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How to Become a Licensed Therapist in Maryland

How to Become a Licensed Therapist in Maryland

Mental Health

You see signs of it everywhere: a growing awareness of mental health issues and a growing emphasis on well-being. This is good news for those in need of help; the stigma that’s for so long been attached to voicing one’s mental health challenges is now slowly but surely lifting. But with increased awareness of the importance of mental health and well-being comes an increased demand for qualified therapists, including here in Maryland. So whether you’re driven by a passion for helping others or are seeking a meaningful, stable career, becoming a licensed therapist in Maryland is a rewarding path. Be aware that licensure is essential, though: a legal requirement to practice here and a mark of professional credibility. Here’s how to become a licensed therapist in Maryland.

Choose Your Therapy Path

First, it’s important to determine what type of therapist you want to become. Maryland offers two professional tracks:

Social Work
Counseling

Licensed therapist requirements vary, and each license has unique educational, supervision, and exam requirements. Choose the path that aligns with your career goals.

Earn the Required Degree

To qualify for licensure to in Maryland, you must earn a master’s degree in a relevant field:

Social Work: Master of Social Work (MSW)
Counseling: Master of Counseling (MC)

Importantly, to become a therapist in Maryland you must attend an accredited program:

CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) for counseling degrees.
CSWE (Council on Social Work Education) for social work degrees.

These accreditations ensure your program meets Maryland’s licensed therapist requirements.

Types of Maryland Therapist Licences

Social Work: Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licenced Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C)
Counseling: Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)

Complete Required Supervision & Clinical Hours

After earning your degree, you’ll need to complete supervised clinical experience and potentially log a certain number of supervised hours. This is where you gain hands-on experience working with clients under the guidance of a licensed supervisor.

LMSW candidates must complete two years of supervised practice.
LCSW-C candidates must take another license exam to earn said LCSW-C.
LGPC candidates must complete two practicum and take a licensing exam to get their LGPC.
LCPC candidates must log 3,000 hours of supervised clinical work before they can move from LGPC to LCPC.

Maintain and Renew Your License

Remember that licensure is not a one-time achievement. Rather, it’s a professional certification that requires a commitment to continuing education and learning.

Continuing Education (CE)
Maryland requires 40 CE hours every two years, including ethics and cultural competency components.
Renewal
Licenses must be renewed biennially, with reminders typically sent by the licensure board.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Thankfully, perceptions surrounding mental health and well-being are rapidly changing, with the biases of old fast becoming a thing of the past. If you have a deep desire to help others, becoming a licensed therapist in Maryland will be a rewarding journey. But it’s also one that takes dedication. And while the process may seem rigorous, it’s designed to ensure that you’re fully prepared to support clients in meaningful and effective ways. Licensure is a commitment, but it’s one that opens the door to a fulfilling career making a real difference in people’s lives. Importantly, no matter what degree you seek, you’ll be able to provide people with the therapy they need. If you’re ready to take the first step, ABH Maryland is always ready to support new therapists along the way on their professional journey.

When you think of the well-being of a child, you first think of basic needs: food, water, and shelter. Once these needs are met, however, it’s crucial for a child to have emotional and social wellness as well. In this article, we will explore the impact social wellness has on the overall health of a child and great ways for children to garner social support in their lives.

It comes as no surprise that as human beings, we all need connection with others, no matter what stage of life we are in. In fact, having social support is a social determinant of health (SDOH) that significantly impacts the health of an individual. After spending the last few years in and out of isolation due to the Covid-19 outbreak, social support is more important now than ever before. Having social support means having family members and friends you can talk to and seek advice from when life feels challenging and overwhelming. Knowing you’re not alone in your life journey, especially as a child, creates a sense of belonging and empowerment throughout one’s life.

4 Types of Social Support

Emotional Support. This type of support lets you know that people care about you and have empathy for your experiences. Emotional support often looks like people checking in on you to let you know they’re thinking of you, and that they are there if you need anything. As a parent, make sure your child knows you can be a sounding board for them. If you have family members who can also show up for your children in this way, even better!

Practical Help. This type of support is when people give you something tangible or offer a service to help you out. This could be in the form of money, making food when you are sick, or helping to pack when moving. Having family and friends show up in this way shows your child what it looks like to be present for people you love.

Sharing Points of View. This type of support can often come in the form of affirmations and encouragement. For example, pointing out your child’s strengths to them and reminding them they can do anything they put their mind to. It can also look like sharing another perspective if they are being hard on themselves. For example, if they are angry with themselves after receiving a bad grade on a test, you can help them see it as a learning experience and a way for them to grow.

Sharing Information. This type of support is when someone shares what they’ve learned from their own life experiences. For example, if another parent has a child who struggles with socializing, they can share some tips and tricks they’ve learned to help their child find and create social support.

The Importance of Social Groups and Extended Support

Children who are connected to their family, friends, and people in their community have opportunities to learn how to speak, share, and get along with others. When your child feels connected to people in your neighborhood, it often allows them to feel physically safe which can alleviate stress and worry. Simply riding bikes, going on walks, and saying hello to neighbors with your kids can create this sense of security for them.

In addition to engaging with your neighbors, getting involved in local organizations can also create social support for your child. Signing up for a sports team, musical theater, art class or summer camp are all great ways to help your child meet new friends and learn important social skills that can carry them through their lives.

Tips for Helping Kids Make Community Connections:

Spend time outside in your neighborhood playing on the playground, going to a local farmer’s market, or scheduling a playdate with neighborhood kids.

Show your kids that connection is a two-way street. If your neighbors or friends go out of town, offer to get their mail, or water their plants and take your child with you when you go. This will show your child how you show up for people you care about.

Make sure you make time for socializing with friends as well. Your child looks to you first and foremost for how they should act and live their own life.

Encourage your child to step out of their comfort zone and do something they may be scared to do. As a parent, it’s your job to push them into something social for their own well-being at times.