Social Worker vs Psychotherapist in Ontario: What You Need to Know

If you’re looking for therapy in Ontario, you may feel stuck on one question:

Should I see a social worker or a psychotherapist?

This is one of the most common questions we hear at Virtual CBT. It’s also one of the most misunderstood. Many people worry they’ll choose the “wrong” professional. Others think one option offers “real therapy” and the other does not.

Let me say this clearly, as I would to a client sitting across from me:

Both registered social workers and registered psychotherapists can legally and competently provide psychotherapy in Ontario.

The difference is not about who can do therapy. It’s about training paths, regulation, and areas of focus.

First Things First: Both Can Provide Psychotherapy in Ontario

In Ontario, psychotherapy is a controlled act. This means only certain regulated professionals can legally provide it.

Ontario law authorizes both of the following professionals to provide psychotherapy:

• Registered Social Workers (RSW) regulated by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)

• Registered Psychotherapists (RP) regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)

This is not opinion. Ontario law clearly states this, and both regulatory colleges confirm it (CRPO, 2024; OCSWSSW, 2024).

Social workers were providing psychotherapy long before the CRPO even existed. Ontario created the CRPO in 2015 to regulate psychotherapy as its own profession. It did not replace social workers or take psychotherapy away from them.

Key point: Seeing a social worker does not mean you’re getting “less therapy.” Seeing a psychotherapist does not mean the therapy is “deeper” by default.

What Is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is not defined by a job title. It’s defined by what happens in the room.

According to Ontario regulation, psychotherapy involves:

• A structured therapeutic relationship

• Exploring thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and patterns

• Working toward change, insight, or relief from distress

• Treating mental health concerns like anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, and stress

Both RSWs and RPs receive training to provide this work safely and ethically (CRPO, 2024; OCSWSSW, 2024).

Education and Training: Different Roads to the Same Room

Social Workers (RSW)

Their education includes:

• Mental health assessment

• Psychotherapy theory and skills

• Human development

• Trauma and attachment

• Ethics and professional practice

• Social systems, family systems, and community factors

• Supervised practice (can be in psychotherapy)

• Ongoing professional development

After their degree, many social workers complete extensive post-graduate training in therapy models such as:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

• Prolonged Exposure (PE)

• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

They also complete supervised clinical hours before independent practice.

Psychotherapists (RP)

Registered psychotherapists follow a different educational path. Their training often includes:

• A psychotherapy-focused graduate diploma or master’s degree

• Strong emphasis on therapeutic modalities

• Supervised clinical practice

• Ongoing professional development

Many RPs also pursue advanced training in CBT, trauma therapy, OCD treatment, and other evidence-based approaches.

Bottom line: The difference is not whether they can do therapy. Their training and the settings they work in make the difference.

Regulation: Who Oversees Them?

Understanding regulation helps people feel safer choosing a therapist.

Social Workers

• Regulated by the OCSWSSW

• Must follow strict standards of practice

• Required to engage in ongoing professional development

• Accountable for ethics, competence, and client safety

(OCSWSSW, 2024)

Psychotherapists

• Regulated by the CRPO

• Must meet entry-to-practice competencies

• Required to maintain supervision early in practice

• Accountable under Ontario’s Regulated Health Professions Act

(CRPO, 2024)

Both colleges protect the public. Both require complaints processes, continuing education, and professional accountability.

Focus and Roles: Where the Confusion Comes From

This is where online advice often goes wrong.

You may have seen statements like:

• “Choose a social worker for life issues.”

• “Choose a psychotherapist for deep therapy.”

This sounds neat and simple. It’s also inaccurate.

The Reality

• Social workers provide high-quality psychotherapy every day

• Psychotherapists also work with life stress, relationships, and trauma

• Many social workers work in hospitals, schools, child welfare, and legal settings

• Many psychotherapists work in private practice and clinics

The setting often shapes perception, not skill.

A social worker in private practice may do only psychotherapy. A psychotherapist in a hospital may work within systems and teams.

