The Clinician Vol. 44, No. 2, 2013 Fall

IN THIS ISSUE
 4 What Happened to 
Confidentiality?
 5 Listserv Committee Report
 
7 HIPAA 2013
 10 Student Writing Awards
 15 Our New Members
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
CONTINUED ON PAGE 19
TH E N EWSLETTE R OF TH E N EW YORK STATE SOCI ETY FOR CLI N ICAL SOCIAL WORK, I NC.
FALL 2013 | VOL. 44, NO. 2
president’s message
October 2013: Annual Progress Report 
Presented at the 45th Annual General Membership Meeting
By Marsha Wineburgh, DSW, LCSW-R, President
By Marsha Wineburgh, Chair
Social Work Continuing 
Education is Now Law
A new Continuing Education Law 
(Chapter 443 of the Laws of 2013) 
goes into effect on January 1, 2015. 
In order to renew your social work 
registration to practice after this 
date, you will be required to have 36 
hours of continuing education cred­
its over a three-year period. Initially, 
this will mean one hour of CE for 
each month until your registration 
is due. For example, if your new 
registration comes due in June 2015, 
you will need to show six hours of 
CE for the six months beginning 
January 1, 2015. 
A
s you know, we meet yearly to review the State Board’s activities 
on the behalf of the members, to report on our fiscal health, and 
to recognize colleagues who have contributed substantial time 
and energy to strengthening our association. This year, we also provided 
a mini-education program on practice liability, competently planned and 
implemented by Dore Shepard, Ph.D., LCSW, Beth Pagano, MSW, LCSW, 
and David Phillips, DSW, LCSW. Our guest speaker was an attorney/
psychoanalyst, Bruce Hillowe, J.D., Ph.D. 
We also acknowledged and thanked the Listserv Committee for their 
generous commitment to educating our members about the how-tos of 
online communication, and troubleshooting issues arising in our chapter 
listserv networks. 
Legislative Committee
2014 Conference Call for Proposals (Page 11)
“Facing Impasses: Identifying 
and Working Through”
2013 Conference Reviews (Page 12)
“Enhancing the Treatment Experience:
A Day of Networking and Learning”
Left: 2013 Keynoter Susan Klett, LCSW-R, BCD
annual education conferences
2    The Clinician   www.ClinicalSW.org
Our indefatigable State Chair, Robert Berger, Ph.D., LCSW, 
has written code, migrated programs and suggested basic 
policies for safe, efficient listserv usage. He was assisted 
by an industrious group of chapter coordinators that many 
of you have been in contact with: Met Chapter: Lois Akner, 
Jane Gold, Lisa Miller, Marilyn Sulzbacker, Welsey Willis; Mid 
Hudson Chapter: Rosemary Cohen, Gloria Robbins; Queens 
Chapter: Fred Sacklow; Nassau Chapter: Shannon Boyle, 
Sheila Peck; Staten Island Chapter: Ida Tam; and Suffolk 
Chapter: Sandra Jo Lane. (See page 5 for Listserv Report.)
These clinical social workers are only a small portion of 
the many people needed to keep this organization func­
tioning on your behalf. In addition to our administrators, 
Sheila Guston and Kristin Kuenzel at TMS, more than 80 
colleagues have donated hours of critical thinking, planning 
and delivering educational and informational programs this 
year. The names and contact information of State Board 
officers and chapter representatives are available in this 
newsletter and on our website, www.nysscsw.org. We have 
worked hard to make the site user-friendly and informa­
tional. Please explore it.
At the annual meeting, we took time to recognize the 
passing of six colleagues this year and honor them for their 
contributions to the Clinical Society. They are Adrienne 
Lampert, Past President of the Brooklyn Chapter, the State 
Clinical Society, the National Federation of Societies for 
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
president’s message
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 
 AD SIZE	
MEASUREMENTS	
1 TIME	
2 TIMES
2/3 Page	
415/16” w	 x	 10” h	
$325	
$295
1/2 Page Vertical	
3 5/8” w	 x	 10” h	
$250	
$225
1/2 Page Horizontal	
7 1/2” w	
x	 4 7/8” h	
$250	
$225
1/3 Page (1 Col.) 	
2 3/8” w	 x	 10” h	
$175	
$160 
1/3 Page (Square)	
415/16” w	 x	 4 7/8” h	
$175	
$160 
1/4 Page	
3 5/8” w	 x	 4 7/8” h	
$140	
$125
1/6 Page (1/2 Col.)	
