Have you ever wondered about the differences between counseling, marriage and family therapy, and social work? Whether you are seeking services or considering one of these professions as a career path, it’s important to understand what makes each specialty stand out. Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), and Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) are all distinct mental health professions, each with its own focus and training. Though the overall goals lead to support and guidance, these professions can differ in the techniques, scope, and approaches they take to help individuals, couples, and families navigate life's challenges. Let’s unpack the three graduate master’s degrees for those looking to find their best-fit graduate school program.
Counseling
Counselors work with individuals or groups to address a wide range of emotional, mental, and behavioral issues. This can include anxiety, depression, grief, relationship problems, and more.
Educational Background
Counselors typically hold a master's degree in counseling or a related field to receive training in various counseling techniques and approaches. The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Fairfield University is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This degree stands out because it focuses on how the counselor helps and supports the client. It emphasizes the client's power to heal using a perspective that focuses on mental wellness. Students learn from a culturally diverse faculty with varied academic/clinical backgrounds, scholarly interests, and national/international professional leadership profiles.
Licensing
Counselors may need to be licensed, depending on the state or country they practice in, and licensing requirements vary widely. Fairfield’s program fulfills the 60 credit hour requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Connecticut. The LPC license is a broad license that will give you the background needed to provide counseling services to individual groups, couples, and families.
Approach to Therapy
An LPC’s approach is generally well-rounded and aims to help clients with a wide array of emotional and behavioral issues areas like anxiety, depression, life transitions, and stress management. Dilani Perera, professor of counselor education at Fairfield University, says, “Our counseling program intensively focuses on what has been shown as the most effective agent of change in mental health work: the therapeutic relationship between counselor and client." Additionally, she says, “our commitment to diversity, equity, social action, and advocacy is rooted in our Jesuit mission.”
Career Opportunities
You can find counseling jobs in mental health agencies, college counseling centers, hospitals, and private practice. Professional counselors are the only mental health providers trained in career counseling. Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18 percent by 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 42,000 openings for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are projected each year.
Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT)
MFTs specialize in working with couples and families, addressing relationship dynamics, communication, and other family-related issues. They often view problems within the context of the family system.
Educational Background
MFTs hold a master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, which includes specialized coursework in family dynamics and therapy techniques. The MA in Marriage and Family Therapy at Fairfield University focuses on addressing diversity, power, privilege, and social justice in all aspects of training and education. Fairfield's program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and courses are taught by licensed faculty who are Approved Supervisors and Clinical Members of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
Licensing
To practice, MFTs need to acquire a license, and the specific licensing criteria depend on the location. Those who complete Fairfield’s MFT program are eligible to seek associate membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). After gaining further clinical experience and supervision post-degree, they can apply for clinical membership in this organization and take Connecticut's licensing examination.
Approach to Therapy
MFTs focus on treating individuals, couples, and families, while understanding the critical role that relationships play in how we behave and function. They often use systemic approaches to address issues.
Career Opportunities
Marriage and Family Therapists often work in environments such as private practice, family therapy centers, or community mental health agencies.Their expertise lies in family and relationship counseling. Employment of marriage and family therapists is projected to grow 15 percent by 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. Carissa D'Aniello-Heyda, PhD, LMFT, department chair and associate professor of the Marriage and Family Therapy and Social Work programs at Fairfield notes that “MFTs, LPCs, and LCSWs compete for some of the same jobs.”
Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW)
Licensed Clinical Social Workers are trained to work with individuals, families, and groups, addressing a wide range of mental health issues. They also consider broader social and environmental factors that may contribute to a person's well-being.
Educational Background
LCSWs hold a master's degree in social work (MSW), which covers a wide range of social work topics, including clinical practice, policy, and advocacy. Fairfield’s Master of Social Work is a clinical specialist program. Clinical social workers have specialized knowledge and skills in the prevention, assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of emotional, mental, and behavioral health problems. All of Fairfield’s social work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and are designed with flexible full-time or part-time schedules that combine online and a low-residency in-person component that can be done on weekends. According to Suzanne Marmo, PhD, LCSW, and the director and associate professor of Social Work at Fairfield University, the ideal social work student “believes in the programs’ goals to combat oppression, serve the public, poor, and underserved, and make a difference through a holistic approach to helping others.” Dr. Marmo also says they look for students with empathy and an understanding of social justice and equity. “Social work is bound by a code of ethics, steeped in diversity, equity, and inclusion that aligns with the Jesuit mission.”
Licensing
LCSWs must be licensed, which involves completing supervised clinical hours and passing a licensing exam. They may also need to meet additional requirements related to social work practice. If you want to work in a hospital, you must have the LCSW credential.
Approach to Therapy
LCSWs employ a wide range of therapeutic techniques and interventions, and they may work with individuals, families, or groups. They are also trained to consider social and environmental factors that can impact mental health. Dr. Marmo explains, “A mother suffering from postpartum depression may also be experiencing housing insecurity that is exacerbating the condition. Social workers will consider the big picture in unpacking and treating the problem.”
Career Opportunities
LCSWs have a broader scope of practice and can work in a variety of settings, including mental health clinics, hospitals, schools, and social service agencies. They may also engage in advocacy and policy work. “It is a very large profession that enables practitioners to shift and try new career tracks,” says Dr. Marmo. There are more than 700,000 social workers in the U.S. who provide the majority of mental health services and are the number one resource for substance abuse treatment. Overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations with about 63,800 openings each year. Practitioners in this line of work will be tackling income inequality, access to healthcare, and care for our aging population, among other things.
Which program is best for you?
While there is overlap in the populations they serve and the issues they address, each profession has its own unique emphasis. Counselors work with individuals or groups on various mental health concerns, MFTs specialize in family and relationship dynamics, and LCSWs have a broader scope that includes individual, family, and group therapy while considering larger social and environmental factors.
The choice between these professions depends on individual interests, career goals, and the specific populations you wish to work with. Be sure to research the licensing and educational requirements in the specific location where you plan to practice. Marmo adds, “If you’re not sure which path is right for you, come talk to us!”
