ABOUT
Purpose of the Society
The purpose of the Virginia Society of Clinical Social Work (VSCSW) is to promote the highest standards of professional education and clinical social work practice throughout Virginia. VSCSW’s consists of local chapters in the Blue Ridge, Richmond, Roanoke, and Eastern Virginia. State-wide VSCSW coordinates the activities of its local chapters in seeking to educate the public about the specialized skills of clinical social workers and collaborate with other health/mental health care professions on issues of common concern. VSCSW works to protect the rights of clinical social workers to practice; and to advocate for adequate and appropriate mental health services and insurance coverage for all at the state and national levels.
Our History
The Virginia Society for Clinical Social Workers Inc. was formed in October of 1976 as a result of the efforts of a small group of clinical social workers who wished to join together to share practice concerns. Since that time the Society has grown in the strength of its membership and its commitment to maintain and advance the highest standards for clinical practice. In March of 1991, new by-laws were approved by the membership merging chapters into a statewide organization to be governed by a State Board of Directors elected by the general membership. Wayne A. Martin, LCSW, BCD, from the Eastern Virginia Chapter, was elected President. The first meeting of the newly formed State Board of Directors took place on July 20, 1991. Today we are continuing to grow and to keep abreast of issues concerning clinical social work.
VSCSW Past Presidents
2023 – Susan Witt, LCSW
2015 – 2022 (Co-presidents) Rick Goodling, LCSW and Lew Weber, LCSW
2013 – 2015 Henry Morris, LCSW
2011 – 2013 Bill Russell, LCSW
2009 – 2011 Peggy Holland, LCSW
2007 – 2009 Susan Witt, LCSW
2005 – 2007 Jane Hundley, LCSW
2004 – 2005 Michael Kubat, LCSW
2003 – 2004 Jane Hundley, LCSW
2001 – 2003 Julie Hughens, LCSW
1999 – 2001 J. Mark O’Shea, LCSW
1997 – 1999 Sharon L. Payne, LCSW
1995 – 1997 John M. Augsburger, LCSW
1991 – 1995 Wayne A. Martin, LCSW
1989 – 1991 Jaclyn Miller
1987 – 1989 Reese Harris
1983 – 1987 Martin Schwartz
1981 – 1983 Bernadette Winters
1979 – 1981 Bob McCrarey
1976 – 1979 Henry Morris
Charter Members
Myriam Cain
Fran Raphael
Adele Karp
Mary Lou Shoemaker
Beverly Lordi
Lewis Weber
Betty Massie
Bernadette Winters
Henry Morris
Jerry Zimmerman
Helen Pinkus
THE VIRGINIA SOCIETY FOR CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK, INC.
BY-LAWS REVISED AND APPROVED May 2, 2016
Summer 2025
Dear VSCSW members,
Hot hazy weather has descended on all of us throughout all regions of Virginia. Summer time also means that it is time to renew or join VSCSW. You can go to our website at www.vscsw.org to easily join for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. As a reminder, our membership year currently runs from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. I also challenge each of you to consider making a donation (perhaps minimum $25) to our VSCSW lobbyist fund.
This has been a successful past year for our professional organization. Membership is slowly increasing driven specifically thru the Roanoke Chapter and a reactivated Blue Ridge Chapter. Chapter sponsored in person and zoom educational trainings have provided members with continuing education credits and networking opportunities.
Your hard working joint GWSCSW/VSCSW legislative committee and lobbyist Mark Smith continue to advocate for and are engaged with legislative initiatives that impact our profession both locally and across the state. In the past year, we have initiated outreach to the Bureau of Insurance, joined the Behavioral Health Coalition working on parity issues ( see related legislative news website post), promoted Boost ( see related legislative website post), networked with legislators at chapter gatherings, participated in February 2025 Lobby Day in Richmond, and attended Board of Social Work meetings and gave written and verbal testimony to the Board of Social Work’s Ad Hoc Committee exploring alternatives to the LCSW exam. We advocated for the appointment of Joan Landolt LCSW from Roanoke Chapter to the Board of Social Work. Joan’s appointment was the first VSCSW member in many years to serve on the Board of Social Work.
Upcoming educational events include fall 2025 state wide meeting via zoom with Jamie Hoyle, Executive Director of the Boards of Counseling and Social Work. Ms. Hoyle will update all on the recent legislative initiatives impacting our profession, progress towards implementation of the Social Work Compact, and ASWB changes to testing.
Lastly, in 2026 we will celebrate the 50 th anniversary of our professional organization. Be on the alert for regional and statewide events over the coming year celebrating this milestone.
Susan Witt, LCSW
VSCSW President