23/8” w	
x	 4 7/8” h	
$ 95	
$85
Display ads must be camera ready. Classified ads: $1 /word; min. $30 prepaid.
NEW YORK
STATE
SOCIETY
FOR
CLINICAL
SOCIAL
WORK,
INC.
Published twice yearly by the
New York State Society for Clinical Social Work, Inc.
243 Fifth Avenue, Suite 324, New York, NY 10016
Website: www.NYSSCSW.org / Tel: 1-800-288-4279
Ivy Miller, Newsletter Editor
3 Sunset Drive, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
E-Mail: ivy.lee.miller@gmail.com / Tel: 631-725-9845
Helen Hinckley Krackow, Newsletter Chair
Ad Deadlines: February 15 and October 1
STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President 	
Marsha L. Wineburgh, MSW, DSW, LCSW, BCD  mwineburgh@aol.com
First Vice President	
Robert S. Berger, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW  rsb111@columbia.edu
Second Vice President 	
Helen H. Krackow, MSW, LCSW  hhkrackow@aol.com
Treasurer 	
Shannon Boyle, MSW, LMSW  shannonboyle@hotmail.com
Secretary 	
Richard B. Joelson, DSW, LCSW  rbjoelson@aol.com
Past President	
Jonathan Morgenstern, MSW, M.Ed.,MA,LCSW  mjonathanM@aol.com 
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS (P) & VOTING REPS (VR)
Metropolitan P.	
Karen Kaufman, Ph.D., LCSW  karenkaufman17@gmail.com
Mid-Hudson P.	
Rosemary Cohen MSW, LCSW  rosemarycohen@gmail.com
Mid-Hudson VR.	
C. Thaddea Compian, LCSW  thaddeacompain@yahoo.com
Nassau VR. 	
Joseph Reiher, LCSW  mitygoodtherapy@gmail.com
Queens P.	
Fred Sacklow, MSW, LCSW  freds99@aol.com
Rockland P.	
Orsolya Clifford, LCSW-R  ovadasz@optonline.net
Staten Island P.	
Janice Gross, MSW, LCSW, ACSW  JGross1013@aol.com	
Student VR. 	
Devin Bokaer  devin.bokaer@gmail.com
Suffolk P.	
TBA
Westchester VR.	
Jody Porter, MSW, LCSW  jodyp100@aol.com
MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
Metropolitan 	
Chris Ann Farhood, MSW, LCSW  chrisfarhood@yahoo.com
Nassau 	
Linda Wright, MSW, LCSW  lwrightlcsw@aol.com
Rockland 	
Beth Pagano, MSW,LCSW  bethpagano678@msn.com
Staten Island	
Andrew Daly, MSW, LCSW-R  apdalylcsw@msn.com
Westchester 	
Martin Lowery, MSW, LCSW-R  mlowery@maryknoll.org
STATE COMMITTEE CHAIRS (Appointed)
Annual Education Conference	 Meryl Aster, MSSW, LCSW-R  Merylalster@yahoo.com
By-Laws	
Beth Pagano, MSW, LCSW  Bethpagano678@msn.com 
Creativity & Transformation 	
Sandra Indig, MSW, LCSW, ATR-BC  psych4art@hotmail.com
Disaster Preparedness 	
Fred Mazor, DSW, MSW, LCSW, BCD  fredm25@aol.com
Elections	
Martin Lowery, MSW, LCSW  mlowery@maryknoll.org 
Ethics & Professional Stds.	
Martin Lowery, MSW, LCSW  mlowery@maryknoll.org 
and David G. Phillips, DSW, LCSW dgphillips@nyc.rr.com
Friday E-Newsletter	
Helen T. Hoffman, MSW, LCSW  helenhoffman@verizon.net
General Membership Meeting	 Dore Sheppard, MSW, Ph.D., LCSW  doreshep@yahoo.com
Leadership 	
Beth Pagano, MSW, LCSW  bethpagano678@msn.com
Legislative 	
Marsha Wineburgh, DSW, LCSW-R  mwineburgh@aol.com
Listserv 	
Robert S. Berger, Ph.D., MSSW, LCSW  rsb111@columbia.edu
Mentorship	
Helen Hinckley Krackow, MSW, LCSW, BCD  hhkrackow@aol.com
Newsletter 	
Helen Hinckley Krackow, MSW, LCSW, BCD  hhkrackow@aol.com
Nominating	
Andrew Daly, MSW, LCSW-R  apdalylcsw@msn.com 
Research	
Jacinta (Cindy) Marschke, MSW, Ph.D., LCSW-R  cindy210@hvc.rr.com
Social Media	
Richard B. Joelson, DSW, LCSW  RBJoelson@aol.com 
Vendorship & Managed Care 	 Helen T. Hoffman, MSW, LCSW  helenhoffman@verizon.net
2013 board of directors
Fall… my favorite season. The weather is still warm and 
the trees are turning beautiful colors. Your headquarters 
office remains busy, planning for the annual meeting, 
enrolling new members, and preparing the mailings for 
the annual elections.
