What Is An LCSW?

What Is an LCSW?

Licensed clinical social workers are mental health professionals who are eligible to provide clinical services at an independent level. They are able to assess, diagnose, and provide treatment for mental, emotional, and behavioral issues.¹ Licensed clinical social workers also educate the public and bring awareness to mental health issues. This advocacy helps to remove the stigma of mental illness, which can be a barrier to obtaining treatment.

Licensed clinical social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, licensed professional counselors, and marriage and family therapists are all trained to perform psychotherapy. There are many functional similarities between these mental health professionals, however, there are differences in education and training, and also in approach and philosophy.² Professionals in each discipline may have a specialization in the type of therapy they use, or with a particular population of people they work with.

LCSW Vs. Psychologist

Licensed clinical social workers view the individual as a part of their environment, and draw upon knowledge of systems theory, psychodynamic theory, family systems, and interpersonal dynamics in their work with clients. There is particular attention to cultural and socioeconomic influences, and in addition to psychotherapy, LCSWs will help their clients connect with additional resources or collaborate with other professionals to improve outcomes.³

Psychologists with doctoral degrees receive some of the most extensive education and training of all medical professionals, according to the American Psychological Association.⁴ Practicing psychologists use psychotherapy to help people improve their lives by addressing mental health issues. They can perform assessments, provide diagnoses, and (in some cases) prescribe medication as a complement to talk therapy.⁴ Psychologists may work in other settings besides private practice including schools, prisons, hospitals, and community services.

LCSW Vs. Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists focus primarily on biological aspects of mental illness and can prescribe medication to their clients. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, either an M.D. or a D.O., with a specialization in mental health. According to the American Psychiatric Association, a psychiatrist is qualified to assess the physical and mental aspects of psychological issues.⁵

LSCW Vs. LPC, LMFT, & Other Certifications

Licensed practical counselors (LPC) and marriage and family therapists (MFT) are two other types of mental health professionals trained to perform counseling and psychotherapy.

With multiple options available to consumers, it is important to research the qualifications and specializations of a provider. While selection should be made based on a clinician’s skill set, there is also importance in having a good therapeutic relationship with a provider. For more information on what may be best for you, read our article on how to choose a therapist.

It is common for clients to seek assistance concurrently from multiple types of providers. For instance, a client might see an LCSW for psychotherapy in conjunction with medication management from a Psychiatrist. Or, a client might see an LCSW for individual psychotherapy and also a marriage and family therapist for couples counseling.

How Is an LCSW Different From Other Social Workers?

Licensed clinical social workers specialize in providing mental health services in private practices, clinics, hospitals, agencies, and other settings. The primary function of clinical social workers is to provide mental health treatment, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.⁶ The advanced clinical social work license allows the social worker to be eligible to practice independently and to receive reimbursement for mental health services from insurance companies.

There are other types of social workers besides licensed clinical social workers. These social workers have education at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral level, and depending on their role and job function, may or may not be required to hold a social work license in their state of practice.

Direct Practice Social Workers

Some types of social workers work directly with individuals, families, and groups performing services other than psychotherapy. These are called direct practice social workers. Direct practice refers to face-to-face work with clients. Sometimes direct practice is synonymous with clinical practice. However, not all direct practice work is clinical.⁶ Some types of direct services include case management, brokering resources, education, mediation, and advocacy.

Macro Level Social Workers

Other types of Social Workers may perform services at a macro level. Macro-level work focuses on larger-scale social problems and making changes at the community, national, or global level. Examples of macro-level practice include government agency work, policy making, non-profit leadership, and community organization. Macro practice Social Workers are concerned with large-scale social issues such as marginalized populations, racism, poverty, domestic violence, substance use, homelessness, and food insecurity.

LCSW Education & Certification

Licensed clinical social workers are required to have a Master’s degree from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.⁷ The course of study includes two years of graduate training (a practicum) followed by at least two years of supervised clinical work after graduation.² Clinical social work is regulated at the state level and is guided by laws and regulations. There is no national license or reciprocity between states.

