Like the approximately 700,000 social workers in the United States, Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) are dedicated to helping people cope with challenges. Though similar in mission to Licensed Social Workers, LCSWs gain advanced counseling techniques and medical knowledge to help them address mental and emotional health issues.
LCSWs work independently without supervision, and in many cases, they are the only professionals providing mental health services to their community. To qualify for their role, LCSW candidates take specific coursework at the master’s degree level and spend significant time gaining clinical experience under supervision.
Though the journey is demanding, the rewards of providing support and resources to clients make becoming an LCSW all worthwhile.
What Does an LCSW Do?
LCSWs provide much-needed services, including in specialty areas such as marriage and family counseling and school counseling. They work for the government, businesses, or start a private practice.
Though an LCSW’s specific job description varies depending on the organization they work for, the client population they work with, and the environment they work within, the job consists of working to provide counseling, support, and resources to clients dealing with issues of mental and emotional health.
Their basic duties and responsibilities include:
- Holding individual and group meetings with clients to provide emotional and mental health counseling
- Building and maintaining a strong rapport with client groups and individual clients
- Conducting accurate mental, emotional, and physical clinical assessments of clients
- Maintaining detailed, accurate, concise records of clients throughout the course of their treatment
- Consulting with medical professionals, physicians, therapists, officers of the court and others as needed
LCSW Salary and Career Outlook
The entire social work field is experiencing remarkable expansion as the demand for their services grows. This is particularly true for Licensed Clinical Social Workers, who focus most of their attention on assessing and treating those with mental and emotional issues and struggles with substance abuse.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean annual wage for these professionals is $54,540 with a projected 15% job growth rate, far greater than that for most other professions.
Though the BLS is looked to as the gold standard for anticipating shifts and trends in the job market, their forecasts of job growth are merely projections, not promises.
Likewise, the mean annual wage that an individual LCSW can earn varies depending upon many factors. These include the industry, employer, or facility in which they work, the demand for LCSW services in the geographic area, and the education, experience, and reputation of the individual LCSW.
According to the BLS, the states where LCSWs are paid the highest salaries include:
- New Jersey – $91,070
- District of Columbia – $73,490
- California – $73,150
- Connecticut – $66,500
- Rhode Island – $65,430
How to Know if You Would Enjoy Being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Social work is a calling for many, and this is particularly true for Licensed Clinical Social Workers. LCSWs tend to be caring, compassionate individuals who are empathetic and determined.
The most successful LCSWs have a genuine interest in people and aren’t satisfied to sit on the sidelines. They want to step in and use their skills, knowledge, training, and resources to help and empower their clients. You will be well-suited to the role if you do not get discouraged easily and are able to remain optimistic, even in the face of disappointment and challenge.
Steps to Becoming an LCSW
Becoming an LCSW represents a significant commitment of time and effort. Beyond the educational foundation provided by your baccalaureate degree, you’ll gain a broad understanding of:
- Social justice
- Social welfare history
- Public policy
- Diversity
The skills and knowledge attained in the classroom and during your clinical internship prove invaluable to you and to your clients.
How Long Does It Take to Become an LCSW?
Becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker represents a minimum time commitment of eight years.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university – Four years
- Earn a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) – Two years
- Gain clinical social work experience required by your state’s licensure board – Two years
Best Degrees to Become an LCSW
Though becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specifically requires a master’s degree in social work, there are no such requirements for a course of study at the undergraduate level.
Still, earning a BSW does have certain benefits. Not only does it provide a strong foundation in the rudimentary theories and mission of the field, but graduating with a BSW prepares you for an entry-level position as a caseworker for a nonprofit or government agency.
Your undergraduate education leads to valuable real-world social work experience and helps inform your knowledge of the various specialty areas of practice. This hands-on practice not only helps to demonstrate your interest in the field to admissions committees at the master’s degree level, but your salary can help you pay for your graduate school tuition.
Where Can I Learn More About Becoming an LCSW?
Licensed Clinical Social Workers are invaluable members of society. They assist people from all walks of life, helping them to cope with a variety of challenges and counseling them through addiction, trauma, emotional challenges, and mental health issues. The position is both rewarding and demanding, and it’s important that those considering it as a career have access to information and resources specific to their field.
To learn more, contact any of these organizations that offer this type of professional support:
- National Association of Social Workers
- Clinical Social Work Association
- International Federation of Social Workers
- Society for Social Work and Research
- Society for Social Work Leadership in Healthcare
LCSW FAQs