The GWSCSW Referral Panel -  http://www.metropsychotherapy.info.

This year's news is the increase in referrals members have been receiving directly from their individualized web pages, and the positive feedback we've heard from the mental health community about our interactive Referral Panel website. Please visit the website if you haven’t already done so, at http://www.metropsychotherapy.info.

New specialties like supervision have been added in an effort to make the site more “user friendly.” Just enter the criteria into the interactive site and you instantly have access to the needed information. The referral panel home pages inform potential clients about social work, the meaning of licensing, our code of ethics and other relevant information.

About the Referral Panel and Website

The GWSCSW Referral Panel was established in 1979 to provide educational and referral information to the community. At that time, Individuals could leave a message on a call-in line and have a same-day personal reply and referral from the volunteer on phone rotation.

In 2005, with growing demand from institutions and individuals, the committee instituted a major technological upgrade: the Referral Panel went on line. The result has been increased visibility and referrals. Now, through the Referral Panel website, we offer the community - those in search of a therapist, as well as those making referrals - direct access to easy-to-use listings of Referral Panel participants, each of whom has an individualized web page describing his/her practice.

In addition to the listings, the Referral Panel website has pages informing potential clients about social work, the meaning of licensing, and other relevant information. The Referral Panel home page is linked to the Society home page, providing an additional a source of information for the user, who can, for example, click through to our code of ethics and other search areas.

The Referral Panel website has now completely taken the place of the call-in line. However, the annual listing in booklet form is available to requesting mental health professionals working in employee assistance programs (EAPs), psychiatric hospitals, and social service agencies; many have noted their appreciation for the opportunity to expand their referral bases to include our Referral Panel clinicians.

How and When?

How?
It’s easy! Just complete the application and send it to the address indicated on the form, along with a photocopy of your malpractice insurance face sheet, your current license(s) from the jurisdiction(s) in which you practice, and a check. There is a $95 one-time start-up fee for members new to the online panel. For those who have paid the initial start-up fee, there is a low operating fee of only $20 per year.

When?
Each Referral Panel year runs from January 1 to December 31. Applications for 2011 will be accepted and processed in the late Fall, 2010.

Click here to visit the GWSCSW Referral Panel at http://www.metropsychotherapy.info.