A counselor, however, is a professional trained to give guidance by advising them to overcome their personal or psychological problems. The need for social workers and counselors cannot be overemphasized. Pin By Annelisa Glidewell On Svg Svg Teacher Appreciation Respiratory Therapist Therapists may place a heavier emphasis on psychological approaches, whereas social workers often focus on a client's overall social and socioeconomic circumstances. Difference between social worker and therapist . The main difference between clinical social workers and other types of therapists is vocational training and licensing requirements, which vary among jurisdictions. Both social workers and psychologists are trained to tune in to a person’s cognitive, social and emotional behaviors. Professionals in both fields work toward developing positive solutions for their clients. While social workers can be therapists, therapists are not always social workers and the two jobs are not inte...