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Anyone a LCSW/Psychotherapist?
- Thread starter audiokid
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I am not, but have worked with many LCSW's at my hospital. You better love the job, because the pay is not even close to being on par with the education/time required and amount of work they do once licensed.
Master's and clinical hours requirements, all for an average salary of $81k.
I have a TON of respect for LCSW's, they deserve WAAAAY more pay.
That's actually more than what I thought they made! But I guess it also depends on the state/city they work in.
I was looking into it to open my own practice after getting my Master's and doing all that other stuff. I'm in the NYC area.
Thank you for the response JT2002TJ.
I was looking into it to open my own practice after getting my Master's and doing all that other stuff. I'm in the NYC area.
Thank you for the response JT2002TJ.
I'm in the NYC area too. $81k here for a job that requires a Master's Degree and licensing to me is not even close to acceptable. They do so much work, and are such an important role in society... They deserve WAY more.
You obviously seem to have a love for it, so if you are ok with the salary, you are the type of person who should be in the field!
baypharm
macrumors 68000
I don’t believe anyone goes into that field expecting to earn a high salary. It is more of a desire to help a specific population without going to medical school. Master’s degrees are not that uncommon anymore. The real money is in psychiatry which requires a medical degree. Social workers that I know of make less than $35,000 a year.
baypharm
macrumors 68000
As far as pay rate goes, I don’t see it going up. In cities across the country there are vacancies for social workers to work in Methadone clinics to help the addicted. Starting pay is $12 an hour in Florida. Master’s degree required. You make more than that flipping burgers.
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nathan_reilly
macrumors 6502
Not necessarily true. I know a couple LCSWs who have their own private therapy practices and bill $100-200 per hour. Doing social worker jobs is not the only career path for that certification.
That entails getting the master's degree and doing many hours of therapy work under supervision, of course, and working for lower pay at the beginning. But people who are good can build a practice and make very good money.
Don't know the diference between a Clinical Social Worker/Psychotherapist versus a psychologist. Going rate here for the latter is $245/hour, that is if you can find one who isn't fully booked.
Clinical social workers and counselors usually have masters degrees (MA, MS, MSW). Psychologists typically have doctoral degrees (PhD, PsyD)…Psychiatrists have medical doctorates (MD, DO). Private practice takes skill and marketing to make it successful. Good luck with your education and training.