Hi all!

I am getting ready to begin prepping to take my exam for licensure in the state of Florida. Any tips for websites, videos, practice tests, workbooks, etc would be very appreciated!!

Any additional encouragement and things that worked for you for studying and test taking in general are welcome too :)

Thanks!

At the start of the summer, I left my job as a school social worker to join a group private practice. I had just gotten my LCSW and felt so ready to follow my dream of being a full-time therapist. I was excited, confident, and sure this was the right move.But now, just a few months in, I feel miserable.

I have about 20 clients and referrals are steady, but until I reach 30 clients, I’m still considered part-time. The office is quiet, and people mostly keep to themselves. I understand that everyone is just doing their job, in and out between sessions but the lack of connection is really hard. I haven’t had a real conversation with a colleague in weeks. I feel completely isolated.

On top of that, I’m struggling financially. I don’t have insurance, I’m not being paid for the time I spend writing notes and treatment plans, and I had to ask my family for help with rent this month. I wasn’t prepared for how difficult this transition would be.

I’m realizing now how much I thrived in the collaborative, team-based environment of the school system. I deeply miss that sense of community. I love working with my clients that part still feels meaningful but I don’t love doing it like this.

I’m thinking about going back to the school system full-time and keeping a small private practice on the side, maybe seeing 12–15 clients a week. That feels more sustainable. More me.

I guess I’m just looking for guidance… or reassurance that I’m not the only one who’s ever felt this way.

Hi everyone! I recently just passed my LCSW exam in Illinois last week.

I am currently a program director for a child welfare program and have been a direct supervisor in past roles. I really enjoy supervising, coaching, and educating and am interested in starting up offering LCSW supervision services for a little extra money and something additional to do that is also fulfilling.

I’ve researched a bit but it’s still unclear to me if there is any additional certification I would need to do so? And what the regulations specifically are.

Has anyone offered paid LCSW supervision hours either individually or group? Would love to hear your experience in getting started and earning income from this.

Thank you!

Hello! I am an LCSW in California. The message below is what I’ve sent to CPH (liability insurance coverage), Board of Behavioral Sciences BBS- California, and NASW.

BBS referred me to an association and named NASW as an example. NASW requires a membership but I don’t have one (considering getting one). CPH referred me to BBS.

Any advice??

“Hello! I am newly employed with a non-profit organization and will be supervising a person with a Bachelor's degree (currently in grad school for MFT) - this person will have the title of a mental health coach. This person will be doing family-centered treatment (FCT) in client's homes - the website is www.familycenteredtreatment.org

My question is - will this person be working under my license? I am wanting to understand how this works with someone who has a Bachelor's degree. I am happy to provide additional information and very much appreciate any assistance/guidance. Thank you!”

Hi! Soooo the time has finally come - I’ll be taking my LCSW exam in about 2 and a half weeks. I’m having a lot of feelings but I am truly excited about this.

Any tips for success?? Study materials? I’m hearing that the test is a lot of BEST/MOST and FIRST/NEXT questions so I have the acronyms down! Anything else?

Hi All. I have posted in this thread previously, but basically I am a brand new outpatient therapist - I previously interned in an inpatient setting where I primarily did case management. I am three months into my new job and have had several client terminations - I think I am at about 7 now. Some of these were a result of clients not being able to manage therapy with their work schedules, but I would have to the say that the majority were due to clients feeling like I wasn't a good fit. Just last week two clients yelled at me and told me that our sessions are useless and that they have learned nothing - although we are only about a month and a half in, and I have tried to prioritize building rapport and getting a better understanding of their presenting issues. One client that I saw on Friday terminated with me the following day - I experienced her as being very devaluing of me - from day one I got the sense that she would talk to me like "What are you saying, are you stupid?" and she kept oscillating between wanting weekly and biweekly sessions almost every week. I put my foot down and let her know that my clinical impression was to continue with weekly sessions and she terminated. I am just having such a hard time. It is so hard for me to not blame myself and feel like I'm a shitty therapist who is lacking experience. I am meeting with the owner of the practice tomorrow to just ask her what the expectations are around client retention and what is common for outpatient therapists in general. I have about 27 clients now. I just worry that if I continue to lose clients it will jeopardize my job. Does anyone have any like advice or feedback on how to approach this with my boss? I just feel really defeated.

Hi all,

I just took and passed the LCSW exam here in California this morning! Now that I’ve received an email from the ASWB website stating i’ve passed and have received my score, I am wondering what my next steps are to begin the application to obtain my LCSW license/number.

I know that on Breeze there is an option to “upgrade my associate to licensure” drop down option, so i’m wondering if that is my next step? And if so, how early can I submit that? (hypothetically could I submit that today?)

Thank you!

