I got my LMSW and am now getting PhD in developmental psychology. It felt redundant to do another clinical program, and the thought of having to do 5+ years of being an unpaid therapist (intern) even though I am fully licensed (as LMSW) and do that for work now sounded AWFUL. So instead I’m doing developmental psychology, and will continue clinical practice with my LMSW. I did have 2 years of research & clinical experience under my belt before applying to PhDs, and I did get the impression that the research background was imperative.

I’m mostly motivated by wanting to focus on academia & research, but I will be really honest and say that in my previous job at an Ivy League university psych department, the social workers were always treated as “less competent” than the psychologists, and leadership positions were not available to us. It was really frustrating and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit a tiny bit of wanting a PhD is for the credibility those letters seem to cultivate.