We will also be preparing for the dues billing 
statements that will be sent out the first week of 
December. The Society is again offering a chance at a 
$100 gift card for everyone who pays in December. If you 
pay in December, your name will be put into the raffle 
and one member’s name will be drawn at the January 
State Board meeting. “You have to be in it, to win it.” 
So—pay early.
Kristin and I wish each of you a happy holiday season.
Cordially,
Sheila 
Sheila Guston, CAE, Administrator
Kristin Keunzel, Administrative Assistant
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
234 5th Ave (#324), New York, NY 10016
800-288-4279 | 718-785-9582 (fax)
Info.nysscsw@gmail.com
Headquarters Update 
Fall 2013    3
CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
We continue to work on the inclusion of the mental health 
services of LCSWs in the workers’ compensation law (S2360/A2013). 
In this case, we are working closely with State Chapter of NASW. 
Passage is getting nearer but, as usual, it takes many years of persis­
tence to win the day.
What issues loom ahead? Many, many changes are in the works, 
all of which will have unintended consequences. We look forward 
to a new 1500 form for insurance reimbursement, and a change in 
current diagnostic codes to the ICD-10 codes, and PQRS will be ad­
opted on February 2, 2014. It remains to be seen how the Affordable 
Health Care Act (aka Obamacare) will impact private practice and 
fee-for-service, as well as privacy and confidentiality issues. 
Distance Learning
But of all the changes that are fast approaching, the one that con­
cerns me most is the quiet flowering of distance learning, or online 
learning, which is replacing traditional (residential) classroom 
learning in MSW programs. 
Take the example of the University of Southern California, which 
has enrolled 1,600 students in an online MSW program. The MSW 
degrees the university grants do not distinguish between those 
earned online and those earned through in-person course work. It is 
interesting to note that USC does not allow transfers between their 
online program and the in-person program; online students must 
reapply if they wish to be in the classroom- based MSW program. 
Tuition for the online program at USC is $90,000!
Some schools are even planning to put fieldwork practicums on­
line. Picture how this would work: the student is in one location, say, 
sitting on her bed in Alabama; the client is somewhere else, maybe 
an agency setting in Iowa; and the supervisor is at yet another 
location, perhaps an office in Washington, D.C. One cannot help but 
wonder how a profession that values the importance of relation­
ship as one of its basic principles can embrace distance learning of 
this kind. All social workers, but especially clinical social workers, 
need to develop practice skills to build empathetic relationships 
and conduct sophisticated biopsychosocial assessments. How is 
this possible without the in-person contact in the classroom and/or 
through fieldwork necessary to develop and refine clinical skills? 
Clinical Social Work, and ICAPP, a private practice association; Diana 
List Cullen, Past President of the Metropolitan Chapter; Dr. Murray 
Iskowitz. Past President of the Metropolitan Chapter; Sheldon 
Blitstein, State Member-at Large from Westchester; Selma Porter, 
Rockland Chapter Board Member; and Anita Weintraub, a long-time 
member of the Staten Island Chapter. (See page 16.)
Clinical Society Update
First, I am pleased to report that the fiscal health of the Clinical 
Society is very good. We are close to budget as we near the end of 
the year, and we are managing our savings conservatively.
Second, we continue to improve our intercollegial communica­
tion. As you may have noticed, over the summer we had to switch 
the server that underpins our listserv, due to a change in Yahoo’s 
policy that did not meet our membership needs. Then, in order to 
improve member services further, we began last month to switch 
to Google Groups. 
