The International Conference for the Advanced Professional Practice of Clinical Social Work (ICAPP-CSW) is an international organization dedicated to establishing, maintaining, and raising professional standards within the field of clinical social work. Since its inception in 1960, the ICAPP-CSW has promoted independent thinking among clinical social workers by developing discussion forums for the exchange of information and ideas.
The original founders of ICAPP-CSW consisted of 200 highly-trained, privately- practicing clinical social workers from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. They attended a meeting for the purpose of identifying the requirements needed to establish the private practice of clinical social work as a recognized field of social work. From this meeting came the definition of clinical social work private practice that was later recognized and accepted by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
The ICAPP-CSW took leadership in the formation of the National Federation of Societies of Clinical Social Work, helped establish the California Society of Clinical Social Work, and worked to see California’s Clinical Social Work licensing laws enacted, as well as taking the initiative to establish 18 other state societies of clinical social work. The founders of ICAPP-CSW came to be recognized as “the leading practitioners of clinical social work” in their own states.
For over four decades, the ICAPP-CSW has not only maintained the quality of its own membership but has enabled the field of clinical social work to maintain its quality while expanding to meet the needs of modern society. It has proven to be a testimony of professional excellence through its development into a professional network for the advancement of clinical social workers. In offering forums for the discussion of topical issues and theories, the ICAPP-CSW continues to lead the way as it explores new and more effective treatment options thereby enabling the field of clinical social work to achieve a higher degree of expertise.
