Are Social Workers Therapists? Your Questions Answered

There can be a lot of confusion around the titles of various mental health professionals. What does it mean to be a therapist? Is being a therapist the same as being a psychologist or a social worker? Where does a psychiatrist fit into the mix? Some of these terms overlap, and some do not. 

“Therapist” can be an umbrella term used to describe anyone who is licensed to provide therapy. In most states, such licensure usually requires at least a master’s degree, so therapists typically have advanced knowledge and training in human behavior, psychology, and communication thanks to their degree in social work. Therapists often provide a structured space for their clients to be vulnerable and discuss concerns and challenges in their lives.

According to the American Psychological Association, professionals who provide psychotherapy can include counselors, licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), marriage and family therapists, substance use counselors, psychologists, crisis counselors, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, licensed professional clinical counselors, and more specialties. Some of these professions may require more advanced education, such as a doctoral or medical degree.

What is a licensed clinical social worker?

A licensed clinical social worker may work for a state, city, or county social and human services agency, a public or exclusive school, a medical institution such as a hospital or clinic, or an exclusive firm. Social workers usually focus on helping the people they serve to improve their lives, which can require expertise in areas outside of the realm of mental health and mental illness. Social workers typically specialize in one of these areas to provide effective service to their clients. Some social work jobs in these fields may require only a bachelor’s degree, though it should be noted that to provide any level of mental health counseling, licensed clinical social workers are usually required to have a master’s degree.

Child and family social workers

Social workers specializing in child and family support typically work for a state or county social services agency. They are responsible for connecting families to the support systems they may need to be successful, as well as ensuring children grow up having their needs met in stable homes that are free from danger and violence. If a family is experiencing economic concerns, social workers can help them find resources such as job training programs, affordable housing, low-cost or subsidized childcare, and federal and state benefit programs such as food stamps. 

In instances of child abuse, a social worker can work to identify what may be the root cause of the abuse and remove the child from the abusive situation if necessary. If they are a licensed clinical social worker, they can provide counseling to the child to help them cope with the impact of the abuse or connect them to someone who can provide such support if they do not hold that specific license.

School social workers

Many schools or school districts employ social workers to help with the social development of students of all ages, which may also assist with their academic performance. A social worker in the school may also offer services to families, helping to ensure they have the resources they need to care for their children. Social workers often work with students who are displaying destructive or aggressive behaviors, such as self-harm, bullying, or hurting other students. 

Such behavior, particularly in younger children, can often be indicative of a larger issue in a child’s life. For example, if a child is showing aggression toward their classmates, it could be because they are experiencing or witnessing domestic violence at home*. Social workers in a school setting can develop clinical interventions to address the root cause of problematic behavior and lower the likelihood of it reoccurring in the future.

*If you or a loved one are experiencing domestic violence, it's important to reach out for support. You can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline by dialing 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). 

Health care social workers

Social workers employed in the healthcare field typically work in a hospital or clinical setting. A healthcare social worker’s primary role is often to provide support for patients who are adjusting to a new health diagnosis, particularly in the case of chronic or debilitating health conditions. Healthcare social workers may also work with patients to address underlying problems in their lives that may have led them to need health care, such as traumatic experiences, substance use, mental illness, or domestic violence. If a patient is transitioning from staying in the hospital to returning home, social workers can connect them to resources for any needed additional health services, such as in-home care.   

What is a therapist?

The APA defines a therapist as “an individual who has been trained in and practices one or more types of therapy to treat mental or physical disorders or diseases. In the field of mental health, the term is often used synonymously with psychotherapist.”

Some social workers may do the same tasks as therapists if they have a master’s degree and provide mental health support services to their clients, whether that is in a family, school, or healthcare setting. Not all social workers do these tasks, though. The work of a therapist often involves helping clients replace unproductive and unhealthy thoughts and behaviors with more positive ones that can enhance their lives and improve their relationships. 

Therapists, like social workers, can have different areas they specialize in. This specialty may relate to the specific mental health conditions they treat, techniques they use, or relationships they emphasize. For example, trauma therapists and substance use counselors treat post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction, behavioral therapists focus on working with a client to change their behavior, and marriage and family therapists look at relationships between clients and the people they live with. 

Most therapists specialize to a certain extent, often based on their employment situation. For example, a therapist working in a university counseling center would likely focus on mental health conditions and life stressors most likely to impact young adults in an academic setting. Marriage and family therapists need to know how to navigate relational conflict in families. Therapists need advanced knowledge of their focus area, but they typically do not need to have a high amount of knowledge about resources and systems outside of their specialty. Social workers, on the other hand, usually do need experience and knowledge of how to navigate larger societal systems such as publicly funded resources and child welfare support. Social work is often aimed at helping people meet their physical needs as well as their mental health needs.

Finding professional support that works for you

After learning more about social workers and other kinds of therapists, you may be wondering which kind of mental health professional will be able to provide the right support for your specific situation. If you anticipate needing help with elements of your life outside of your mental health condition, a social worker may be able to assist you effectively. If you think you might need to simply talk to someone about life challenges or mental health symptoms, you can connect with a therapist who is not necessarily a licensed clinical social worker. For example, marriage and family therapists can often help when there is conflict between parents and their older children. Social workers, on the other hand, can help parents who have a chronically ill child that spends a lot of time in the hospital.

Regardless of which type of mental health professional is the most ideal fit for you, you may want to consider talking with them through an online counseling platform such as BetterHelp. Online therapy can be available from anywhere you have an internet connection, including the comfort of your own home, and many online therapists have flexible schedules. If you are having difficulty finding an in-person therapist/social worker who can meet at your convenience, online therapy may be a more wise option. 

The effectiveness of online therapy

Research shows that online therapy can be just as effective at addressing mental health concerns as in-person therapy. One study found that a course of cognitive behavioral therapy delivered in an online setting alleviated the symptoms of a variety of mental health conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, phobias, mood disorders, and panic disorder. CBT is a therapeutic approach that seeks to alter an individual’s negative thought patterns and help them create more positive ways of thinking, thereby allowing them to change their unhelpful behaviors. Online therapy platforms like BetterHelp can connect you to thousands of licensed professional therapists who may have degrees and expertise in social work, mental health counseling, family therapy, psychology, and other specialties and techniques to help provide you with the support you need.