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La Shawn M. Paul, LCSW-R, ACSW is the founder and lead clinician of Social Work Diva. She is a New York State licensed clinical social worker and recognized by the National Association of Social Workers as an accredited social worker. Ms. Paul has a B.A. in Social Work and Political Science from Herbert H. Lehman College (City University of New York) and her M.S. from Columbia University in Social Work with a clinical specialization in School-Based, School-Linked Services.
In her senior year of high school, La Shawn lost a friend to suicide. In that moment, she decided to pursue Social Work so that so that she could help women of all ages see their value and strength in times of turmoil and uncertainty. As a mother of a preschooler, wife, and clinician, she understands the various challenges that modern women face as they juggle a multitude of roles and expectations, as they simultaneously attempt to excel as their authentic selves. She is a firm believer that self-care is essential to wholistic wellness and motivates her clients to practice self-care routinely to achieve work-life balance. La Shawn is a catalyst of change and Social Work Diva is her vision realized.
Throughout her academic and professional career, La Shawn has received a multitude of awards and honors including a NYS Proclamation from the NYS Assembly and the Emerging Leadership Award from the National Association of Social Workers- NYC Chapter. She has worked and provided consulting for an array of public and private healthcare and academic institutions in the NYC metropolitan area and remote locations throughout the United States.
As a mental health advocate, she works with local politicians to shape mental health policy and bring awareness to the need to eliminate mental illness stigma particularly
within communities of color. Her work in mental health has landed her on the HuffPost's list of "10 Black Female Therapists to Know" and has been featured on various media outlets including Buzzfeed, Bustle, Fox5, Hot97, and USA Today. To find out more about La Shawn and join her her efforts, visit SocialWorkDiva.com
1. What is your role/occupation?
Owner and Lead Clinician at Social Work Diva
2. Why did you obtain a Social Work Degree?
After a friend committed suicide, I decided to obtain a Social Work degree because I wanted to provide licensed therapy to women and girls so that they would not feel isolated or alone.
3. Do you have a Doctorate Degree or Clinical Social Work License?
I have clinical social work license, but I do want to point out that having one or the other is not mutually exclusive. You can be both a clinician and have your doctorate.
4. Why did you choose to obtain a social work license?
I chose to obtain a clinical license because it is necessary to work independently without a supervisor. I knew that I wanted to own a private practice.
5. What type of social work license do you have?
LCSW
6. What can you do in the field with a Clinical License?
There are various things you can do with a clinical license, but most importantly you can work independently without supervision.
7. What is the requirements to obtain a Social Work License?
Obtaining a Social Work license varies from state to state. All social work licenses require a M.S.W. and a test. For Clinical licensure, in addition to a M.S.W., clinical post masters experience is necessary along with a clinical test.
8. Why did you choose not to obtain a Doctorate Degree
I was previously in a Social Welfare PhD program at the age of 23 and withdrew my first semester because I was the caretaker of an ill family member and could not work out my schedule with the job I worked for. Obtaining a doctoral degree is something that I would potentially revisit.
9. What is one piece of advice you would give a young lady that wants to pursue Licensure?
I would tell anyone wanting to pursue licensure to go for it. Licensure opens up many doors than not having one.
Website:http://www.socialworkdiva.com
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/socialworkdiva/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheSocialWorkDiva/