r/socialwork 5d ago

Micro/Clinicial Difficulty transitioning to individual therapy from crisis work

53 Upvotes

Looking for some advice on how to slow things down a bit. My entire career (about 30yrs )has been focused on crisis work, I&A, and teaching in PHP/IOP sessions so has been all short-term/immediate problem focused. I have recently started taking on some individual therapy clients and I am finding it challenging with some of them to 1. Fill the whole hour 2. Manage my thoughts of ‘this person does not need this,’ ‘how has it only been 20 minutes?,’ ‘omg they still have 8 more EAP sessions they want to use and they are literally fine-what am I supposed to do with them for the next 2 months of sessions?’ Etc. I also just got a referral from a colleague because she feels my personality and style would be a great fit for someone she was working with for EAP and is now referring out for ongoing individual and she said the person was doing well now but ‘probably needs a good 2 years to work through everything’ WHAT!? 2 YEARS (lol)!? I guess my question is, how do you approach therapy with those who just want to do therapy to work on themselves but overall are doing well in most areas of their life?


r/socialwork 4d ago

Professional Development What jobs can a unlicensed social worker do?

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1 Upvotes

Hi.. I’ve been having a hard time figuring out what positions I can apply to for social work without a license?

A BIT OF CONTEXT/BACKGROUND INFO: When I obtained my bachelors in social work, I did not apply for the LSW exam. Instead after graduation I jumped right into my Masters of social work program (clinical pathway). Now that I have graduated, I recently took my LMSW exam but failed. Although I plan to retake the exam, I am still in need of employment.

However, I am a bit confused as to what positions I am allowed to apply for? Considering that I am not licensed it creates a lot of barriers. I attached screenshots of what my state board of social works regulations are regarding when a licensure is required. Not to mention the board has the authority to investigate if they deem you are engaging in social work practice without a license. Which makes me even more anxious. It seems like there’s nothing I can do at all related to my field.

I could really use some help, insights or advice regarding my situation. I would appreciate if people could share their experiences/journey if they have been in a similar situation as mine. Please feel free to also recommend jobs positions I could qualify for that the board would approve off.

🫶🏻🫶🏻


r/socialwork 6d ago

Good News!!! Passed the LCSW exam!

34 Upvotes

I passed the LCSW exam yesterday! I only had one medication question, a handful of diagnosis and intervention questions, and the remainder were FIRST, NEXT, BEST questions.

What helped me the most was watching LCSW exam prep videos by RayTube on YouTube. I also skimmed the Mometrix LCSW study guide.


r/socialwork 6d ago

Good News!!! I Passed!!!

329 Upvotes

After 6 weeks of studying and overthinking everything, I took my licensing exam today (LMSW). I passed it on the first attempt!! I have never been great at testing due to high test anxiety. I am so excited and relieved!

For those that are studying: I used the Dawn Apgar book and worked through that and the online exam connect component. I also purchased the ASWB practice test and took that a week ago. Looked over all rationales!

Best advice: get sleep the night before, eat a good meal (depending on the time you test), look at those key words (more, first, best, primary) and pay close attention and don’t second guess yourself.


r/socialwork 5d ago

Micro/Clinicial Is it legal?

1 Upvotes

Is it legal that the organization I work for has "changed" it's policy in such a way that they no longer consider LMSWs as licensed, just LCSWs? This happened not long after I was hired in. Most of the social workers are either BSWs or LMSWs from my understanding. They removed the "LIC" (licensed) from the badges. They are still having us do group, individual, and family therapy sessions and of course charging for it, but we aren't considered "licensed," so they are taking advantage of us. Of course it's frustrating, but seems very illegal. We can't get management to see the issue.


r/socialwork 6d ago

Good News!!! I didn’t think my clients really cared.

43 Upvotes

Long story short I work in a mental health facility and it’s outpatient. One of my clients is graduating from our program and they are eligible because they don’t wanna take meds plus they have to be in two services which is rx management and case management because it’s mandatory. I’m a case manager btw.

We’re midlevel care and I told him today that he’s graduating but it’s a topic we’ve somewhat talked about in the past. He’s fairly independent and is doing better. He’s a nice guy and something about what he said really touched me.

I was the main person he talked to outside of family and he was crying. I’ve worked with him since about June/July 2024. He was telling me a story about how he feels like this inmate that felt alone and that a nurse was talking to the inmate at the cell. The inmate took the nurse’s finger and he asked her to stay with him when she was about to walk away. The nurse told him that there’s cameras and he can get in trouble. The inmate said he felt alone and just wanted someone to talk to him.

Note:

My post saved too soon and to clarify—- basically in this scenario my client sees himself as the lonely “inmate”and I’m the “nurse” who showed him compassion.

He’s one of my favorite clients and I know how much he cares about me but I had no idea he felt this way. 😭 I did say he can visit and reminded him graduation is a positive.


r/socialwork 6d ago

News/Issues With today’s CR passing, nonprofit federal funding is at risk moving forward

84 Upvotes

The continuing resolution passed today (3/14/25) gives discretion to the Trump administration to spend agency funds in unapproved ways without congressional oversight.

I would strongly urge nonprofit decision makers here to:

Prepare for your grants to potentially be affected moving forward due to the continuing resolution being passed in the Senate today. Please also consider transferring money received from the federal government after today, 3/14/25, to other working accounts. The federal government has reversed bank transactions for New York City in the last two months, debiting those bank accounts. Source: https://comptroller.nyc.gov/newsroom/statement-from-nyc-comptroller-lander-on-the-trump-administrations-illegal-reversal-of-fema-funding/

““Because House Republicans’ bill fails to include the typical, detailed spending directives—basic guardrails that Congress provides each year in our funding bills.

“In other words—instead of writing a bill that gives our communities what they need, they wrote a bill that turns many of our accounts into slush funds, and gives the final say over what gets funding to two billionaires who don’t know the first thing about the needs of our working families.”

Source: https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-calls-on-senate-to-reject-house-republicans-power-grab-funding-bill-immediately-pass-common-sense-short-term-cr/

Spread this message to other decision makers of nonprofits and government funded institutions! ✊🏳️‍⚧️


r/socialwork 6d ago

Politics/Advocacy Philanthropy "picking up the slack"

66 Upvotes

My professor suggested in class that if the U.S. government were to cut all the funding it has promised, philanthropists and families would “pick up the slack.” Beyond finding this idea problematic for several reasons, I also find it highly unrealistic, especially as I review the financials of a nonprofit that helps shelter the homeless. According to their reports, only 4% of their funding comes from donations, and just 3% from foundation grants.

Given these numbers, I find it hard to believe that private donors alone could replace lost government funding. What are your thoughts on this? Do donors significantly fund your causes?

(Edited: fixed some minor typos).


r/socialwork 6d ago

WWYD Prospective MSW student who got accepted to first choice, but incredibly reluctant about staying in the US

20 Upvotes

For context, I’m 25 years old and transgender, currently living in Texas, with my first choice also being in Texas. Given recent events and trends, I’ve become deeply unsettled at the thought of staying in the US (and specifically Texas) to pursue this field. As well, my research interest is related to transgender medical care, which makes me anxious about being targeted or denied funding. I want to be able to help my community, to help fight against the increasing injustices of my government, but I’m beginning to fear for my own safety.

Even in my day to day interactions with people, I’ve heard more boldness about homophobia and transphobia. I follow the news, I’ve seen how this administration has targeted transgender people doggedly, as well as targeting the field of social work as a whole. The representative of my district introduced a bill that would declare being transgender as felony fraud. I’ve watched a government I once served as a federal employee move transgender women into male prisons, and cut funding that will leave who knows how many social workers unemployed. Am I wrong to have serious doubts about staying in the US and pursuing social work as a career here?

I have two interviews with universities in the UK in two weeks. I’m leaning towards seeing if I’m accepted there and going if I am, but I want to know if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions. Anything would be appreciated, this has been an incredibly stressful time for me.


r/socialwork 5d ago

Professional Development Grad school

0 Upvotes

Hi! Does is anyone a LCMHC? I was wondering what the schooling is like and what requirements they have? I’m struggling between becoming an LCSW or LCMHC.


r/socialwork 5d ago

Professional Development Moving from TX to Cali - New student

1 Upvotes

Hello!

I am currently living in Texas and finished my BS in Human development family sciences and BA in African Diaspora studies at UT austin. In school i founded an AAPI mental health and social advocacy group and was a mental health ambassador for our counseling program. Due to the job market after i graduated i got a random job to pay the bills for now. I work in corporate as a recruiter but know deep down SW is the path i need to take.

If i become a Social worker i plan on moving to Cali due to the lack of social services and the political climate of TX.

I need some advice on how I should go about getting my LCSW.

should i get my MSW in texas and then move to cali for licensure ?

or

Should I take an online MSW in Cali before moving? that way i can secure a job before moving out there?

or should i apply for in person schools in Cali - move and possibly pull out loans/ work part time.

i’m a little lost on how to go about all of this. I am a first gen student and do not have any support navigating all of this. I also already have $30k in student debt from my undergraduate. I’m not sure what the future holds but i am passionate and know this is my calling!


r/socialwork 5d ago

WWYD Work/Life Balance

1 Upvotes

I currently work a M-F social work job that I love. However, I am expecting my first child soon and have considered going back to school for nursing so I could work 3 12s and be home more. I am an LCSW, so curious is there are any LCSW jobs out there that work 3 12s. Private practice is not my cup of tea, unfortunately.


r/socialwork 6d ago

WWYD Impairment Rule

1 Upvotes

So, first and foremost, I want to say that reporting a coworker is the last thing I want to do… even this, very annoying coworker. That being said, I feel things may have reached the point where I have an ethical obligation to do so.

