Traps of "The System" Don't Stop with Our Clients: Barriers with Employment

"You have to get your LICSW, its in policy..."

This is part of a conversation during a meeting.

Here is a quick explanation of how social work degrees and licensure work.

Bachelors of Social Work (BSW)

- This is after 4 years of undergraduate. Most BSW's can do basic case management services at most social services agencies

Licensed Bachelors of Social Work (LBSW)

- This requires a test to be taken with the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners, once pass, you are then a licensed bachelors level social worker, which is normally a requirement for BSW's after a certain amount of time. You must receive 2 years of supervision from an LMSW before you can sit for the exam.

Master Social Worker (MSW)

- This is following completion of a Masters level graduate school, sometimes this is one year program, sometimes, it is two years, mostly when you do not have a Bachelors. You DO NOT have to have a Bachelors in social worker to get a Masters in Social work

Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)

This is achieved after taking a licensure exam and is likely required by places of employment following obtaining a Masters degree, usually after 12 months. You must first receive 2 years of supervision from an LICSW before you can sit for the exam.

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)

This is achieved by an exam following 2 years of supervision by a LICSW. Most places of employment do not require this, but if you are at an agency that requires this for a position, you likely must have the license prior to applying for the job. Sometimes, they will provide you a certain amount of time such as instances of promotional opportunities.

I hope that makes sense, so where I am in this journey is at LMSW, I have been licensed since 2009. I have executed practice in a variety of areas within the field, including Therapeutic Foster Care as a case manager, case manager and therapist, Residential Care as a therapist, Therapeutic Education as a therapist, an outreach specialist in planning events and as a Program Director. Within that time period I have been trained and worked through a variety of theoretical practices including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness and Trauma Informed Care, just to name a few. I take our Code of Ethics very seriously and despite it being a tough job that is emotionally, mentally and physically taxing, I have loved every minute.

At this point in my career, however, I am content with my education and licensure level. I attempted to sit for the LICSW exam twice and failed. My test anxiety does not allow me much room for succeeding in that test and I am certain I could go for it again, but God and I had a conversation about this a while ago and the peace He has given me in the direction He desires for me to go, does not include obtaining the next level of licensure. There is nothing at all wrong with that, I know many individuals who have obtained this license, they provide supervision, they own their own practices, they want to provide clinical services long term, great! It is just not MY plan!

Okay so back to the meeting. Apparently a policy requirement was created for professionals to obtain licensure at the highest level possible, which in talking with co workers had not been discussed very openly and many were unaware. In my opinion, it is a continuation of a cycle that seems to never end. We work hard for four years, obtain a degree, some obtain licensure, others continue to Masters programs (which is what I did), we complete 1-2 years of graduate school, which is full of SO MANY papers and research, not much involving case management and direct practice. Then upon graduation you are thrown into the field of overworked, high case load, time consuming and stressful jobs only crafted for social workers straight out of graduate school and strive to attend your supervision because you are required to obtain licensure within a certain time period. Which should I mention is over $300 to take AND if you fail it, you have to pay again! Then you obtain that licensure and the Social Work Board says that level is pretty good. Many social workers continue on to LICSW because often times this level promises better job opportunities especially for those interested in medical social work. At times it may also mean increased income for some.

The hardships I have witnessed and what has shifted my viewpoint about the profession are that, while the expectations should be high, the mandates that employers often execute on the shoulders of social workers, are strenuous and stressful.

I also understand there are definitely two viewpoints of this scenario. Some social workers disagree with me, they do not believe this is a form of bondage but maybe just simply a way to regulate the profession. Others feel its a more strict method and that it is more strict than other professions. In my opinion, even doctors and nurses get a choice whether or not they want to continue forward with higher certifications and/or licensure. I believe we are often held at an unfair higher standard due to the constraints of the system in which we work. In fairness, I can respect a place of employment having to execute their rules and polices and I am willing to follow. My question is, when do we have the conversation about the difference between experience, expertise and credentials. This is a conversation for another blog post!

If you would like to share your own thoughts, opinions, concerns and/or comments about mental health, being a helping professional and/or foster care, send an email to prodevwithek@gmail.com! We want to include you!

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