The State Listserv Committee, chaired by Robert Berger, and the 
State Social Media Committee, chaired by Richard Joelson, DSW, 
LCSW, along with Helen Hoffman, MSW, LCSW, Chair of the State 
Vendorship & Managed Care Committee, have worked persistently 
and tirelessly to make these transitions as seamless as possible. 
 Third, we are in the process of updating the Clinical Society’s 
Code of Ethics. David Phillips and Martin Lowery, MSW, LCSW, are in 
charge of this project.
Fourth, since our bylaws were last updated before the passage of 
the LMSW/LCSW legislation, we are currently revising them to re­
flect our new licenses. The changes, overseen by Beth Pagano, MSW, 
LCSW, State Leadership Committee Chair, will be sent out to the 
members for adoption after they are approved by the State Board.
Fifth, we are planning a professional membership drive to 
educate LMSWs and LCSWs about our organization. There are more 
than 50,000 licensed social workers in New York State, and most 
of them do not know we exist. With the passage of the Continuing 
Education law, the state education department will hopefully be 
willing to share the names and addresses of all licensees who may 
be interested in our educational programs. 
With the assistance of Helen Goldberg, LCSW we have developed 
appropriate standards for CE-qualified programs and speakers that 
will meet whatever is required for the Clinical Society to become a 
New York State provider of CEU credits. We aim to be your preferred 
provider!
On the legislative front, the governor finally signed the 
Continuing Education legislation into law this month, October 2013. 
A gun control act also became law. Known as the SAFE ACT, it re­
quires mental health professionals to report concerns about patient 
gun ownership. This legislation needs amending to safeguard the 
rights of the mentally ill, and to address other issues. But, as of now, 
it is the law and we are responsible for reporting. See our website 
for details. 
 Bruce V. Hillowe, J.D., Ph.D., 
was the guest speaker at the General 
Membership Meeting. A mental 
healthcare attorney and psychologist-
psychoanalyst, his presentation 
referenced his recent publication, 
HIPAA Compliance Manual for Small 
Mental Health Practices in New York 
State, 4th Edition, 2013.
4    The Clinician   www.ClinicalSW.org
W
hen health care professionals are surveyed, they often 
state that one of the important, if not the most important, 
ethical obligations is keeping confidential the information 
they receive from their clients in the context of the professional re­
lationship. This concept has a long history. The National Association 
of Social Workers, founded in 1955, published its first Code of 
Ethics in 1960. That code contained one sentence on the subject of 
confidentiality: “I respect the privacy of the people I serve.” The 
implication of that statement is that maintaining confidentiality is 
an absolute ethical duty of social workers, and that this duty arises 
from the requirements of the professional relationship.
With the perceptiveness that so often accompanies hindsight, it 
is interesting to see how naïve the authors of that code were. Our 
society has no precedent for a relationship of absolute confidential­
ity between health care professionals and their clients. Physicians, 
for example, have always been required to report to the authorities 
any gunshot wounds or certain contagious diseases they treat. In 
fact, in the 1950s, at practically the same time that the authors of the 
NASW Code were writing about absolute confidentiality, the rules 
of professional confidentiality had already begun to change with the 
passage of child abuse reporting laws by the separate states. 
The ethical precept of professional confidentiality in our society 
is based on the moral or ultimate value of autonomy—the idea 
that individuals should be able to live and act according to plans 
and intentions of their own making. If the concept of autonomy is 
to have any meaning, then one of its implications is that individuals 
should have the right to maintain privacy over personal information. 
However, autonomy, like confidentiality, is never absolute. There is 
an almost inevitable conflict between the rights of the individual to 
autonomous action and the concerns and welfare of the larger soci­
ety. Is society better served when individuals have absolute privacy 
What Happened to Confidentiality?
By David G. Phillips, DSW, LCSW, Co-Chair, Committee on Ethics & Professional Standards 
This article is a slightly revised version of a talk delivered at the Annual Membership Meeting on October 19, 2013.
in certain relationships, or is it better served and protected when 
certain secrets are reported to the relevant authorities? This is the 
persistent, underlying struggle over the legal and ethical implica­
tions of confidentiality.
The child abuse reporting laws, enacted in the several states 
over the course of many years, exemplify evolutionary change in 
professional confidentiality requirements. By contrast, revolution­
ary change came in the 1970s with the famous Tarasoff case in 
California. In this case, a psychologist working at a University of 
California clinic, and a psychiatrist, the director of the clinic, were 
held liable for not warning the family of a student, Tatania Tarasoff, 
that her life was in danger when a 
patient in treatment at the clinic 
made a threat against her. 
