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Who Are We?
The Society
The Virginia Society for Clinical Social Work, Inc. (VSCSW)
is an organization devoted to the practice of clinical social work at the
highest standard. It is comprised of individual clinical social workers
who are grouped into four regional chapters: Blue Ridge (around Charlottesville),
Eastern Virginia (Tidewater area), Richmond and Roanoke. The chapters are
coordinated by the State Board but carry out activities that are relevant
to their members and sensitive to the needs of their geographic areas.
The purposes of the Society are:
- To promote the highest standards of professional education and clinical social work practice;
- To promote clinical social work throughout the State through the formation of local chapters;
- To coordinate the activities of all the chapters;
- To educated the public about the specialized skills of clinical social workers;
- To collaborate with other health/mental health care professions on issues of common concern;
- To protect the rights of clinical social workers to practice; and,
- To advocate for adequate and appropriate mental health services and insurance coverage at the state and national levels.
Benefits of VSCSW Membership:
- Legislative representation via an experienced lobbyist, Chris Spanos
- Continuing educational conferences at discount prices for members
- Professional Liability Insurance Coverage at affordable prices
- Opportunities for networking with other professionals
- Informal referrals
- Mentoring programs for new MSW graduates
- National representation through the Clinical Social Work Association
- Quarterly newsletter
- Membership directory and certificate
- Clinical Social Work Journal, a high-quality academic journal
- Opportunities to earn CE credits by serving on state or local boards
- Legislative Alerts
Do We Have a National Affiliation?
To ensure representation at the national level, VSCSW has
affiliated with the Clinical Social Work Association, the new
organization that grew out of the Clinical Social Work Federation.
The CSWA offers consultation and expertise at the national level on
legislative issues, lobbying strategies and licensing protection. This
affiliation also enables us to receive affordable malpractice insurance rates.
Do We Have a Labor Affiliation?
VSCSW developed a connection with organized labor with the formation of the
Clinical Social Work Guild. For a number of years the two
organizations were essentially one and the same, but now the CSW Guild is a
separate entity and membership is optional. Guild members enjoy participation
with local labor councils and the opportunity to meet state legislators through
that connection. Guild members value labor's emphasis on quality health care for
all workers and see a clear overlapping of agendas. Membership in the Clinical
Social Work Guild has been very beneficial for many VSCSW members. Individuals are
able to join the Guild through VSCSW, if they choose.
The Profession
What is Clinical Social Work?
Clinical Social Work, sometimes known as psychiatric social work,
is a practice specialty of the social work profession. Its members
provide mental health services for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of
mental, behavioral and emotional disorders in individuals, families and groups.
In their work, clinical social workers build upon the values, ethics, principles,
practice methods, and the "person-in-environment" perspective of the social work
profession. The primary focus, however, is the diagnosis and treatment of
mental and emotional impairments.
Are there many clinical social workers?
The Department of Health and Human Services and Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration estimate the number of clinical social workers
to be in excess of 190,000 nationwide. Recent national estimates are that
clinical social workers provide up to 60% of all mental health services -
far more than any professional group offering psychotherapy in the United States.
What makes clinical social workers qualified to provide these services?
Clinical social workers have national standards of practice, nationwide regulation and a
comprehensive Code of Ethics. They are recognized as independent providers of mental health
services by all federal programs and the majority of private insurance plans and managed
mental health care companies. They are professionally educated, hold advanced degrees
(MSW, DSW, Ph.D.), and are regulated (by licensure or certification) in all 50 states,
as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Clinical social
workers undergo 2,000-3,000 hours of supervised training. A majority go on to complete
advanced study focusing their knowledge in a particular area of work (family therapy,
psychoanalysis, eating disorders, addictions, child and adolescent therapy, etc).
Where do clinical social workers work?
Members of the profession work in a wide variety of settings:
- Mental Health Agencies
- Hospitals
- Industry
- Family service agencies
- Courts
- Prisons
- Health maintenance organizations
- Child guidance clinics
- Private practices
- Schools
- Employee assistance plans
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