The Similarities And Differences Between Social Workers And Counsellors

Social workers and counsellors date back to the late 1800. The professions have seen many advances to reflect what obtains to date. From as early as inception the debate exists with regards to the similarities and differences between the two professions. Even with much research and the changes which both experienced they seemed to have become more intertwined making them more difficult to separate. As a result the early history of both professions, theoretical framework, underpinning ethics and operational practices will be explored.
Social Work emerged in the late 1800s and 1990s with a strong female dominance and associated with charity organization. Social workers at that time were referred to as the ‘friendly visitors’. One early pioneer
New structures were developed which includes a formalization of the profession. Social workers were now seen an experts equipped with skills, tools and solutions guided by a theoretical perspective. Several organizations were developed to guide the profession one of which is the International Federation of Social Workers established in 1956 who in 2014 defined social work as a practice-based profession and academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion and the empowerment and liberation of people. It engages people and structure to address life challenges and enhance well being (Bamford, 2015).
Counselling has a long history and is not just an intervention of the 19th and 20th centuries since people have always been strategic in discovering ways of helping each other. However, from a theoretical stance counselling dates back to 1895 when Sigmund Freud introduced psychoanalysis (Ross, 2013). Ross further inferred that several theories influenced by Freud’s work emerged such as psychotherapy, person-centered and cognitive behavioral therapy, which sparked greater awareness, creditability and acceptance of the profession. This brought about the insurgence of several
Social workers function under much different conditions (Riggall, 2012). Clients are not volunteers and social workers operate in a variety of setting which does not always offer privacy or confidentiality for example the courts making it more challenging to engage clients. Also social workers assess situations, raise concerns, make recommendations or take relevant actions in keeping with the governing regulatory body under which they operate. This therefore means that on some occasions the social worker gives legal advice and even directives (Lindsay, McGinns and Jayot, 2009). A counselor on the other hand, assumes a more passive role and does not usually give directives during the decisions making process.
Counseling is more individualize than social work. This means that the individual determines their response to the therapeutic process and their ability to effect change is dependent on them. In social work the individual might be the willing to effect change or has changed but their environment remains constant (Gray and Webb 2013). This limitation poses a greater challenge for the social worker since humans are social beings and cannot be separated from the social environment. They are dependent on certain social structures to function