{"id":56901,"date":"2025-11-06T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/online\/?p=56901"},"modified":"2025-11-03T10:21:35","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T17:21:35","slug":"social-work-vs-counseling-similarities-differences-and-how-to-choose-your-path","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/online\/2025\/11\/06\/social-work-vs-counseling-similarities-differences-and-how-to-choose-your-path\/","title":{"rendered":"Social work vs. counseling: Similarities, differences and how to choose your path"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Boise State University\u2019s online Bachelor of Social Work<\/a> (BSW) program and online Master of Social Work<\/a> (MSW) program equip you with the skills to create meaningful change in your community. These programs focus on empowering individuals, families and communities by taking on critical social issues through advocacy, cultural humility and effective engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can remain in your community because while the courses are fully online, you\u2019ll have the opportunity to gain practical skills while you complete your field work<\/a> locally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When comparing social work and counseling career paths, there are notable differences between the two mental health professional fields to consider before committing to one over the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you decide which path to take, it\u2019s helpful to understand how social work and counseling overlap \u2014 and where they differ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"a<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What does a social worker do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A social worker focuses on larger societal problems, such as substance abuse and addiction disorders, through empathy and effective communication while working with individuals, families and vulnerable communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clinical social workers may provide direct psychological counseling, but they also help people navigate a range of social services, from education to health care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a social worker, you\u2019ll act as an advocate for your clients, promote social welfare, educate clients and teach them new skills, link clients to essential resources within the community, protect vulnerable clients and their best interests, counsel clients, research social problems and find solutions and advocate for social justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social work spans micro, mezzo and macro levels \u2014 meaning your work could focus on individual support, family systems, organizational change or community advocacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does a counselor do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Social workers help individuals and families navigate complex challenges \u2014 from addiction to housing insecurity \u2014 while also addressing larger systemic issues like healthcare access or policy reform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a counselor, you will help people cope with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, career choices, grief or trauma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Counselors apply different techniques, like helping clients reframe difficult situations, talking through problems or finding step-by-step solutions. They also teach coping skills, how to improve communication and help clients control their emotions in healthier ways, making it easier to manage life\u2019s challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social work vs. counseling: Similarities and differences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the key similarities and differences to consider when choosing social work vs. counseling:\u00b7<\/p>\n\n\n\n