Licensed Clinical Social Workers in California
Browse licensed clinical social workers in California.
53,302
Licensed Clinical Social Workers
100%
Accepting patients
77%
Most common: LCSW
Top-Rated Licensed Clinical Social Workers in California
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Specialty: social-workerState: CA
About licensed clinical social workers in California
California is home to 53,302 licensed licensed clinical social workers, one of the larger licensed clinical social worker workforces in the country. 100% are currently accepting new patients. The most common credential is LCSW (77%), which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. MSW (Master of Social Work) is the second most common at 6%.
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and UCSF School of Medicine train licensed clinical social workers in the state. Notable hospitals include Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center, and UCSF Medical Center. Health systems such as Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, and Cedars-Sinai Health System employ many of the state's licensed clinical social workers.
Patients with Medi-Cal should verify coverage directly, as not all licensed clinical social workers participate. The most widely accepted carriers include qhp-56707, medicare, unitedhealthcare, qhp-33602, and qhp-17091.
California ranks among the top states for physicians per capita and has more medical schools than any other state.
Frequently asked questions about licensed clinical social workers in California
California has 53,302 licensed licensed clinical social workers. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of licensed clinical social workers in California are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
The most commonly accepted carriers among licensed clinical social workers in California include qhp-56707, medicare, unitedhealthcare, qhp-33602, and qhp-17091. Coverage and in-network status vary by provider, so it is worth confirming directly with the office before scheduling. FindClarity shows accepted insurance for each provider.
A session copay is $20 to $50 with insurance. Self-pay rates are $80 to $150 per session. Community mental health centers charge $20 to $80 on a sliding scale. Actual costs in California depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Social workers are generally the most affordable type of licensed therapist. Community mental health centers employ social workers and offer income-based sliding-scale fees. Many LCSWs in private practice also reserve sliding-scale slots.
Look for a board-certified provider who accepts your insurance and practices near you. California has 53,302 licensed clinical social workers. Reading patient reviews and checking hospital affiliations can help narrow your choice. FindClarity lets you compare providers by credentials, insurance, and location.
LCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker and MSW stands for Master of Social Work. Both are equivalent qualifications. In California, 77% hold the LCSW credential and 6% hold MSW. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
Some licensed clinical social workers in California accept Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers LCSW therapy in all states. Coverage includes individual and group therapy. Co-pays are minimal or zero for most Medicaid recipients. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Medi-Cal participation before scheduling.
Sessions are typically weekly (50 minutes) during active treatment, then biweekly or monthly as symptoms improve. Crisis situations may require more frequent contact. Many clients transition to monthly check-ins for maintenance. With 53,302 licensed clinical social workers in California, you can search on FindClarity to find a provider who fits your schedule.
Browse Licensed Clinical Social Workers by City
Browse Licensed Clinical Social Workers by County
Insurance & Licensed Clinical Social Worker coverage
Top accepted carriers in California include qhp-56707, medicare, unitedhealthcare, qhp-33602, and qhp-17091.
Most insurance plans cover therapy with licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs). Social workers are one of the most widely covered mental health provider types. Verify your plan covers outpatient mental health services and check whether the social worker is in-network. Mental health parity laws require most plans to cover mental health at the same level as physical health. Community mental health centers often accept Medicaid and offer sliding-scale fees.
