Clinical Psych, LPC, or LCSW? Master's Level Mental Health Degrees
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- What's the difference between an Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Work, or Clinical Psych master's program?
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Many masters' level clinicians (LPC, LMHC) have specialized training in specific areas. Having a Ph.D. does not automatically qualify you to treat all niches within mental health.
Great video!!! LCSW's also can bill medicare at the masters level which matters to some agencies. Just mentioning, because that's part of the decision-making process for some.
Yes, this is true - LCSW's can bill medicare whereas LPCs cannot. I am sure this issue will be back on the table as masters level psychologists gain autonomy.
@@PsyvsPsy I am an LPC and it's unfortunate that we are excluded from Medicare despite meeting education and training requirements comparable to those of LCSWs. Only a federal law can change this situation. At this time, over 30 bills have included language adding counselors and MFTs to Medicare, and the legislation has passed both the Senate and House twice, but never concurrently. I live in a smaller community where there aren't alot of LCSWs. As such, Medicare patients don't have equal access to mental health services because LPCs and LMFTs mainly serve this area. I wish this wasn't a political issue, so that patients could have better care.
Its interesting that you say LPC make more money generally than LCSW, because through ill the research I've done shows LPC making the least money of all options. Its so hard to choose one and get reliable data T.T
I just graduated with a bs in psychology and never had clinical social work explained well to me...thank you. I might have just found a dream career
So glad we could help! Best of luck on your new career path--so exciting!
Ugh I’ve always had the desire to understanding the human psyche but there’s so many things to consider. I also struggle with ADHD so although this video is jam packed with information.. as a visual learner I’m gonna have to pause and rewind several times so I can draw a ven diagram or a flow chart 😩
A desire to learn is always the best place to start! You're absolutely right; it's a ton of info to consider. Let us know if we can help answer any questions to help you make any decisions.
It is hard to know the best route before starting. I am interested in doing client centered therapy but I also like the idea of not only doing that and also being able to do research to expand the field... it’s a lot of schooling though and I’m curious what the work/life balance is for a psychologist as opposed to an LMFT or LPC. Anyone know?
We'd love to hear from LMFTs and LPCs on the work/life balance too! It's important to consider before starting down that path. We can tell you (no matter what path you decide) every area needs more great applied psychologists conducting research and there are lots of projects that could use your help.
It really depends on the state. In Illinois, LPCs cannot work independently- they need to take the NCMHCE exam and pass it in order to work independently.
Thanks for the clarification! I felt overwhelmed knowing which route to pursue, but this help me settle on LPC.
Your transcript looks like it has been hacked😮 but the video was so helpful!!
Really helpful info for people considering the field! I have been a Psychologist (PsyD) since 1990. Very helpful for our new potential colleagues... 🙂
This is the only video I found that makes senseeeeee thanks !!!!!
"very different pathways" but with very similar scopes of practice under the law. End of the day, you end up working in the same facilities with the same clients offering the same services. I'd also say that although LCSWs come from a background where barriers are addressed, they also address patterns of thinking and behaviors with the same kind of therapies as LPCs, LMFTs, and clinical psychologists. Difference being an additional focus on external factors that can be changed. This is known as a person in environment approach, and it addresses both the person and the environment. LCSWs make less? Not from what I've seen. Most jobs ask for any licensed clinician, a few are picky, and I know some agencies that only want LCSWs and some who only want LMFTs. Government work tends to go to LCSWs from what I can gather, because they can bill medicade/medicare in all 50 states. Private practice... well that's going to be very much the same across all masters level clinicians, with PhDs/PsyDs making a little more, yet their clinical training in actual therapy is equivalent to masters level (fyi).
This was helpful to me. I'm leaning toward MSW for the reasons illustrated above, but my concern would be not getting enough training in the patterns of thinking and behavior bit.
@@marymassed3821 Oh no I erased my comment lol it was long, ok this will be more to the point I guess, and I think most of us were worried about that too. I've never been in a grad program for becoming an LMFT or LPC, but I've compared their curriculums to MSW programs with mental health concentrations and they have a lot in common. I think the reason has to do with licensing and that an LCSW has essentially the same scope of practice under the law as an LMFT or LPC in the vast majority of the US. One advantage of MSW programs is that you will have 2 internships, usually between 800-1200 hours in total, whereas in many of the MFT programs and counseling psych programs it seems to be a shorter internship, often just one of them, and something like 300 hours total. In my experience both of my internships were doing clinical direct practice counseling/therapy. If you have the mental health concentration, and if you push yourself to take a few extra classes or even just audit classes to learn, that can help too. I don't think we are as focused on therapy as MFT and counseling psych programs, obviously, but MSW programs can provide nearly as much. I'd argue that the other stuff we learn is actually very helpful as a clinician. The other thing I'd say is that the masters program is really just the start of your education. I remember people telling me that and me not liking it lol. In reality, you are going to learn sooooo much after you graduate, through work and supervision, trainings, and experience. I don't think they could cram all that into any 2 to 3 year grad program. A lot of the learning has to be self driven. I assure you as you encounter situations and clients that you don't totally understand you will do many deep dives, many consultations, and you will learn a ton from that. The other thing I meant to say earlier was that having an undergrad in psychology would be very helpful. I recall some in my cohort with other undergrad degrees who struggled to catch up with all the clinical psychology stuff, like the DSM and all that kind of content. Anyhow, I really do not see much difference between clinicians based on their degree when they are actually licensed and working and have a little experience.
