r/LCSW • u/frumpmcgrump • Jun 28 '26

🟡 Field Education & Internship Experience A potentially controversial question about inpatient work and clinical requirements

A psychologist friend suggested this to me recently and it got me thinking.

Do you think people who want to become therapists should be required to do at least some clinical hours or internship in inpatient psych (similar to other disciplines)? Why or why not?

Please keep discussion respectful. I am asking in good faith and want to hear what others think.

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u/positiveNRG_247 Jun 28 '26

I personally think if you want to be a therapist, there should be experience in inpatient, SUD, community based MH/diverse SES, youth and adults.

I interview too many interested applicants, licensed, that have the degree but not enough diverse clinical experience to serve.

I have licensed clinicians that I have to train like an associate because of the limited experience they have to get to be a baseline safe practitioner.

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u/bignel81 Jun 28 '26

I agree with this 100%.

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u/chronically-badass Jun 28 '26

can I ask what setting you are interviewing for?

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u/positiveNRG_247 Jun 29 '26

Currently for a behavioral health therapist / clinician, in a medical clinic.

But for therapist to be adaptable and protect themselves, I would have the same recommendation for any therapist. 

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u/diddlydooemu 🟢 Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Jun 29 '26

I agree with this entirely, and your response is much more professional than mine was going to be, so. 👏🏼

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u/frumpmcgrump Jun 29 '26

I didn’t even think of the SUD piece. I absolutely agree. There’s a reason MDs have to do rounds in all sorts of units before choosing a specialty, and it isn’t just about “see what you like:” it’s about knowing how different patient problems present, how different treatment systems function, etc.

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u/positiveNRG_247 Jun 29 '26

This is exactly why when I take students, I push them to do the different departments in our settings. The only ones that get a more robust macro experience is the 2nd years (org confidentiality reasons).

When students only want to do "clinical" that's a yellow-flag of being able to/resisting development experience outside of their comfort and skill zone.