President's Message
For over 50 years ICAPP has made significant contributions to clinical social work education. We have steadfastly supported independent practitioners in private and agency practice and have provided junior and senior faculty and clinicians the opportunity to present their work and to advance their clinical ideas. From the beginning ICAPP has promoted the recognition of clinical social workers as highly trained, skilled and knowledgeable practitioners of the art of psychotherapy. We helped to win from NASW recognition and acceptance of clinical social work as a legitimate field of social work, helped to form the National Federation of Societies of Clinical Social Work and to establish California and 18 other state societies.
Our officers and members have included respected leaders, university professors, innovators, authors and widely noted clinicians. Their leadership, participation and support have kept ICAPP going in order to meet needs for affirmation and elaboration of the unique perspectives of clinical social work in psychotherapy, a perspective sorely missing in our field.
What distinguishes us, besides the sharp insights of our clinical presenters, is our unique format. Every year new and returning attendees remark on the satisfaction of being able to read the papers to be presented beforehand, to choose the workshops they wish to attend according to their interests, and instead of hearing a dry presentation, often read too rapidly to be able to understand, are able to formulate ideas and questions prior to the workshop. After a brief synopsis, the bulk of the time is devoted to discussion. Members may raise questions, offer confirming, contrasting, or related viewpoints, and come up with unexpected perspectives – all in an accepting, pressure-free and collegial atmosphere. Everyone comes to feel like a presenter leading to a deepened learning experience that is not encountered anywhere else.
Over the years we have held our conferences in beautiful, exotic and international settings at premium hotels and resorts, offering luxury accommodations, food and service at discounted prices. Our half day formats allow for time to tour spots of interest, go on pre-arranged optional tours, sample local delicacies, relax and socialize with old and new found friends. Conference festivities begin with a President's Reception and conclude on the last night with a banquet dinner with wine. There is time for all attendees to get to know each other, renew their acquaintance, and discuss issues of mutual interest. It is a time and place where colleagues of like minds and similar values regarding the art of psychotherapy can share with each other, receive affirmation and support. This is especially important in an era of economic decline and encroachments by the insurance industry, and the decline of clinical education in our schools of social work. This last conference in Colonial Williamsburg, celebrating our 50th anniversary entitled “Freedom: What Does Psychotherapy Have to Say?” was a critical success and elucidated the myriad ways freedom impacts our therapeutic interventions and the social, political, and theoretic context in which we work.
This coming June 2012 from June 13 to June 16 we will be holding our conference at the Historic Inns of Annapolis in Annapolis, Maryland. The theme of the conference is “Media Influences on Clinical Practice: Help or Hindrance?” Annapolis, the capital of Maryland is a vibrant city, proud of its colonial heritage, home of the US Naval Academy, and has the largest concentration of18th century Georgian homes in the United States. There are many museums, historic sites to visit, shops, restaurants and a well preserved waterfront all within easy walking distance. ICAPP rates for the conference are from $149 per night. Reservations for best accommodations are recommended early, and no later than May 10, 2012 to receive these rates. A group optional dinner and a group optional tour will be planned where we can get to know each other and enjoy the company of like-minded colleagues.
Please join us at the Historic Inns of Annapolis. Bring your family and tell your colleagues. We hope to see you there.
