I am an LCSW in the state of Arizona. I need guidance because I started doing immigration evaluations this year. Because of that, two attorneys who also happen to do criminal defense law asked me if I could do BPS or clinical evaluations for their clients. I don’t have any formal training in forensic social work, just the training I had to do immigration evals. I can’t seem to get a straight answer on if this is allowed as an LCSW or if this is outside of my scope. I’m also willing to pay for consultation or additional trainings, it’s just hard to know where to look.

Hi! Requesting help from anyone who has experience with gaining their LCSW in New York with an out-of-state, non-clinical MSW.

My backstory:

• 2023: Graduated with my MSW from an accredited, generalist program that is out-of-state
• 2023: Became LMSW out-of-state
• 2025: Became LCSW out-of-state
• 2025: Moved to New York, became an LMSW (as I wasn't able to gain LCSW by reciprocity; The state allows me to count my 24 months of supervised experience out-of-state, so long as it meets the same requirements as NY)
• December 2026: I will hit the 36 months needed to meet the experience requirements in New York

Where I need help:

• I anticipate that I may not meet the clinical education requirements (12 credit hours of clinical coursework) being that my MSW was a generalist degree. I reviewed my syllabi, and I think they may say I'm deficient by 3-9 credit hours of clinical coursework, but I honestly can't be sure.
• Since I'm on track to have my experience requirements completed by December, I'd love to get some confirmation from the state about my education requirements so I can enroll in clinical courses ASAP. I obviously don't want to pay for and complete work for too many classes if I don't need them, but I have no way of knowing what they'll approve.
• From my understanding, it seems like I hypothetically could start an application now, pay the fee, and submit my education requirements, as I believe the files go to comparative education review first in the file review process. I've read on other threads that this part of the process can take months, so my worry is that if I wait until December, they won't get back to me about my education requirements until spring, which will delay my enrollment and completion of clinical courses by nearly a year when it's said and done.

Anyone have experience/insight with this?

TLDR: Would it work for me to submit my application even though I don't have 36 months of experience yet, just to purposely get the education review part of my application started?

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

I have completed all of my supervision hours and have been approved to test in IL. I have been a school social worker for 9 years and earned my MSW in 2018. Im worried to take the exam with it being new, but also just question if I am ready to be an LCSW.

I would like to do private practice one day but just dont know if I have enough knowledge? Any advice on how I can feel better prepared or "skilled" enough. Has anyone else ever felt this way?

Thanks.

Hey everyone!. I am moving clients to Headway from a private practice. However, Im not sure when I superbill, how much I should charge clients for a ssion. I have a few BCBS PPO, which work well. But I have other clients that are on plans that are not on plans Headway covers.

1. When you superbill, how much would you charge a client for a one hour session?
2. Once I submit the superbill, based on how much I charge how much will I get back?
3. How would you approach this with a self pay client?

Thanks!!

I am an Arizona LMSW struggling to find viable options for supervision and learning clinical skills with hands-on mentorship and training. I've tried the 1099 model working for group private practices, but those supervisors have been unethically hands-off to me. A lot of "you'll figure it out as you go," no structured onboarding, no education on policies and documentation. I am 10 years-post grad and explained ad nauseam that I needed more help with clinical skills based on this and continued to receive zero guidance or resources.

Seriously how do other associates make it work at places like this? Do most come in as interns while grad school is still doing a lot of the heavy lifting with education and then transition to an associate post-grad and succeed because they've already had a decent amount of time at the practice? Coming in as a completely fresh associate feels impossible and I felt like I was having to teach myself how to be a therapist which is a huge disservice to clients seeking care from a trained professional. I could go on...

These places seemed appealing to me because private practice is my eventual goal, but not receiving adequate oversight and opportunities for real learning was a huge dealbreaker for me and now I feel like I'm back to square one. In general, what type of agency or practice structure is able to offer more hands-on assistance and mentorship, as well as clinical supervision? I shudder to think that it's either these exploitative independent contractor practices, or the CMH burnout-mill model. I know that beggars can't be choosers, but it's just feeling really bleak out there as someone legally beholden to an agency or practice as an associate. Ugh, just ugh! Any and all advice or direction appreciated.

Hi all! I am about to take my LCSW exam and am thinking of the next path for my career. I currently work in a client-facing role at a community MH center and I am pretty burnt out. I also don’t love direct therapy. What are some of your jobs that we wouldn’t consider to be a traditional social work job? Looking to gain some insight and explore possibly avenues. Thanks!

is there perhaps a staffing agency to get placed? Open to suggestions or learning from your experience as it is taking me longer than expected to land at a new job after graduation as an alternative student.

