Don't assume that an MSW program with a strong clinical reputation is equivalent to a masters in MFT or counseling.
Amen sistah! Counselors are new to the mental health arena - in my state - they began to practice independently in 1976 - pretty recent compared to the LCSW. I sometimes get tired of explaining and defending and describing what it means to be in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. But that is part of my obligation to my profession.
Counseling sure isn't social work. And it isn't psychiatry or clinical psychology. And I am grateful for the MH professionals in those fields. We *each* have an important role and contribution - and we are different.
Some of the stellar PsyDs that went through at the same time I did my CMHC are kick ass therapists - and they are so much more - and I am just not interested in the stats, assessment, teaching, report writing, severe pathology, developmental issues, testing etc. And I value that there are highly trained, sensitive colleagues who do that work - and do it well.
I often hear the research comparison in reference to the different degrees. I did independent research for my first MS in addition to teaching undergrads, and doing research for my advisor that was totally unrelated to my work. It was ok - but not my thing. I actually had one semester in my counseling grad school where I got a tuition waiver to work in a psychology research lab. After the semester was over, I decided I would rather pay tuition than work in a lab. Lesson learned - for sure.
In my current setting, I *read* research all the time, I have journal articles all over the house, in my car, I go to intensives to learn new things. I deeply value the scientist/researcher contributions. Where would I be without Marsha Linehan?
And I am content to do the slow, patient, steady, work of sitting with people - 50 minute hour after 50 minute hour with the occasional 90 minute intake, and the even more occasional all day art retreat.
And I am also skilled to do brief, solution focused work to help people who are temporarily stuck or overwhelmed.
My residency has been a period of learning to balance working with "higher functioning" folks - the worried well - who have lots of resources and are using therapy in an intentional way to improve their lives and relationships and taking on just enough - but not too many clients who have fewer resources, larger obstacles, less support, more isolation, inefficient interpersonal skills, and just plain bad luck on top of everything else.
My 60 credit CACREP program prepared me to be a therapist. Being in my sixth decade helps too.