LCPC vs LCSW

Hi KC, Thanks for clarifying, I wanted to make sure I understood what you were asking before I answered. Your question is a good one and the issue of LCPC vs. LCSW is a widely discussed and hotly debated topic. The efficacy of each licensure is dependent upon the state you're in. In some states Counselors have greater respect and in other states Social Workers do. Regardless which one you choose they will both allow you to perform psychotherapy and to work with horses. The field of counseling is younger than the field of Social Work, and so our lobbying and credentialing organizations are not as organized (meaning we don't have as much power in many states), in that regard social work can be better. Social Work and their licensing is recognized everywhere for a long time now, in my state (California) counselors just started being licensed in 2012, so what we do is not as well known and many companies don't advertise to hire us. Here in Cali you'll see employers looking for LCSWs or LMFTs (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists), so it can be a challenge to submit a resume as an LPCC in hopes that it won't be discarded; but again it varies by state. In Illinois my LCPC was very respected and understood. I encourage you to talk to some professionals in your state to find out what the licensing laws dictate there. Even though the degrees are different they both set you up to do the same work (if you want to do therapy). The education you'll receive is different though. Social Work majors have a heavy educational emphasis on studying social policies, culture bound issues, etc. Counseling education tends to focus more on the art of therapy. Many counselors make the argument that Social Workers are not trained to really be psychotherapists, and they may have a point, but mostly they're worried about getting squeezed out of the market. In my experience the degree one has and the education one has is not what makes a good therapist. I've known people with Doctorates who absolutely suck as a therapist, and I've known undergraduate interns who were brilliant therapists! In my opinion what makes a good therapist is a natural ability, natural intuition about what motivates people, a good eye for self defeating patterns, a compassionate heart, a desire to do the work well and a good level of introspection. So which degree you get can be more based off what will open up doors for you and does not necessarily dictate whether or not you'll be good. In that aspect I really think a Master's in Social Work can be better. Social Workers can be hired everywhere a counselor can and more; they can work for the VA and in the prison system, counselors can't (although our lobbying bodies are pushing for that to change). Long story short, either credential will allow you to become an equine therapist. Once you become a licensed therapist (LCSW, LCPC, PsyD, PhD) you will be able to take post grad trainings in a variety of therapy techniques, this is how you would get Equine certified. Most specialty therapy certifications come AFTER you graduate college not during college. So choose the major you think is the best fit for you and once you get your degree you would go take training courses to become an Equine therapist. Hope this helps! Best of luck to you!

Am I understanding you correctly that you have two questions here: 1. What is a more efficacious major psychology or social work? and 2. Where/ how does one gain educational exposure to Equine Therapy?

Hello

Have you tried looking into equine-assisted therapy (Equine Therapy)?