It is very common for people to feel unsure about the difference between a social worker and a counsellor. Both roles involve supporting people through difficult emotions, life changes and mental health challenges. Both focus on listening, connection and helping someone move forward.
But the scope and training of each profession are not identical.
If you are considering therapy or guidance for yourself or your family, understanding these differences can help you choose the type of support that feels right for you. This article explains the roles clearly and compassionately, in language that is accessible for anyone seeking help.
The Role of a Social Worker
Social workers support people who are experiencing emotional difficulties, complex life challenges, barriers in systems or stressors that affect their wellbeing. They are trained to understand people within the context of their relationships, environment, identity, culture and the systems around them.
A social worker’s role may include:
- Emotional support and counselling
- Therapy informed by evidence based approaches
- Safety planning
- Advocacy within schools, hospitals or government systems
- Assisting families and carers
- NDIS related support
- Linking clients to community resources
- Assessments and reports
- Supporting people navigating trauma or identity related stressors
Australian social workers (AASW-accredited) are trained to use trauma informed, strengths based and person centred approaches. These frameworks help clients feel respected, safe and empowered. They are particularly helpful for people who have felt misunderstood or overwhelmed in other services.
Social workers also receive training in cultural safety, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, neurodiversity affirming practice and social justice. This means they look at the whole person, not just the problem.
The Role of a Counsellor
Counsellors focus primarily on talk therapy. Their training centres on understanding emotional health, communication, relationships and therapeutic models. Counsellors can support people with anxiety, grief, stress, self esteem concerns, relationship problems and more.
Counsellors in Australia are usually registered with the Australian Counselling Association, which sets professional standards and ethical guidelines.
A counsellor may specialise in:
- Trauma support
- Telationship or couples counselling
- Grief and loss
- Personal development
- Family support
- Youth counselling
Counsellors tend to focus less on systems, advocacy or practical barriers, and more on internal emotional experiences.
Are Social Workers Counsellors Too?
Yes. Many social workers provide counselling as part of their professional role. Counselling is a core component of social work education and practice. While some social workers focus mostly on casework or community work, many integrate counselling and therapeutic skills into their sessions.
For example, social workers may support people with:
- Stress, anxiety or overwhelm
- Trauma and difficult life experiences
- Parenting challenges
- Identity and neurodiversity related needs
- Relationship conflict
- Emotional regulation and coping skills
- NDIS related mental health support
- Life transitions and decision making
Some social workers also specialise in mental health or therapeutic interventions.
About this practice
In this particular practice, social worker Charlie O’Bree provides therapy that is warm, collaborative and grounded in trauma informed, person centred and neuro-affirming approaches. Charlie focuses on building emotional safety, strengthening coping strategies, supporting identity and resilience, and helping people navigate the systems around them.
Benefits of Choosing a Social Worker for Counselling
Seeing a social worker for counselling can offer unique advantages.
Holistic support
Social workers consider all the elements of a person’s life. This creates a more complete understanding of the challenges you are facing and the support you may need.
Therapy and practical support in one place
A social worker can help you with your emotions, but also with the practical barriers that may be adding stress. This may include navigating services, advocating for you, supporting NDIS access or connecting you to resources.
For many clients, this combined approach makes therapy feel more grounded and achievable.
Strengths based and trauma informed
Social workers are trained to reduce shame, build confidence and focus on your strengths. Instead of asking what is wrong with you, social work perspectives ask what has happened, what you need and what strengths you already have.
This approach helps people feel understood, safe and respected.
Support for families, carers and neurodivergent people
Social workers work comfortably within complex family systems, disability support and intersectional identity contexts. This makes them well suited to supporting autistic and ADHD clients, carers, foster and kinship families, LGBTQIA+ communities and people navigating multiple stressors at once.
Inclusive and culturally aware practice
Social workers receive training in cultural responsiveness and ethical practice. This supports clients from diverse cultural, linguistic, social and identity backgrounds.
When to See a Social Worker for Counselling
You may find counselling with a social worker helpful if you want:
- Emotional support for anxiety, stress or low mood
- Someone to help you navigate difficult systems
- A therapist who understands trauma and identity
- Guidance through family conflict or relationship challenges
- A neuro-affirming professional who respects the way your brain works
- Support within the NDIS or disability sector
- Practical strategies alongside therapeutic support
There is no wrong time to seek help. Many people start counselling when they feel overwhelmed, isolated or unsure how to move forward.
If you would like to work with a social worker who provides therapy that is compassionate, strengths based and neuro-affirming, you are welcome to book an appointment. Reach out today.