Remote LCSW & LMFT Jobs in Georgia

How To Become an LCSW or LMFT in Georgia

How to Become an LCSW in Georgia

The first step to becoming a licensed clinical social worker in Georgia is to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) from an accredited four-year college or university. Once prospective remote LCSWs in Georgia meet the preliminary requirements, you need to pursue the following:

• Education and additional coursework: Earn a minimum of a master’s degree in social work (MSW) or related field from a program accredited by an organization recognized by the Georgia Social Work Certification and Licensure Board and that complies with its requirements.

• Experience: Candidates with masters degrees must have 3,000 hours of supervised social work experience over a time period of 3-9 years for licensure. That must include 120 documented, supervised hours. If you have a doctoral degree in social work or a related field, which included a supervised internship, you must complete 2,000 hours of supervised clinical social work experience. This experience must occur within 2-6 years of documented supervision.

• Exams: After earning the appropriate master’s or doctoral degree and meeting the Georgia clinical experience requirements, candidates must take the national clinical exam administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). The 170-question exam covers topics such as assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and interventions. It also covers ethics and values.

• Fees: Georgia requires a $100 fee for LCSW licensure application and a $260 fee for the ASWB clinical exam. Additional fees are required for specialized certification.

How to Become an LMFT in Georgia

The first step to becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist in Georgia is to earn a bachelor’s degree in a topic related to the behavioral sciences from an accredited four-year college or university. Once prospective remote LMFTs in Georgia meet the preliminary requirements, you need to pursue the following:

• Education and additional coursework: Earn a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy (MFT) or a related field. Those that want to work as school counselors must have a master’s degree in school counseling. Many organizations offer these courses, including the National Association of Social Workers.

• Experience: Candidates must complete supervised work experience, and the amount of time depends on your education. If you have a master’s degree in counseling, you generally must complete four years of supervised work experience. If you have a specialist or doctoral degree, you may be eligible for less supervision.

• Exams: Candidates must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) created by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and administered by Pearson VUE.

• Fees: Georgia requires a $100 fee for LMFT licensure and a $365 fee for the AMFTRB exam.

Requirements for Remote Mental Health Workers (LCSWs & LMFTs) in Georgia

Once you earn your license as an LCSW or LMFT in Georgia, you can decide which type of position suits you best whether you live in Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Savannah, or elsewhere in the state.

If you want to become a remote LCSW or remote LMFT, there are plenty of full-time and part-time virtual work opportunities available in Georgia.

Here’s what you should know before applying:

• Work-from-home therapist: As a remote mental health therapist, you don’t need to commute to a workplace, so you can live and practice anywhere in the state. Some employers may mandate specific on-site hours, however, so be sure to discuss this during the interview process if you’d like to avoid it. Most of the time, remote therapists work with clients in virtual sessions using a website, telephone, mobile application or other virtual media. All therapists can only treat clients in the state in which they are licensed, so a LCSW or LMFT licensed in Georgia must only accept clients from that state.

• Skills of successful remote therapists: All effective therapists must have excellent communication skills, but that skill is especially crucial for remote workers. Many therapists actually hone their skills by working with clients in person before they move to teletherapy. Therapists who work remotely must also learn how to use digital therapy tools and testing materials.

• Necessary documentation: When applying for remote jobs, be sure to update your resume and provide appropriate documentation showing your education and credentials.

• Additional training: Telemedicine companies often provide training to educate clinicians on how to use relevant technology and platforms. This may also include training on best practices for good webside manner.

Companies hiring remote LCSWs and LMFTs in Georgia often post open positions on job posting sites like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn, so this is a great place to start looking for virtual mental health therapy work opportunities.