Clinical Psychology vs. Clinical Social Work Before I began researching, I always believed clinical psychology and clinical social work had only a few similar characteristics, and that they had more differences than similarities. I also thought that all social work degrees took two years and then about one or two years of training in a specific field; likewise, I assumed clinical psychology would take four years and one or two years of training in a specific field. I imagined that if I majored in clinical social work I wouldn’t be as exposed to matters pertaining to psychology as often as I would if I were doing clinical psychology. I have also been told that starting out with social work is easier because I will be able to easily branch out …show more content…
Some of the more common disorders that might be treated include learning disabilities, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. On the other hand, Clinical Social Work is a healthcare profession based on theories and methods of prevention and treatment in providing mental-health/healthcare services, with special focus on behavioral and bio-psychosocial problems and disorders. With this specific type of social work the job focus would be to “provide support services to clients with emotional, mental and/or behavioral issues. This type of social worker usually works in a hospital, clinic, skilled nursing facility or private practice. They typically utilizes a multi-faceted therapy approach, with a focus on helping clients improve their emotional, physical and/or financial status.” According to, Psychology School Guide, a credible source because the main focus of the website is all things psychology related, and the website clearly sites it’s references. The references for this particular article are American Psychological Association. (2013).What Do Practicing Psychologists Do? and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. …show more content…
I started out by looking up the actual definitions of each career, and then I began reading academic articles related to the similarities and differences of both careers. I also researched it in an education setting by reading a few college articles; as my last source I wanted to get actual opinions on both instead if straight facts. I liked that I included the opinion piece because it was from actual people who have had similar experiences to mine. I learned that one of the main differences between the two professions is that clinical psychologists treats people with mental health as a main part of the job, however, clinical social workers provide people with help for their mental illnesses and other life problems. Another large distinction is that social workers become more involved in their clients lives, such as, in a more finical way; this information was crucial to my research because it answered my most important
This medical uncertainty could lead to psychosocial consequences, including anxiety. Psychologist can help patients cope with emotional and psychological difficulties associated with anxiety. A social worker complements and sometimes supplements the psychologist. They work together closely with the patient and family to resolve these issues (Oxley and Webb 2005).
Social work can be a stressful career, you need to be well organised as there is a significant level of administrative work - and time management skills are crucial. A social worker is expected to assess, review and maintain
Heather believes the primary differences that separate a clinical mental health counselor and other mental health professionals such as: a social worker and psychologist are due to the type of work they focus on primarily. Although, social workers, and psychologist may counsel clients, the majority may have more in depth specification of study. Social workers are likely to work in case management and psychologist work closely with
According to the American Psychological Association (APA) website “Psychologists who provide clinical or counseling services assess and treat mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. They integrate the science of psychology and the treatment of complex human problems with the intention of promoting change.” ("Pursuing A Career In Clinical Or Counseling Psychology", 2014).) In the simplest terms, “the study of individuals, by observation or experimentation, with the intention of promoting change.” (Compas, Bruce, & Gotlib, 2002) Clinical psychologist careers vary in industries such as research, integrated health care, teaching, public policy and professional practice. Some clinical psychologists work exclusively on specific mental, emotional, and behavioral issues. Relationship conflict and conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction are a few examples of areas of specialization for a clinical psychologist. According to the APA website (2014), in order to become a clinical psychologist the journey begins with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Next the student must obtain a graduate degree. Each graduate program determines its own entrance requirements. Some doctoral programs require their applicants to have a master’s degree in psychology. Other people enter doctoral programs with only a bachelor’s degree. Most doctoral degrees take five to seven years to complete. You must also
My understanding of the social work profession is that it is a helping profession. To me social workers help others in a variety of situations. Social workers help find and connect people with resources for food, rent, insurance, medical care. Social workers also do work fighting for social justice on the Micro, Mezzo and Macro aspect, working for individuals and family to making laws to help underserved populations. Social workers also provide education to clients for lots of reasons. Some social workers became licensed and help people with counseling that may be needed for things such as PTSD or anxiety.
