors and social workers has increased greatly. While both professions typically help people struggling with mental health issues, there are many differences between the two and their scopes of practice.
What is a Counselor?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a counselor is someone who advises people on a range of issues, such as those related to alcoholism, addictions, or depression. They provide support and prevention to help clients recover from addiction, change behaviors, and improve mental health. Counselors work in community clinics, private practices, schools, and hospitals.
What is a Social Worker?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), states that a social worker helps individuals, families, and groups prevent and cope with problems. They diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral problems. Social workers provide care in schools, hospitals, governmental agencies, and community/private practices.
Differences and Similarities Between Counselors and Social Workers
While there are many instances where counselors and social workers may have similar job responsibilities depending on work location, there are also many differences. The primary scope of practice of a counselor is to provide clinical counseling. In contrast, social workers can provide clinical counseling and other services in many other settings.
What does a counselor do?
Counselors have many responsibilities within the mental health field. According to the BLS, some of the responsibilities include evaluating a client’s mental health, developing treatment plans, assisting in developing more positive behaviors, and referring clients to community resources as needed. The most common work environments for counselors include:
- Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers (18%)
- Individual and family services (15%)
- Offices of other health practitioners (12%)
- State, local, and private hospitals (9%)
- Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities (9%)
What does a social worker do?
Social workers can work in either clinical or community settings. Their responsibilities in each setting differ. Some of the duties of a social worker, according to the BLS, include identifying people and communities in need, helping clients adjust to life changes, responding to crises, and providing individual therapy sessions. The most common work environments for social workers include:
- Individual and family services (17%)
- Ambulatory healthcare services (14%)
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals (14%)
- State government, excluding education and hospitals (13%)
- State, local, and private hospitals (10%)
Education
Job Outlook and Salary
Counselors and social workers are in very high demand with recent focus on mental health and community resources. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the need for counselors is expected to increase by 18% by 2032. The need for social workers is expected to increase by 7% by 2032.
The BLS reports that counselors make an average of $49,710 yearly. The median salary for social workers is $55,350.
How to become a counselor
The National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) is a governing body that helps regulate counseling licensure requirements in the United States. This body also creates the examinations that may be required for licensure in many states including the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE).
One of the first steps to becoming a counselor is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in any field. Often, people opt to receive this degree in psychology, however, people from all walks of life and educational backgrounds can apply to most master’s in counseling programs.
The next step would be to obtain a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. The admission requirements for the program vary based on the college or university. Depending on the state, the graduate program may be required to be accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). After graduation, licensure requirements often involve taking and passing the NCE and/or the NCMHCE and supervised experience before becoming independently licensed. Upon receiving licensure, there are requirements for counselors to receive continuing education to renew their license.
How to become a social worker
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the governing body for social workers in the United States. To become a social worker in most states, one must have a master’s degree in social work or a closely related field.
The first step to becoming a social worker is to obtain a bachelor’s degree. This degree could be in any field, however, most people decide to major in social work for their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Depending on the state, it is possible to practice as a social worker with a bachelor’s degree only, but most of the time those jobs are not clinical.
The master’s degree in social work may be required to be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) depending on the state. In addition to having an advanced degree, applicants must pass state licensure exams and supervised clinical experience before obtaining licensure. It is also required to complete continuing education during each license renewal period.
Which Suits Me Better?
Counselors work in clinical settings such as community clinics, private practices, hospitals, and schools. This profession is centered around effectuating change for individuals, groups, and families. Working as a counselor requires patience as working in this field often means helping clients with long-term goals. Counseling has many specialties including grief, trauma, and career.
Working as a social worker often requires people to work in the community rather than in an office in a clinical setting. Social workers focus their careers on social justice and helping people achieve short-term goals. Those in this field are often in crises and must remain calm and work to de-escalate situations. Many social workers work in clinical roles and provide similar services to counselors.
Resources
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
