A career in one of the helping professions such as counseling or social work can be rewarding and fulfilling. Professional counselors and clinical social workers are licensed professionals who help people with a variety of problems, ranging from job stress and family issues to mental health and adjustment disorders. Although the two careers might seem similar, there are some significant differences in education, training and job duties. Knowing these differences can help you decide which career is right for you.
About Clinical Social Work
Clinical social work is a broad field that focuses on the mental, social and behavioral health of individuals, couples, families and groups. It includes the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders and behavioral disturbances, crisis intervention and prevention of psychosocial dysfunction, such as through patient education or early intervention. It also includes different social work interventions, such as biopsychosocial assessments, advocacy and referral, cognitive and behavioral treatment and mediation. Clinical social workers are employed in a variety of settings, including private practice, mental health clinics, substance abuse facilities, schools, hospitals, universities, primary health care centers, correctional facilities, employee assistance programs and child welfare agencies. Some clinical social workers also engage in academic research. According to the National Association of Social Workers, clinical social workers make up the largest group of behavioral health professionals in the U.S.
Education and Training
Clinical social workers must have a minimum of a master's degree in social work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, although many practitioners also have a doctorate. In addition, clinical social workers must have a minimum of two years or 3,000 hours of post-master's experience, providing direct care in a supervised setting and hold a state license to practice. Specific license requirements for clinical social work vary by state.
About Professional Counseling
Professional counseling is a mental health field similar to clinical social work in that it focuses on helping individuals, couples and families with a variety of problems. However, unlike social work, which also includes many different interventions and modes of helping clients, professional counseling focuses solely on counseling. One of the main functions of a professional counselor is to work with the client to help identify goals and potential solutions to problems causing emotional turmoil. Professional counselors also work to improve communication and coping skills, increase self-esteem and promote behavior change and the mental health of their clients, according to the American Counseling Association. They may work in different settings, such as mental health clinics or substance abuse facilities, or in private or group practice.
Education and Training
Professional counselors must have either a master's degree or a doctorate in counseling or a related field, such as marriage and family therapy. Since license requirements for professional counselors vary by state, each state can define which related fields are acceptable. In addition to a graduate degree, professional counselors must have completed an internship and coursework in counseling theories and practice, and human behavior and development. Most states require that you have at least two to three years of postgraduate, supervised experience and have passed an examination to become a licensed counselor. Some states do not have licensing for professional counseling, in which case certification is offered by the National Board for Certified Counselors.
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