Should I Get a Master’s in Social Work or Counseling?
Question by Vernon: Should I get a master’s in social work or counseling?
I’m interested in helping drug addicts and would like to one day open up a drug treatment facility. What should I get a degree in, and how to I find out what requirements have to be met to open something of this sort. Also, if that doesn’t work out, I would want be able to go into private practice, so take that into consideration. I live in Louisiana, in case that makes a difference.
Best answer:
Answer by monique
I think it would be very helpful for you to compare the stautory language/rules of the state of Louisiana for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Clinical Social Workers. The LA State Board of Social Work Examiners governs the licensure for Social Workers, and the LA LPC Board of Examiners oversees licensure for LPC’s.
In take a look at the statutory language for LPC’s, which may be a hindrance in my opinion : “However, nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to authorize any person licensed under the provisions of this Chapter to assess, diagnose, or provide treatment to any individual suffering from a serious mental illness, as defined by this Section, when medication may be indicated, except when a licensed professional counselor, in accordance with industry best practices, consults and collaborates with a practitioner who holds a license or permit with the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing who is certified as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.” http://www.lpcboard.org/law.htm#3
The serious mentall illness defined by the above Section are:
a) Schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
(b) Bipolar disorder.
(c) Panic disorder.
(d) Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
(e) Major depressive disorder—moderate to severe.
(f) Anorexia/bulimia.
(g) Intermittent explosive disorder.
(h) Autism.
(i) Psychosis NOS (not otherwise specified) when diagnosed in a child under seventeen years of age.
(j) Rett’s disorder.
(k) Tourette’s disorder.
(l) Dementia.
(reference: same link as above)
In looking at the LA Social Work Practice Act statute language it says that a LCSW can work independently in private practice. It does not have the above restrictions in the LPC statute/law in needing to collaborate when patients have serious mental illnesses who are on medications.
http://www.labswe.org/pdf/Practice_Act_1_1_2011.pdf
I didn’t read the LPC statute in its entirety, but I did not see in the definitions or practice information that a LPC can set up independent private practice whereas the statute/rules in the social work section was indicated that LCSW’s can set up independent and privtate practice.
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