The helping professions are a growing line of work in the United States due to the large demand for social services. Two common roles within the helping professions include counselors and social workers. The licensed title of each role is different depending on the state. With many states choosing to call their counselors, Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), many use the title of Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) are licensed social workers who may have a different licensed title depending on the state.
What is an LMHC?
An LMHC is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. This role has many titles, depending on the state the clinician is licensed in. Most states use Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) as the licensed title of counselors, and a good amount use LMHC. According to Indeed, an LMHC is a practitioner who uses a variety of psychotherapy interventions to help those struggling with their mental health. Clinicians with an LMHC license can provide individual, family, and group therapy on many topics. Those with this licensure can practice in community clinics, private practices, schools, and hospitals. LMHCs, in most cases have graduated with a master’s or doctoral degree in clinical mental health counseling.
What is an LCSW?
An LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Many titles exist for social workers depending on the state in which the clinician is seeking licensure. According to Cleveland State University, an LCSW is a “professional in the field of social work who has obtained a license to provide specialized therapeutic services.” LCSWs provide services in many settings such as private practices, community clinics, schools, hospitals, or governmental agencies. LCSWs, in most cases, must have a master’s degree in social work. There are some states, however, where one can become a licensed social worker with a bachelor’s degree in social work.
Differences and Similarities Between LMHCs and LCSWs
There are many circumstances where an LMHC and an LCSW will have the same job responsibilities. The primary focus of those with an LMHC license is counseling individuals, families, and groups. While those with an LCSW can provide the same counseling with their licensure, they can work in other community settings and provide services beyond counseling.
What does an LMHC do?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an LMHC has job responsibilities such as evaluating clients’ mental and physical health, developing and reviewing treatment goals and plans, working with clients to identify behaviors, and referring clients to other community resources. The most common work environments for LMHCs and other behavioral health counselors include:
- Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers (18%)
- Individual and family services (15%)
- Offices of other health practitioners (12%)
- State, local, and private hospitals (9%)
- Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities (9%)
What does an LCSW do?
According to the BLS, the job duties of an LCSW include identifying people and communities in need, helping clients adjust to changes in their lives, referring and advocating for community resources, and responding to crises. Some LCSWs may also choose to provide clinical counseling versus working in the community setting. The most common work environments for LCSWs include:
- Individual and family services (17%)
- Ambulatory healthcare services (14%)
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals (14%)
- State government, excluding education and hospitals (13%)
- State, local, and private hospitals (10%)
Job Outlook and Salary
Counselors (LMHCs) and Social Workers (LCSWs) are in high demand due to recent interest in mental health and social services. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the need for LMHCs and other behavioral counselors is expected to increase by 18% by 2032. The need for LCSWs and other social workers is expected to grow by 7% by 2032.
The BLS reports that LMHCs and behavioral health counselors make an average of $49,710 yearly. The median salary for LCSWs and other social workers is $55,350.
How to become an LMHC
The National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) is a governing body that helps regulate counseling licensure requirements in the United States. This body also creates the examinations that may be required for licensure in many states including the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE).
One of the first steps to becoming an LMHC is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in any field. Often, people opt to receive this degree in psychology, however, people from all walks of life and educational backgrounds can apply to most master’s in counseling programs.
The next step would be to obtain a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. The admission requirements for the program vary based on the college or university. Depending on the state, the graduate program may be required to be accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). After graduation, licensure requirements often involve taking and passing the NCE and/or the NCMHCE and supervised experience before becoming independently licensed. Upon receiving licensure, there are requirements for LMHCs to receive continuing education to renew their license.
Some states use the term “Licensed Professional Counselor” or “LPC” to define the title of counselor. Depending on the state you are seeking to obtain licensure, you may be applying for a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license. These two are different names for the same professional role.
How to become an LCSW
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the governing body for social workers in the United States. To become an LCSW in most states, one must have a master’s degree in social work or a closely related field.
The first step to becoming an LCSW is to obtain a bachelor’s degree. This degree could be in any field, however, most people decide to major in social work for their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Depending on the state, it is possible to practice as a social worker with a bachelor’s degree only, but most of the time those jobs are not clinical.
The master’s degree in social work may be required to be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) depending on the state. In addition to having an advanced degree, applicants must pass state licensure exams and supervised clinical experience before obtaining licensure. It is also required to complete continuing education during each license renewal period.
Which Suits Me Better?
Those with an LMHC often work in clinical settings such as community clinics, private practices, hospitals, and schools. This career is focused on effectuating change within the clinical environment with the counselor and client setting treatment goals and working a few times a month to achieve these goals. Working as a counselor requires patience as most goals set are long-term. There are many specialties in the counseling field such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
Working as an LCSW often requires people to work in the community rather than in an office in clinical settings. Social workers focus their careers on social justice and helping people achieve short-term goals. Those in this field are often in crises and must remain calm and work to de-escalate situations. Many social workers work in clinical roles, provide similar services to counselors, and may specialize in some of the interventions above.
Cleveland State University
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)