Do You Need A Psychologist?

What's the difference between a psychologist and a social worker (or LCSW) for therapy in New York City?

So you’ve decided to look for a therapist in NYC to help cope with social anxiety. When you're searching, you notice lots of different combinations of letters after therapists’ names. What you really want is a great therapist. But you’re not sure about whether you should limit your search to psychologists, social workers, or any other of the myriad of choices (LPC, LMFT, PsyA, LMHC, and on and on). What is the difference? In this blog post, I will focus on the differences between psychologists and social workers (LMSWs & LCSWs). For the sake of transparency, I am a licensed clinical social worker and do not have a degree in psychology or licensure as a psychologist.

So, what’s the difference? Here are three areas of differentiation between an LCSWs and psychologists:

1. Training

A psychologist has typically completed at least a master’s degree in psychology. And often, they have a doctoral degree as well. In fact, licensure in New York requires a doctorate degree. Upon completion of their degree program, which includes many, many clinical hours, NYC psychologists must sit for a licensing exam. Along with passing the licensing exam, they are required to complete a significant number of hours directly with patients. These hours are to be completed under the supervision of a more experienced psychologist before becoming eligible to call oneself a "psychologist." Only psychologists with a license should be providing psychotherapy in NYC.

On the other hand, a social worker has also typically completed at least a master’s degree in social work. Sometimes, they will have completed a doctoral degree as well. Upon completion of their master’s degree program, which includes two years of direct practice in closely supervised internships, social workers in NYC take a licensing exam. Passing the LMSW (Licensed Master of Social Work) exam demonstrates capacity to practice licensed social work in a wide variety of settings. To practice clinical social work, including psychotherapy, these LMSWs practice under the supervision of a more experienced social worker with a more advanced level of licensure (LCSW). After 2000+ hours of direct clinical work with patients under supervision, LMSW social workers are eligible to sit for an advanced level licensing exam. Passing the LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) exam, which tests for clinical aptitude and capacity, permits practice of independent clinical social work (although many clinical social workers continue to seek supervision for the duration of their careers so as to ensure best practice). After 2400+ additional supervised practice hours at the advanced LCSW level, social workers in NYC are eligible for the “R” designation (LCSW-R). This licensure indicates advanced training and experience, specifically in providing psychotherapy.

Additional training

Both psychologists and social workers must keep their licensure up to date by obtaining continuing education credits. They do this by attending training to further their skills. Often, social workers (and some psychologists) interested in providing specific psychotherapy will attend years of additional training. This can be in a specific modality of treatment such as psychodynamic or psychoanalytic psychotherapy.

2. Testing

As part of their training and licensure, psychologists can administer cognitive and personality assessments. For example, IQ tests or neuropsychological assessments that test for cognitive capacity. This refers to one's cognitive capacity in the instance of something like a traumatic brain injury or stroke.

Social workers are not authorized to perform psychological tests like those described above. However, these types of tests may not be relevant for the kinds of issues you want to explore in therapy.

3. Approach

Psychology is the study of the mind and mental processes related to behavior. The approach to treatment centers around the pathology of the mind. Additionally, it focuses on the subsequent behaviors that follow this pathology. Many psychologists are also trained in understanding family and community systems. And they are trained to approach patient assessment from the bio-psycho-social model (which is also utilized in social work).

Social Work is the study of how to help individuals, families, communities, and the world at large navigate challenges that negatively impact their health and welfare. Further, social workers have been trained to think holistically. For example, social workers consider a variety of approaches to a problem and consider the strengths of the individual (or family, community, world) they are working with. Then, they frame a suggestion for progress moving forward.

Both social workers and psychologists work directly with patients in addressing issues like anxiety, depression, social anxiety, stress, relationship issues, work/life balance, trauma, and more. Unless you specifically require psychological testing, which can only be done by a psychologist, determining which is the right fit for you depends more on the individual therapist’s approach. Social anxiety treatment, for example, might look different in every therapist’s office, regardless of whether they are a psychologist or a social worker by education and licensure.

Start Therapy in New York City

If you are looking for a great therapist in NYC, I recommend reading one of my prior blogs about how to find a therapist in New York City. Further, I recommend including both psychologists and social workers in your search. If you’d like more input, a recommendation for a great therapist in your area, or more information about our therapists and The Keely Group, you are invited to contact us to schedule a free 20-minute consultation.

Therapy Services at The Keely Group

As a New York City-based therapy practice, we provide services to help New Yorkers thrive. Our therapists in New York City provide support to professionals in anxiety treatment and stress management and executive therapy. Furthermore, we help singles in New York learn about themselves and dating in relationship counseling for singles. Additionally, we help parents in counseling for parents and fertility counseling. Plus, all of our services are available virtually using online therapy in New York.