LCSW: What Do Those Letters Really Mean?

For the purpose of my resume, my full credentials are: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a Master’s degree in Childhood General and Special Education. But that’s a mouthful, and it doesn’t help parents and children really understand what I do and the role I can play in their family life.

Professional supports, be it a LCSW, a clinical psychologist or a licensed counselor, all help kids and families with emotional and mental health needs. Our training varies though, so we all have different approaches as well.

Rather than sharing a lengthy explanation of therapy and the psychodynamic model with you, I’ll simply define my role this way: I am a teacher and helper in three areas - feelings, behaviors and friends. I can help with feelings by working with you to discover what they are and how to handle them. That’s where behavior comes in - learning how to make safe and healthy choices. And that of course can open up the world of friends. Because while getting along with others can be tricky, it’s important in helping us feel connected and good about ourselves.

So ditch the stigma that comes with fancy credentials. Focus on those pivotal building blocks of a healthy kid and a healthy family - feelings, behavior and friends.