Social Workers: A General Overview
Social workers receive a social work degree, which can be a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate degree. Most social workers have a "MSW" or a Master's in Social Work. Social workers are generally broadly trained to deal with a variety of issues in the mental health system. This makes it more difficult to describe what social workers do.
Social workers often provide many valuable roles in helping their clients find and utilize the resources which are most appropriate for their needs. Other social workers work for agencies such as the Department of Family Services and focus on evaluating for child abuse or other family problems. In general, these professionals are the best at helping you find the resources that you need.
Do Social Workers Provide Therapy?
Yes, some social workers are excellent therapists. Others do not. If you are considering a social worker for therapy, its generally best to find one that advertises themselves as offering therapy or counseling services and who has appropriate training in therapy and/or counseling.