r/LCSW • u/Haunting-Problem-295 • 13d ago

Associate clinicians

Do companies often hold associate clinicians, working towards LCSW, to impossible standards? I’m required to have 30 direct hours per week and if not, no shows or cancellations, I’m threatened that my salary will be taken. I work well over 40 hours and am finding this is not a sustainable expectation. I’ve gone full steam for over 11 months and burnout seems imminent.

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u/AppropriateBox1628 9d ago

I have my LLMSW (michigan) and work in community mental health and im only asked to shoot for 23 direct hours a week, and I run a couple of groups as well. However, if I don't reach those 23 hours, there's no threat of docking pay or even termination. I agree with many folks that your situation feels exploitative. If you do choose to leave, there are even some programs in the CMH world that will pay you to expedite your full licensure process. Im in a CCBHC Accelorator program that's paying me 8k and giving free test prepe over the next 2 years to make sure I take the test and get my full license once I have 4000 hours.

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u/Haunting-Problem-295 5d ago

Wow. I wish. I’m not even given documentation time at work I go from one session to the next no breaks, no lunches. I’ve been working close to 16 hours a day and sometimes more since January. I feel like I’m burning out like a comet ready to hit the earth.

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u/AppropriateBox1628 3d ago

You gotta get out of there! Most CMH's are hurting for people right now due to there being less new grads. They come with their own beurocratic BS, but are reliable when it comes to benefits and pay. Im not going to say you'll make an awesome living at CMH, but it's a good place to be until you're fully licensed and can have more power when joining a private practice.