Remote LCSW & LMFT Jobs in New Jersey

How To Become an LCSW or LMFT in New Jersey

How to Become an LCSW in New Jersey

The first step to becoming a licensed clinical social worker in New Jersey is to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) from an accredited four-year college or university. Once prospective remote LCSWs in New Jersey 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 an educational program accredited, or in candidacy for accreditation, by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). A doctorate degree in social work from an accredited institution is also acceptable.

  • You must also complete 12 semester hours of graduate-level course work in methods of clinical social work practice. You can earn those credits in any of the following: Diagnosis and assessment in clinical social work practice; Models of psychotherapy or clinical practice; clinical supervision and consultation; and/or intervention with special populations.

• Experience: Candidates must complete two years (3,000 hours) of supervised, full-time clinical social work. The state mandates that at least 1,920 of those hours are face-to-face client contact. In addition, half of these 1,920 hours must be in psychotherapeutic counseling. The remaining 1,080 hours may include supervision or other social work services.

• Exams: You must pass 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: New Jersey requires a $75 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 New Jersey

If you want to work in New Jersey as a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), you must first obtain a bachelor’s degree in a topic related to the behavioral sciences. You must then take the following steps toward licensure:

• Education and additional coursework: You must have at least a master's degree in marriage and family therapy, or a related topic, from a regionally accredited program.

• Experience: New Jersey requires LMFT candidates to complete two years of supervised marriage and family therapy experience. Your experience must include 1,500 hours (one year) of counseling experience; direct client contact of 1,150 hours; one hour per week of 50 hours of direct supervision; and 300 hours of work-related activities.

• Exams: You must pass the Marital and Family Therapy Exam developed by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).

• Fees: New Jersey requires a $75 fee for LMFT licensure and a $365 fee for the AMFTRB exam.

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

Once you earn your license as an LCSW or LMFT in New Jersey, you can decide which type of position suits you best whether you live in Jersey City, Newark, Paterson, 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 New Jersey.

Here’s what you should know before applying for a position as a remote mental health therapist:

• Work-from-home therapist: As a remote therapist, you can perform your duties from home while providing the same level of care as your on-site counterparts. Remote therapists use web platforms, on-line therapy tools, video conferencing, and other technology to conduct virtual sessions with clients and interact with colleagues. Although technology makes long-distance communication easy, those licensed in New Jersey must only treat clients in the state.

• Skills of successful remote therapists: Remote therapists rely on technology to provide care, which is why you need superior technical and communication skills. Many work-from-home therapists hone their skills providing in-person treatment before switching to virtual mental health therapy.

• Necessary documentation: All therapists, remote or on-site, should keep their resumes and professional documentation up to date and readily available.

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

Companies hiring remote LCSWs and LMFTs in New Jersey 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 therapy work opportunities.