Are you looking for a way to have a positive impact on your community? Becoming a social worker, psychologist or LMHC are just a few of the paths you can take toward becoming a change maker though it’s important to understand the distinct differences between them in order to find the right fit. By learning more about these professions, I found that social work, with its degree affordability, varied work opportunities and emphasis on social justice, was ultimately the best fit for me.
Understanding the Key Differences – Social Work vs. Psychology vs. LMHC
Social Work
The minimum degree required in social work is a Master of Social Work, but the amount of time spent in an MSW program can vary depending on prior educational experience. Students may be able to skip the first year of an MSW program if they’ve earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree, also known as Advanced Standing. Students looking to earn their MSW don’t need to have earned a BSW prior to graduate school as long as their undergraduate degree falls under the humanities or social sciences. Aspiring social workers are trained in clinical skills similar to those used by counselors and psychologists, such as assessment, diagnosing mental illness and developing effective treatment plans but also receive training in community-based work, advocacy and policy work.
Psychology
A doctoral degree, either Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) or Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD), is the minimum degree required to become a psychologist. Psychologists are trained to use their “comprehensive knowledge of cognitive, emotional and social processes to understand and explain complicated thoughts, feelings and actions.” In other words, psychologists are focused on supporting clients in identifying why they think, feel or act in the way that they do.
Counselors/LMHC
The minimum degree required for someone to sit for their LMHC exam is a Master of Counseling degree. Like social work and psychology, LMHC’s are able to diagnose and treat a variety of mental health disorders but instead of focusing on identifying why issues arise, counselors focus on coping skills and identifying “concrete and actionable solutions.”
Why Social Work Aligned with My Values and Career Goals
A two-year Master’s degree program that would allow me to engage in clinical work upon completion seemed to make the most sense financially to me rather than the typical five years it takes to complete a Psy.D or Ph.D program. I also liked that if I didn’t enjoy clinical work, I’d still have a set of foundational social work skills to pull from no matter where I was employed within the field – it would make pivoting, if necessary, doable.
I was also drawn to the profession’s commitment to social justice and advocacy work on behalf of vulnerable populations. In the field of social work, this is more than just words – it’s part of our core values and code of ethics. I also appreciated the holistic, strengths-based perspective social workers view their client systems through. The work felt hopeful to me and it still does.
Unique Opportunities in Social Work
Because social workers have such a “broad scope of practice”, ranging from micro level clinical work with individuals to macro level advocacy on behalf of vulnerable populations at the state and federal government, there are always opportunities to try something new or find a position that best aligns with any season of life. This makes social work a great field for those looking for a career change at any point in their life, even within the field itself. Many long time social workers who would like to take a break from direct clinical work find taking on a non-clinical role, such as case management or administrative work, such as becoming a clinical supervisor or program director, a welcome change and having access to innovative social work software, such as Casebook, can maintain longevity in the field no matter what position someone is in.
If you aspire to have a positive impact on your community, any level of social work is an excellent choice. Social work has given me the opportunity to have a direct impact on the lives of children and families while also allowing me to advocate at a systemic level through committees with community stakeholders. Knowing I would have these opportunities is what drew me to the field, but actually getting to use these opportunities to make a difference is something I’m beyond grateful for.
