About Us

The Washington State Society for Clinical Social Work was established in 1973 and incorporated in 1988 as a 501(c)(6) to promote and advance specialization of clinical practice within the social work profession. It is an organization of clinical social workers practicing in a variety of settings, including mental health clinics, family service agencies, hospitals and medical clinics and private practice in the state of Washington. Its members span the professional life cycle from students and new professionals to mid-range, seasoned and retired clinicians.

The WSSCSW offers its members continuing educational opportunities, legislative advocacy including lobbying, network and professional growth opportunities and special programs for new professionals.

The WSSCSW is a nonprofit tax-exempt professional organization with a Board of Directors composed of officers elected by the membership and chairpersons of the various committees. It is affiliated with the Clinical Social Work Association, which represents clinical social workers on the national level, and actively works with them to represent local as well as national concerns.

Our Mission

The mission of the Washington State Society for Clinical Social Work is to advance the profession of clinical social work by upholding the highest standards of clinical practice through continuing education, advocacy, mentorship, political and/or legislative action, community service, public education and research. The Society proactively embraces a culture of diversity in its membership and in all of its activities.

What We Do

The WSSCSW's objectives include the following:

• To establish and maintain high standards of professional education and training including advance training in clinical social work practice, teaching, administration and research
• To provide educational opportunities, training and information that meet the needs of members
• To establish and maintain the highest standards of professional ethics and conduct by members
• To promote the highest standards of clinical social work practice and adhere to a the Code of Ethics of the Clinical Social Work Association
• To promote culturally competent and culturally sensitive clinical practice to address issues of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, immigrant status, and age in order to be effectively meet clients’ or patients’ needs
• To inform and educate the public about the specialized skills of clinical social workers
• To protect the rights of clinical social workers to practice that for which they are trained
• To protect client and patient rights
• To recruit and retain clinical social workers from diverse groups/populations
• To understand and recognize the impact of political, socioeconomic and environmental factors in the lives of vulnerable and oppressed populations who encounter discrimination and exclusion because of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, immigrant status, and age
• To collaborate with other professionals on national, state and local levels to promote our common interests and goals and to establish and maintain liaison with appropriate legislative bodies
• To promote and recognize scholarship, achievement, and professional distinction for the advancement of clinical social work

Implementation of these objectives is achieved through:

• Clinical presentations at bimonthly meetings which afford networking opportunities
• A New Professionals program which provides mentorship groups and other programs for 2nd year MSW students as well as newly-graduated clinicians
• Proactive self-examination  and  current status of WSSCSW regarding issues of diversity
• Active outreach to diverse communities and clinical organizations by all members of WSSCSW
• Clinical conferences and training programs, including ethics and supervision training with continuing educational units
• Yearly clinical short courses
• An active legislative program with a legislative consultant and lobbyist
• A quarterly published newsletter and membership roster
• Public relations and marketing efforts
• Liaisons with schools of social work
• Sponsorship of a $1000 scholarship award at the University of Washington School of Social Work and the Outstanding Student Clinical Paper Award for 2nd year MSW students at three social work graduate programs in the state
• Provision of authorization of continuing education units (CEUs) for all three licensed master's level groups - marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and social workers, for any clinical educational program in the state.