What makes an MFT different?

Many people ask what the difference is between an LCMFT and a LSCSW.

LCMFT stands for Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist, while LSCSW stands for Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker.

Both Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapists  and Licensed Clinical Social Workers are able to conduct private therapy. Both must complete a set number of hours of supervised work before being licensed. Additionally, both have a master's degree.

An MFT has a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.  MFTs almost always have a significant amount of graduate course work that has a strong emphasis on providing therapy to individuals, couples and families. It is a myth that an MFT can only work with a family or a couple. Many MFTs work with individual clients as well.

An MSW receives a Master's Degree in social work. Although the coursework in graduate school focuses on people, families, and society, there is not always a strong emphasis on providing therapy.

Both professions must have a certain number of hours of practice before being able to take an exam to get a license. However, the requirements of these hours can be very different between MFTs and MSWs.  An MFT candidate must perform a specific number of practice hours split among several different types of experience. MFTs can only get hours by doing therapy. Some hours must be conducted doing individual therapy, and couples or family therapy. Regardless, 100% of the hours of an MFT must be practicing therapy.

In contrast, an MSW also must perform a number of supervised hours but often has more options in how those hours are completed. Although exact rules may vary depending on the location in which a student is studying, these hours do not necessarily have to be in providing therapy. In some cases, hours can be completed performing social work, administering a senior home, helping to run a foster care program, or working at an adoption agency.



An MSW who plans to privately practice therapy will generally choose work opportunities that allow him or her to gain this type of experience, but are not necessarily required to do so before he or she is able to take the exam to have a license as an LMSW.  As well, MSW programs vary significantly in orientation. Some are specifically geared toward people who wish to get their MSW to be a therapist. However, this is not always required, unlike most MFT programs.

Many MFTs find that their certification leaves them with fewer job possibilities than those for MSWs. For example, a job that requires a social worker cannot be filled by an  MFT in most cases. Some hospitals will only hire MSWs, and some government run medical centers cannot legally hire an MFT to perform social work.

The thought behind this is that the MSW has more training in considering all aspects of a patient's life, like living conditions and income. The MSW may also have specific training in negotiating requests for government assistance. Many MFTs can also perform these functions with ease, but the MFT is more therapy-based in training, and may not be aware of all government programs.

In terms of seeing an MFT or MSW for therapy, some people note differences. Some MSWs tend to be more solution-oriented in their counseling and may give their opinions more readily. In most cases, it comes down to comfort level with a therapist rather than a degree or license. Many people find themselves just as happy with either type of counselor, as long as that counselor connects with them.  Some might prefer an MFT to an MSW or vise-versa. This is not so much because of training, but because the person seems a better fit with the person's personality or ideas of what therapy should be like.

Neither an MFT nor an MSW is allowed to prescribe medications.  Both an MFT and MSW are familiar with the potential effects of most psychiatric medications, however. Thus both an MFT and MSW can assist people with a new diagnosis of a psychiatric condition, and recognize possible warning signs that a medication may not be working. With the permission of the patient, they can also maintain contact with a prescribing doctor.

MFTs in Kansas who are practicing therapy will either be an LMFT which is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or an LCMFT which is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist. The difference is the clinical part of an LCMFTs licenses means that they have passed a national exam, and have had a minimum of two years of post-graduate training with a supervisor in order to do therapy. An LMFT has also passed an exam, but has not had two-years of post graduate supervision in order to be a "C" and practice without supervision.

MSWs in Kansas who are practicing therapy will either be an LMSW or an LSCSW.  As with an LMFT, the LMSW is still receiving supervision. The LMSW has already taken one exam to be have a license, and is required to take another exam after supervision to be an LSCSW.

An LCMFT is not required to take an additional exam after their supervision (in Kansas) as long as when he or she took the exam, the MFT passed at a high enough level. If not, he or she must take the exam again to pass at the clinical level to be an LCMFT, even if he or she has completed supervision. 

The bottom line is making sure that your needs are being met. If you have a good relationship with your therapist, it really doesn't matter if you see and LCMFT or an LSCSW. The majority of your progress will not come from the methods your therapist uses, but instead, your relationship with that therapist.

If training is important, ask. Most clinicians will not have a problem answering your questions about their training. If having a clinician that has focused training is more important to you, then ask the clinician about their experiences before you start therapy. Most likely, he or she will be happy to oblige.



Mike is an LCMFT!  Find out more about Mike at www.reachfamilytherapy.com