Therapy depth comes from training, experience, and fit — not title.

Similarities Between Social Workers and Psychotherapists

Let’s make this clear:

Both can:

• Provide psychotherapy

• Treat anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, and stress

• Use evidence-based approaches

• Work in private practice or agencies

• Offer virtual therapy across Ontario

Both must:

• Follow ethical codes

• Maintain confidentiality

• Engage in ongoing learning

• Work within their competence

Main Differences at a Glance

Education

• Both social workers and psychotherapists can hold a master’s degree

• Both social workers and psychotherapist can have less than a master's degree (e.g. bachelor degree)

Regulation

• Social Worker: OCSWSSW

• Psychotherapist: CRPO

Common Work Settings

• Social Worker: Hospitals, schools, community agencies, private practice

• Psychotherapist: Private practice, clinics, organizations

Approach

• Both can be structured, relational, trauma-informed, or CBT-based

• Individual therapist training matters more than title

How Do Fees Compare?

This surprises many people.

In private practice in Ontario:

• Fees are often very similar

• Rates usually reflect experience, specialization, and demand

• Not the professional title

At Virtual CBT, for example, fees are consistent across registered clinicians because we value training and expertise, not labels. Learn more about our therapy fees.

Insurance coverage matters more than fees.

Many insurance plans:

• Cover RSWs

• Cover RPs

• Sometimes cover one but not the other

Always check your benefits.

Which Is Better: Social Worker or Psychotherapist?

This is like asking: “Which is better, a cardiologist or a neurologist?”

It depends on:

• Your needs

• The therapist’s training

• Your connection with them

A skilled social worker can offer excellent trauma therapy. A skilled psychotherapist can also offer excellent trauma therapy.

The relationship matters more than the title.

Research consistently shows that the therapeutic alliance is one of the strongest predictors of outcomes (Norcross & Lambert, 2019).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): RSW vs RP

Can a social worker do psychotherapy?

Yes. Social workers are legally authorized to provide psychotherapy in Ontario and have done so for decades (OCSWSSW, 2024).

Is a psychotherapist more qualified than a social worker?

No. Qualification depends on education, supervision, and ongoing training, not title alone. Both have rigorous training backgrounds and high accreditation standards.

Will my therapy be less effective with a social worker?

No. Effectiveness depends on therapist competence and fit not profession (Wampold & Imel, 2015).

Do psychotherapists or social workers diagnose?

No. If you are looking for a formal diagnosis, it's best to connect with a registered psychologist.

Who should I see for CBT?

Social workers and psychotherapists receive training in CBT. Ask about specific training and experience.

What We Believe at Virtual CBT

We believe:

• Good therapy is about skill, safety, and connection

• Titles don’t heal people — relationships do

• Evidence-based care matters

• Transparency builds trust

Our therapists include both registered social workers and registered psychotherapists. They all receive training in structured, evidence-based therapies.

Final Thoughts

If you’re struggling, you don’t need to decode professional hierarchies. You need support that feels competent, respectful, and safe.

Whether your therapist is an RSW or an RP, what matters most is:

• Do they understand your concerns?

• Do they use methods that fit your goals?

• Do you feel heard?

That’s where healing starts.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re considering therapy and feel unsure where to start, we can help.

At Virtual CBT, we match you with a therapist based on:

• Your concerns

• Your preferences

• Your therapy goals

Book a free consultation today. We will match you with a social worker, psychotherapist or online psychologist. You don’t need to choose the “right title.” You just need the right support.

Written by Catherine Sullivan, RSW, MSW and Celissa Vipond, RSW, MSW

References

College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. (2024). About psychotherapy and the controlled act. https://www.crpo.ca

Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2019). Psychotherapy relationships that work III. Psychotherapy, 56(4), 423–426. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000239

Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. (2024). Scope of practice and psychotherapy. https://www.ocswssw.org

Wampold, B. E., & Imel, Z. E. (2015). The great psychotherapy debate: The evidence for what makes psychotherapy work (2nd ed.). Routledge.