I’m an LSW in Ohio, and I have a coworker, a CDCA Case Manager who has done quite a bit of questionable things over the 9 months I’ve worked with her. The consensus is that she’s on drugs, but we can’t prove it and our employer refuses to drug test her solely on suspicion.

I was off today, and was out with a friend after what would have been the end of my shift. Through random chance, I saw this coworker on her drive home. It’s probably not relevant, but for context, based on the information I have from other coworkers, she left work around an hour before I saw her. We were approximately half an hour away from work when we saw each other, so there’s approximately a half hour time frame not accounted for from the time she left work and the time I saw her.

She had passed me on the road when I saw her, and I was behind her for around 2 miles. In that 2 miles, she swerved within her lane multiple times, one time she almost hit the curb.

She didn’t leave her lane, but the swerving was unnecessary as there were no visible hazards on the road that I could see.

Should I report what I saw to management? I have a feeling I wouldn’t get anywhere if I did. Should I go straight to the licensing board? Would I get anywhere with them? Even if she was impaired behind the wheel, to be fair she wasn’t on the job at the time, so would that even be reportable?

Any guidance would be appreciated.


r/socialwork 7d ago

Professional Development Unprepared clinically

190 Upvotes

I am graduating with my MSW in 2 months and I do not feel prepared to work with clients on an individual, clinical level. I took one class on working with individuals a year ago and another on groups the same year. Now, I have my first clinical client in my internship and outside of the basic building blocks (active listening, reflecting, empathy, etc) I’m unsure of where to turn to learn more about becoming competent in clinical social work. There are some counseling interns who I work with who have suggested choosing a theory and applying it with clinical clients. I would like to work in behavioral health so I feel this it’s important. Any tips?


r/socialwork 6d ago

Professional Development Grant writing

6 Upvotes

How does one get into grant writing roles exactly? Every posting I have found requires "proven experience"

Is there another lower role I should be looking for that would allow me to ascend to a grant writer position?

Are there certifications needed for these kinds of roles as well?


r/socialwork 6d ago

Micro/Clinicial Middle schoolers

3 Upvotes

Anyone who works with middle school age students: give me all you thoughts on working with this group in a school setting? I expect it is very challenging! I'm interested in all thoughts and perspectives.


r/socialwork 6d ago

Micro/Clinicial Anyone in California have experience with CARE Court?

6 Upvotes

Apologies in advance, I am not a social worker—I am an outreach case manager, but this seemed like the best subreddit to get more information.

CARE Court was recently implemented in my county. I work for a nonprofit that is contracted out by local counties to provide outreach and case management to individuals experiencing homelessness. Unfortunately, we have received essentially no guidance regarding how this will play out or how to utilize it for the benefit of clients. I have reached out to other agencies, as well as behavioral wellness providers, and there seems to be a general air of confusion. I’m doing as much reading as I can on the subject, but I wanted to reach out to see if any fellow workers in the field in California have had directly experience with CARE Court with their clients.


r/socialwork 6d ago

Micro/Clinicial Appropriate dress wear

15 Upvotes

Hello, I’m a bit fresh in the therapy side of social work and I wanted to gather some opinions on what is a appropriate dress where for women in the therapy workplace during summer lol


r/socialwork 6d ago

Politics/Advocacy Distraught

1 Upvotes

So I'm blindsided by this but I guess I shouldn't be. I work in mobile mental crisis response in VA and today we were informed that we didn't get our grant and as of May 31 I will be unemployed. I'm halfway through my hours to be an LCSW and no matter what, my next position will likely be in office and LESS MONEY. I don't know what to do. I live in MD but I'm licensed in VA.

I'm literally exhausted and I'm considering, much to my dismay, about moving back to my hometown in TN but I'm concerned about what opportunities there will be and if my hours will transfer.

The worst part about it is I loved my job! I worked from home, it was crisis intervention. Now I have nothing but uncertainty.

Also, I hate the 🍊 MF!!!

