Psychology

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)

Limited Licensed Psychologist (LLP)

A license is a quality control credential awarded by the state, not an educational institution. A license gives legal authority to work in the mental health field pending the licensed professional adheres to ethical codes as well as legal guidelines. Licensed individuals can have a private practice, see clients on their own, receive insurance payments, and so forth. 

Certificates are a quality control credentials awarded by professional organizations, not a state or an educational institution. They certify that a person has had courses and supervised practical experience in particular areas such as drug addiction or family therapy. Certificates by themselves do not grant legal authority to work in the mental health field, but they are often necessary for positions where specialized skills are needed.

The Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) provides mental health services to individuals, families, and groups to treat mental, behavioral, and emotional problems and disorders. Although the LPC can work in a wide variety of roles, the primary focus is an intrapersonal and relational intervention for the client.

Treatment focuses on areas such as substance abuse, eating disorders, relationships, college counseling, family issues, anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, parenting, suicidal thoughts, stress and anger management, marriage conflicts, self-esteem issues, divorce, career concerns, grief and loss, ADHD, and many other areas of concern or discomfort.

The LPC is obtained by completing a master’s degree in counseling at a school approved by the state Board of Counseling and submitting the required application, documentation, references, and fees required by the state Board of Counseling. Most masters in counseling programs require two years of post-secondary graduate study in combination with 700 hours of practicum/internship experience. Many masters in counseling programs allow students to specialize in areas such as school counseling, marriage and family counseling, and substance abuse treatment. LPS’s do not need to be supervised once the full license is obtained. LPC’s may continue on to pursue a doctoral degree in higher education is desired.

Requirements issued by the State of Michigan Board of Counseling for the LPC:

• A master’s degree or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field from a program approved by the Michigan Board of Counseling.
• Pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) approved by the Michigan Board of Counseling.
• LPC’s seeking employment as a school counselor must also meet the certification and licensure of school counselor’s requirements for the State of Michigan.
• At least 3000 hours over no less than two years of postmaster’s or postdoctoral degree experience with 100 hours being in the direct physical presence of the LPC supervisor. During this time the practitioner is a Limiter Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC).

For more information on becoming an LPC, visit the Michigan Board of Counseling.

The Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) seeks social and economic justice for the client. Although the LMSW can work in a wide range of roles, the primary focus advocacy for the client. The LMSW may be involved in: advocating for care, protecting the vulnerable, providing forensic practice functions, increasing social well-being, providing education and resources, providing psychotherapy, providing case management for complex and high-risk cases, serving on community committees, providing clinical supervision or direction of clinical programs, advocating on behalf of persons or groups with unmet service needs, analyzing and developing social welfare policies, and providing training about community needs and problems.

The LMSW is obtained by completing a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at a graduate school that has been approved by the Council on Social Work Education for the Accreditation of Social Work Education Programs. Most MSW programs require two years of post-secondary graduate study in combination with a one year internship, also called field experience. Many MSW programs allow students to choose a clinical track, which focuses on direct practice with clients, or a community practice track which focuses on political advocacy, community organizing, policy analysis and/or human services management. The Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is one who has earned the LMSW and has further training in psychotherapy.

Requirements issued by the State of Michigan Board of Social Work for the LMSW:

• A Master’s degree or doctoral degree in social work from a college or university social work program approved by the Council on Social Work Education for the Accreditation of Social Work Education Programs.
• Pass either the advanced generalist exam for the macro practice designation of the clinical exam for the clinical designation. The exams are given by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).
• At least 4000 hours over no less than two years of postmaster’s or postdoctoral degree experience under the supervision of a LMSW.
• LMSWs employed by school districts must also meet the employment requirements for school social workers in the Revised School Code.

For more information on becoming an LMSW, visit the Michigan Board of Social Work and the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

The Limited Licensed Psychologist (LLP) provides services involving the application of principles, methods, and procedures to diagnose, assess, and treat mental or emotional disorders, disabilities, or behavioral adjustment problems. The LLP provides uses psychotherapy, counseling, behavior modification, hypnosis, biofeedback techniques, psychological tests, or other verbal or behavioral means to assess and treat the client.

The LLP may work as an industrial-organizational psychologist. They also may work as psychological assistants under the supervision of doctoral-level psychologists and may conduct research or psychological evaluations.

The LLP is obtained by completing a master’s degree in psychology as a school approved by the State Board of Psychology. Most masters in psychology programs require two years of post- secondary graduate study in combination with 500 hours of practicum experience. LLPs need to be supervised by a doctoral level psychologist until they obtain a doctorate in psychology themselves at which time they would become a Licensed Psychologist (LP).

Requirements issued by the State of Michigan Board of Psychology for the LLP:

• A Master’s degree from a graduate school approved by the State of Michigan.
• Coursework in approved programs must include: assessments, treatment, scientific and professional ethics and standards. 75% of the coursework shall be primarily psychological in content. A 500 hour practicum experience (under the supervision of a license psychologist) is also required.
• Pass the examination for psychologist limited license approved by the state of Michigan Board of Psychology (EPPP Exam).
• At least 2000 hours in no less than one year of post-master’s degree experience in the practice of psychology under the supervision of a fully licensed psychologist.

For more information about becoming an LLP, visit the Michigan Board of Psychology.