Any Benefit in Obtaining LCDC after becoming a Licensed Psychologist?

[TexasPsychologistPsyD]

Hello all,

As the title states, does anyone know of any benefit to obtain licensure as a chemical dependency counselor (LCDC) once becoming a Psychologist? I would imagine that if the population that you work w/ are individuals w/ issues specific to drug/alcohol use, it may be beneficial, however, I would say that a Psychologist is more than equipped to handle such cases/referrals. Additionally, after perusing this forum, I was made aware that APA has created a "substance abuse certificate," however this can only be obtained after being licensed for at least one year. This brings up an additional question regarding whether a certficate from APA would be more beneficial/worthwhile than the LCDC. In short, I am contemplating pursuing this additional licensure, but am not sure if it would truly be beneficial, or if I should pursue the substance abuse certificate through APA. Any thoughts are welcomed. Thanks in advance.

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[Therapist4Chnge]

No. You can do that work (assuming experience & training are there) under the psychology licensure.

 

[futureapppsy2]

No. You can do that work (assuming experience & training are there) under the psychology licensure.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there some provincialism around substance abuse tx that prefers certification regardless of other training?

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there some provincialism around substance abuse tx that prefers certification regardless of other training?

From my understanding that is the reason why the APA came out w. a certificate (which is ridiculous) because mid-level providers came up w. certificates and then pushed the issue to get into the market. It isn't enough that much of the substance abuse research and treatment interventions come from our work, as things aren't official unless there is a certificate!!

 

[PsyDr]

Since your state has a jurisprudence exam, you would have passed the part where your state's licensure laws specifically indicate that substance abuse treatment is within the purview of your license.

The certificate thing is from the 1980s, which was a reaction to a state (california if i recall) law requiring certification in substance abuse for treatment providers of this population. I'm sure APA would happily take your money, but I don't think it would do anything for you, other than provide CEs.

LCDC training in your state requires a high school diploma. If you want to sit through courses that teach to that level........

Having two licenses is not going to do anything for you. If you screw up, both licenses will be yanked. If you get sued, they will go after whichever license has the higher insurance.

 

[TexasPsychologistPsyD]

Thanks all! Reading over what you guys stated was helpful in me realizing that it is not really beneficial to pursue the LCDC route. Thanks again...

 

[Psychadelic2012]

I think the training in the levels of care and ASAM criteria is super helpful in working with this population clinically. An entire certificate is probably overkill, unless a grad-level addictions class covers that (mine didn't).

 

[smalltownpsych]

I agree that additional certification or licensure is not necessary for a psychologist to work with people with addictions; however, my dissertation research was motivated by my observation of a lack of education, training, and understanding of addiction and recovery by both the psychologists and future psychologists that I worked with during grad school. The lit review, which obviously was exhaustive, offered good support of that observation. One thing that I have seen is that this is an area that many of us have strong counter transference reactions based on personal experiences that get in the way of our objectivity on this issue. Further training doesn't help as much as addressing those issues. Because of the high prevalence of substance abuse, for most (I forget what the stat was from my lit review, but I am certain it was over 50%) of us this issue is very personal and if we haven't explored that and how it shapes our perspective, we will not be as helpful and may even cause harm.

 

[TexasPsychologistPsyD]

Hey everyone,

I was able to speak w/ a Psychologist who is also currently an LCDC here in Texas. I asked her why she decided to pursue the additional license. She indicated that "most VA's are now looking for Psychologist's who have LCDC's." She added that it adds to "our [Psychologist's] licensure mobility, and is more beneficial in the long run due to the field [Psychology] working more closely w/ the field of chemical dependency."

To be quite honest, I'm not sure if I believe her, but wanted to have others discuss this new information. Perhaps those who are currently employed at the VA can weigh in on the validity of the statement regarding the VA's looking for Psychologist's w/ LCDC's. Any information would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[Ollie123]

That sounds extraordinarily bizarre and is not true of any psychologist I've met at the VA (including in TX).

Are we certain this was not just a psychologist who couldn't pass the licensing exam and/or couldn't get hired into an actual psychology position so is working in a lower-level position? That would honestly be my first guess, since I can't come up with any other reason for it. Why on earth would the VA "want" that? Its like looking for physicians who are also certified phlebotomists.

 

[erg923]

Hey everyone,

I was able to speak w/ a Psychologist who is also currently an LCDC here in Texas. I asked her why she decided to pursue the additional license. She indicated that "most VA's are now looking for Psychologist's who have LCDC's." She added that it adds to "our [Psychologist's] licensure mobility, and is more beneficial in the long run due to the field [Psychology] working more closely w/ the field of chemical dependency."

To be quite honest, I'm not sure if I believe her, but wanted to have others discuss this new information. Perhaps those who are currently employed at the VA can weigh in on the validity of the statement regarding the VA's looking for Psychologist's w/ LCDC's. Any information would be helpful. Thanks!

How is she qualified to speak about the hiring practicing of "most VAs"? I work for the VA and cant speak to that.

I can say that at my VA, its never been on the radar. I interact with other SUDTP psychologist in this VISN as well, and haver never heard them mention anything about it either.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

1. I doubt the VA prefers LCDCs for psychologists.
2. An LCDC has nothing to do with licensure portability bc to work in a VA you have to be licensed somewhere as a psychologist.
3. I'm familiar with two VA residential substance abuse programs, and they are both run by psychologists, with psychologists providing the majority of treatment, and a couple of LCDCs providing ancillary support (groups mostly).

 

[smalltownpsych]

That sounds extraordinarily bizarre and is not true of any psychologist I've met at the VA (including in TX).

Are we certain this was not just a psychologist who couldn't pass the licensing exam and/or couldn't get hired into an actual psychology position so is working in a lower-level position? That would honestly be my first guess, since I can't come up with any other reason for it. Why on earth would the VA "want" that? Its like looking for physicians who are also certified phlebotomists.

I think you might have hit the nail on the head here. My spidey sense was tingling too.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

1. I doubt the VA prefers LCDCs for psychologists.
2. An LCDC has nothing to do with licensure portability bc to work in a VA you have to be licensed somewhere as a psychologist.
3. I'm familiar with two VA residential substance abuse programs, and they are both run by psychologists, with psychologists providing the majority of treatment, and a couple of LCDCs providing ancillary support (groups mostly).

Directly in line with my experiences at my current VA as well. They've explicitly moved towards having psychologists handle almost all substance abuse-related services. Not sure if that has to do with psychology having a strong presence in my VA, but based on what T4C has said, that doesn't seem to be the case.