Many people get confused about which professional they should see to address their mental health and wellbeing. Most people are familiar with social workers in the government sector and aren’t sure what to expect visiting an RSW who provides counselling. Others confuse psychotherapy with psychology or psychiatry, and it is neither.

Here are some insights that we hope will clear up some of the confusion.

What is a Psychotherapist?

A Registered Psychotherapist (RP) is someone who works with clients within a therapeutic relationship to address their concerns including thoughts, feelings, behaviours, relationships, social functioning and enjoyment of life.

Unlike psychologists or psychiatrists, RPs do not perform psychological assessments or prescribe medications. Psychotherapists focus on helping clients process thoughts using evidence-based modalities.

The practice of talk therapy and counselling for mental health concerns is not new. However, the controlled regulation of the act of psychotherapy is relatively new. In 2007 the Psychotherapy Act was established and the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) was instituted to protect the public from unprofessional and unethical practice. Only five other professional colleges are allowed to practice psychotherapy in Ontario: nurses, occupational therapists, social workers, physicians, and psychologists.

Practitioners who trained prior to 2007 had to demonstrate to the CRPO that they have adequate education, experience and competencies to practice psychotherapy. New Registered Psychotherapists (since 2007) will have completed their Master’s Degree in a psychology program. They will have completed extensive hours of supervision both during their practicum and since graduating, in addition to writing a challenging registration exam. They must renew their membership each year, show evidence of continuing professional development and declare their adherence to the code of ethics.

This rigorous training and regulation helps clients and the public to feel confident in an RP’s skills, qualifications, and commitment to ethical practice. The therapeutic relationship between clients and practitioners is built on trust—the CRPO works to make sure your RP is trustworthy.

Psychotherapists are most often found in a clinical or institutional setting, providing support through talk therapy to individuals, couples, or groups.

What is a Social Worker?

Social work as an act and profession has been around since the early 1900s. In its earliest forms, social work moved past acts of charity to begin addressing systemic needs such as housing, child protection, services for persons with disabilities, and establishing institutions to support those concerns.

Today, most people associate social work with its social service beginnings. However, the profession of social work has broadened over time as society has changed. You’ll find social workers helping in almost every sector. Social workers still work in government agencies such as child protection and family services, services for severe mental health disorders, homelessness, developmental disabilities, corrections, and school settings.

You’ll also find social workers in alternative settings such as providing supplementary services for physicians, providing care for families whose loved ones are in hospice, or running summer camps for youths with specific mental health concerns. In any sector, social workers are committed to social justice and making positive changes in society.

Many social workers have also branched out to the private sector providing counselling and psychotherapy services for paying clients. Under the Psychotherapy Act (2007), social workers are permitted to practice psychotherapy. Like RPs, RSWs need to remain in good standing with their governing body, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). Social workers update their registration each year, demonstrating their continuing education and training and committing to uphold the Code of Ethics.

What’s the difference between a Social Worker and Registered Psychotherapist?

We have to recognize that Social Workers and Registered Psychotherapists took very different educational pathways to become clinical counsellors. An RP may have an undergraduate degree in any field but likely also holds a Master’s Degree in a psychological program of study. The OCSWSSW is broader in its scope--an RSW may have a Master’s Degree, a Bachelor’s Degree, or even a Social Service Worker certificate.

Note that a practitioner’s level of education does not necessarily reflect their skills, experience or quality of service. Some SSWs are running very successful counselling practice whereas other doctoral candidates are struggling to retain clients.

Will I have a different experience with an RP vs. RSW?

Within a clinical counselling setting, you might not notice a difference between an RSW and RP at all. That’s because despite their differing education streams, most clinical practitioners pursue additional training and qualifications to fill their toolkit. Both might have experience using CBT, DBT, EFT, EMDR, or other methods. Most practitioners will offer an approach that is empathetic, non-judgmental, client-centered, and evidence-based.

Every practitioner, regardless of their education and training, will bring a different ‘flavour’ to their work. The biggest differences will be in personality, and how their lived experience and professional experience has shaped their approach. Ideally a practitioner will reflect a sense of that style in their bio, website and advertising rather than choosing to merely list education or generic traits.

Who should I choose?

It can feel like online dating trying to find the right therapist, but we try to make the process easier. Many clients ask us which practitioner will be the best fit for them. Sometimes we make recommendations based on client concerns and therapist specialties. However, in many cases we direct clients to read our associate profiles and choose the one that best connects to them.  

Your sense of a therapist’s personality and competence is going to influence your ability to trust them with your concerns. You can learn about your RP or RSW by reading their profile, viewing their Psychology Today listing, checking out their pages on social media, and watching any videos they may have. This will give you a better sense of your practitioner before you invest your time and resource into your first session.

Some Friendly Advice

If you try a session with someone and it doesn’t feel like a good fit, keep shopping. If you don’t trust your therapist, you’ll find it difficult being transparent with them or following through on their recommendations. Find someone who you trust to help you reach your goals.

At Lindsay Tsang & Associates our vision is to help people live free and reset their lives.

To book an appointment and read associate profiles, please visit our online booking site at https://lindsaytsang.janeapp.com

Photo credit: @burst on Unsplash