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Social workers can facilitate meaningful changes for people struggling with daily challenges, mental health issues, and addictions.
Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) typically earn higher salaries than non-clinical social workers. The demand for LCSWs is projected to increase due to more people seeking treatment for mental health conditions.
LCSWs can practice independently and diagnose and provide counseling to clients seeking assistance with behavioral or substance use issues. They also manage cases, refer clients to resources, and check in with clients regularly.
LCSWs help people experiencing homelessness, post-traumatic stress disorder, and alcohol and drug use problems. They can also assist children in abusive situations and unemployed workers. They fill positions at government agencies, mental health facilities, and services organizations.
LCSWs interact with people in crisis and stressful situations. They must remain calm under pressure, communicate with patience and compassion, and manage multiple cases. LCSWs must also know how to take care of themselves to avoid burnout and compassion fatigue.
LCSW licensure requires an MSW. While not a requirement for admission, a BSW can reduce the time it takes to earn an MSW by about one year.
Undergraduates interested in social work careers can jumpstart their path to becoming an LCSW with a BSW degree. MSW programs admit applicants with bachelor’s degrees in any field, but candidates with a BSW can graduate sooner. A BSW from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited program provides the foundation for an MSW.
Prospective LCSWs graduate from a CSWE-accredited MSW program that offers a focus on clinical social work. An MSW is the minimum degree required to become an LCSW. Students devote at least 900 hours to supervised clinical field experience and complete 50-70 credits of coursework.
MSW programs generally take 1-2 years to complete. Students take core social work classes during their first year, then concentrate on clinical social work in the second year.
LCSW candidates must obtain licensure from their state social work board. Eligibility requirements for licensing include an application to the state board; an MSW program in clinical social work; post-master’s supervised field experience; and a passing score on the ASWB clinical exam.
Some states may have additional requirements, such as exams, coursework, or demonstrated competencies. State boards also require continuing education hours for license renewal.
Optional certifications are available to LCSWs from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Certifications can indicate to employers and the public expertise in a specific area of clinical social work. LCSWs can earn credentials in addictions, case management, gerontology, and military social work. Certifications require a passing score on the applicable examination.
Clinical social work certification eligibility requires an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program, a number of contact hours (depending on credential), years of work experience, a current license, and adherence to the NASW Code of Ethics and NASW Standards for Continuing Education.
LCSWs find positions in clinics, hospitals, and rehabilitation clinics. They work with individuals, families, and groups providing therapy and counseling and assisting with housing, employment, and social services access.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), social workers specializing in healthcare, mental health, or substance misuse should see the most opportunities. The BLS projects an 11% employment growth during 2021-2031 in these areas.
Earning a NASW certification can give an edge over the competition. March 2023 Payscale data reports an average annual salary of $62,600 for LCSWs. Skills that can increase salaries include patient counseling, clinical supervision, and program development and management.
LMSWs and LCSWs both earn MSWs but differ in their scopes of practice. LMSWs can advise their clients but cannot offer counseling unless supervised by an LCSW or psychologist. LCSWs can provide clinical services, including independent counseling and diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of mental health conditions.
LCSWs cannot prescribe medication. But, they may refer clients to mental health professionals who can give prescriptions, including psychiatrists and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (NPs). The scope of prescriptive authority for NPs varies by state.
Social work can be stressful. Factors that may cause stress include increasingly complex social issues, heavy caseloads, and distressed clients. LCSWs can experience compassion fatigue and emotional drain. Self-care practices and supportive work environments can help alleviate stress.
LCSWs earn an average annual salary of $62,600, which is higher than the average social worker salary at $51,607, according to March 2023 data from Payscale. In addition to higher pay, LCSWs can go into private practice and provide services like counseling, diagnosis, and treatment.
Last Updated: June 08, 2023
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