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GWSCSW is a community of highly trained clinicians committed to maintaining standards of professional education and practice in clinical social work
Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Work is authorized by the Board of Social Work Examiners in is DC, Maryland and Virginia to sponsor social work educational events and offer continuing education credit.
Welcome, students and new professionals, and retirees! GWSCSW offers professional development programs for all our members.
GWSCSW is not just here to help you navigate your career, we are a community supporting one another grow, connect, and encourage self-care.
GWSCSW works with state lobbyists to keep you updated on all state level issues. GWSCSW also advocates on the national level through our affiliation with the CSWA.

CLICK A TAB BELOW FOR INFORMATION ESPECIALLY FOR YOU! 

Social Work Licensure Compact

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), as part of an initiative to promote licensure portability for military spouses, began working with the CSWA, NASW, state Boards of Social Work, and the Council of State Governments for the development of the Social Work Interstate Compact that would enable Social Workers to practice in all jurisdictions that have entered into the compact, giving members of our profession more license mobility.

The Compact, which has been finalized, eliminates barriers to practice and increases access to care (especially in areas that are underserved, geographically isolated or lack specialty care) by increasing the efficiency of becoming licensed across state/jurisdictional lines. Currently, social workers must seek a separate license in each state/jurisdiction in which they wish to practice, which can be labor- and time-intensive.

The Compact benefits include:

  • Facilitating interstate/jurisdictional teletherapy
  • Improving continuity of care when clients travel or relocate.
  • Encouraging cooperation among compact member states/jurisdictions in regulating the practice of social work
  • Preserving and strengthening state licensure systems.
  • Supporting military spouses and other social workers that may relocate to other jurisdictions by easing mobility of licensing.

Who Can Use the Social Work Licensure Compact

To qualify for an Interstate Compact Licensure a social worker who lives in a Compact member state must hold an active license in their home state in one of the following categories:

  • Bachelor's Social Worker (e.g., BSW)
  • Master's Social Worker (e.g., LMSW)
  • Clinical Social Worker (e.g., LCSW)

How Does the Social Work Licensure Compact Work

  1. A Social Worker lives in State A, and wants to be able to work in any compact member state.
  2. State A has passed and signed the compact into law.
  3. At least 7 states have previously passed and signed the compact into law, and a Compact Commission has been formed and is functioning.
  4. Home state verifies that a Social Worker meets the Compact's requirements and issues the Interstate Compact license.
  5. The Social Worker can now practice in any other member state.

There are currently eight professional Interstate Compacts, including the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) and the Advance Practice Nurse Compact (APRN Compact), the Counseling Interstate Compact (CIC), and the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT). The time has come for Social Work and our clients to reap the benefits of an Interstate Compact. Additional information about the Compact can be found at this link. You may read the full Social Work Compact here.

Lobbying state legislators has begun, with Missouri becoming the first state to pass the Social Work Licensure Compact. The benefits to Social Workers in the DMV would be immeasurable.

We are asking our membership for their thoughts on ways forward. We ask that you contact the Legislation and Advocacy Branch to provide your comments on GWSCSW's lobbying and advocating to our local state/jurisdictional governments (i.e., the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia) to pass the legislation and join the Social Work Compact. Please include your state(s) of licensure and residence which will aid in our lobbying efforts for the Social Work Compact. Getting the Social Work Compact passed in the DMV will take an effort from all of us, whether calling your representatives, sending emails, or attending hearings. Let us know if you are willing to help in those efforts.


Karla J. Abney, MSW, MSN, LMSW  
GWSCSW Board President 


Low Cost Therapy for MSW Students

GWSCSW's low-cost therapy program to help MSW students who cannot afford therapy at usual rates to get therapy while they are still in school. 

