To the Members of the Greater Washington Society of Clinical Social Work, I want to wish each and every one a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

As we begin 2025, I reflect on the year that was. We gathered in 2024 to meet and mingle at several events, including the GWSCSW Membership Holiday Party on December 14 at Clyde’s of Chevy Chase, MD, the annual Legislation & Advocacy Brunch on October 20 at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Chevy Chase DC and the GWSCSW Happy Hour in September in Arlington VA. These are the start of what I anticipate will be many events where we continue to come together in person to catch up, network, and renew the bond of human kindness.

Several awards were bestowed at the Holiday Party: Congratulations to Judy Ratliff recipient of the Fran Thomas Legislative Excellence Award and Nancy Harris recipient of the Nancy Harrington Above and Beyond Award, the establishment of a scholarship for MSW students honoring Margo Aronson was also announced at the Holiday Party. I want to extend a special Thank You to the Membership Committee for planning the Holiday Party and the Happy Hour, as well as the L&A Committee for planning the annual L&A Brunch.

The New Year brings even more training and workshop opportunities for members, including a February workshop on Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Social Work featuring Frederic G. Reamer, PhD, and a planned workshop with Kenneth Hardy, PhD for the fall. We are also looking to hold workshops on Allyship, the First 3000 Hours, and Starting an Independent Practice. Please contact Ed Geraty, our Education Branch Director, for information on presenting a workshop. I would encourage you to check all the opportunities available to members, be it a workshop of interest, presenting a workshop, networking events or other opportunity to connect socially, or volunteering on one of our many committees — the sky’s the limit.

In what is one of the most joyous times, it is no secret to any of us that the world is in a moment of global turmoil. During moments like these, we seek to find remedies in any and all ways that we know how. I again encourage everyone to practice some self-care and take time to do things and be with those that make us happy and whole. I ask that we remember our mission as Social Workers, and the benefits we provide to our clients and others with our knowledge and humanity. Remember that ours is a community of diverse backgrounds and differing world views shared in the professional endeavor of Social Work. Let us continue to foster a feeling of connection and the sense that ours is a Society for everyone.

I continue to welcome and encourage your feedback. What could make the Clinical Society more inviting and appealing to you? Of course, not every suggestion can be enacted, but I believe some very helpful information will emerge from your feedback. What would be helpful? What would be enjoyable?

I want to foster a feeling of connection and the sense that this is a Society for everyone.

Thank You for your support of the Society!   
Karla J. Abney, MSW, MSN, LMSW  
President