What Is an LCSW and Should You See One for Therapy?

When you’re looking for a therapist who is the best match for you, it can be tricky to know which type to choose. Next to the name of a provider, you may see abbreviations such as “LMFT,” “Psy.D.,” or “LCSW” – but what do these actually mean? These abbreviations indicate someone’s credentials – their education, training, and licensing. One very common credential you may come across when browsing therapists is LCSW, which stands for licensed clinical social worker. Licensed clinical social workers are trained to assess people’s mental health, diagnose mental health conditions, and provide treatment, making them a great choice for your therapy provider. Here’s everything you need to know about licensed clinical social workers, and whether they may be the right type of therapist for you.

LCSWs vs. Other Mental Health Professionals

There is no one type of mental health professional that’s inherently “better” than another. Rather, each type of mental health provider has their own unique skill sets and abilities to help people who are struggling with their mental health or life circumstances. The main differences lie in their education and training.

Aside from LCSWs, some other popular types of mental health professionals are:

• • Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs): Licensed marriage and family therapists follow an education and training path similar to LCSWs. First they must earn a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, and then get their Master’s Degree in marriage and family therapy. This is known as an MFT degree. Then, they go on to complete supervised clinical hours (which may range from 1,500 to 3,000 depending on the state). After this, they must pass state tests for their license. The main difference is that they focus more on couples and family therapy opposed to individual therapy, although they may still provide individual therapy for mental health struggles, too.

• • Psychologists: Psychologists require a doctoral degree, which may be either a Ph.D., standing for Doctor of Philosophy, or a Psy.D., which stands for Doctor of Psychology. Schooling is longer, and it may take up to seven years to earn a doctoral degree. Their training typically focuses on human behavior, utilizing scientific and research methods. Similar to LCSWs, psychologists must also complete supervised clinical hours and complete state exams.

• • Psychiatrists: Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have the ability to prescribe medications to people with mental health conditions. Their degree will either be MD (Doctor of Medicine) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine). After obtaining this degree, a psychiatrist has to complete a residency, which is clinical experience in the space, under supervision of practicing psychiatrists. Typically, a psychiatry residency is four years long. For more specialized training, a psychiatrist may complete a fellowship in a subspecialty.

Any of these types of mental health professionals, as well as LCSWs, can provide therapy. If you’re looking for individual therapy to improve your mental health, your best bet may be an LCSW or a psychologist. If you’re looking for a medical doctor who can provide therapy as well as prescribe medications, you may need a psychiatrist. Lastly, if you’re looking for therapy for yourself and a partner, spouse, or other family members, a LMFT may be a better fit for you. In some situations, it may be beneficial to work with more than one mental health professional. For example, you may work on building coping skills and learning relaxation techniques with an LCSW while also seeing a psychiatrist for medication management. Every individual’s treatment plan will be different.

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Services Provided by LCSWs

LCSWs are qualified for various services. For example, they may:

• • Provide counseling or therapy
  • Consult for various businesses
  • Supervise LCSWs in training
  • Oversee mental health programs
  • Provide community-based services

In the context of mental health treatment for individuals, services vary from social worker to social worker – but in general, LCSWs are an excellent choice for a therapy provider. “Therapy” is a very broad term, and LCSWs can have different specializations when it comes to the type of therapy they practice. Oftentimes, LCSWs will draw from various different therapy modalities, depending on what’s most helpful for the client. Some common types of therapy an LCSW may provide are:

• • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is the most popular type of talk therapy. It helps you dig deep and analyze your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. With a therapist, CBT can help you learn to identify unhealthy, unhelpful thought patterns and create healthier thought patterns and related behaviors.

• • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT is similar to CBT, but there is more of a focus on the validation and acceptance of living with difficult emotions and experiences. DBT will teach you interpersonal skills, emotional regulation skills, mindfulness, and more. DBT is most common for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) or people with suicidal ideation, but DBT can be useful for many other struggles.

• • Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR): EMDR is typically not a standalone therapy, rather it is used in conjunction with general psychotherapy. A therapist trained in EMDR will guide you through specific eye movements while you recall past trauma. This therapy is particularly helpful for those who have experienced trauma or who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

• • Exposure therapy: Exposure therapy is a specific branch of CBT that can be very helpful for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and phobias. With the help of a therapist, you will be exposed to the very things that trigger you so that with time, the triggers will become less distressing and you will be able to better manage your anxiety.

The options don’t stop there. Other less common types of therapy an LCSW may provide include:

• • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Emotionally Focused Therapy
  • Internal Family Systems Therapy
  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
  • Play Therapy
  • Somatic Therapy

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Furthermore, LCSWs may have a specialization when it comes to working with certain groups of people, or specific mental health conditions. Some examples of groups of people are:

• • New moms/dads
  • People who are grieving
  • The LGBTQIA+ community
  • Senior citizens
  • Young professionals

Some types of mental health condition specializations are:

• • Addiction
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Depression
  • Eating disorders
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Personality disorders
  • Phobias
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Psychotic disorders

When it comes down to it, whether someone is the right therapist for you will go far beyond their credentials. You want to make sure that:

• • You feel comfortable with your therapist
  • You feel like your therapist understands you
  • Your therapist specializes in or has experience with treating the issues you’re facing
  • Your therapist uses treatment modalities that work for you

Seeking out a therapist is the first step to making positive changes in your mental health. Therapy is invaluable, and working with a mental health professional, including an LCSW, can truly change your life.

The Career Path and Academic Background of an LCSW

Licensed clinical social workers go through extensive education and training to earn their license and get the experience they need to learn how to best help others. Some specific requirements may vary state by state for LCSWs, but the general path is about the same. However, there are different requirements by state. If you’re interested, you can check different state websites through this resource.

1. First, an LCSW must earn a Bachelor’s Degree. While the college major may be social work, it can also be something closely related to social work, such as psychology or sociology. 2. Upon completion of a Bachelor’s Degree, an LCSW has to obtain a master’s degree in social work, known as an MSW degree. The school they earn the degree from must be accredited. 3. After obtaining an MSW degree, a social worker must become licensed as a social worker – LSW. This involves taking a state licensing exam. Then, they need to meet a certain number of clinical hours. This can be around 3,500 hours –– more or less depending on the specific state’s guidelines. This experience is under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional and may include experience diagnosing patients, providing psychotherapy or counseling, determining treatment plans, conducting research, and more. 4. Once an LCSW has training under their belt, they have to take their state’s licensing exams. This typically includes the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam and a Law and Ethics Exam. 5. After passing these exams, an LCSW can begin practicing. Education doesn’t stop there, though. LCSWs must renew their license (as per state guidelines) by completing continuing education units. This ensures that a social worker is always following the correct clinical guidelines and is up to date on best practices. Finding the perfect therapist for you doesn’t have to be difficult. Get started today with Grow Therapy to find a therapist. Our expert matching team can help you find a qualified mental health provider who best suits your needs.

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