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.

What We Do

The WSSCSW's objectives include the following:
  • Promote high educational and training standards for clinical social workers
  • Promote high standards of clinical social work practice and adhere to a Code of Ethics
  • Adopt standards of ethics and professional qualifications within the practice of clinical social work
  • Educate the public as to clinical social workers' competency in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders
  • Promote and recognize scholarship, achievement, and professional distinction for the advancement of clinical social work
  • Maintain liaison with other health care professionals on issues of common concern
  • Protect clinical social work practice
  • Protection of client and patient rights
  • Enhance access to legislators in regards to clinical social work practice
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
  • 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.