Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Infertility can be a very hard diagnosis to deal with. Infertility can bring out a range of emotions, ranging from anger and guilt to sadness and depression. For men, it can be particularly hard to discuss these feelings, especially because infertility is often thought of as a female disease. However, workers involved in the area of fertility are gradually realizing that men are greatly involved in both the diagnosis and treatment of infertility – in fact, male factor infertility accounts for 50% of all infertility diagnosis. If you and your partner are dealing with infertility, it is important to know that you do not have to go through it alone. Licensed clinical social workers can help you and your partner come to terms with your diagnosis and provide you with ways to work through the pain.
What is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker?
A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) is an independent mental health care provider who has been licensed to practice by the state. They help to diagnose, treat, and prevent a variety of different emotional and mental health disorders. Like psychologists and psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers are there to help you work through certain emotional concerns and find the best ways for you to achieve satisfaction in life. Their treatment methods focus on the individual and the ways in which the surrounding environment (including friends, family, and lifestyle) impact upon your mental health.
What Qualifications Do Licensed Clinical Social Workers Have?
Licensed clinical social workers must meet a variety of strict criteria in order to practice with the public. LCSW have completed:
- an undergraduate degree at an accredited college or university
- a Masters Degree at an accredited college or university
- three years of supervised postgraduate work (minimum of 3,600 hours)
- a state licensing exam administered by the American Association of State Social Work Board
Some licensed clinical social workers have also gone on to do postgraduate work in their field. These social workers often have the title of Board Certified Diplomates.
What Do Licensed Clinical Social Workers Do?
Licensed clinical social workers do a variety of different things in order to help their clients deal with any issues. Depending upon their client, clinical social workers may:
- perform diagnostic assessments
- perform psychotherapy
- teach coping techniques
- set treatment plans and identify short and long term goals
- hold workshops to help clients in a group setting
- make referrals to other health care professionals
What Conditions do Licensed Clinical Social Workers Treat?
Licensed clinical socials workers work with a variety of different clients, including individuals, couples, families, and children. In fact, clinical social workers perform more than 60% of all mental health treatments in the United States. These social workers help their clients work through a range of different issues and problems, including
- infertility
- anxiety and depression
- marriage issues
- sexual disorders
- substance abuse problems
- eating disorders
- chronic pain
How Can Licensed Clinical Social Workers Help Treat Infertility?
Most clinical social workers specialize in certain areas of practice, including infertility. Those who specialize in infertility have a lot of knowledge about the various types of infertility (including male and female) as well as the major fertility treatments that are available (like IUI and IVF). A licensed clinical social worker can help you deal with your infertility by:
- helping you identify your emotions surrounding infertility
- discussing your feelings about certain fertility treatments
- identifying treatment options
- discussing ways in which you can talk about infertility with your partner, family members, and friends
- provide you with coping mechanisms to handle the grief and anger associated with infertility
Finding a Licensed Clinical Social Worker?
Licensed clinical social workers work in a number of different settings, including schools, hospitals, private practices, and long-term care facilities. If you are interested in seeing a clinical social worker for your infertility, you can look to these places for a listing of local practitioners. You can also visit with your health care provider for a referral. Alternatively, you can contact your state’s governing board of social workers, who will have a listing of licensed clinical social workers in your area.
Male Infertility
