LCSW vs Therapist: What Does an LCSW Do?

What is an LCSW?

When you look at a therapist's profile, you’ll probably notice a list of credentials after their name. Usually, it looks something like this:

Mary Sue
LPC

Or 

John Doe
LCSW, LCADC

What do these acronyms mean? They are the therapist’s licenses. There is more than one way to become a therapist qualified to provide individual talk therapy sessions. LPC stands for “Licensed Professional Counselor”. LCADC stands for “Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor”. 

LCSW stands for “Licensed Clinical Social Worker.” It is a very common license for therapists to hold, up there with LPC. They can conduct individual therapy, group therapy, and couples therapy, depending on their training. 

Education requirements for an LCSW

To become an LCSW, you must:

• Receive your Master in Social Work (MSW)
• Pass a written exam to get your license (Licensed Social Worker; LSW)
• Conduct therapy for 2 years under a supervisor and take another exam to get your clinical license (LCSW)

It is possible to practice therapy as an MSW, usually, these are interns who offer reduced rates because they are not fully credentialed and are supervised by a licensed clinical social worker. All LCSWs must spend two years as an LSW practicing under supervision, where they will have the guidance of an experienced therapist to help them with their cases. 

Supervision for an LSW doesn’t mean you’ll have another person sitting in on your sessions—the sessions are still one-on-one (unless you’re in a group therapy setting). It just means your therapist will be able to talk about your session with their supervisor to get insight, advice, and guidance. All supervisors must be a LCSW, be experienced in the field, and follow all HIPAA privacy compliance laws.

What does an LCSW do?

In a talk therapy session, an LCSW does everything a therapist does. However, talk therapy isn’t the only option for a social worker. They can also:

• Work in schools as a school social worker
• Manage cases for government or nonprofit organizations
• Work in the community for community organizing and health education 
• Conduct research
• Help create public policies 
• Develop programs to support the community

In this way, LCSWs have a broad knowledge of health and wellness. In their education, LCSWs are much more likely to study government policies, how identities like class, race, gender, and sexuality affect mental health, and specializations in the mental health of people groups. If they want to pursue individual counseling, they typically take a mental health specialization course in their Masters program. 

LCSW vs Therapist

No type of therapist is better than the other: they each provide a unique specialization and insight. Which one is the right option for you depends on your needs. 

Types of therapists include:

• Psychiatrist: Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe and manage medication. (See here how psychiatrists differ from other therapists.)
• Phycologists: Mental health care professionals with a doctorate in a mental health-related field. They can conduct research, diagnose, and provide therapy. 
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT): This type of therapist specializes in relationship therapy, particularly for married couples and family dynamics. 
• Licensed Professional Counselors: An LPC, or Licensed Professional Counselor, is a trained mental health professional who provides therapy and counseling services to individuals, couples, and families to support their emotional well-being and address mental health disorders. 
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker: LCSWs also provide therapy and counseling services to individuals, couples, and families to support their emotional, mental, and relational well-being.

In many ways, LPC and LCSW are interchangeable. They have similar education requirements and, when working in therapy, the same job description. However, an LCSW’s education involves a more holistic view of a person’s health, including how that person interacts with the policies and infrastructure around them.

Should I see an LCSW?

Seeing an LCSW for therapy is a great option for anyone struggling with their mental health or looking for support during a hard time. They are an especially good option for individuals. 

Although you don’t need a mental health disorder in order to see a therapist (everyone is welcome in therapy, no matter how big or small your problem may seem), LCSWs are equipped to help people manage and heal from mental health disorders such as:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
• OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
• Eating Disorders
• ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
• Substance Abuse
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Schizophrenia

LCSWs play a vital role in helping individuals navigate these mental health challenges, offering therapy, support, and practical strategies to promote healing and well-being. 

However, therapy is also for people who are going through a hard time or want to work on themselves. LCSWs are also adept at helping people with:

• Grief and loss
• Career changes
• Stress management
• Relationship Health
• Communication skills
• Overall life satisfaction and happiness

Whatever reason you have for seeing therapy, an LCSW is a good option for a therapist. 

How to find the right therapist for you

Finding the right therapist is a crucial step in therapy. Good therapy is built on a strong client-therapist relationship, so you should look for someone you feel comfortable with and who can meet your needs. 

When looking for a therapist, look for these traits:

• They specialize in what you are looking for (anxiety, depression, women’s issues, LGBTQ+, veterans, etc.)
• They understand your background. For some people, having a therapist who understands them culturally is vital. Looking for a therapist with the same religion, race, gender, sexuality, or life experiences (veterans, trauma survivors, etc.) can be a good idea. 
• You’re comfortable with them. You might not know until you meet them, but you should always feel comfortable and able to talk about difficult topics with your therapist. 
• They use treatment modalities that work for you. Treatment modalities are the types of therapy a therapist uses—like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), or EMDR. Look up these modalities before you choose a therapist and see which one resonates with you. Popular modalities are CBT, ACT, person-centered therapy, strengths-based therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, and psychodynamic therapy.

If you start with an LCSW and they aren’t a good fit for you, you can switch therapists! The therapist is there to support you, and that can include referring you to other therapists who are a better match for you. 

Lifebulb Counseling and Therapy has many LCSWs for you to choose from. Find a therapist near you using our therapist directory. Or, call our team and we will match you with a therapist who fits your needs. 

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