Social Worker vs Therapist: What’s the Difference in Canada?
When Canadians start looking for a therapist, they often come across social workers and wonder, are they the same thing? Both social workers and therapists can support your mental health, but their education, scope of practice, and even work environments can differ a lot. The short answer: some social workers are therapists—but not all.
I've interviewed dozens of great social worker therapists since starting First Session. Many of them bring a unique blend of compassion, clinical, and social justice training to their private practice. Choosing a social worker as your therapist can be a great option.
Is a Social Worker a Therapist?
A social worker can be a therapist, but not every social worker chooses to practice therapy. To provide psychotherapy in Canada, social workers need specific education (usually a Master of Social Work, or MSW) and must be registered with their provincial college, such as the OCSWSSW in Ontario, the BCCSW in British Columbia, or the ACSW in Alberta.
Once registered, a Registered Social Worker (RSW) can provide talk therapy—just like a psychotherapist or psychologist—if they have the appropriate training. In fact, in Ontario, a Social Worker is permitted to call themselves a Psychotherapist, as long as it follows in the order of "Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist".
Social Worker vs Therapist
“Therapist” is a broad, informal term. It can refer to psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, or social workers who provide talk therapy. It might even apply to a Psychiatrist. Social workers, however, are trained with a broader lens: they’re focused not just on individual wellbeing but also on the social, cultural, and systemic factors affecting someone’s life—things like income, housing, discrimination, and community support.
Therapists from other disciplines might focus more specifically on mental health symptoms, emotional patterns, or trauma processing. Social workers tend to zoom out a bit more, often helping clients understand how their environment shapes their experience.
Private Practice Social Worker vs Public Health Social Worker
Social workers in public health settings—like hospitals or community centres—usually support patients navigating systems. Often times a social worker in the public setting will help patients navigate publicly funded or subsidized housing options, as well as finding work, applying for social assistance, or accessing community programs. Many social workers want to do deeper work than this.
Many social workers move away from public healthcare work as they get burnt out from the acute care needs of patients at the hospital. Many times, patients are forced to go to therapy with social workers, and they don’t want to be there, which becomes exhausting for the social workers.
Private practice social workers, on the other hand, have chosen to offer private therapy to clients who are choosing to be there. They often operate like psychotherapists—working in ongoing, voluntary relationships with clients to process emotions, trauma, and life transitions.
Why You Might Consider a Registered Social Worker as Your Therapist
Registered social workers (RSWs) bring excellent training and perspective to therapy. Most hold an MSW, which includes education in anti-oppressive and anti-racist frameworks. They’re skilled at understanding how culture, identity, and systemic forces influence your mental health.
Because social work is a regulated profession across Canada, RSWs follow strict ethical guidelines and undergo continuing education. They often have practical experience from hospitals, community care, or family services, which means they can help you navigate the healthcare system alongside your therapy work.
There’s also a strong sense of community in the social work profession. Many RSWs are deeply grounded in values of empathy, advocacy, and accessibility. You can learn more about their education and credentials here: What does MSW RSW mean in Canada?
Are Social Workers covered by health insurance and employee benefits?
Social workers are one of the most widely covered mental health professions in Canada. Many workplace and private insurance plans reimburse sessions with RSWs before they cover clinical counsellors, and sometimes even before Registered Psychotherapists or Counselling Therapists.
Because social work is regulated through well-established colleges, insurance companies recognize the education and ethical standards as consistent across provinces. Learn more about how to find a therapist covered by insurance in Canada.
What’s the Difference Between a Social Worker, a Psychotherapist, and a Psychologist?
- Education: Psychologists typically have doctoral-level training; psychotherapists and social workers usually hold master’s degrees.
- Regulation: Each profession is governed by its own college (for example, CRPO for psychotherapists, OCSWSSW for social workers).
- Insurance Coverage: Psychologists are almost always covered, RSWs are often covered, and psychotherapists (and clinical counsellors) vary by plan.
You can see a detailed comparison here: Psychiatrist vs Psychologist vs Social Worker vs Psychotherapist chart.
What’s the Difference Between a Social Worker and an Occupational Therapist?
Occupational therapists (OTs) help people improve their ability to function in daily life—whether after injury, illness, or mental health challenges. Their focus is often on rehabilitation and practical support. Social workers focus more on counselling, emotional wellbeing, and addressing systemic issues that may contribute to distress.
What's the difference between a Registered Social Worker and a Registered Social Service Worker?
A Registered Social Worker (RSW) and a Registered Social Service Worker (RSSW) are both regulated under the same college in Ontario (OCSWSSW), but they differ mainly in education and scope. RSWs hold a university degree in social work (often a BSW or MSW) and can provide psychotherapy, case management, and clinical assessments. RSSWs typically have a college diploma and focus more on practical support—helping clients access housing, employment, or community resources. Both roles follow the same code of ethics, but RSWs have broader clinical training and are more likely to work in private practice or therapy settings.
Can a Social Worker Diagnose Mental Health Conditions?
In Canada, social workers can assess and treat mental health issues and conditions, but only psychologists, psychiatrists, and medical doctors can make a formal mental health diagnosis.
Can a Social Worker Prescribe Medication?
No. Only medical doctors (MDs) or Psychiatrists can prescribe medication in Canada.
How to Become a Social Worker Therapist in Canada
- Earn a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.
- Register with your provincial college (OCSWSSW, BCCSW, ACSW, or others).
- Obtain clinical training in psychotherapy or counselling methods. (for example, CBT, DBT, EMDR, Somatic therapies, IFS, etc)
- Begin practising under the title Registered Social Worker (RSW), offering psychotherapy in compliance with provincial standards.
How to Find a Social Worker in Canada
If you’re looking for a social worker for your therapist, start with First Session. You can filter by Registered Social Workers, and see education like a Masters of Social Work if that's what your insurance requires. Best of all, each therapist has a short video that you can watch to get a sense of who feels like the right fit.
When choosing your therapist, remember that the relationship you build with your therapist matters most. Research shows that the therapeutic alliance—the sense of connection, trust, and collaboration between you and your therapist—is the strongest predictor of success in therapy. Read more here: The Therapeutic Alliance: Why Your Relationship with Your Therapist Matters.
If you’re preparing for your first session, check out: What Makes a Good Therapist? and What to Expect at Your First Therapy Appointment.
If you're looking for a local Social Worker therapist, here are some options:
Use First Session to find the right therapist for you.
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Rob Pintwala, Founder @ First Session
Rob is the founder of First Session. He has interviewed over 1000 therapists, and spent many hours on personal growth himself, in and out of therapy. He enjoys reading about psychology, trauma, healing, and wellness.