Social Justice Branch

How has systemic racism impacted your clinical practice? How do you measure up as an anti-racist clinician? How often do you consider the effect of systemic racism on the issues bringing your clients to therapy?  Racism is but one important force that has shaped all of our lives, whether we realize it or not. Thus, in order to cultivate emotional intimacy with our clients, we must, as clinicians, first be willing to engage with the insidious nature of racism and sit with a great deal of discomfort. We must be willing to enter a brave space within ourselves before we can foster one with our clients. 

Social Justice Announcements


mentoring program

The purpose of the Mentor Program is to provide a link between a Mentor, who is an established member of the profession, with a graduating social work student, a recent graduate, a social worker re-entering the field or one new to the area. The program is open to all GWSCSW Members no matter what area of concentration or special interest he or she has in the field of social work.

Click here to learn about GWSCSW's Mentorship Program  

Study Groups for Members

Study Groups promote ongoing social work education, collaboration, peer leadership, and the exploration of a wide range of clinical interests. The GWSCSW Continuing Education Committee has developed procedures to make it possible for GWSCSW members in Study Groups to be granted Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

WELCOME TO OUR WISDOM


Episode 6: Welcome to Our Wisdom -- Robert Taibbi: How Clinicians Evolve Over Time - As we change and develop as clinicians, our practices often mirror our shifting directions. Meet Bob Taibbi--clinician, professor, author of 11 books (!), workshop presenter and respected thought leader. During his 46 years in practice, he has shifted his methods to reflect a changing client caseload and meet the needs of who his clients are today. In this episode, Bob explores the flexibility and fluidity of our profession as he traces his experience from community mental health to teaching, writing and working in private practice. He is a popular CE presenter at GWSCSW and shares his innovations in working with individuals, couples and families.


CLICK HERE FOR MORE "WISDOM" FROM GWSCSW MEMBERS

News & Updates

GWSCSW Committees

The Greater Washington Society of Clinical Social Work is run by committees of volunteers who offer their time and professional expertise. In return they receive opportunities to develop professional connections and visibility and to have interesting and fun interactions with colleagues. We all receive the many benefits that the society provides through their generosity. The following offers brief descriptions of the committees. Please think about volunteering!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT
COMMITTEE VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES

Benefits of Membership

GWSCSW . . . Advocates for YOU - Provides educational events for licensure renewal - Connects you with peers - Provides professional support for your career

GWSCSW is a very active organization. As a member, you have the opportunity to:
  • Exchange views and obtain information through our interactive listserv
  • Promote your practice through our Therapist Finder - an online listing of fully licensed members searchable by the public
  • Receive our lively and informative quarterly newsletter, (News & Views) and even become a published author by contributing an article
  • Be a part of a safe, liberated, and action-oriented Society that is in alignment with anti-racist values

  • Be informed about the current legislative issues affecting the mental health field through our Legislative Program

  • Attend (or host) Wine & Cheese networking events
  • Access the members-only sections of the website - including the member directory, professional resources 
  • Participate in the Mentoring Program
  • Join a committee that fulfills your interests (a great way to meet fellow professionals and to quickly feel connected)
  • Attend Continuing Education events at discounted member rates, present continuing education workshops; and track your CEU attendance through the website
                Best of all, you will network with a region-wide community of social workers who demonstrate professionalism and expertise in a wide range of practice areas.


                ADVOCACY & LEGISLATION BRANCH

                GWSCSW advocates for the profession in all three jurisdictions and is part of the national efforts with the Clinical Social Work Association (CSWA).

                COMMUNICATIONS BRANCH

                Stay up to date on everything GWSCSW and learn about everything
                available to you with our outreach team.

                COMMUNITY BRANCH

                Join this active community and 

                meet and engage with peers and colleagues.

                EDUCATION BRANCH

                GWSCSW offers professional education to help clinicians meet their continuing education requirements.

                SOCIAL JUSTICE BRANCH

                GWSCSW is committed to building a more inclusive, safe, liberated,
                and action-oriented Society that is in alignment with anti-racist values.

                www.gwscsw.org
                PO Box 711 | Garrisonville, VA  22463 | 202-478-7638 | admin@gwscsw.org

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