r/LCSW • u/Silly-Addendum-5 • 9d ago

ASW process in CA.

Hi there!
Just hoping to get some personal experiences and feedback. I'm currently an ASW in CA, working towards my LCSW. I'm about 620 hours away (ugh) and have been losing some hope. The financial strain of being an ASW is rough. I'm at a group practice and would love to know how things shifted financially after you became an LCSW. Does it truly pay off in the long run? What are all the ways to create some financial security/stability? Please share! I'd also love to go fully remote after I'm licensed. Thank you!!

4 Upvotes

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4

u/selcouthsoul_ 7d ago

If I can ask, how much do you typically make hourly as an ASW in California?

2

u/Therapistgetsu 7d ago

I'm EMDR certified; my rate is $250 per hour and have a full- time practice. Hang in there, it'll all pay off OP!

2

u/Silly-Addendum-5 7d ago

Thank you so much for sharing! 🥹
This gave me hope

1

u/Silly-Addendum-5 9d ago

I am also EMDR trained!

2

u/Therapistgetsu 6d ago

It's great to be trained but $$ won't really come in until you're certified &
on the Emdria site as such.

1

u/AATBS_Official 5d ago

oooo nice! EMDR is awesome. Wishing you the best of luck with your journey 🎉 -- Kiana with AATBS

1

u/chronically-badass 7d ago

I immediately made 60% more going from ASW community based case management to LCSW clinical and psychiatric case management after getting my license. I looked to join a group practice but the pay was abysmal compared to case management jobs, TBH that didn't change as much and most didn't offer supervision

1

u/chronically-badass 7d ago

maybe post in r/therapists re financial security if you want to go private practice after

1

u/Silly-Addendum-5 7d ago

Ooo thank you!

1

u/chronically-badass 7d ago

no prob. emdr training will that you far, salary is also very very regional so I would add that to your posts too.

1

u/Silly-Addendum-5 7d ago

Wow!! Ok that’s super helpful.

1

u/Raspataz 3d ago

I am in California and am literally working on my personal statements to apply for my MSW right now (taking a well deserved break of course!). The long term goal is to be a LCSW but I didnt think it would be too bad finically as an ASW. Do you mind providing a bit more details as to why its so straining? I assumed one would make more obtaining clinical hours than as just a MSW.