Remote LCSW & LMFT Jobs in Pennsylvania

How To Become a LCSW or LMFT in Pennsylvania

How to Become an LCSW in Pennsylvania

To build a foundation to become an LCSW in Pennsylvania, you must hold a bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited four-year college or university. You will then need to pursue the following:

• Education and additional coursework: To be eligible for LCSW licensure, you must obtain a master’s degree in social work (MSW).

• Experience: Candidates must complete at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience during a period of two to six years.

• Exams: You must pass the examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). The exam tests applicants on topics including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and interventions. It also covers ethics and values.

• Fees: Pennsylvania requires LCSW candidates to pay a $90 initial licensing fee, a $95 biennial renewal fee, and a $260 fee for the ASWB clinical exam.

How to Become an LMFT in Pennsylvania

LMFT candidates must first earn a bachelor’s degree to start toward the goal of licensure. The other requirements include:

• Education: Candidates must obtain a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy.

• Experience: Work requirements for LMFT candidates vary based on the degree. Those with a master’s degree must complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience within two to six years. Individuals with a doctoral degree need 2,400 hours of supervised clinical experience. Of these hours, 1,200 need to be obtained after receiving the doctoral degree.

• Exams: LMFT candidates in Pennsylvania must pass the "Examination in Marital and Family Therapy," as developed by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).

• Fees: Pennsylvania requires a $100 fee initial licensing and $95 biennial renewal fee. There is a $365 fee for the AMFTRB exam.

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

If you hold a license as an LCSW or LMFT in the State of Independence, you can find a role that suits you whether you live in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, or other PA towns. You’ll also find an array of full-time and part-time virtual work opportunities available for remote LMFTs and LCSWs if you’re interested in working from home.

Before applying for a role in remote social work, you should be aware of the following:

• Work-from-home therapist: You’ll need to provide the same standard of care whether you work at a facility or see clients virtually. The key difference is that remote mental health therapists use websites, phones, web platforms, and other technology to connect with clients. Note that when offering teletherapy, you can only treat clients in the state in which you are licensed.

• Skills of successful remote therapists: All therapists must have excellent communication skills, especially those who offer virtual therapy. This is why many therapists begin their careers with in-person sessions to develop and polish their one-on-one skills before they move on to virtual mental health therapy.

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

• Additional training: As a remote mental health therapist, you’ll need to stay on top of the latest technology. Telemedicine companies often provide training to educate clinicians on the right way to use relevant platforms, as well as best practices for good webside manner. This may require on-site training and on-site work for designated periods.
  

Companies hiring remote LCSWs and LMFTs in Pennsylvania often post open positions on job posting sites like Glassdoor, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and LinkedIn. Sites like this are a great place to start your search for virtual therapy work opportunities.