Is it included in the standard MSW curriculum or is it training they get post grad?
Are all LCSW's trained and able to perform psychotherapy?
To answer your questions, yes, LCSW's are able to perform psychotherapy. In Texas and some States, they are considered independent mental-health providers and can own a private practice or work in an agency or group practice. LCSW's obtain psychotherapy knowledge and trainings in the MSW graduate program and post MSW as well. We need at least 30 CEUs every 2 years to keep our license and many hours of clinical supervision prior to obtain the LCSW credential. As MSW training and licensure requirements vary in different schools and States, I can only speak to Texas where I obtained my MSW degree and work.
The MSW curriculum (clinical track) in my school requires clinical courses such as Assessment, Evaluation, Transtheoretical: CBT, DBT, Brief Targeted Intervention, DSM and offers Electives in Group Therapy, Grief Counseling, Trauma counseling, etc. All MSW students start out with the foundation semester (unless they have BSW), where they learn direct social work practices, human behavior in social environment (HBSE), social work code of ethics, social justice, policy, and research. In addition to classes, 900 hours in practicum are required (16 to 20 hours/week over 4 to 6 semesters), where students are supervised by experienced LMSWs/LCSWs to learn direct social work practice and clinical skills.
In order to obtain an LCSW credential in Texas, one must first have an LMSW, which is an initial licensure after you get an MSW degree and pass the Social Work State Board licensure exam. Then, as an LMSW, you work full-time for at least 2 years, or part-time for 4 years, in a clinical/behavioral health setting and start accumulating clinical supervision hours. If you are lucky, your workplace will pay for or provide a Board-approved LCSW supervisor, and if not, you will pay for outside supervision out of your pocket. Once you get with your supervisor, you both will work on writing a clinical supervision plan and submit to the Social Work State Board, which is a long and painful process, and it takes about 3 months to get the formal approval letter back. You are required to meet with your supervisor for at least once a week (minimum 4 hours/month) during those two years to discuss patient/client's cases, treatment plan, progress, and modalities, etc. As an LMSW under clinical supervision, you can provide psychotherapy but cannot bill for your services. Once you finish your supervision and clinical hours, and work for at least 2 years (usually more), assume your clinical hours are approved, you then apply to take the LCSW licensure exam with the Social Work State Board and hopefully pass... phew! So, it will take at least 2.5 to 3 years post MSW to obtain an LCSW...
After you get your LCSW, there are many CEUs trainings you can take to keep up with and advance your clinical skills. Hope it helps.