The legal issue in the case was 
a specific example of the debate 
over the rights of the individual 
to privacy, and if protecting those 
rights is the best way to protect the 
larger society. The minority opinion 
held that society needs a place of 
refuge where individuals, like the 
murderer of Tatania Tarasoff, can go 
and express their impulses and fan­
tasies with a guarantee of absolute 
confidentiality. When such a refuge 
exists, the opinion asserted, it actu­
ally serves to guard against criminal acts by such individuals. 
The majority and deciding opinion held, however, that it is more 
important to protect the possible victim, even though the rights to 
confidentiality of the potential perpetrator may be violated.
 Some professionals believe that the Tarasoff decision means 
that there is a duty to warn an individual or her family when a threat 
is made against her by a patient in therapy. In fact, the decision no 
longer means exactly that, even in California. When the case was 
reheard by the State Supreme Court, the duty to warn the intended 
victim was redefined as a duty to protect the possible victim; a 
warning was defined as simply one of several ways in which the 
victim could be protected.
Since the 1970s, many other court decisions were handed 
down, and state laws were enacted based on the precedent of this 
landmark case. Some of them have confirmed the Tarasoff decision, 
some have expanded upon it, and some have contradicted it. It is 
important for professionals to know the specific laws of the states 
in which they are licensed and practice. With regard to liability and 
responsibility, it is also important to know whether you may report 
or you must report; whether the law refers to threats made against 
CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
David G. Phillips
u In the child abuse reporting laws, 
professionals are required to report 
past crimes, while in the laws dealing 
with the threat of third party harm, 
professionals may be required to 
predict the possibility of future crimes. 
This can be a heavy burden for mental 
health professionals…
Fall 2013    5
What Our Listserv Moderators Do
C
hapter listservs have become an integral part of our mem­
bers’ daily lives. Clinicians rely on them for networking 
with colleagues and as an important source of news and 
information. 
The chapter listservs have been through many changes in recent 
months. Earlier this year, the State Board decided to revamp the 
service, which led to some disruptions. Fortunately, we are now 
seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. We are returning to full 
functionality, one chapter at a time. All the important features are 
again available, including interactive group replies “to all,” the 
digest option and inter-chapter exchanges. Our committed, attentive 
corps of listserv moderators is resuming its activities. Our vibrant 
cyber-community is coming back, stronger than ever!
 As always, the devil is in the details. This complex project has 
required the skills, time and dedication of many committee mem­
bers. To date, work on three of the seven chapter listservs has been 
completed and the remaining four will slowly reopen in the next few 
weeks. 
The success of this project is due, in large measure, to Robert S. 
Berger, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW, our State Listserv Committee Chair and 
Met Chapter Listserv Committee Co-Chair. His leadership, technical 
knowhow, and sheer hard work—including the painstaking repopu­
lation of all the data onto a new platform, Google Groups—have 
paved the way for an improved listserv experience for all users.
 
On the Fence?
If you are still on the fence about using the listservs, we encour­
age you to explore all they have to offer. Don’t be shy! The listservs 
thrive because so many clinicians are engaged in the exchange. 
Each new member receives and adds value.
 If you want encouragement, just email the moderators at N-I-S@
googlegroups.com. We’ll do our best to put you at ease and help you 
get the most out of the service. If you are not yet a member of your 
chapter’s listserv, please contact info.nysscsw@gmail.com.
 For those members who are already part of the online conversa­
tions, we encourage you to review our Listserv Guidelines. These 
nuanced and sophisticated protocols facilitate truly civil and useful 
online exchanges. Members of the Listserv Committee and many 
others in the Society continually contribute to the refinement of our 
practices and protocols. You will help enhance the service by using 
the guidelines. If you need a copy, please email the moderators.
 If you are interested in any aspect of our work, including the role 
of the moderators, please contact us. Volunteers from all chapters 
are welcome and needed. 
Listserv Committee 
By Lisa Beth Miller, LCSW, State Listserv Committee Member and Met Chapter Listserv Committee Co-Chair 
Moderators, as a team, are engaged in reading 
and reviewing their chapter’s listserv emails, 
virtually 24/7. They monitor posts and educate 
members about our guidelines and protocols, 
such as confidentiality and the use of clear and 
detailed subject lines, which allow members to 
easily see emails that interest them and delete 
those that do not. 
