Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs) are master's-degree-level specialists who are trained to help people improve their mental health.
As opposed to Licensed Professional counselors (LPCs), which are common in many states, California 鈥� along with six states 鈥� adds clinical in the title. Due to the additional steps of completion required by the state of California, this recognizes the clinical exam and the extensive steps to become a licensed professional in the industry.
An LPCC is a more specific type of counseling than an LPC due to the clinical element.
According to an article by licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) : 鈥淭he terms 鈥榗linical鈥� and 鈥榤ental health鈥� in some titles delineate that the license is specifically a mental health license. When the title includes the terms 鈥榗linical鈥� or 鈥榤ental health,鈥� that usually means that everyone with that title can assess, diagnose, and treat mental illness.鈥� Caldwell has been teaching MFTs in California for over 10 years.
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Who are you called to be?
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(CALPCC) states: 鈥溾�楶rofessional clinical counseling鈥� means the application of counseling interventions and psychotherapeutic techniques to identify and remediate cognitive, mental, and emotional issues, including personal growth, adjustment to disability, crisis intervention, and psychosocial and environmental problems.鈥�
Why Are LPCCs Needed?
Mental and emotional illnesses have increased significantly in the past decade according to Mental Health America鈥檚 2021 鈥溾�� report. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to cause these numbers to grow even more. Results from a study performed by the shows that:
- 31% of respondents reported symptoms of anxiety or depression.
- 13% reported having started or increased substance use.
- 26% reported stress-related symptoms.
- 11% reported having serious thoughts of suicide in the past 30 days.
With the increasing number of individuals living with a mental health issue, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor can be of assistance regardless of the patient鈥檚 severity.
With the increasing number of individuals living with a mental health issue, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor can be of assistance regardless of the patient鈥檚 severity.
What Does an LPCC Do?
An overview of an LPCC鈥檚 job is to help improve the mental health of patients based on their circumstances and needs.
The process of improving a person鈥檚 mental health includes 鈥淸a patient鈥檚] emotional, psychological, and social well-being. [Mental health] affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. According to an it is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.鈥�
In a typical setting, LPCCs will work one-on-one with individuals, but in some cases they come alongside families and group environments.
In a typical setting, LPCCs will work one-on-one with individuals, but in some cases they come alongside families and group environments. The counselor will determine the most effective route of treatment on a case-by-case basis 鈥� one form of treatment does not fit all patients.
In a more specific setting, these licensed professionals can diagnose and treat patients living with mental and emotional illness, substance abuse, disability, personal trauma, and psychological and social developmental disorders.
How Do I Become an LPCC in California?
国产剧麻豆剧鈥檚 Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling (MACC) program sets out the steps in order to become an LPCC in California:
- Education: Possession of a 60-unit master鈥檚 or doctoral degree in counseling or psychotherapy, with an internship and varied coursework on human development, ethics, and counseling strategy.
- Supervision: Completion of no fewer than 3,000 hours of supervised clinical mental health work, performed within two years of graduation, alongside an approved supervisor.
- Examination: Passage of the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) and the California LPCC Law & Ethics Examination.
- Adherence: Compliance with a stringent code of ethics and recognized standards of practice (as recognized by the state of California, with oversight from the state鈥檚 counselor licensure board).
Earn Your Clinical Counseling Degree
笔尝狈鲍鈥檚 Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling helps students adopt a client-based (rather than an illness-centered) approach to treating clients鈥� behavioral and emotional challenges.
What are the requirements for program admission?
In order to be accepted into the program, one must 鈥渉ave a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, as evidenced by an official transcript from an institution indicating the completion of an undergraduate degree.鈥�
Applicants must also have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. If not, they will need to contact their 国产剧麻豆剧-provided enrollment counselor.
How long does it take to complete the Clinical Counseling program?
国产剧麻豆剧's MACC program takes anywhere from 24-32 months plus the licensure hours to complete.
to becoming an LPCC through 国产剧麻豆剧's master's in clinical counseling program, or reach out to a 国产剧麻豆剧 admissions counselor with any questions.