Mental Health: Question about the differences between Social Work and Mental Health Counseling on Long Island?

Question about the differences between Social Work and Mental Health Counseling on Long Island?I want to become a guidance counselor and I am very interested in going for my masters in Mental Health Counseling in New York...Incase I can't find a job as a school guidance counselor on Long Island (as many of you know, it is very hard to find a job as one right now) I want to state my own private practice and see clients there. Now I understand once you get that...you can also start your own private practice which I think is great. Now what I want to know is will insurance companies cover for my clients if I become a Mental Health Counselor. I come from a family of Social Workers and my mom and aunt said it isn't good to go in a field of counseling if there is no insurance covered for my patients. Mental Health Counseling just started getting licensed in New York in 2005 so it might not be well known to insurance companies as Social Work is...What Should I do...anyone know if there are a lot of insurance companies covering mental health counselors...?...please help me...thanks

Answer by Dr_Adventure
I do not think there are any programs in mental health counseling. You may be referring to programs in professional counseling, psychological counseling, educational counseling. Now you probably also know that school guidance counselors do not come out of these counseling programs. Most guidance counselors are former teachers who go back for additional training. Guidance counselors are first and foremost academic counselors. School social workers actually do more of the mental health work in schools (sometimes school psychologist will as well).

Now as for private practice the LPC is relatively new in NY and around most of the country. Most private psychotherapy is done by social workers. You can not do third party billing until AFTER you have your licence (which takes 3 years post MA with supervision).

Also it is really important to know that setting up and running a successful private practice is getting harder and harder. Not that it is not doable - just beware that it takes a long time to build up a referral base.

DA

Answer by ROGER J
It is not easy to answer your question in one words,you would better find it out here yourself.http://health-insurance.expert-tip.info/affordable-health-insurance-choices.html

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