Lmhc vs lcsw reddit I've always had an interest in the mind and helping others in anyway I can. If an employer’s job listing only references one of the licenses, well you’re eligible either way. This is dependent upon the state. 0GPA Generalized anxiety & predisposition to depression. Maybe it’s because of the psychology background, that maybe this supervisor doesn’t fully understand the scope of an LCSW license. LMFT/LMHC in Hawai’i…pre-licensed, I earned $40,000 as a counselor in a private school. Both programs seem to last 2-3 years online. Just curious, why/when would referral for psychological testing be appropriate for suspicion of ADHD vs just a diagnosis at an outpatient level?. They are highly similar and can do most of the same things with few exceptions. Jul 28, 2024 · LPC vs. Personally I wouldn’t do things any differently, but be aware that with an LCSW, you’ll have a couple of years where you would likely be employed in a less clinical role while obtaining supervision hours for your LCSW. You have to get your 3,000 supervision hours and passed the exam to become a full LCSW. I'm a social worker who works in private practice. If you want to work with military or veterans (some of the highest paid positions in social work), you will not be able to do with a LPC. social work students might start out a little more prepared to consider systematic concerns vs the typical LPC program, and LPC programs might start out a little more prepared with info on mental health disorders. See full list on counselingdegreesonline. , “trauma specialist”). I would appreciate feedback from folks from both paths as I start my application process to different Masters programs. A LMHC is the newest addition to the field of mental health. Look at the actual classes and focus of study for each, and follow what is most aligned with your interest and values. When comparing LCSW vs. (ie Medicare/Medicaid) LCSW are preferred. This means you coul Social work and MFTs have very different curriculum and grad school experiences. I’m pretty aware of the differences between the two and the LCSWs tend to have more options in the long-term. According to Payscale, the average yearly salary for LMHCs is $61,000 as of February 2025. In my state, an MSW can be a secondary supervisor of a LMHC or LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor). Benefits of having both: shows you have training on both sides (the main difference is LPC is group/individual focused, LMFT is couple/family). As a lpc/mft you are essentially limited to therapy Even if you get a social work degree, since you are ultimately looking at private practice, why would you even need to have the other non-therapy jobs that social work will give you. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Upon doing some research recently, I've become conflicted on whether to pursue my original goal or pursue a Master's in Social Work and become an LCSW. However, if you want to work in inpatient, for government agencies, etc. Mar 3, 2025 · An LMHC (licensed mental health counselor) primarily assists individuals with mental health issues using various psychotherapy techniques, while an LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) helps clients deal with a wider range of daily hardships, including mental, emotional and behavioral conditions. One thing to keep in mind is that because the LMHC lincense is so new, there are fewer in number in the field. Once you graduate from the LCSW program you will apply for licensure and be already labeled as a LCSW-A. I'm in the process of transitioning to start my own private practice. There are definite advantages to social work when it comes to variety in jobs you are qualified for. I am an LCSW and have friends who are LPCs. LCSW: Why did you choose your program and do you feel it was the right choice? Advice/Career (self. LMHC salary estimates, remember that your location, years of experience, and chosen workplace can affect your salary expectations. For a full psychological testing battery for a client, insurance reimburses $1500-2000 for about 6-10 hours of work. I'm an LCSW and my take is this: if you want to do therapy and only therapy, you need to get a therapy degree, which an MSW is not. As an LCSW-A there are some insurances you can bill as an associate license, but not many at all. One is just the counseling route, the other social work. Psychology is largely medical model: (what is wrong here?) Where social work is strengths based: (what is going well, how can we improve?) Social work is very broad where psychology is more narrow (only mental health). I didn't choose social work to be able to work in a public agency or to be able to bill Medicare, I chose social work because it integrates the elements of social science I find most helpful - social psychology, sociology, and critical psychology, as well as radical behaviorism and psychoanalysis. psychologystudents) submitted 6 months ago by laugh-at-anything. The main difference is the licensing hours vs. I think it is okay if you're not that interested in social work per say, but honestly, I'm in a masters of social work program right now and absolutely love it and feel like I'm being prepared to be a counselor. If you move you can see which license is easier to transfer. An MSW can be the supervisor (boss) of an LMHC, but an LMHC cannot supervise an MSW. I'm looking at reimbursement rates for medicaid and medicare, and noticed that lmhc's do not qualify to accept medicare clients. So I'm a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in the state of Florida. -WA state: MSW/LICSWA With social work you are going to likely get an education less focused on specific counseling skills and a larger focus on social work kinds of topics at least in the first year of your program. Three years ago I got hired at a richer private school and am now on $79,000. My main concern is my ability to get a job I desire with a LMHC/LPC vs a LCSW. Grad school is rough and I never would have made it through social work just because of a lack interest in several of their classes. I have an LCSW, through my time in school and between licensing I’ve worked at an autism center, domestic violence center, and in private practice, currently I’m in private practice and love it I honestly never even looked at the other route because I felt so connected to the social justice perspective of social work and I also see with my Imo, lpc have well rounded theoretical training to provide therapy services whereas LCSW can be easier to get different positions across settings such as hospital work, macro, program development, etc. An inpatient psych hospital HAS to have an LCSW ( at least in Texas but I think it is a federal/Joint a commission thing). If you're unsure if you want to do therapy for your whole career or want to work with elderly/disabled (Medicare), then you should do an MSW. Over 6 years, that pay went up to $54,000. 1 semester masters of social work completed before taking hiatus (4. MSW & LPC. Wouldn't change my social work pursuits. Through your career you'll get to expand the class and get more skills and even be able to bridge the gap in a lot of cases. For LCSW/LMHC/LPC it ranges $90-115 for 53 minute plus session and $60-75 for 45 minute session. All the same, some MFT programs are indistinguishable from social work at this point. But they don’t have a license that says “licensed trauma clinical social worker”. (Yes, they are starting to slowly open the field to more professions outside of psychology and social work -- but social workers hire other social workers). Attention deficit disorder. In the moment emotional breakdowns need in the moment emotional connection, and studying sue johnson, Virginia Satir, Michael white, and other foundational family therapists will be LPC = masters degree (2-3 yrs) Clinical Psych = doctorate (5-7 yrs w/dissertation) The primary difference is that clinical psychologists have more research training/experience and supervised clinical hours as part of their education and can do full psychological/forensic assessments due to being trained in the use of advanced questionnaires (measures). 0GPA) Pre-nursing courses competed - 4. Hope that helps! Social work tends to observe and address not just individual challenges but family and community. Until recently, I was set on pursuing a path that would lead me to a LMHC/LPC. Mar 15, 2024 · LMHC Salary. If not, you will have to complete the regular track. I'd say go with counseling because if thats what you want to do, that degree will have as its primary focus, counseling theories, techniques, interventions, and Because of the social work degree you have more options, it's definitely diverse, useful, and employable. LCSW Salary I believe there absolutely is, as a msw there a million things you can do from advocacy, to mental health, to medical social work, to policy, to grant writing, to basically almost whatever you want. On the client end, you really wouldn’t be able to tell a difference as they have the same abilities. I’d recommend MFT to get a broader philosophical approach than the EBPs. Feels very boots on the ground as opposed to theories It’s largely an informal title, much like an LPC or LCSW might say they specialize in X, Y, or Z diagnosis or treatment approaches (e. g. org Mar 5, 2007 · An LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker. dotvx uoaegi qzbbgqy zffahp hrcd kjb npmhsjin lxfxyf frtwnhz zxmji pbofyi eoky eovs mum iyix