Social Work or Counseling?
Question by Jillian: Social Work or Counseling?
I am trying to decide what master’s degree to pursue. I am currently a teacher in elementary and special education, but I do not have a full time position due to lay-offs and other things. I currently live in Pennsylvania and I want to go in a different direction with my career, that is why I am pursuing a masters in a different field. I know want to either pursue a masters in counseling or social work but I do not know which one is more beneficial, or pays better etc. I want to be a therapist, but I heard social workers can do therapy, but therapist cannot get a social work job. Also, I heard that a MSW degree is recognized in all 50 states and can bill more insurance companies with their LCSW license companies than a LPC (counselor) can.
In addition, when it come to counseling degrees their are so many different ones to choose from. It is very confusing. The five schools I found each offer different degrees. I am wondering if their is a difference between what jobs you are eligible for or if one is “better” in theory. They are as follows: Masters of Science in Counseling psychology (MSCP); MS Professional Counseling Major; M.S.Ed Masters of Science in Education with a mental health track; Clinical Mental Health Coupling MA; or a MSW which is obviously social work. Does anyone have any insight on which type of degree is more beneficial. If I do decide on the counseling what is a better route out of the following: mental health, family therapy and couples counseling, or drug and rehab?
Also, I was wondering if you can pursue a doctorate after your receive a masters. If the masters will count toward the doctorate. I would be interested in the Clinical psychology Psy.D. program. Is it true that in order to pursue a doctorate, you must obtain a MA NOT a MS degree?
What I really want to do is work one on one with clients and help them with issues and provide feedback or work as a mobile therapist. I do not really want to help people find various services (which is from what I understand is what a social worker does). Also, if you could clarify the difference between what a social worker can do and what a professional counselor can do? I am not really understanding what the differences are. The more I read about each profession, the more I am getting confused.
I appreciate any information, I know I asked ALOT of questions but I am going crazy trying to figure all of these answers out.
Best answer:
Answer by jac the hat
I would say as an ex counsellor/ counsellor trainer that you have to love counselling for its own sake low pay or not because its something where you have to call on your own resources – To understand another you have to delve into yourself it isnt an arms length process with rules like teaching and it can be frustrating as there is no structure . Anecdotally teachers dont make great counsellors because the trainings are mostly in complete opposition .There are over 2000 types of counselling so it is confusing – person centred/rogerian counselling is the one that is purist and so would give the best base but its the hardest to achieve and the most rigorous.
Social workers are mainly working within a wider system where they can refer clients on, counsellors dont have those sort of powers maybe just a bit of clout but not institutional .
The counselling course will go into different branches but it would be a mistake to close your options early on. Try giving CBT a wide berth as they have all the answers and none of the right questions. For counselling of any kind what is paramount is your own capacity for warmth empathy and congruence
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