What does a social worker do?
Social workers in private practice provide emotional support in the form of counselling/therapy. Social workers are unique because their practice considers the whole individual from a bio-psycho-social lens. This means that a social worker considers a wide array of aspects that may impact a client including biology (genetic etc), psychological factors (mood, personality, behavior, etc.), and social factors (cultural, familial, socioeconomic etc.).
The difference between Social Workers, Psychologists & Psychiatrists
Social Workers, Psychologists and Psychiatrists are professionals who can provide psychotherapy. Though they are all trained to provide psychotherapy, they differ in their education and training:
Social Workers: have graduate social work training and are designated MSW’s (Master of Social Work). Training generally includes 2 years of coursework and practical experience working at community organizations and/or hospitals. Social workers are trained to provide therapy and connect people with community and support services. Social work services are covered by most insurance plans. Social workers often offer services at a lower cost to clients.
Psychologists: have graduate psychology training, typically at a Ph. D level. Training focuses on human behaviour, with an emphasis on research. Psychologists are different than social workers because they can use psychological testing to help with assessment and diagnosis. Services are covered by most private insurance plans. Cost tends to be higher for clients.
Psychiatrists: attend medical school, are doctors, and have training that primarily focuses on biological aspects of mental health issues. Because of their medical education, psychiatrists can prescribe medications, and their work with clients may include talk therapy in combination with medications. Costs typically covered by OHIP. Patients have to be referred to a psychiatrist and can face long wait lists. Patients who experience complex or chronic mental health issues might be followed by a psychiatrist because they can prescribe medication.
Other professionals who can provide psychotherapy: licensed counsellors, marriage and family therapists, psychiatric nurse practitioners and psychotherapists.
Are social work counselling services covered?
Yes - social work is covered by most health insurance plans in Ontario. Therapy sessions can be claimed under a private health plan or employee group benefits plans. Most benefit plans offer an annual fund for therapy/ counselling by a registered social worker or psychologist (psychotherapists, marriage and family therapist, or counsellors are not typically covered). If you don’t see social work listed under your health benefits, call your provider to determine how much coverage you have. Social work services are not covered by OHIP.
Who seeks out a Social Worker?
Social Workers are the major providers of counselling and psychotherapy services in Ontario. Anyone, of any age, may consult a social worker. Social Workers provide services to individuals, couples, families, and groups, within communities and organizations. The role of a Social Worker is to provide emotional support, and guide people as they develop their skills and ability to use their own resources.
When to consult a Social Worker?
Social Workers offer counselling and therapy from various theoretical frameworks. People consult Social Workers when they are going through a difficult period in their personal, professional and/or family life. Social Workers possess the necessary skills through graduate level training, to help identify the source of stress, foster the development of coping skills, collaborate with clients in finding effective solutions to personal problems, and mediate between conflicts. Services provided by Social Workers: individual, family and couple counselling; play therapy, bereavement support (grief & loss therapy), trauma counselling; addictions counselling; stress management etc.
Where do Social Workers work?
In addition to private practice, social workers can be found in a variety of settings, including family service agencies, children’s aid agencies, hospitals, mental health settings, addiction treatment facilities, schools, correctional institutions, senior’s services etc.
Do I need a referral to see a Social Worker?
No, but you may want to discuss any issues or challenges with your family doctor. Your social worker and family doctor may work together to best support you.
Social workers in private practice provide emotional support in the form of counselling/therapy. Social workers are unique because their practice considers the whole individual from a bio-psycho-social lens. This means that a social worker considers a wide array of aspects that may impact a client including biology (genetic etc), psychological factors (mood, personality, behavior, etc.), and social factors (cultural, familial, socioeconomic etc.).
The difference between Social Workers, Psychologists & Psychiatrists
Social Workers, Psychologists and Psychiatrists are professionals who can provide psychotherapy. Though they are all trained to provide psychotherapy, they differ in their education and training:
Social Workers: have graduate social work training and are designated MSW’s (Master of Social Work). Training generally includes 2 years of coursework and practical experience working at community organizations and/or hospitals. Social workers are trained to provide therapy and connect people with community and support services. Social work services are covered by most insurance plans. Social workers often offer services at a lower cost to clients.
Psychologists: have graduate psychology training, typically at a Ph. D level. Training focuses on human behaviour, with an emphasis on research. Psychologists are different than social workers because they can use psychological testing to help with assessment and diagnosis. Services are covered by most private insurance plans. Cost tends to be higher for clients.
Psychiatrists: attend medical school, are doctors, and have training that primarily focuses on biological aspects of mental health issues. Because of their medical education, psychiatrists can prescribe medications, and their work with clients may include talk therapy in combination with medications. Costs typically covered by OHIP. Patients have to be referred to a psychiatrist and can face long wait lists. Patients who experience complex or chronic mental health issues might be followed by a psychiatrist because they can prescribe medication.
Other professionals who can provide psychotherapy: licensed counsellors, marriage and family therapists, psychiatric nurse practitioners and psychotherapists.
Are social work counselling services covered?
Yes - social work is covered by most health insurance plans in Ontario. Therapy sessions can be claimed under a private health plan or employee group benefits plans. Most benefit plans offer an annual fund for therapy/ counselling by a registered social worker or psychologist (psychotherapists, marriage and family therapist, or counsellors are not typically covered). If you don’t see social work listed under your health benefits, call your provider to determine how much coverage you have. Social work services are not covered by OHIP.
Who seeks out a Social Worker?
Social Workers are the major providers of counselling and psychotherapy services in Ontario. Anyone, of any age, may consult a social worker. Social Workers provide services to individuals, couples, families, and groups, within communities and organizations. The role of a Social Worker is to provide emotional support, and guide people as they develop their skills and ability to use their own resources.
When to consult a Social Worker?
Social Workers offer counselling and therapy from various theoretical frameworks. People consult Social Workers when they are going through a difficult period in their personal, professional and/or family life. Social Workers possess the necessary skills through graduate level training, to help identify the source of stress, foster the development of coping skills, collaborate with clients in finding effective solutions to personal problems, and mediate between conflicts. Services provided by Social Workers: individual, family and couple counselling; play therapy, bereavement support (grief & loss therapy), trauma counselling; addictions counselling; stress management etc.
Where do Social Workers work?
In addition to private practice, social workers can be found in a variety of settings, including family service agencies, children’s aid agencies, hospitals, mental health settings, addiction treatment facilities, schools, correctional institutions, senior’s services etc.
Do I need a referral to see a Social Worker?
No, but you may want to discuss any issues or challenges with your family doctor. Your social worker and family doctor may work together to best support you.