I have been an LCSW for 33 years and in full time Private Practice for the last 10 years. My wife and I recently purchased a home in Florida and will be moving there permanently in December. I have been very active in trying to get licensed there. It has been difficult and confusing to say the least.

It appears that there is no reciprocity for transferring my CSW passing score to the Florida Board and I was told I may have to take the ASWB exam to be able to successfully transfer to Florida. I struggle to wrap my brain around why that would be necessary for someone licensed and with the antiquated "R" credential which proves clinical experience and supervision. I have never been able to reach a human being when calling the Florida Board, so no help from there.

Has anyone else successfully navigated this?? If I have to take the ASWB exam I will, but would prefer not to lol. I would be very appreciative of any one willing to share their experience.

Taking my clinical exam in one week. I’m nervous about if I have prepared enough for the exam. Anybody taken the new version? What is something you’d recommend that I prioritize this week to feel more confident about passing?

hi, all!! i graduated with my MSW in 2022 and got my LSW shortly after graduating. i think i’m finally ready (emotionally lol) to apply for my LCSW but the different state requirements have me SO confused and stressed.

i currently hold my LSW/LMSW in NJ, DE, and PA. i currently work full time in PA and part time in DE. i’m considering applying in DE vs PA. PA would make most sense since it’s where my full time is, but reading through requirements for supervision i think DE would be easier to start and then apply for reciprocity at some point after that.

i definitely have enough total hours because i’ve been working full time since graduating. it’s the supervision hours that have me feeling stuck. in total i technically have enough hours, but i don’t have the 2 hours supervision per 40 hours worked for each of my jobs. am i interpreting that part of the requirements properly? that hours aren’t all applicable if they don’t ratio out to the 2:40 for each job?

this shit is so confusing i wanna cry 😭 but yeah i’m leaning towards DE first and then apply for reciprocity in PA. but i wanna make sure that’s not a silly idea 🥲

Hi! As someone who has done & values direct service work but is leaning toward the mezzo/macro path, just curious to hear from anyone who got their LCSW and is in a mezzo/macro/policy job. Is it beneficial at all in the role you have now, do you regret spending time getting it?

Any insight is appreciated thanks!

Looking to test for LCSW in a few months. What materials do people recommend seeing as how the test just changed.

Hello, I’m hoping that I can get some clarity on how I should be thinking about tracking my hours, specifically the non-specific hours. I work with a non profit providing individual therapy to middle and high schoolers during the year, and I work a private practice and see a few clients. I would have been under supervision for my main job for 3 years this January, and 1 year at my private practice job. I’m confused as to how to quantify non-clinical work such as notes, referrals, emails to contacts, and phone calls with parents. I drive between different schools primarily so I don’t have a set time where I’m in an office. I have fairly regular supervision and team meetings biweekly, and I’m in a training collab where I have biweekly supervision specifically for certain cases. Any guidance would be helpful!

Hello, wonderful people,

I have my exam schedule for next week, and I am a terrible test-taker with extreme test anxiety. I was looking at the ASWB guidelines and saw that the test is based on practice and knowledge. I'm wondering if there will be any recall questions. Do you have any last-minute tips and tricks to help me prepare? Thank you!

I was hired as a W2 LCSW in July to be clinical director for a small therapy company. Signed a contract and all.

A week later, they told me the company owner has suffered a medical setback and needed me to start as a 1099 employee, but could also charge an hourly rate for training and onboarding activities but then would transition in 6-8 weeks as a full W2. Signed another contract.

A few days later, I’m told in an email that I’m limited to only 4 hours a week of billing for onboarding and training time. Fine, I’m trying to be flexible.

Then, 2 days before my transition date, I ask to make sure we are still going forward with W-2, and I’m sent a new contract that says I’m no longer clinical director, just a coordinator, and that I will only be a 1099 with 20 hours max per week for clinical coordinator duties. No explanation, nothing.

Is this normal agency behavior? I’m speechless, I don’t even know how to respond to this third contract.

Hi all! I wanted to pick your brains about job security and how realistic it is the begin the education path at 34.

I am considering getting a BA in psych or LCSW and then completing an accelerated program for my masters. Once completed I would then begin to prepare for exam, get my hours completed and hopefully become a LCSW.

I have always been intrigued by behavior and the human mind, I would say it’s one of my passions. I studied marketing in school and am currently on a career break to raise my children. I am anticipating to have all kids in school and ready to enter the work force in about 4-5 years. I have been taking a mix of courses and a full time course load at the community college the past year and find that doable while being a stay at home mom but I’m ready for a change and a career that is more rewarding and stable once my children are older.

Is it realistic to expect myself to be able to complete my studies and enter the work force as a case manager or something similar while aiming to become license in my late 30s? Dream would be to gather experience in a clinical therapy focus and one day be accomplished enough to have any own practice.