MSW Can all Clinical Social Workers diagnose?

[InfoNerd101]

I read that clinical social workers being able to diagnose mental illness is a thing unique to the United States, and that in most other places, diagnostics are left to psychologists and psychiatrists. Is this true? They are unable to do so elsewhere?

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[PsychMajorUndergrad18]

I haven't heard anything about LCSW being able to diagnose

 

[InfoNerd101]

I haven't heard anything about LCSW being able to diagnose

Are u in the states or Canada?

 

[PsychMajorUndergrad18]

States. Though if they do have privileges to diagnose I don't know if I would want a LCSW to. I'd rather prefer to have a Clinical Psychologist diagnose and maybe a LCSW do therapy

 

[biscuitsbiscuits]

I can't speak for any other countries, but an LCSW can diagnose mental illness in the US.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

It's likely going to depend on individual state law, but as far as I know, in every state in which I've worked, LCSW's can diagnose mental health conditions. It's mostly just a matter of training and level of competence (e.g., even as a psychologist, I'd be hesitant to diagnose something like an autism-spectrum disorder because it's simply not my area of expertise).

 

[biscuitsbiscuits]

True, probably varies by state. I also want to point out what might seem obvious to those in the field but maybe not to everyone: not every social worker is an LCSW. You can't diagnose right out of your masters program. You have to have, depending on the state, ~2000 hours of supervised direct clinical work before you can sit for the LCSW exam and become licensed.

 

[smalltownpsych]

Everyone can diagnose someone else if they want, my mother does it all the time and she has no mental health training whatsoever. In order to provide treatment and bill insurances one must be licensed. Performing a diagnostic assessment using testing materials is also usually considered to be a protected area of practice for psychologists. When it comes to testifying in court as to the existence of a mental illness, each state has it's own laws regarding that and it also depends on being accepted as an expert by the court.

 

[jheda]

I read that clinical social workers being able to diagnose mental illness is a thing unique to the United States, and that in most other places, diagnostics are left to psychologists and psychiatrists. Is this true? They are unable to do so elsewhere?

California was the first state to permit LCSWs to diagnose and treat mental and nervous disorders without having MDs countersign. In addition, LCSWs in California can also provide inpatient psychiatric treatment.

 

[jheda]

States. Though if they do have privileges to diagnose I don't know if I would want a LCSW to. I'd rather prefer to have a Clinical Psychologist diagnose and maybe a LCSW do therapy

I previously served as Vice Chair of The California Board of Behavioral Science which is the board that licenses Clinical Social Workers. I was also Chair of the Examination that wrote the original exam. I can say with certainty that any social who can not demonstrate his or her ability to diagnose mental and nervous disorders will never pass the LCSW exam in California.

 

[DD214_DOC]

I haven't met many who actually could


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[UrbanMidwest]

I haven't met many who actually could


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Dang!

 

[Goobernut]

Dang!

Yeah, even docs can be trolls


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[DD214_DOC]

I really wasn't joking or trolling. I have worked with a lot of LCSWs over the years and have realized there exists great variability in the quality and scope of their educational programs and training experiences. Unfortunately, it seems the majority are subpar. I have, however, met a handful of LCSWs that I had a great deal of respect for and trust in their diagnostic and treatment abilities and enjoyed collaborating with them regularly.

 

[Shrink1982]

States. Though if they do have privileges to diagnose I don't know if I would want a LCSW to. I'd rather prefer to have a Clinical Psychologist diagnose and maybe a LCSW do therapy

We have pretty extensive training in dx of psych disorders so not sure why you think we aren't good enough. Most states permit LCSW's to diagnose and treat mental disorders, something our psychology colleagues seem to think belong to them.