What is a licensed clinical social worker & what do they do?

Key Takeaways

Like other mental health professionals, licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) are trained to diagnose mental illnesses and provide mental health treatment.

LCSWs focus on the ways that a person’s mental health is impacted by their environment. In addition to helping their clients process emotional concerns, they also work to connect them with resources to help them meet their immediate needs.

In providing case management services, LCSWs collaborate with other providers to ensure coordination of care and advocate for their client’s interests with the entire care team.

Have you ever wondered how a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) differs from other types of helping professionals? Or what kinds of services they offer? If so, you’re not alone! There are many different types of mental health professionals who work in similar, but slightly different, ways. By learning more about LCSWs and the services they provide, you’ll be better equipped to understand how they can support you on your mental health journey.

What is an LCSW?

According to the National Association of Social Workers, clinical social work is defined as “a specialty practice area of social work which focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness, emotional, and other behavioral disturbances.” In other words, licensed clinical social workers are trained to diagnose mental illnesses and provide mental health treatment via individual, group, and family therapy and other supportive modalities. LCSWs are skilled helping professionals who work in a variety of settings. You’ll find them in:

Hospitals
Clinics
Community centers
Schools
Primary care facilities
And more!

LCSWs’ unique approach to mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being considers the ways that a person is impacted by their environment. They believe in advocating for their client’s rights and in building a strong therapeutic relationship between themselves and the people they serve.

Academic requirements to become an LCSW

As their title suggests, there are specific academic requirements to become an LCSW that can vary depending on location:

After achieving a bachelor’s degree, they must obtain a master’s degree in social work (MSW) to become eligible for LCSW licensure.
During their master’s program (and afterward), they’re supervised by a licensed provider for a certain number of hours (depending on the state they live in).
After completing their supervised hours (and any other program or state-specific requirements) they can register for the licensing exam and, once they pass, apply for LCSW licensure.
LCSWs must also engage in continuing education throughout their careers to maintain an active license.

What services do LCSWs provide?

Therapy in a variety of settings

LCSWs provide individual, couples, family, and group therapy in a variety of settings and are licensed to provide clinical diagnoses for mental health concerns. They help their clients improve their mental and emotional well-being and connect them with community resources that can help them with whatever challenges they might be facing.

LCSWs and case management

LCSWs use a “whole person” approach to understanding their clients’ concerns. They consider how their mental health is shaped by their environment, relationships, and their daily lives. In addition to processing underlying emotional challenges, LCSWs prioritize helping their clients meet their immediate needs. In providing case management services, they assess their client’s concerns, connect them with providers and organizations who can help, and monitor the outcomes of their treatment plan. Throughout this process, LCSWs work to ensure coordination of care and advocate for their client’s best interests. Like other helping professionals, many LCSWs offer crisis intervention support. This could include things like:

Creating safety plans or conducting suicide assessments for individual clients
Providing preventative education in community settings
Offering group mental health support in the aftermath of a traumatic event

They may also serve on community-based crisis response teams or consult with organizations about issues of crisis and safety planning.

Do LCSWs work with everyone?

LCSWs are trained to support clients facing a wide range of issues. However, some LCSWs choose to work with specific populations. For example, LCSWs may specialize in working with people in certain age groups (like children, young adults, or the elderly) or they may prefer working with couples or families. Other LCSWs may choose to work with specific religious or ethnic groups, members of the LGBTQ+ community, or other populations who share experiences.

What services do LCSWs provide?

In addition to specializing in working with certain populations, LCSWs can also specialize in the types of services they provide. For example, an LCSW who works in private practice will typically offer individual, couples, family, or group therapy therapy. However, an LCSW who works in a community health clinic, school, or agency setting may have a different focus. They might teach preventative education classes, work with clients who are legally mandated to receive therapy, or offer other services focused on case management and transition planning.

What’s the difference between LCSWs and other mental health professionals?

LCSWs share some similarities with other types of mental health professionals. Like therapists, they’re licensed to assess and diagnose their clients’ mental health concerns and facilitate different types of therapy. However, unlike psychiatrists and psychologists, LCSWs are not required to attend medical school or seek additional degrees beyond a master’s degree in social work. In addition, LCSWs are not authorized to prescribe medications. However, they do frequently collaborate with prescribing physicians and psychiatrists.

How do LCSWs collaborate with other professionals?

A social worker is often seen as the hub within the wheel of care. When a client needs other forms of support (anything from housing or nutritional assistance to outpatient psychiatric care), an LCSW can help facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration among the client’s entire care team. Once the appropriate paperwork has been signed by the client to allow everyone to communicate, an LCSW can keep everyone informed about the client’s progress. This collaboration helps ensure continuity of care and provides ongoing support for clients as their treatment needs evolve.

Find an LCSW with help from Rula

No matter what kind of mental health professional you’re looking for, what’s most important is that you find the right fit for you. At Rula, we’re here to make it easier to connect with an LCSW who takes your insurance and offers the specialized care you deserve. In just a few seconds, we can help you find a provider who understands your identity and experiences and who can help you create actionable solutions to whatever challenges you’re facing — all from the comfort of home. And, our network of over 8,000 providers means you can be seen this week.