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For many years social workers have been helping other people to improve their lives – on an individual level and in areas they work in as a whole. Many of the services they provide to the public are focused on counseling in regard to behavioral problems and development of individualized treatment plans which makes some people believe social workers can act as their physicians and therapists.
In this guide we will find out how social workers make an impact on their communities, compare them to other specialists who work with individuals in need of psychological assistance, and figure out who to talk to when you need help.
Can Social Workers Prescribe Medication?
Even though social workers get an education that allows them to know about diverse therapy modalities and understand who needs mental health treatment, they are not permitted to formally diagnose individuals they guide or prescribe any medications to them.
Can a licensed clinical social worker prescribe medication? Clinical social workers whose job is to coordinate mental health care and offer counseling to patients do not have the authority to inform their patients what prescription drugs they should use to manage their mental health problems.
What Social Workers Are Legally Allowed to Do
Social workers are usually focused on helping vulnerable individuals – families with children, elderly people, people with mental health issues, and recovering addicts. From encouraging others to maintain a healthy lifestyle to ensuring people in need of medical assistance get what they need, social work encompasses various duties. Let us take a look at the scope of work social workers are typically doing:
| Responsibility | Description |
| Individual Counseling Services | A social worker communicates with people directly – they are meant to help individuals within their capacities and connect them with mental health professionals and local support programs if necessary |
| Welfare Improvement | It is an important part of a social worker’s job to promote health in their community and advocate on behalf of marginalized people |
| Promotion of Social Justice | Social workers can draw from their experience to develop local policies that affect legislation on various levels |
Psychology Vs Social Work
While both psychologists and social workers are meant to care about mental health problems and behavioral issues by conducting evaluations and getting a complete picture of the needs of their clients, a social worker is not a specialist in health care, psychology, or psychiatry. They can understand the challenges you are facing and offer you solutions to resolve health, behavioral, and economic problems but they cannot guide you with the help of a treatment program – that is the job of a psychologist. Clinical psychologists typically specialize in social psychology, developmental psychology, or cognitive psychology to be able to offer customized treatment to their patients.
Understanding Their Roles in Mental Health Care
The main duty of a social worker is to support people with mental health problems and their families. If you cannot navigate the mental health care appointments on your own or you struggle to understand what mental health professional you need to reach out to, a social worker can answer your questions and give you peace of mind.
After that, your healing begins under the supervision of a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. In the meantime, you can work with a social worker especially if your mental health problems cause a negative impact on other aspects of your life – it is possible to combine treatment and rely on a social worker with housing assistance or parenting support.
Who Can Diagnose and Prescribe?
As a general rule, only medical doctors – psychiatrists included – are allowed to diagnose patients and prescribe medication to let people handle their symptoms by changing their brain chemistry. Therapists can confirm a diagnosis as well but if you are in need of medication management, you need to consult with a psychiatrist. In most instances, you will require a referral from your primary care physician or therapist to talk to a psychiatrist – if the doctor or therapist believes you would benefit from specific prescription drugs, this is the right way to proceed.
Therapists, Psychologists, Psychiatrists & Social Workers Explained
The terms “psychiatrist,” “psychologist,” “social worker,” and “therapist,” are often used interchangeably, which is incorrect. Here is a brief overview of their responsibilities so that you know how to differentiate these professions:
| Mental Health Professional | Main Obligations |
| Social Worker | Addressing mental health problems from a social point of view, helping people who lack information about therapy available to them, and connecting individuals with local services and programs that can help them for free or for a low fee |
| Therapist | Evaluation of the patient’s mental health needs, determination of therapy objectives, and preparation of a treatment plan to ensure the person’s recovery |
| Psychologist | Researching the condition of the patient, listing treatment options available, and using a particular type of psychology such as clinical psychology or neuroscience to aid the person |
| Psychiatrist | Assessment of the patient, diagnosis of mental illnesses, prevention of disorders, treatment of mental health conditions, and prescription of medication |
When Medication Is Needed
Although traditional talk therapy remains the most popular way to target emotional issues and help individuals overcome their inner struggles, sometimes counseling is not enough. Antidepressants, mood stabilizers, stimulants, and antipsychotics can help the person either lessen or fully eliminate the symptoms of the mental illness that they are unable to control on their own. The manifestations of the disorder can become less severe with the right dosage and with the patient’s commitment to follow the directions given to them by a psychiatrist who prescribed the medication.
Can Therapists Prescribe Antidepressants?
A therapist is able to diagnose a mental illness or mood disorder. But can a psychotherapist prescribe medication including antidepressants? The answer is no. When you talk to a therapist, they can observe your current mental well-being and learn more about your medical history to see a complete picture of your mental health yet antidepressants can only be prescribed by a psychiatrist. A therapist will provide you with a referral to a mental health specialist who is permitted to select the right antidepressants for you.
Choosing the Right Professional for You
Since the answer to the question “Can social workers prescribe medication?” is no, you may not know who to speak to when you need mood stabilizers or antidepressants. Remember that self-diagnosis is not a reliable way to be certain you have a mental health problem which means you need to talk to someone who can verify the diagnosis and prescribe medication. Scheduling a consultation with a therapist is the safest way to get the support you need – if you need a more intensive level of mental health care, they will provide you with a referral.
Have More Questions? Pacific Coast Mental Health Is Here to Help
If you are still not sure what type of mental health professional to see or you want to sign up for a treatment program after discussing such a possibility with the social worker who has helped you, we are here to answer your questions and guide you on your mental health journey. Contact Pacific Coast Mental Health now and schedule an appointment with one of our specialists – your health is in your hands.
FAQs
Can a social worker prescribe medication?
No matter how well a social worker knows you and your struggles and regardless of the extensive experience they might have working with people like yourself, they are not medical doctors which is why they are not qualified to choose what medications you should take to improve your mental health.
What’s the difference between a psychologist and a social worker?
A social worker’s scope of activity is broader – they have to pay attention to various financial, social, health, and behavioral issues of the person they are caring for. A psychologist, on the other hand, is only dealing with the mental health issues of their client – it often happens after a recommendation from the social worker.
Who can diagnose mental health conditions?
Psychiatrists and therapists are able to confirm a diagnosis based on their observations and examination of your medical history and current symptoms. A social worker may suspect there is a problem but they cannot know for sure what diagnosis you might have.
Can therapists prescribe antidepressants?
Despite a common misconception, therapists cannot prescribe medications to treat anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder – only a psychiatrist has the authority to do it. Before any prescription drugs are chosen for a particular patient, a psychiatrist needs to know as much as possible about the individual’s health, lifestyle, and other medications they already take – some medications cannot be prescribed to a person with substance abuse disorder.
When should I see a psychiatrist instead of a social worker?
Talk to a psychiatrist if you suspect the presence of a serious mental illness or you already had a diagnosis and now your goal is to adjust medication because the manifestations of the condition become more severe and you need to change the dosage or pick a different prescription drug.
