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Clinical social work

Therapy and coaching: Understanding the differences

May 15, 2024 by Ben Caldwell

Man jumping fence. Brodie Vissers / Burst / Used under licenseIt’s not unusual for private practice therapists to seek to expand their practices through coaching. Some clients will engage in coaching, but not therapy, because of the stigma they associate with therapy. At the same time, some therapists note that the unregulated nature of coaching means that anyone can call themselves a ā€œcoach,ā€ regardless of qualifications. So ā€œcoachingā€ sometimes carries stigma in the world of licensed therapists.

Setting aside stigma, though, what are the actual differences between coaching and therapy? How different do these practices need to be in order for therapists to engage in both?

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To solve mental health provider shortage, states propose loans they call “scholarships”

April 23, 2024 by Ben Caldwell

piggy bankYour state needs more mental health providers. Policymakers and professional organizations know this. But legislators are reluctant to take actions that would get more folks licensed. So what can they do instead? Scholarships! (Yes, you should say it this way.)

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Write a letter to the editor: Drop the ASWB exams

March 22, 2024March 22, 2024 by Ben Caldwell

Newspaper on a flat wooden surface. Photo via Pexels, used under licenseSome problems can have large impacts, and still go unnoticed by the public and policymakers. ASWB’s racist exams for social work licensure are a great example. When people learn of the problems with social work exams, they tend to be rightly horrified. But most people don’t know about the problem.

A letter to the editor of your local newspaper can be a great way to raise awareness of this issue, especially in states actively considering alternate pathways to licensure. Here’s a quick guide to writing one.

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Journal article: Clinical exams in mental health do not meet testing industry standards

February 27, 2024 by Ben Caldwell

Hands resting on open book / Burst / Used under licenseRegular readers here know that when it comes to clinical exams for mental health licensure, I’m not a fan. A recent article of mine, published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Mental Health and Clinical Psychology, tackles a key component of the legal underpinning for these exams. As I explain, despite the claims of exam developers, clinical exams in mental health care do not appear to meet basic testing industry standards.

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The mental health workforce shortage solution is right there

April 8, 2023February 14, 2023 by Ben Caldwell

People assembling a puzzle solution. Photo by Diva Plavalaguna via Pexels, used under licenseThere is a severe mental health workforce shortage in the US. You have heard this time and time again. In a time of unprecedented demand for mental health care – and deaths from lack of it – we simply don’t have enough therapists. And the therapists we do have aren’t representative of the communities they serve.

The solutions proposed for this problem so far are trivial. But there is a readily available solution to the mental health workforce shortage. It could immediately grow the field by thousands of qualified practitioners. It would dramatically improve diversity within the field at the same time. Even better, it would cost states virtually nothing to implement, and could be done in a week.

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šŸ“£ New Posts šŸ“£

  • ASWB misinformed examinees about changes to its social work exams May 19, 2025
  • Value-based care in mental health: An explainer February 7, 2025
  • Marketing therapy after disasters January 12, 2025
  • Why are there so many delinquent APCC registrations? December 30, 2024
  • ASPPB gives up on requiring Psychology licensing boards to use the EPPP Part 2 October 29, 2024

Preparing for the 2025 California MFT Law & Ethics Exam

Preparing for the 2025 California MFT Law & Ethics Exam - front coverThe easiest way to get ready for California’s MFT Law & Ethics exam. This paperback includes a study guide and more than 100 practice test questions with rationales.

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  • Exam Prep
    • California LMFT Clinical Exam Prep
    • California LMFT Law & Ethics Exam Prep
    • California LPCC Law & Ethics Exam Prep
    • California LCSW Law & Ethics Exam Prep
  • CE Courses
    • California Law and Ethics 6-Hour for LMFTs, LPCCs, & LCSWs
    • California Law and Ethics for BBS Associates (AMFTs, APCCs, & ASWs) – 2025
    • Telehealth for California LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs
    • Supervision of California BBS Associates
    • Supervision for Clinical Effectiveness
  • Books
    • Basics of California Law for LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs (11th ed)
    • Preparing for the 2025 California MFT Law & Ethics Exam
    • Preparing for the 2025 California Clinical Social Work Law & Ethics Exam
    • Saving Psychotherapy
  • Resources
    • Think Like the Testā„¢ Podcast
    • Exam Prep Articles
  • Blog
    • Blog home
    • Psychology
    • Professional Counseling
    • Family therapy
    • Clinical social work
    • Law and ethics
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Licensure
    • Public policy