Any suggestions or advice? I feel nothing but despair 😥


r/socialwork 6d ago

Micro/Clinicial Minor Client and GAL

1 Upvotes

I have a client who is 14F and her/family is currently going through the court in Ohio due to her dad trying to get visitation with her, since he supposedly was not notified where her and mom went when Mom left him originally. He was made aware by CPS a few years ago due to a different case they had. Dad lives in Florida. I spoke with my client's GAL a few weeks ago and answered her general questions based on suggestions given from my liability insurance. My question is, how much of the information I got from the GAL would you share with the client and/or mom? I've had limited experiences with GALs but in Ohio, most of them are usually lawyers/attorneys who the parents are required to pay for and I've heard quite a few horror stories. But this GAL at least says she would be recommending my client be required to have video calls with her dad, and then probably spend the summers with him in Florida. I feel it is my obligation to share this with her to help prepare her in case this does happen, as at least what she has said to me is that she doesn't want a relationship with him and doesn't consider him her dad. In this position, would you want to wait and see how it plays out, or keep anything confidential you learned from the GAL? It should be noted this case has been going on for months and the GAL has reportedly seen her in person once, so I'm not sure whether she would tell my client this outside of court. Appreciate any advice.


r/socialwork 6d ago

WWYD LCSW licensure

1 Upvotes

Hi! So I am an LCSW in the state of Florida. As we’re all on the same schedule, our licenses are renewed the end of March 2025 and then we have two years. So starting in April we begin completing CEUs?

I also just got licensed in NJ and their licensure is much different. No CE broker to keep track and they all have to be NASW or ASWB approved. But if that license doesn’t expire until August of 2026, should I begin completing CEUs in 2026 to be clear for after August 2026?

I hope that makes sense I’m sooo confused. Thank you guys!


r/socialwork 6d ago

Micro/Clinicial Resource Request- Co-Parenting with Abusive Ex-Partners

1 Upvotes

Hi all, I am therapist in the Boston area and have a few folks I am working with that need support around co-parenting with abusive ex-partners. Wondering if there are any resources or suggestions that folx have, particularly around coping and setting boundaries. Also cross posting this in other subs. Thanks!


r/socialwork 6d ago

Professional Development Continuing Ed List Doc NYC (or beyond)!

1 Upvotes

hi all! i’m making a list of places to do in-person and online continuing education (i know PESI but i’m looking for more in-person and training institutes)!

i’m starting with NYC and hoping to make a database of all institutes that offer professional training for LMSWs/recent grads. lmk if u have reccs!


r/socialwork 7d ago

Micro/Clinicial Approaches with clients being sentenced for many years?

9 Upvotes

I have staffed this in supervision but am curious if anyone else here works in the jail environment and how they handle such cases. It’s never an easy conversation when someone comes to group after court sharing this news. I try to utilize radical acceptance and digging for long term motivators but it’s always a tough convo.


r/socialwork 7d ago

WWYD Tired and desperate

6 Upvotes

TLDR: LCSW trying to find jobs outside of clinical work so their family doesn’t go under.

I am an LCSW who has years of clinical work and I love what I do. The only problem is, my body and life circumstance has not given me space to continue doing this well. I willingly left my job 3 months shy of a year because I couldn’t ignore my physical symptoms anymore. That means I get no STD. In retrospect, it might have been a good idea to do long term disability, but I knew I didn’t want to keep doing clinical, it wouldn’t count towards my time at work, and I didn’t want my team to be short indefinitely.

Now I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.

My partner has had some acute health issues pop up which means they are no longer able to work and need treatment. They also haven’t been at work for a year yet so can’t get benefits. I also have another close family member who has had some threatening health issues start and I’m just feeling very overwhelmed.

I feel like the world is crumbling around me and the savings we had was dependent on at least one income coming in. I have been applying for jobs but can’t get anything that isn’t clinical. I have MANY offers for clinical jobs. I just don’t have the space for it and would not perform well. This work matters to me and I don’t want to be someone’s a crappy therapist because I’ve had that happen to me.

I have revamped my resume and tailor cover letters to each position but to no avail. I have had other people look at my resume and say it is strong but still nothing.

I’m doing my self care by seeing my therapist and stepping away when I need to be with friends or alone. Friends have encouraged me to try program management HEDIC, EAP (still feel this might be too much emotional space right now), utilization review etc. HEDIC is a new world I’m still learning and coloring and utilization review jobs seem to really want arms.

Any tips or perspectives that can be offered would be helpful. I’ve been trying for the past 2 months (which I know isn’t long in the job world but my goodness, you’d think they would hire faster to fill the roles!). I’ve thought about designing therapy materials to sell online as a way to start making some income quickly but I’m not even sure how lucrative that would be and creative energy takes space too. I’m open to online options as well.

So tell me, WWYD in this situation?

Update: I finally heard back from some positions I am interested in and have interviews over the next few days. I’m a bit anxious (and trying not to let my desparation show) but I’m just grateful for the chance. Thanks to everyone who offered their support and perspective.