Abstract: Since social work is still in the beginning stage in China, it is an important way of developing social work by comparing it with similar majors and draw experience from them. This article compares social work with psychological counseling, trying to reveal their differences and similarities, and discusses the applications of psychological counseling skills, management and evaluation methods in social work practice. It is found that social work and psychological counseling share similarities in the development path, professional values and work mode, practical predicament and challenges, and theoretical concepts. However, the two differ significantly on practical principles, working styles, and professional methods. In application, the skills of psychological counseling can be used to stabilize client's emotion and change their behaviors. In addition, the methods of task planning and management, the triangular working mode among client-counselor-supervisor, and the assessment skills can also be applied in social work practice.

Key words: Social work, psychological counseling, difference and similarity