Atypical & Awesome, “Carmen M. Bennett, LICSW”

I could tell a long, torrid tale full of missteps, almost’s, near tragedies, and life upheaval which made this journey so difficult for so long. Roadblock after roadblock after I received my first Master’s back in 2003. Heartbreak after heartbreak (literally). However, the last leg (going back to school at the age of 48, getting my second Master’s, becoming a LMSW, and completing two years of supervision) has been nearly seamless. Sometimes the right path is actually the easiest. Things work out because they are supposed to work out.

Saturday, I tested for my LICSW and passed! Monday, the license was uploaded on the board website. I am officially, “official”. This means the absolute world to me. Things were SO hard when I tried to go a different route. This was definitely the right route for me.

So what does this all mean? I am able to go into private practice and act independently. I plan to do this on a part-time basis utilizing Telehealth. I have no intention leaving my current job at this point. But, this opens so many options and extra income streams. It really helps my own mental health so much. I did it. After all thar drama, trauma, and blood, sweat, and tears (literally), i achieved the goal.

I thank my family (literally, all of them) for their unending support, my employer and colleagues for their support and flexibility, Amanda for supervising this process for the past two years, Candace for helping with my initial internship placement, the Social Work faculty at Troy University, and friends for cheering me on. I hold the “piece of paper” but all of you helped me get there- thank you.