The first difference is social workers link clients to community resources whereas counseling focus on personal growth, empowerment, and wellness and psychologist primary responsible for providing testing, assessment, and diagnosis for clients (Mellin, Hunt, and Nichols’s 2011 article, “Counselor Professional Identity: Findings and Implications for Counseling and Interprofessional Collaboration,” from Journal of Counseling and Development, volume 89(2),143-144). The second difference is social workers work more with people needs, act as an advocate whereas counseling approaches clients from a holistic perspective, and psychologist work deal with the analytical and objective (Mellin, Hunt, and Nichols’s 2011 article, “Counselor Professional Identity: Findings and Implications for Counseling and Interprofessional Collaboration,” from Journal of Counseling and Development, volume
Social work to many serves as an industry where the public helps the poor and only the poor to succeed in life. When as a matter of fact social work not only helps the poor, but also helps anyone who needs it such as children, soldiers, people with special needs, etc. There many different agencies and programs within social work. These agencies and programs are funded by the government and/or by a non-profit organization. In order to, be a social worker a person needs to have the ambition to help others, without this characteristic the person will fail to succeed in any field.
There are actually more similarities then differences between the three. When working with the Government the main objective is to enforce laws that are of the constitution. A social worker is to make sure the clients constitutional rights are not being violated while at the same time helping them. For example a correctional officer’s job is to prevent any inmates from escaping; making sure everyone is safe and secure while maintaining order. Social workers are supposed to help their clients get the services they need so they can return to society and live a normal, productive
Doctors perform diagnosis and pro-vide a plan of treatment for a disease. Nurses focus on the need of the client by following the plan of treatment recommended by the doctors. Social workers work helps service users to live independently and are involved in the process of making referrals that link the service user to needed resources.
In the article “Counselor Professional Identity: Findings and Implications for Counseling and Interprofessional Collaboration,” presented distinct differences between counseling, social work and psychology. The first difference is social workers link clients to community resources for assistance whereas, counseling focus on personal growth, empowerment, and wellness and psychologist primarily responsible for providing testing, assessment, and diagnosis for clients (Mellin, Hunt, and Nichols’s 2011). Social workers help clients find services such as housing and assistance programs and counseling helps clients with issues developed skills to adapt to their daily lives. The second difference is social workers act as an advocate for clients whereas
Social workers are unique in the way that they look at many different aspects of a problem, from the individual to the societal, from the psychological to the political. Social work is about serving clients include providing counseling, therapy and education, as well as connecting clients to appropriate public or private resources. It attracts people who are interested in creating positive change in the lives of individuals, families and communities.
What is the title and job description for the social worker? “I am a Clinical Social Worker” - This is the job description direct from the internet. The clinical social worker provides psychosocial assessments, interviews, and/or treatments and discharge planning to patients and families to assist them in coping with hospitalization, illness, diagnosis, and/or life situation. The social worker works collaboratively with other members of the health care team, community resources, regulatory agencies and third party payers in order to facilitate the transition of the patient through the organization while maintaining the highest quality of services possible.
From this meek beginning, social work has progressed into a professional service with treatment obligations in all patient care areas, helping patients and families to attain their highest level of adjustment/coping in society, endorsing vocational and psychosocial rehabilitation. Social workers develop and implement treatment approaches which address individual social difficulties and work with acute/chronic medical conditions, dying patients, and bereaved families. VA social workers are liable for ensuring continuity of care through the admission, evaluation, treatment, and follow-up processes. This consists of coordinating discharge planning and providing case management services based on the patients clinical and community health and
According to the National Association of Social Workers website, “Social work practice consists of the professional application of social work values, principles, and techniques to one or more of the following ends: helping people obtain tangible services; counseling and psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups; helping communities or groups provide or
When people think of social work, often times they think of the clinical therapy that goes along with social work. Social work, however, is so much more. It’s changing lives by connecting with people emotionally. I truly believe one person has the ability to change another