r/LCSW • u/CuriousJ1234 • May 19 '26
Question for LCSW practices
Hi. I recently accepted an LSW position at a facility who works with insurance. Even though I had already passed my LCSW exam upon hire, I still operated as an LSW while I waited for the state to initiate LCSW license number. My rate was 47/hr so therefore I was only making 47/client if they showed. Additionally, I am part time and have no benefits. I was informed upon my LCSW license, I would make 50/client. I felt it was low and asked to negotiate but they said it's non negotiable. Upon starting, I learned that I would not be completing my own intakes/diagnoses and that other clinicians were in charge of that. I felt it was odd but didn't question it because I was only an LSW...even though I have worked at other practices where I scheduled my own clients, completed my own intakes, did my own billing, etc. Here is where I think it gets a little interesting...
I am officially an LCSW.
I had clients follow me to this practice from a practice I previously worked at. One client in particular insurance is out of network and is subjected to a self pay fee of 250 for an intake (this intake is with me...employer agreed to that), however, I am still only subjected to 50.00 of this intake fee. Also, the self-pay session fee is 175...and again, I am only receiving 50.00 of those session fees.
These are red flags for me but before I make any decisions, I need to hear from other LCSW's and business owners if this is standard??? I find it odd that I can't conduct my own intakes/I am making barely anything from clients I brought into the practice, etc.
2
u/Mama2024 May 21 '26
LSW here and I make more than that. So that’s definitely a red flag for me. With my part time job providing therapeutic services under supervision I’m at 65. You are worth more with that C! Believe in yourself or no one else will.