A reflection on the difference between Social Workers and Clinical Counsellors.
Written by Ira Yakubovitz, RSW, MSWMany people are confused with the difference between Registered Social Workers (RSW) and Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC). You’re not alone!
Registered Social Workers and Registered Clinical Counsellors are both masters level mental health professionals who are trained to help individuals and families cope with personal difficulties and overcome life’s many challenges. However, there are certain differences between the two professions, particularly when it comes to their specific approach to counselling practice.
What is the main difference between an RSW and RCC?
One main difference between RSWs and RCCs is their educational background.
RCCs typically have a masters degree in clinical or counselling psychology. RCCs focus on helping individuals address specific psychological challenges, such as depression or anxiety. They seek to understand the root cause of a client's mental health issues. RCCs work with the client to see how past learnings contribute to patterns in relationships and in daily functioning. They work towards helping individuals develop insight into their suffering and to develop coping mechanisms to manage and overcome these issues. In BC, RCCs belong to an association called the BCACC.
RSWs typically have a masters degree in social work and are licensed and regulated by a provincial college of social workers. Social workers are trained to assess situation through social systems prism, working with individuals and families to understand and address social, economic, and environmental factors that may be contributing to their mental health challenges. They focus on the social impact that various factors can have on a person's life and work with clients to come up with individualized solutions to address those challenges.
For example…
When we are born, we are not born into a vacuum but into our first social system, our family. As we grow older, we create different circles of friends, we become members of our communities, work networks and beyond.
In our counseling work, we take into consideration all the systems a person belongs to and explore ways those system may provide support and resources, along with possible challenges and barriers in a person's life. By doing so we will be identifying and naming systemic discrimination for what it is as opposed to putting all the responsibility on the individual.
Do Insurance Providers cover session with Registered Social Workers?
On a practical level, some of the insurance benefit providers cover therapy sessions with social workers. Call your plan provider to inquire about coverage for a Registered Social Worker (RSW). In addition to that, RSW services are a deductible expense through Canada Revenue Services.
Overall, while both professions have specific areas of expertise and treatment approaches, they both seek to improve the well-being of individuals and families through personalized and client-centered counselling practice.
Depending on an individual's specific needs, RSWs and RCCs can both play an important role in providing support and guidance towards healing and recovery.
