“What do those letters after your name mean?”
LMSW, LCSW, LISW, LMHC, LPCC, LMFT…..what does it all mean?
Let’s break it down:
LMSW: Licensed Master Social Worker
The requirement for this license is that a person has a Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited (legitimate) school. After graduation the person must pass a test in order to receive their license from the state. Social workers with this license need to see clients while being watched over by an independently licensed social worker who checks up on them and offers them support as needed. Think of a mentor/teacher. A social worker’s education is focused on systems (such as families, communities and culture) and how they interact with each other. Social workers consider more than just the person, they also will be looking at interactions in the school, the community, at work, etc.
LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
This license requires an additional two years (minimum) experience and 90 hours of supervision by a board approved supervisor. This social worker can practice on their own and does not need anyone else to supervise them. Most private insurances (other than Medicaid) require a counselor have an independent or clinical license.
LISW: Licensed Independent Social Worker
This is pretty much the same thing as the LCSW. The main difference is that the state of New Mexico has changed the designation of independent to clinical. The requirements are the same as the LCSW.
LMHC: Licensed Mental Health Counselor
This license indicates a person has a master’s degree in counselling and has passed the test to receive their license from the state. An education in counseling has more of an emphasis on the individual/family, along with mental health and relationships.
LPCC: Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
This is the counseling equivalent of the LCSW which also requires an additional two or more years of experience and supervision.
LMFT: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
This license also indicates a Master’s degree and that the person has passed the licensure exam. The emphasis is on relationships and family, particularly family and couples therapy.
It is important to note while each category has a different focus, there are many more similarities between social workers, counselors and family therapists than there are differences.
If one of these types of counselors speaks to you more than another you can absolutely seek out the person with that license. In my experience however, professionals with any of these licenses are able to provide effective and excellent therapy. It is far more important that there is a strong connection and a shared value system with your counselor than whichever license they hold.