Remote LCSW & LMFT Jobs in Virginia

How To Become a LCSW or LMFT in Virginia

How to Become an LCSW in Virginia

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

• Education and additional coursework: You must complete a Master of Social Work (MSW) program that includes a clinical course of study from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited school.

• Experience: Once you receive your MSW degree, you must work under supervision. This process includes applying for and gaining approval of your supervisor from the Board of Social Work, which provides a registry of supervisors who meet the requirements. Experience requirements include a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised post-master’s degree experience in the delivery of “clinical social work services” and ancillary services. You must complete your supervision in 2 to 4 consecutive years.

• Exams: Once you complete your master’s degrees and clinical requirements, you must submit the online LCSW by Examination application and pass the test.

• Certification: Once licensed in Virginia, you can apply for certification to become a social worker in a number of specialties. These credentials can expand your teletherapy work opportunities.

• Fees: Virginia requires a $165 fee for LCSW licensure application. You must also pay a $260 fee for the ASWB clinical exam. Additional fees are required for specialized certification.

How to Become an LMFT in Virginia

The first step to becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist in Virginia 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 Virginia meet the preliminary requirements, you need to pursue the following:

• Education and additional coursework: Candidates must complete 60 graduate hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate study in a marriage and family medicine program. The program must include an overview of marriage and family systems theories and techniques. The other courses must center on contemporary marriage and family therapy issues.

• Experience: Once you meet the education requirements, you must receive licensure as a resident in Marriage and Family Therapy. You must complete a residency consisting of 3,400 hours of supervised experience.

• Exams: You must pass the National Marriage and Family Examination administered by AMFTRB, unless you are applying for licensure by endorsement.

• Fees: Virginia requires a $175 fee for LMFT licensure and a $365 fee for the AMFTRB exam.

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

Once you earn your license as an LCSW or LMFT in Virginia, you can decide which type of position suits you best whether you live in Arlington, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, 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 Virginia.

Here’s what you should know before applying:

• Work-from-home therapist: Remote mental health therapists must provide the same level of patient care as those working in a healthcare facility or office setting. In this role, you will conduct virtual therapy sessions with clients using a website, telephone, mobile application, or other platform. All therapists can only treat clients in the state in which they are licensed, so a remote LMFT or LCSW with a Virginia license must only accept clients from that state.

• Skills of successful remote therapists: Successful therapists have excellent communication skills, which is especially important for remote workers. Many therapists hone their skills by working with clients in person before they move to teletherapy. If you work 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 manners.

Companies hiring remote LCSWs and LMFTs in Virginia 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.