How an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) Can Help With Stress Relief

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat LCSWs DoLCSW vs. Other Mental Health ProfessionalsWho LCSWs Can TreatHow an LCSW Can HelpHow to Find a Qualified LCSW

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What LCSWs Do

LCSW vs. Other Mental Health Professionals

Who LCSWs Can Treat

How an LCSW Can Help

How to Find a Qualified LCSW

Close

An LCSW, or licensed clinical social worker, is a mental health professional with a master’s degree in social work. These professionals have also met state requirements to be licensed to practice independently, which means they can provide therapy and counseling to clients experiencing mental health issues.

At a GlanceIf you are interested in seeing a therapist, an LCSW is one option that you might consider. LCSWs are mental health professionals who are qualified to provide psychotherapy and interventions to treat a range of mental health conditions. They hold a master’s or doctorate in psychology, have completed supervised work experience in the field, and passed state licensing exams.

At a Glance

If you are interested in seeing a therapist, an LCSW is one option that you might consider. LCSWs are mental health professionals who are qualified to provide psychotherapy and interventions to treat a range of mental health conditions. They hold a master’s or doctorate in psychology, have completed supervised work experience in the field, and passed state licensing exams.

If you seek help from a licensed clinical social worker (often called an LCSW), you will likely be working with someone who will have either an MA, an MS, or a doctoral degree in social work. These professionals have also obtained licensure, which involves gaining experience under professional supervision and passing state licensing exams

Becoming licensed allowa them to provide individual, marital, couple, family, and group counseling andpsychotherapyfrom a social work orientation.

Llicensed clinical social workers are qualified to assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional conditions and addictions, but cannot prescribe drugs.

Social workers can help people at different levels of practice:

Not all mental health professionals carry the same degrees and licenses, and this can be confusing when you are seeking professional help with stress.You may find it helpful to see a variety of mental health professionals, such as a:

You can also seek health from alife coachor wellness coach, although the licensing requirements are not standardized in this field, and they do not treat mental health conditions. They focus on problem-solving, setting goals, and reaching those goals.

An LCSW can provide therapy and counseling to a wide range of clients. They may specialize in working with specific populations, such as teens, adults, older adults. Veterans,BIPOC, disabled people,LGBTQ+individuals, victims of violence, and incarcerated people.

LCSWs may treat issues such as:

Like other mental health professionals, an LCSW might specialize in using certain types of therapy, such ascognitive behavioral therapy (CBT),dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), oracceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

As with any therapist or counselor, a good licensed clinical social worker can help you to examine your situation and your role in it, process your emotions, and pursue new courses of thought and action that can lead you to more positive outcomes.

LCSWs Look at People in Their Environment

This approach is known as the person-in-environment model.

For example, they may help you explore your situation and see how you may react differently within it; they may teach specific stress management techniques and discuss ways of managing overall stress. They may help you to process emotions that are interfering with your functioning. There are many ways that such a therapist can help.

Different social workers will approach your situation in a unique way, and because everyone reading this comes with a unique set of needs, it would be impossible to detail precisely how an LCSW would work with you and your unique challenges. However, counselors from this background can be quite effective forstress management, as can counselors from other backgrounds mentioned.

If you would like professional help with stress, you can start with your primary care physician. Asking for a referral is the first step of choice for many.

What This Means For YouIf you are experiencing mental health challenges, talking to an LCSW can be a great way to get the help and support your need. These professionals can help you find new ways of thinking about problems and utilize different psychotherapy techniques to help you deal with symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, or other issues you are facing.

What This Means For You

If you are experiencing mental health challenges, talking to an LCSW can be a great way to get the help and support your need. These professionals can help you find new ways of thinking about problems and utilize different psychotherapy techniques to help you deal with symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, or other issues you are facing.

3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Association of Social Workers.Clinical social work.University of Buffalo, School of Social Work.What is social work and what do social workers do?Tadic V, Ashcroft R, Brown JB, Dahrouge S.The role of social workers in interprofessional primary healthcare teams.Healthc Policy. 2020;16(1):27-42. doi:10.12927/hcpol.2020.26292

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Association of Social Workers.Clinical social work.University of Buffalo, School of Social Work.What is social work and what do social workers do?Tadic V, Ashcroft R, Brown JB, Dahrouge S.The role of social workers in interprofessional primary healthcare teams.Healthc Policy. 2020;16(1):27-42. doi:10.12927/hcpol.2020.26292

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Association of Social Workers.Clinical social work.University of Buffalo, School of Social Work.What is social work and what do social workers do?Tadic V, Ashcroft R, Brown JB, Dahrouge S.The role of social workers in interprofessional primary healthcare teams.Healthc Policy. 2020;16(1):27-42. doi:10.12927/hcpol.2020.26292

National Association of Social Workers.Clinical social work.

University of Buffalo, School of Social Work.What is social work and what do social workers do?

Tadic V, Ashcroft R, Brown JB, Dahrouge S.The role of social workers in interprofessional primary healthcare teams.Healthc Policy. 2020;16(1):27-42. doi:10.12927/hcpol.2020.26292

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