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can you diagnose and prescribe medication?

Counselling Services for Waterloo Region

 
 

No, social workers can neither diagnose a mental illness nor prescribe medication for one.

Family doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists can all diagnose an individual with a mental illness. However, only family doctors and psychiatrists are able to prescribe medication. Since psychiatrists specialize in mental illness, family doctors will often refer patients to them for further support.