Happy 50th Birthday to the Virginia Society for Clinical Social Workers!

In 1976 a small group of clinical social workers led by Lew Weber, Henry Morris, Adele Karp and Helen Pinkus came together in Richmond with others to form what became VSCSW. We solute our Founders!

We continue today to advocate for and promote the highest standards of professional education and clinical Social Work practice throughout Virginia. We uphold the values of equity, inclusion, and social justice in our clinical practices. Thanks to our joint VSCSW/GWSCSW legislative Committee and lobbyist Mark Smith, we have a voice legislatively and in the passage of regulations by the Virginia Board of Social Work.

Our 50th anniversary celebration kicked off in Richmond on January 28 with the reading and passage in the House of Representatives the Resolution honoring our founding and our many accomplishments throughout the years. This year our chapters in Eastern Virginia, Richmond, Blue Ridge, and Roanoke will host in person and zoom gatherings to celebrate this VSCSW anniversary. We will post pictures on this special page to share these celebrations with our members, our colleagues, and all clinical social workers throughout the state of Virginia.

Susan Witt, LCSW
President, VSCSW

Latroyal Smith, Kristen Carty, Ophelia von Ludwig, Susan Witt, Del. Mehta, Lew Weber, Joe Lynch, Jeff Landis, Amy Nash

Waiting for Resolution to be read by Del. Mehta

In House Chamber in Gallery along with lobbyist Mark Smith

Mark Smith, Del. Joe McNamara ( Roanoke), Susan Witt

VIRGINIA  GENERAL ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION
VSCSW  VIRGINIA SOCIETY FOR CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS

JANUARY 28, 2026

The Virginia Society for Clinical Social Workers was founded 50 years ago in 1976 by a small group of clinical social workers in Richmond.

Under the leadership of first President Henry Morris LCSW, this group worked towards passage of a Virginia Social Work Licensure Bill
in 1976.  Later this group worked towards passage of a vendorship law, mandating that health insurance companies reimburse clinical social workers for their services. VSCSW later advocated for passage of a bill which established parity with psychiatrists and psychologists in the provision of independently practiced mental health services.

Whereas in 1991 new bylaws were passed by our membership to merge 4 chapters throughout the state into a statewide organization governed by a State Board of Directors.  Wayne Martin LCSW was elected as the first President of our statewide organization. Whereas, in 2011 VSCSW, under the leadership of then legislative vice president Rick Goodling, partnered with Delegate Christopher Peace and Senator Creigh Deeds to successfully pass Social Work Title Protection legislation.  This made it unlawful for individuals not licensed by the Virginia Board of Social Work to use the title “social worker”.

Whereas, in 2020 VSCSW under the leadership of then legislative vice president Joe Lynch, worked closely with Senator Deeds to update 9 sections of the Code of Virginia.  LCSWS were added to the list of physicians and clinical psychologists as recognized treating providers. One such section enabled LCSWs to refuse to release to requesting parents their child’s psychotherapy treatment records if such release was deemed by the treating LCSW to be harmful to the child.

Whereas, in 2024 VSCSW partnered with Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Work to successfully advocate for passage of the Virginia Social Work Compact. Then Senator Hashmi and Delegate Gardner were patrons for this legislation.   Virginia became one of the first seven states to pass the Social Work Compact. The Social Work Compact, once operational, will allow for telehealth sessions in all compact states thus reducing shortages in mental health treatment across the United States.

Whereas, VSCSW is one of 13 organizations that is a part of the Behavioral Health Coalition advocating for insurance coverage parity between medical and mental health . Whereas the purpose of VSCSW is to promote the highest standards of professional education and clinical social work practice throughout Virginia, and provide legislative advocacy and expertise. We uphold the values of equity, inclusion, and social justice in our clinical practices and advocacy for the dignity and rights of all individuals and communities.

RESOLVED, by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, that the General Assembly hereby commend the Virginia Society for Clinical Social Workers for its years of dedication to the field of Clinical Social Work and to the wellbeing of the citizens of Virginia on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Susan Witt LCSW, Society President and to Ophelia Von Ludwig LCSW, Legislative Vice President.