Although regulations differ from state to state, most often the following competencies must be met for clinical level licensure:^3,8

• A Master’s Degree from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
• A minimum of two years post-master work experience
• 3,000 hours of post-master work experience in a clinical setting under supervision
• Pass the Association of Social Work Boards clinical level exam

Similar Certifications

Clinical social workers working in private or group practice, or in other clinical settings, must hold a license issued in their state of practice. Because there is no license issued at a national level, their title may vary from state to state.^8,9 Below are a few examples of the different licensure titles used to indicate clinical-level licensure:

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
• Licensed Certified Social Worker – Clinical (LCSW-C)

Who Do LCSWs Work With?

LCSWs will provide therapy to individuals, families, couples, or groups. An LCSW might specialize in working with a particular segment of the population, such as children, adolescents, adults, seniors, or those identifying as BIPOC or LGBTQ. LCSWs work with a wide range of mental, emotional, and behavioral issues, from mood disorders to personality disorders to those who have experienced trauma.

In addition to working with a particular population or age group, an LCSW may specialize in a specific treatment modality, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), or motivational interviewing (MI).

According to the National Association of Social Workers, an LCSW might perform the following functions for clients:⁹

• Individual therapy
• Family therapy
• Couples therapy
• Group therapy
• Play therapy
• Crisis intervention
• Bereavement counseling

Licensed clinical social workers are trained and qualified to treat many issues, including:¹⁰

• Depressive disorders
• Bipolar disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorders
• Trauma-related disorders
• Eating disorders
• Substance-related and addictive disorders
• Sexual issues
• Abuse and neglect
• Domestic violence
• Housing and economic problems

Where Does an LCSW Practice?

Licensed clinical social workers are not limited in where they practice. In fact, they provide services in a wide variety of settings. An LCSW may work in an office, or they might perform services out in the community. LCSWs are often in private practice, either running a solo practice or group practice, providing psychotherapy in-person or online.  LCSWs may also be employed in local government agencies, community and social services, schools, recovery programs, rehabilitation services, non-profits, jails, hospitals, and other healthcare settings.¹

How Much Does Treatment With LCSWs Cost?

Licensed clinical social workers are able to practice independently and receive reimbursement from insurance companies for psychotherapy and counseling services.⁶ However, not all LCSWs accept insurance; some require a fee-for-service, and direct payment is expected from the client. A typical psychotherapy session with an LCSW can cost $80-$150 per hour.

If insurance benefits are used, there may be a co-pay that a client is required to pay per session. It is recommended to check with the insurance company to understand what in-network and out-of-network mental health benefits are available, if there is a deductible to meet, and how much of the deductible has already been met prior to the first appointment.

Is Seeing an LCSW Less Expensive Than Another Mental Health Professional?

Not necessarily. The cost of therapy can vary widely depending on geographical location, type of provider, and what type of psychotherapy or service is being performed. The cost of a provider can increase with their level of experience, amount of time in practice, or professional reputation, as well as demand for their services.

The cost of psychotherapy can be seen as an investment in mental health and overall well-being. Fee-for-service psychotherapy costs range from $60-$300 or more per hour, and this is largely dependent on the type of provider (i.e., psychiatrist, psychologist, or LCSW) and also the type of service being provided. In general, online therapy can be a little more affordable than in-person therapy.

How to Find an LCSW

There are many ways to find a licensed clinical social worker. If you are planning to use insurance benefits for psychotherapy, it may be helpful to contact the insurance company directly. Many insurance companies offer online resources to search for providers based in a particular geographical area.

Asking a primary care physician or another trusted medical professional for a recommendation or referral is a great way to find an LCSW.  If comfortable, family and friends may be able to offer suggestions, too.

Local universities have mental health programs affiliated with their graduate programs and may offer low-cost options for services. Looking on a county website for mental health programs and services can also be helpful. Employee assistance programs are another way to locate a mental health provider.

Final Thoughts

Finding an LCSW can help you work through and cope with various mental, behavioral, and emotional challenges. Consider locating a provider in your area to start your healing journey.