Differences and Similarities in Role Perception Among Practicing School Counselors, School Psychologists, and School Social Workers

Today there is much discussion about the functions of various school personnel specialists. Because of the rapid growth of these specialists—the counselor, the psychologists, and the social worker—many questions are being asked, such as: Should guidance workers be generalists or specialists? What certification requirements should be met? Should the three disciplines—counselors, psychologists, and social workers—work as a team or individually? Finally, should counselors, psychologists, and social workers teach as part of their function in the school? An analysis of the extent of overlap between the functions of the three disciplines requires the consideration of professional preparation, ascribed roles, and primary orientation of personnel from the three fields. The purpose of this report is to cover the possible overlap in these areas and give breadth and understanding to each of the three disciplines