How an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) Can Help

An LCSW, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is a mental health professional with a master's degree in social work. These professionals have also met state requirements to be licensed to practice independently, which means they can provide therapy and counseling to clients experiencing mental health issues.

What LCSWs Do

If you seek help from a licensed clinical social worker (often called an LCSW), you will likely be working with someone who will have either an MA, an MS, or a doctoral degree in social work. These professionals have also obtained licensure, which involves gaining experience under professional supervision and passing state licensing exams

Becoming licensed allowa them to provide individual, marital, couple, family, and group counseling and psychotherapy from a social work orientation.

Social workers can help people at different levels of practice:

• Micro: At this level, LSCWs work one-on-one with individuals to help them solve problems and deal with challenges.
• Mezzo: This involves working with teams to supervise direct practice, advising communities, providing health education, and training other social workers.
• Macro: These LCSWs conduct research, help create public policies, and develop programs that affect other areas.

LCSW vs. Other Mental Health Professionals

Not all mental health professionals carry the same degrees and licenses, and this can be confusing when you are seeking professional help with stress. You may find it helpful to see a variety of mental health professionals, such as a:

• Psychiatrist: A medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions
• Psychologist: A mental health professional with a doctorate in psychology who has been licensed to practice in their state
• Family therapist: A licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) who has a master's degree in marriage and family therapy or a related mental health field and has become licensed to practice in their state
• Counselor: A licensed professional counselor (LPC) who has a master's degree in counseling and has passed state and national requirements to become a counselor
• Social worker: A licensed clinical social worker who has a master's or doctorate in social work and has become licensed to practice in their state

You can also seek health from a life coach or wellness coach, although the licensing requirements are not standardized in this field, and they do not treat mental health conditions. They focus on problem-solving, setting goals, and reaching those goals.

Who LCSWs Can Treat

An LCSW can provide therapy and counseling to a wide range of clients. They may specialize in working with specific populations, such as teens, adults, older adults. Veterans, BIPOC, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, victims of violence, and incarcerated people.

LCSWs may treat issues such as:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trauma
• Substance use disorders
• Relationship problems
• Family issues
• Stress
• Challenges due to poverty or homelessness
• Behavioral problems

Like other mental health professionals, an LCSW might specialize in using certain types of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), or acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

How an LCSW Can Help

As with any therapist or counselor, a good licensed clinical social worker can help you to examine your situation and your role in it, process your emotions, and pursue new courses of thought and action that can lead you to more positive outcomes. 

LCSWs Look at People in Their Environment

Social workers view your situation by seeing you as an individual interacting with your environment, rather than primarily as a part of a system or relationship dynamic, for example, or through the lens of unconscious motivations driving your behavior. 

For example, they may help you explore your situation and see how you may react differently within it; they may teach specific stress management techniques and discuss ways of managing overall stress. They may help you to process emotions that are interfering with your functioning. There are many ways that such a therapist can help. 

Different social workers will approach your situation in a unique way, and because everyone reading this comes with a unique set of needs, it would be impossible to detail precisely how an LCSW would work with you and your unique challenges. However, counselors from this background can be quite effective for stress management, as can counselors from other backgrounds mentioned. 

How to Find a Qualified LCSW

If you would like professional help with stress, you can start with your primary care physician. Asking for a referral is the first step of choice for many. 

Others have found success by asking friends for recommendations, particularly if therapy has been the topic of conversation in the past and the friend is a supportive one. You might also consider using an online directory to search for an LCSW in your area. Online therapy is another option.