Remote LCSW & LMFT Jobs in New York

How To Become a LCSW or LMFT in New York

How to Become an LCSW in New York

You can build a foundation to become an LCSW in New York state if you are at least 21 years old, have what the state calls good moral character, and hold a bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited four-year college or university. Once prospective remote LCSWs in New York meet those preliminary requirements, you need to pursue the following:

• Education and additional coursework: Candidates must earn a minimum of a master’s degree in social work (MSW). State law mandates candidates complete a child abuse training class that details how to identify and report such abuse in the state.

• Experience: LCSW candidates must complete at least 36 months of supervised experience in diagnosis, psychotherapy, and assessment-based treatment planning. Exams: You must show proof of passing the “Clinical” examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) or an examination determined by the department to be comparable in content. The ASWB exam has 170 questions that cover topics such as assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and interventions. It also covers ethics and values.

• Certification: Once licensed in New York,you can apply for certification to become a specialized social worker in a number of specialties.

• Fees: New York requires a $294 fee for LCSW licensure application and a $260 fee for the ASWB clinical exam. Expect to pay additional fees for specialized certification.

How to Become an LMFT in New York

The first step to becoming an LMFT in New York is to be at least 21 years old and have what the state defines as good moral character. You must also hold 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 New York meet the preliminary requirements, you need to pursue the following:

• Education and additional coursework: Educational options include a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy (MFT) or related discipline from an allied health field. There are overviews of these courses on professional sites, including the National Association of Social Workers.

• Experience: As a prerequisite to licensure, candidates must complete at least 1,500 supervised client contact hours in the practice of Marriage and Family Therapy.

• Exams: After earning the appropriate graduate degree and meeting the New York clinical experience requirements, you must pass the "Examination in Marital and Family Therapy." It was developed by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) and administered by Professional Testing Corporation (PTC). New York does not accept the California examination for licensure.

• Fees: New York requires a $371 fee for LMFT licensure and a $365 fee for the AMFTRB exam. The fee for a limited permit is $70.

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

Once you earn a license as an LCSW or LMFT in New York, you can decide which type of position suits you best, whether you live in New York City, Rochester, Albany, Binghamton, or anywhere else 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 York.

Here’s what you should know before applying:

• Work-from-home therapist: Although you will work from home as a remote mental health therapist, your duties are the same as if you worked on site. You should plan to conduct virtual therapy sessions with clients 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 New York must only accept clients from that state.

• Skills of successful remote therapists: Therapists who work remotely must have superior communication skills. In fact, therapists generally sharpen their skills with in-person client treatment before moving to teletherapy. When working remotely, you must also become adept at the use of virtual mental health 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, as well as best practices for good webside manner. This may require on-site training and work for various periods.
  

Companies hiring remote LCSWs and LMFTs in New York 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.