Welcome, students and new professionals! PSCSW programs for students and recent graduates include our Low Fee Supervision Referral List, Mentoring Program, and Awards for Clinical Excellence. We hope you will take advantage of our programs and that you will join PSCSW if you are not already a member. For your convenience the PSCSW New Membership Application is available online you can download it (PDF) here to print and send..

Our Low Fee Supervision List and information about our Mentoring Program can be obtained on our Members Only Site. The Low Fee Supervision program matches LCSW candidates working in agency or fee-for-service settings with qualified supervisors offering supervision at a fee of $25 per hour or at the lowest rate of the fee-for-service practice.

The Mentoring Program matches members up to three years out of graduate school, or new to our area, with a qualified mentor in their field of interest. The program is designed to help clinical social workers with issues such as professional transition, professional isolation, and career direction and focus; see our Members Only Site. Many recent graduates have greatly benefited from the support of PSCSW senior members through supervision or mentoring.

PSCSW also conducts an awards program for second-year-practice students in Pennsylvania. Students are encouraged to submit clinical case studies in our competition. Prizes include cash awards, Society membership, and a recognition ceremony. Please see the Clinical Awards Program link on our home page for details and instructions or reference this link.

And please see our Licensing Page for information on obtaining the LSW or LCSW!

If you have any questions about how to join PSCSW and get in touch with our student and new professional supports, we would be happy to assist you. Please contact us.

Student Awards Program

The PSCSW Awards for Clinical Excellence

The PSCSW Awards for Clinical Excellence were established by the Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work to acknowledge the outstanding clinical work of students. The Awards are presented annually to students who submit a paper for review by distinguished judges. The program is open to all graduating Masters of Social Work students in Pennsylvania. The Awards program is dedicated to four distinguished PSCSW leaders who have provided inspiration for future clinicians: Patricia Burland, Mary Montague, Judith Kasser, and Anna Wiggins.

The Awards are given to students who demonstrate in their case study the ability:

  • to integrate theories of human behavior with practice in clinical social work (Option A), or (Option B) to integrate theories of organization or advocacy in a social work agency;
  • to explore a client’s problems within a bio-psycho-social content (Option A), or (Option B) to explore an agency, organization or advocacy group, its mission and effectiveness;
  • to guide practice interventions systematically, based on theoretical understandings that emerge from the assessment;
  • to understand the meaning of the clinical use of the social work relationship including the use of self in either a dyadic or group context;
  • to critique one’s work and recognize the need for consultation;
  • to use literature as an appropriate resource;
  • to reflect on the process of clinical social work intervention including team collaboration and adherence to professional ethics.

A first prize award for Clinical Excellence will be awarded in the amount of $500.00. A second prize award will be awarded in the amount of $300.00. A third prize will be awarded in the amount of $200.00. The winners will also receive free membership in PSCSW for a year following graduation.

All winners will be honored at the PSCSW Annual Meeting of the Membership, which occurs in late fall via Zoom. The professors and supervisors of the award winners will be invited as guests.

The awards convey significant recognition upon the recipients within the professional social work community. PSCSW encourages all students to submit clinical papers for consideration.

2023 Awards Brochure

Deadline for the 2023 paper submission is May 1, 2023.

For additional questions please contact Merin Wexler, LCSW (merinwexler411@gmail.com).