@@PatrickGustafson Love this - thank you so much for taking the time to write. I am someone who is always doing courses and trainings anyway because I am curious and love to learn. I have no doubt that I will do the work to fill in any gaps I might see in the training. Thanks again.
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thank you for the clarification! And the Kazoo!
What if I want to help people with eating disorders but I don’t know if I want to be tied down to doing therapy forever.
Had there been any progress on those with masters in clinical psychology getting autonomy?
Depends on the state, usually it’s a process to get so many hours under psychologist and then apply for higher credential that gives full autonomy
Which would be the best one for wanting to work with autistic/ND adults?
ABA - Applied Behavioral analyst track of MSW
I want to do therapy in relationships, understanding the behavior of humans for successful relationships, and people learning to exercise introspection through life. Can I do this as a PsyD?
PsyD would be a great option that focuses on allowing you to work with clients up close. Check the rules where you live -options like independently practicing LPC could get you there sooner.
@@PsyvsPsy awesome! Thank you so much for your prompt and thorough response!
This is super helpful ty :)
This was great, thank you ! Peace and love
Hey there sir. I am looking to get my LMHC. What state are you in. I am in New York
Hello John C! We are in Texas
How do you get a position on these various licensing boards, are they people who worked in the field they are governing or are they more like politicians?
Good info! LPC or FMT, which one is a better fit for a master in Gerontology graduate seeking a specialty to do counseling/talk therapy. Any advice?
Most likely LPC, unless you are looking to do family gerontology therapy. MFT focuses more exclusively on the dynamics of family and interpersonal relationships. LPC’s learn a broader range of topics and how to apply them to different populations, via use of different modalities including diagnosis, treatment planning, addiction, psychopharmacology etc. You can see some of these classes in MFT programs, but more so as they relate to the family unit. Definitely look at what your goals are before deciding.
Like Spy vs Spy!!! Nice!!!
Good job
This was super helpful thank you so much!
LPCs in my state can only practice independently with the LPCC license plus a number of hours post MA or MS
Which state are you in?
@@gracecovher6401 Ohio meant to say have to get LPCC hours accrued under dependent license first
Does anyone know if a psychiatric social worker position meet the job requirements to sit for the lcsw exam?
Probably depends on the state.
Can someone help me understand what he says at 8:00 ? a psy-D clinical psychologist? what does he mean by this? thanks in advance!
Hi, basically there are two doctoral level degrees in psychology, the PhD and the PsyD. They are very similar, but generally the PhD is considered to have more scientific training whereas the PsyD is more focused on practice. There isn't a major difference in services they are qualified to provide, as far as I know.
@@PsyvsPsy super helpful comment and vid :)
Hey there! Thanks for the vid! I just started my undergrad, but I'm making a goal statement and putting a direction ahead of myself, so I'm looking up graduate programs. I've actually been on disability for mental health for the last 7 years, but now I'm going back to college to become a therapist! It's been 20 years!!! O_O Also! QUESTION: I'm torn between going after becoming an LPC (LPCC in California) and a Marriage and Family Therapist! Could you talk a bit about the difference between these two? Thank you so much!!
It is so fantastic that you are headed back to school! That is wonderful! Both of the paths you've mentioned are increasing in the job market and are much sought after. When looking at the main diffence, an LPCC will work more with clinical mental health issues of an individual while an LMFT has special training in working with family groups about specific issues which are impacting the group. The question to ask is whether you see yourself focusing more on the individual or the group.
Many programs actually offer both degrees concurrently (for instance, Texas State) so you might not have to make this big decision without a bit more training in both. Let us know if you have any more questions and best of luck!
@@PsyvsPsy thank you so much!!! That helps! My first choice is to get into a program that's close to home (San Diego) or, if not that, an online program. I'll keep searchin' around! I'm already setting up interviews with students (I searched LinkedIn) and student ambassadors from some of the programs in the area! I think I can see myself working more with the individual ... Also working with groups too, but not maybe family groups as much. Anyway! Thank you! (I subbed so I'm sure I'll see ya around YT space later, too!)
Glad I stumbled upon your comment because I’ve been graduate searching too and I did NOT know that LPCC referred to CA only lmao 😭😭😭I’ve been searching all day and it kept pulling up LPC’s and then I’d see LPCC and got confused as if the two were different so now I know. I don’t understand why CA has to be SOOOO difficult. Even the hours/licensure is not the same or credited the same if you do an out-of-state school like Widener 😭😭which has me very hesitant on which schools will be okay. Ughhh. But any who thank you for sharing!
@@TheCRYSTALLURE totally!! My pleasure!! Glad I could be of some help! :)
I'm finishing my bachelor's and want to do long-term counseling and not focus on resources and such. I'm planning to go for LPC, but so many social workers I know say that's a terrible idea that will pidgeon-hole me and that I should go for an MSW because I'll have more versatility. If I don't think I want to do any of those other social work things at all, am I still foolish to go for LPC over MSW?
It sounds like you've done a great job contacting individuals for info about the MSW; my suggestion would be that you do the same for the LPC. Many programs have graduate admissions coordinators (usually a faculty member in the program) who could help you get the info from the LPC side.
It is amazing that you are putting in the work and researching the differences for yourself! This is a decision no one can make for you and I'm proud of you for knowing how you want to help people so early in your career.
@@ammarie9167 Thanks for sharing. I would love to hear why you would choose MSW, if you are willing to share.
In my state and and and my company LPC are clinical supervisors while bsw social workers are case managers. Social workers have a opportunity to become a clinical supervisor but they need to have their MSW. The only time a MSW has a better advantage is in private practice as insurances tend to be more friendly to MSW opposed to LPC or MFT.