When choosing to enter the helping profession, there are many paths that you can take. Two options that people often choose when they want to help others are counseling and social work. While both professions typically help people struggling with mental health issues, there are many differences between the two and their scopes of practice.
What is an LPC?
An LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor. There are many titles for counselors depending on the state where the clinician is seeking licensure, however, most states use the LPC title. According to Indeed, an LPC can provide counseling to individuals or groups. They work to help alleviate negative mental health symptoms related to things like stress, depression, or anxiety. Those with this licensure can practice in many locations, such as private practices, community clinics, schools, or hospitals. LPCs, in most cases, must have graduated with a minimum of a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling or a doctoral degree.
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 LPCs and LCSWs
While there are many instances where LPCs and LCSWs have the same job responsibilities, the two often differ. The primary scope of practice of an LPC is to provide clinical counseling whereas those with an LCSW license can provide clinical counseling as well as other services at a plethora of other settings.
What does an LPC do?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an LPC 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 LPCs 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%)
Education
Job Outlook and Salary
LPCs and LCSWs are in very high demand with recent focus on mental health and community resources. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the need for LPCs 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 LPCs 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 LPC
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 LPC 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 LPCs to receive continuing education to renew their license.
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 LPC 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 a clinical setting. 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 and provide similar services to counselors.
Resources
Indeed
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/lpc-vs-lmft
Cleveland State University
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm
National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Council for Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
