Mental Health in Social Work: How LCSWs are Helping Address The Crisis
The United States is facing an undeniable mental health crisis. Almost every public health agency in the country is in agreement on this, including the American Psychological Association (APA), the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Even Dr. Vivek Murthy, the former U.S. Surgeon General, repeatedly called attention to how sharply mental health conditions have risen over the past decade.
But while demand for mental health services continues to increase, the availability of qualified providers to meet the need has been steadily shrinking. According to an estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau, the American Board of Psychology and Neurology, and the Association of American Medical Colleges, the country hit a low of 38,821 licensed, practicing psychiatrists this year —to serve a population of over 330 million people. According to those same estimates, the population would need 31,000 or more licensed psychiatrists to meet the projected demand for diagnostics and ongoing medication management.
With mental health resources spread this thin, it is no surprise that over 150 million people in the U.S. live in a federally designated mental health professional shortage area. Over half of U.S. counties don’t have a single practicing psychiatrist. Increased demand for services is one factor driving the shortage, but there are others, including population growth and a lack of available residency spots to train new psychiatrists to replace those who are retiring.
These statistics are alarming, but there’s reason to be hopeful. Psychiatrists and psychologists are not the only professionals qualified to diagnose and treat mental health conditions. Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) are trained to diagnose mental health disorders, provide one-on-one therapy, lead group counseling, and deliver crisis intervention services for individuals in need of mental health support. This means LCSWs play a vital role in improving mental health care access and outcomes.
Social workers can plug into communities where people need help right now. They are trained to work flexibly with multiple public health agencies, and they are often motivated by a strong desire to drive social change. It’s no wonder that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the field of social work will grow by 7 percent over the next ten years.
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why mental health social workers are primed to fill the gap between the mental health support needs in the U.S. and the current availability of providers.
What is a mental health social worker?
A social worker is a professional who helps individuals, families and communities address challenges, overcome trauma and improve their circumstances. Some social workers specialize in mental health services. They offer therapy, crisis intervention, and support for people struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or substance use.
As the name implies, licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) specialize in clinical practice. They can diagnose and treat mental health conditions, often working alongside psychiatrists, psychologists, and other professionals. LCSWs typically work in clinical settings, such as mental health clinics, counseling centers, hospitals and other healthcare facilities. They also work in other settings such as schools, correctional; facilities, adult care centers, child welfare agencies and human service agencies. Most positions for social workers are full-time, although there are some part-time and contract positions.
LCSWs have a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) and two years of supervised practice after graduation. They pass a licensing exam before beginning their practice. Their training includes extensive work on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. They can provide care for a wide range of complex emotional and behavioral issues, including:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance use disorder
- Self-harm behaviors
- Gambling addiction
- Body dysmorphic disorder
- Crisis intervention
- Suicide prevention
LCSWs are highly skilled in using evidence-based tools to help clients manage and overcome mental health conditions. They can provide therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), trauma-informed therapy, and other proven methods that have been shown to improve mental health outcomes. While LCSWs cannot prescribe medication, their expertise in these therapeutic techniques plays a crucial role in client recovery and well-being.
They often collaborate with other mental health providers, including psychiatrists and psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) who can prescribe medications. This approach extends the availability of mental health services. LCSWs make it possible for clients to safely manage their symptoms through a treatment plan, even in areas where there aren’t enough other mental health providers to meet demand.
LCSWs can also support clients going through challenging life transitions, offering therapy and case management to individuals and families during these seasons of change. Services provided by LCSWs also include:
- Grief and loss counseling
- Divorce counseling
- Marriage and family counseling
- Early career and career transition counseling
People who are going through life transitions can often benefit from mental health services, but long waiting lists for psychologists and psychiatrists can be a deterrent. Mental health social workers can provide quality counseling to those in need, taking some of the strain off of the mental healthcare infrastructure.
The average salary for an LCSW varies according to their experience, role and responsibilities. Mental health and substance abuse social workers earned a mean annual wage of $63,870 as of May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 10% of earners in this job category made over six figures, with a mean annual wage of $100,090.
Mental health and substance abuse social workers who work in outpatient care centers earned an average salary of $60,710 in 2023, while those who worked in the offices of other health practitioners earned a mean annual wage of $83,550 during that same year. California, New York, and Ohio have the most mental health social worker jobs per capita, and New York, California and Connecticut were the three top-paying states for LCSWs.
How to become a mental health social worker: step-by-step
An LCSW is an advanced social work license that requires a Master’s degree in the field. It also requires supervised clinical experience and completed coursework from an accredited program.
Steps to become a licensed clinical social worker include:
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree
Some Master’s programs prefer applicants to have a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, or another related field. Others will accept any bachelor's degree as long as prerequisite coursework requirements have been fulfilled.
2. Earn a Master’s degree in Social Work
A Master’s in Social Work (MSW) degree is required to apply for a LCSW license. MSW programs can be completed in three years of part-time study. Students earning their MSW take coursework on mental health assessments, social work ethics, and therapy techniques. Human welfare, social justice and social work policies are also covered.
As part of the Master’s degree program, LCSW candidates spend time performing field work. Without a prior Bachelor’s in Social Work, candidates must complete 900 hours of field work. With a BSW, candidates need to complete 500 hours. Some MSW programs will offer candidates placement assistance to complete their field work.
3. Complete supervised practice
LCSWs are also required to put their learning into practice in the field before they can apply for licensure. The minimum requirement could vary state to state and could range from 2000 hours to 3,000 hours, or two years of practice in a clinically supervised setting. Some states require more hours than that.
Entry-level clinical social work employment will be the place where candidates have the opportunity to get these hours. These hands-on learning opportunities are essential for preparing future LCSWs for independent practice.
4. Pass the clinical social work licensing exam
The Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) examination is a multiple-choice test overseen by the National Association of Social Work Boards (AWSB). Passing this test is a requirement for independent practice as a licensed social worker.
5. Apply for state licensure
After meeting all of the state requirements, candidates can apply for the state licensure.. You may need to complete a background check and demonstrate “good moral character” as determined by the LCSW licensing board in your state. The licensure application typically requires some processing and registration fees, in addition to submitting some forms and proof of identity. After completing this process, your license will be sent in the mail.
What to do next
The mental health crisis is not going away, but you can be a part of the solution by becoming a mental health social worker. These professionals are a catalyst for social change, advocating for others while acting as ethical practitioners. Social workers with an MSW who qualify for licensure are in line for more diverse, higher-paying roles as LCSWs.
Consider earning your MSW through Marymount University Online and take the first step toward a successful career. The program is entirely online, with no in-person class requirements. However, we have few virtual sessions. Students are encouraged to complete fieldwork hours, in person, within their local area. Additionally, you don’t need a bachelor’s degree in a related field to apply—Marymount University’s MSW program is open to applicants with any undergraduate degree.
Practicum hours are performed in-person, but Marymount offers placement assistance for all students in the program. At MUO, you can take advantage of Marymount University’s proximity to the nation’s capital while strengthening your knowledge of policy and expanding your national network— all while learning online. Click here to learn more!