Making the Internet My Accountability Partner

Every Monday I have supervision. I don’t know what I would do without my supervisor, she has been instrumental in my success at my role. Understandably, she has been asking about my license renewal, and this first one is special as I will also be eligible to test for my independent license, which will release me from needing supervision, expand my future work options, and increase my pay.

I have been very open about my concern regarding getting my LICSW. I graduated school only two years ago. I still feel like I’m not experienced enough for the responsibilities of an independent license. During Monday’s supervision I had the realization that in graduating during Covid with already pretty significant burnout I had lost my ability to plan for the future. Everything I did was just putting one foot in front of the other. To add insult to injury, my entry into the workforce was not smooth. However, everyone is encouraging me to go for my LISCW.

All this to say I was stressing about renewing my license. Admittedly I did not handle this stress well. I would stress every time the topic was brought up, I would then self soothe by distracting, but I would never return to address the source of the stress. Something this Monday told me to look at the specific date I would need to renew by and start making a plan to do something. As the license I have needs to be renewed every 2 years and I first got it in September 2022, I was certain it’d renew this September. However the policy is that for your first license it renews on your birthday after that two year period. So I have until July 2025 to make the decision on if I renew my LCSW or test for my LICSW.

I can focus this year on both professional and emotional growth. I know one year isn’t necessarily a huge difference, but I’m hoping with some of the breakthroughs I’ve made that I can work together with my therapist and as needed with my supervisor so next year I feel confident in whatever decision I make.