What is an LCSW?
To obtain the LCSW license one must have a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited educational institution and receive 3200 hours of supervised, post-degree clinical work often accrued over a 2-3 year period. Social workers seek clinical supervision from licensed clinical social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists. Upon approval by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), applicants are required to sit for and pass two (2) qualifying State licensing exams. Upon completion of these requirements, an individual is granted the license of LCSW.
This term was actually first coined in California during the early 1970s in relation to the first license law for Social Work in the nation. I am happy to say that I was actively involved in getting this legislation passed and later was appointment to the Board of Behavioral Science which regulates the practice of Licensed Clinical Social Workers in California.
LCSW is an acronym for licensed clinical social worker, and people with this title are skilled professionals who meet certain requirements and work in a variety of fields. The term social worker is not always synonymous with licensed clinical social worker. In some social work agencies, those employed may have the title of social worker without licensure. Use of this title may be restricted by the state or country and not everyone may claim they are a social worker by virtue of where they’re employed. Typically when the term LCSW is used it means the person has attained a master’s degree in social work. But someone with an MSW is not necessarily licensed. In order to be licensed, the person with an MSW must then fulfill a number of hours doing practical work, and will need to take board examinations. The number of hours of supervised work to obtain licensing varies. In places like California, for instance, a person seeking licensure must complete over 3000 hours of work in supervised s
LCSW, stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. In order to become an LCSW a person must first obtain a Bachelor’s Degree, then a Master’s Degree in Social Work. After achieving the Master’s Degree, an LCSW must work under supervision for a total of 3200 working hours before becoming eligible to take the California State licensing examinations. Once the licensing exams have passed, then a person can be referred to as an LCSW. You may think that Social Workers may only work for Child Protective Services, or some other agency. While some Social Workers operate in these jobs, other Social Workers have a more clinical focus. Because I had the desire to become a therapist, I took my Social Work training and then sought more clinical experience. Social Workers are trained in the Psychosocial Theory which seeks to meet every client in their situation and use interventions that fit the client. Social Workers are trained to look at the clients overall situation from a variety of angles to det
