Social workers help people resolve problems that affect their day-to-day lives. People see social workers when they are going through a difficult period in their personal, family and/or work life. 

Social workers help clients: 

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• identify and understand the source of stress or difficulty

• develop coping skills and find effective solutions to their problems

• find needed resources

• by providing counselling and psychotherapy. 
   

Social workers deal with all ages, groups, backgrounds and income levels. (OASW).

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​In Ontario, in order to use the title Social Worker or Registered Social Worker or their French equivalents, or to hold out expressly or by implication that you are a social worker, you must be registered with the College. Typically, College registrants have obtained a Bachelor of Social Work degree (BSW), a Master of Social Work degree (MSW) or both. In Ontario, a BSW program is four years in duration and an MSW program is a further one to two years.

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From individuals and families to organizations and communities, social workers collaborate with their clients to address challenges through a process of assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation.

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Registered social workers have specialized university education and must participate in continued professional learning and skills development to fulfil the requirements of their professional regulatory body, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. (OCSWSSW)

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