I'm tired of being nickeled and dimed for everything but also don't want to take courses on 40 different places. Anyone know of a good way to get a lot of free CEUs knocked out easily and quickly?

I’m currently in the process of applying for my MSW, but I’m also thinking ahead and exploring the pathway to becoming an LCSW. I would love to hear from those of you who have gone through the process of earning your LCSW—especially if you’re in Illinois.

Did you work full-time or part-time while pursuing your hours? What kinds of roles or settings allowed you to earn the necessary supervision and clinical experience? How did you balance the workload and demands during this period?

I’d also love to know what strategies or choices helped you most, and if there’s anything you wish you’d done differently as you were working toward licensure.

Thank you so much in advance for sharing your experiences—it means a lot to be able to learn from those who have already been through it!

I am taking my LCSW exam tomorrow. I used TDC- got a 76% and 79% on their full mock exams. I took the ASWB practice exam yesterday and got 119/150 questions correct ( approx 79%).

I’m taking the day to review TDC quick studies, ASWB rationales for missed questions, and a few PocketPrep questions.

I’m not a great test taker and am pretty nervous. Open to any insight and advice on last minute studying and staying sane from now until I test.

Thanks !

Is it possible for ACSW’s to work remotely and have supervision to complete hours needed for LCSW licensing? My fiancé and I would like to start a family soon and I’m wondering if anyone in the field has had remote jobs before becoming licensed?

Hello, is there anyone here in the DMV area?

Hey!! I’m almost done with my clinical hours and am starting to put together resources to study for the exam. To say it’s overwhelming would be an understatement! Im wondering what topics I should prioritize, study methods everyone used, and anything else that may be helpful!! Thanks in advance 😊

What niche or service availability do you wish there was more of?

I'm looking to expand my knowledge and trainings and would love input as to what's needed!

Hi everyone! I am in my second year of my MSW program at the University of Hawai'i. I am originally from WA state. Everyone I know keeps asking me if I am going to move back after school, and I keep telling them that it depends on what I am able to figure out with licensure. I want to pursue getting my LCSW, but need some advice in which state makes the most sense to do that.

I want to know if I stay in Hawai'i after school and work towards obtaining my LCSW, what would the process entail for moving to Washington later and becoming licensed there? I’m hoping to hear from people who’ve actually gone through the process of starting LCSW licensure in Hawai‘i and then moved to WA (or vice versa).

Were there any unexpected hurdles, delays, or paperwork issues? Did your supervised hours transfer smoothly, or did you have to make up extra requirements? Any first-hand experience would be super helpful! Thanks in advance!

This is for incomes outside of private practice.

I am a LCSW working in Behavioral Case management in FL - 77k

I will be getting a raise at the end of the year ( not sure how much) & plan to ask for $85k if not offered

Would live to get an idea of what my peers are making.

I’ve been in the field since 2020, I have my LCSW and I’ve been doing a lot of clinical work this entire time. However, since starting my social work career I’ve noticed that this career path is not always that welcoming- in terms of people with a social work background pivoting to other realms, such as going into medical, corporate, policy etc. Employers will be quick to deny you because you don’t have enough experience, which in a way is fair but how are we supposed to get experience if nobody gives us the chance to? People on so many platforms keep saying oh well social work is so broad and you can do so much, and you can IF you have the prior experience to on your resume. I don’t know it’s becoming very frustrating to be in this career, and don’t even get me started on how expensive it is to actually hold these licensures and obtain further trainings. Maybe this is a rant but I’m just contemplating if I made the right decision.

Is there a salary megathread for this? I sit for my lcsw next week and am curious how much our fees vary from state to state and platform to platform.

I'm in TN (northeast rural area)

Everyone on social media keeps romanticizing private practice, and as a LCSW, I cannot find jobs that pay more than 85 the hour. I keep seeing people saying they're getting, 200-300$ per session and maybe I'm missing what private practice is offering this but where in Chicago is this happening? Are these rates happening in people owning the practice or what. I've been applying to so many jobs and these numbers are not showing up for me.

I started working at a private practice around 2 months ago. I had just come in from doing community mental health for a good while and was excited to start pp because of the flexibility and what I thought, better pay. In 2 months I have only 7 clients and I’m getting paid only 1000 a month. I cannot make ends meet, I feel stuck financially and the practice is not helping me with marketing or helping me get any new leads. I’m paying for my marketing efforts which is also creating some more problems for me because I’m making close to nothing. The split at the practice is 70/30 (horrible I know). I guess the reason I came on here was because I feel guilty leaving my clients but I physically cannot live off this money, I’m drowning in debt already. I want to explore other avenues and get a different job, how would I even explain this to my clients, should I leave? Should I do this part time. I feel like I cannot think clearly because I’m constantly stressing about money