Clinical Social Work Federation

The Clinical Social Work Federation (CSWF or the Federation) was founded in 1973 and is the largest clinical social work organization in the United States. The Federation represents approximately 8,000 members through 30 state societies, the District of Columbia, and individuals both nationally and internationally. The Federation works for improvem... ent in the standards of the profession, the protection of clients, and the professional development of its members. The Federation provides both clients and members with advocacy on mental health issues before the Congress and regulatory bodies and assists the state societies with advocacy at the state level. Clinical Social Workers (CSWs) are the largest group of mental health providers in the United States[1]. CSWs work in social service agencies, hospitals and community health centers, health maintenance and managed care organizations, schools, and private practice. In most states, CSWs are licensed to diagnose, treat, and engage in preventive services of mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders in individuals, families, and groups. Both the states and the courts have upheld the confidentiality of the special relationship the CSW has with their clients[2]. Clinical social workers are also allowed to testify as expert witnesses on the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders[3]. All clinical social workers hold advanced degrees and have undergone thousands of hours of supervised clinical internships prior to licensing or certification. The Federation appreciates the opportunity to offer the following Comments on the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Proposed Modifications (the Modifications) of the Standards For Privacy Of Individually Identifiable Health Information (Privacy Rule or Rule).Read More