[ljr56]

I’m looking for a therapist and a large group by me has many social workers and lc’s (?) as well as psychologists. Are they just as therapeutic? When I think Social Worker, I think of someone to help me choose my nursing home! Are they really qualified to do psychotherapy? Thanks.🙂

[SummerTime12]

If they are a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) they are definitely qualified as a therapist, just as much as a psychologist. LCSWs have to have a masters degree, spend a lot of hours performing supervised therapy, and pass a thorough exam to become licensed to practice clinically. The schooling for social workers also prepares them for working as therapists if that is the course they wish to take

[fille_folle]

They are certainly qualified. The social workers you're thinking of are certified social workers. Therapist social works are licensed clinical social workers, which requires a master's degree and a shitload of clinical hours.

[stopdog]

I don't think they are any worse

[Ididitmyway]

In the US licences social workers (LCSWs) are qualified to do psychotherapy just like clinical psychologists. marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and professional counselors (LPCCs). There is no difference in their training in terms of how to conduct psychotherapy in private settings. There are differences in terms of what kind of places they normally get employed at. Social workers who don't have private practices often work for nursing homes, government agencies and others who assist the under served population. They could be licensed or unlicensed. Those who work for an agency usually don't conduct psychotherapy.

[InnerPeace111]

Yes, social workers are just as therapeutic. My T is a LCSW and she’s great!

[BizzyBee]

I guess I am the odd duck out, but I have not had good experiences with several lcsw therapists. In my case, I found they did not have the tools to help me process complex trauma. Maybe I just had back luck in picking the few I saw.

[seeker33]

Yes, they are qualified. The first T I tried was a LCSW.

[healinginprogress]

The best T I had (currently have) is a LCSW.

[nottrustin]

My family members and I have only ever seen LCSW's. My son did see a psychologist for his psych testing. I was not impressed.

[LonesomeTonight]

I've seen both, and as others have said, as long as they're a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), then they're just as qualified. The training may be slightly different from a psychologist, plus a psychologist tends to have a PhD, while an LCSW may just have a master's. But as others have said, they both have to go through many supervised hours, plus, if in the US, be licensed by the state. Both follow codes of etchis. And they have to do continuing education, so things like going to conferences, classes, etc. throughout their careers to keep their licenses.


I think what it generally comes down to is not the actual degree, but experience and the fit between the client and the therapist. Oh, one thing that may or may not affect you, but I've found that LCSWs generally charge a bit less than psychologists.

[Carmina]

Therapists don't have to be psychologists anyway, in fact in my experience, apart from 1, some the worst therapists I had were clinical psychologists (far too behaviourally focused and simplistic). You can train as a therapist with various health/social care backgrounds.

[SlumberKitty]

My first T was a LCSW and my second T was a MFT. My second T helped me more but I think its just because she had way more experience than the first T. The first T I had was still very new and I was her first client ever that SH'ed. I think it really depends on how well you "click" with the person you are seeing. I forget what the T is I have now (but am going to terminate with her anyway) and I see a new one tonight and I'm not sure what degrees she has but she'll probably tell me or it will be on the intake forms. I think it's a combination of training, experience, and personality that forms the "click"