It’s difficult to know how to begin this president’s update. Typically, letters from the president are uplifting: motivating to the membership and congratulatory to the organization. We can certainly attest that MSCSW is doing well, with more than 450 active and engaged members, financial security, and a solid footing for the future. Yet to disregard the current situation our nation finds itself in would feel cold and inappropriate.
Our clients won’t allow us to keep our heads in the sand. Every day they share another fear: social security cuts, food support cuts, fear that marriages will be invalidated, that friends and relatives will be deported or disappeared; fear of civil war. Still, neither we nor our clients are powerless to effect change.
Jim Stolz, LICSW, LDAC, our MSCSW Legislative Representative, proves that on an almost daily basis. No one embodies the marriage of clinical social work and policy more than Jim. Jim keeps us informed on ways we can participate in macro processes and calls us to action on behalf of our profession, our clients, and our world. He attends meetings of the Minnesota Coalition of Licensed Social Workers and closely follows legislation that impacts social workers and clients, all while running a thriving practice. From the Interstate Compact to Telehealth, Jim provides important information at critical junctures. There aren’t words to express our profound gratitude for Jim’s hard work and dedication, so we’ll simply say: Thank you, Jim, for all you do.
As we move through unprecedented times (a phrase I wish we could retire), we advocate for clients and social workers alike. The good news is that MSCSW is growing in its ability to advance the practice of clinical social work. In September, the outgoing president of MSCSW, Shelley Berven, spoke about the need to do more leadership development, and both the membership and leadership development committees have been very active in this area. I’m happy to report that we recently welcomed several dynamic new members to the Board and other leadership positions.
Stephanie Meittunen is serving as both secretary and liaison to the Board of Social Work Advisory Committee. Stephanie is an LGSW and LADC at Hope House and Pear Lake, where she focuses on substance use disorder treatment, culturally responsive care, and practices as a supervised psychotherapist. She is passionate about equity, cultural humility, and human rights.
Three new members-at-large and a student joined us in the fall. Tia Wilcek is the owner of Metanoia Therapy, a group practice in the Twin Cities providing therapy for adolescents and adults. Tia is also an approved EMDR therapist, consultant, and trainer. Melissa Raatz offers survivors of trauma incredible tools as a certified trauma professional at Know Thyself Healing & Therapy, the private group practice she owns. Being authentic in her work is her goal with clients; she values taking clients where they are at and is not afraid to bring spirituality or discussion related to sex into sessions. Anne O’Connor works at Intentional Self Counseling, seeing individuals, couples, and families; she brings rich leadership experience following a prior career in communications. Kate Silfer, a student in the U of M social work program, is our student representative.
The low-fee supervision groups continue as a crucial MSCSW service. Longtime seasoned supervisors (or do I mean superheroes?) Mike Chovanec and Carol Schrier continue to supervise one group, and Brittany Vega and Alyson Tointon recently began supervising a second group. Aly is passionate about working with children and their families. She is committed to giving back to the social work profession by supporting the next generation of social workers. Brittany utilizes different supervision styles to meet the diverse needs of social workers needs. She enjoys long runs on cold mornings with a group of people who find joy through adversity. We are grateful to both of them for stepping forward for this important work that increases access to licensure for social workers with low incomes.
We’re so excited to have involvement from members like Stephanie, Brittany, and Aly, who live and work outside the Twin Cities area! Dawn Zollars from St. Peter recently became involved, as well, and is working to develop community among those serving clients in rural areas. These areas stand to be deeply impacted by cuts being made to the USDA, by ICE deportation actions, and by cuts to mental health services. It is more important now than ever for our organization to stand with clinicians and clients in rural Minnesota.
While we at the Board do our best to keep things running smoothly, we recognize that you, our members, are the heart of this organization. We appreciate seeing your collaborations in the Google group, and please know that you are always welcome to establish a study group, consultation group, or other special interest group.
I’ll close with some words about connection and kindness. Just as we did during COVID, we are holding space for clients experiencing tremendous stress, while experiencing our own feelings about what is happening in the world. Staying connected to our tribe is key to moving through this with resilience, and I hope that MSCSW helps to facilitate that. Life is not going to get any easier. But if we can treat each other with the same kindness we afford our clients, we stand a better chance.
Be well.
Monica L. Sowden, LICSW
Acting Co-President
