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Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
Career OverviewAs the title suggests, a licensed clinical social worker is trained in psychotherapy to deal with a variety of mental health and daily living problems that affect an individual’s ability to function. Most social workers have a master’s degree and an educational background in sociology, growth and development, mental health theory, and psychology. Licensed clinical social workers support this background with knowledge of clinical practices.
Licensed clinical social workers treat mental illness and emotional distress from the perspective of a social worker but they are also able to provide deeper assessments of emotional issues and relationship dynamics due to their background in psychotherapy.
They often provide a range of counseling services, including couples, marital, group counseling. They provide comprehensive analysis and evaluation of individual psychological backgrounds, conduct therapy sessions, provide clinical case management, and rehabilitative services.
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Career RequirementsSocial workers typically have a master’s degree in sociology or a related field. Licensed clinical social workers must have a strong educational background in sociology, behavioral science, and psychology. They are also required to have licensing from state boards.
To qualify to become a licensed, clinical social workers must generally demonstrate between two and three years experience and between two thousand and three thousand hours of training.
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Job OutlookThe job prospects for licensed social workers are good and expected to remain so for the foreseeable future. Social workers often have counseling qualifications comparable to psychologists but they are often less expensive to employ fulltime and can prove more flexible as professionals, applying their skills to assist individuals with issues such as employment and housing.
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Career TrackOpportunities for advancement include promotion to supervisory positions at larger facilities that hire several social workers. It may also come in the form of a transfer to a teaching or research position.
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CompensationStandard compensation for licensed social workers ranges between $20,000 and $35,000 per year depending upon experience and the precise nature of the job. Additional benefits may include paid vacations, medical and dental insurance, and disability insurance.
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