Moderators also scan for emails that may 
be useful to share with other chapter listservs, 
to obtain referrals and resources, and to spot 
any inappropriate or inflammatory comments. 
Moderators remind members of the need to 
preserve the member-to-member connection 
that helps us grow our organization, and serve 
our members and the profession. 
LISTSERV COMMITTEE MEMBERS (Front) Shannon Boyle, Nassau; Jane Gold, 
Met Chapter; Lisa Miller, Met Chapter Co-Chair; Lois Akner, Met Chapter; 
(Back) Robert S. Berger, State Listserv Committee Chair.
NOT SHOWN Met Chapter: Marilyn Sulzbacker, Wesley Willis; Mid-Hudson 
Chapter: Gloria Robbins, Rosemary Cohen; Nassau Chapter: Sheila Peck; 
Queens Chapter:  Fred Sacklow; Rockland Chapter: Monica Leona Olivier; 
Staten Island Chapter: Ida Tam; Suffolk Chapter: Sandra Jo Lane; 
Westchester Chapter: John Dunn.
6    The Clinician   www.ClinicalSW.org
Vendorship and Managed Care Committee 
By Helen T. Hoffman, LCSW, Chair
M
any changes involving documenta­
tion, billing, and record sharing 
have been instituted this year and 
clinicians need to be alert to new require­
ments. These include new CPT codes, the 
new DSM-5, updated HIPAA regulations, a 
new CMS-1500 form, and a transition next 
year to ICD-10 codes. To clarify, here are 
some of the basics:
CPT Codes: On January 1, 2013, CPT 
codes for billing Medicare and commercial 
insurance claims underwent a major revision. 
Some of the codes, such as those for family 
therapy, psychoanalysis and hypnotherapy, 
remain the same, but codes for other psy­
chotherapy modalities have been deleted 
and new codes with different definitions and 
time frames added in their place. Also, two 
new billable items have been introduced: 
“psychotherapy for crisis” and “interactive 
complexity.” These codes are outlined on the 
NYSSCSW website at www.nysscsw.org. Look 
for the tab “ 2013 CPT Codes.”
DSM-5: In May, a long-awaited revision 
of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 
of Mental Disorders was released. The 
most commonly used diagnoses remain 
for the most part the same, but there are 
some new diagnostic entities and changes 
to old diagnoses. For example, the term 
“intellectual disability” replaces “mental 
retardation.” Multiaxial assessment is gone. 
In the place of Axis IV, V-codes have been 
introduced to reflect psychosocial stressors. 
In the absence of Axis V (the GAF scale), 
some diagnoses have been given sever­
ity measures. Other changes include the 
book’s new structure. It is organized using 
a “developmental lifespan approach.” Look 
for articles, webinars and seminars to gain a 
deeper understanding of the DSM-5.
HIPAA: In 2013, HIPAA regulations were 
further updated to reflect the complexities of 
current practice in the digital age. NYSSCSW 
is advising all members to update the Notice 
of Privacy Practices and Business Associate 
Agreement and to educate themselves about 
privacy issues if they are “covered” entities. 
(See HIPAA article by David Phillips on page 
7.) There is no such thing as being a “partial” 
HIPAA provider. If you bill electronically for 
only one patient, this makes you a “covered” 
provider and you are required to meet HIPAA 
standards. If you are not billing electroni­
cally, either on your own or through a billing 
service, you should not give out a Notice of 
Privacy Practices or indicate in any place that 
you are HIPAA compliant, as this commits you 
to being fully compliant.
CMS-1500: This standard claim form, 
formerly called the HCFA form, has been 
revised. After March 31, 2014, the old form, 
Version 08/05, will be rejected by insur­
ers and you will need to use Version 02/12. 
January 6, 2014, through March 31, 2014, is a 
dual-use period, during which both forms 
will be acceptable. The CMS-1500 has been 
updated to accommodate the use of both 
the ICD-9 and ICD-10 code sets. (Note that 
ICD-9 codes are largely identical to DSM 
codes but that ICD-10 codes are completely 
different.) Twelve diagnoses can now be 
reported on the form instead of the current 
four. And you will be able to identify in Box 
21 whether the diagnosis is from the ICD-9 
or ICD-10. A number of boxes have been 
eliminated, for example, Client’s Marital and 
Employment Status, Insured’s Employer or 
School Name, and Balance Due. 
Transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 
Codes: On October 1, 2014, Medicare and 
commercial insurers will no longer accept 
claims using the ICD-9 codes which, as 
noted above, are similar to DSM codes. This 
reflects an effort to standardize diagnosis 
further to be compatible with code sets 
used internationally. The ICD-10 Code List 
can be found in many places, including the 
Appendix of the old DSM. In the new DSM-5, 
both DSM and ICD-10 codes appear next to 
each diagnostic entity. 
Digesting these changes has probably 
seemed overwhelming this year, but once 
these requirements have been absorbed 
and adjustments made we will be better pre­
pared to face the newest changes wrought 
by technology and the trend toward greater 
standardization of records. 
CHAPTER/NAME	
OFFICE PHONE	
E-MAIL
metropolitan
Helen T. Hoffman, MSW, LCSW, State Chair 	
212-873-3052	
Helenhoffman@verizon.net
Judy Adelson, MSW, LCSW, BCD	
212-222-4486	
Judyadelson@rcn.com
Henni Fisher, MSW, LCSW, BCD	
718-646-7001	
hennifisheraarc@aol.com
Virginia Lehman, MSW, LCSW, BCD,	
212-674-2984	
LehmanV117@aol.com
Ruth Washton, MSW, LCSW	
917-584-7783	
rwashton@verizon.net
westchester 
Linda Plastrik, MSW, LCSW, PLLC	
914-631-6342	
LPtunedin@aol.com
rockland
Lorraine Schorr, MSW, LCSW 	
845-354-5040	
Lorrainesara@aol.com
staten island
Dennis Guttsman, ACSW, LCSW, BCD	
718-442-2078	
anxietyalternatives@msn.com
nassau
Susan Kahn, MSW, MA, LCSW, BCD	
516-482-1269	
shkahn@verizon.net
queens
Shirley Sillekens, LCSW, BCD	
718-527-3923	
ssillekens@verizon.net
upstate (troy)
Doris Tomer, MSW, LCSW, BCD	
518-271-1862	
tomerd@juno.com
suffolk
Richard Karelis, LCSW, BCD, M. Ed	
631-751-9113	
RKcsw84@juno.com 
Understanding the New Requirements for Documentation, Billing and Patient Privacy
Fall 2013    7
Committee on Ethics & Professional Standards 
By David G. Phillips, DSW, LCSW, Co-Chair
Complying with HIPAA 2013
M
any members have had questions about the HIPAA 
Privacy and Security Rules, and the following informa­
tion is offered as an introductory outline and guide 
so that practitioners can take further necessary steps. This 
brief article was prepared with the cooperation and assistance 
of Helen Hoffman, MSW, LCSW, Chair of the Vendorship and 
Managed Care Committee, and much of the material comes 
from the book HIPAA Compliance Manual for Small Mental 
Health Practices in New York State (4th Edition, 2013)by Bruce 
Hillowe, J.D., Ph.D. 
Who must comply with the HIPAA privacy and 
security rules?
The HIPAA privacy and security rules apply to health care 
practitioners who are “covered entities,” that is, practitioners 
who engage in “covered transactions” involving patient health 
information (PHI). Covered transactions refer to the convey­
ance of PHI electronically for the purpose of being paid by third 
party payers. These transactions specifically include filing or 
inquiring regarding insurance claims and claim status; receiving 
insurance payment and remittance advice; coordinating insur­
ance benefits; and checking the patient’s insurance enrollment 
and benefit eligibility status.
What are the basic initial steps I must take with 
all patients?
All complying practitioners must post a notice of privacy practic­
es in their waiting rooms and a copy of the notice must be given, 
or at least offered, to all patients and receipt acknowledged by 
them. Additional requirements include implementing admin­
istrative, physical and technical safeguards for all PHI, such 
as having access to computers that are password-protected, 
having firewalls, anti-virus and anti-spyware programs installed, 
and making arrangements for the recovery and restoration 
of PHI maintained electronically in case of a disruption or an 
emergency.
What other responsibilities are established in the 
HIPAA privacy & security rules?
Practitioners should make sure that all office documentation 
meets the requirements of both the HIPAA privacy and security 
rules and the New York State Laws for licensed professionals. 
The HIPAA privacy rules are, in fact, “preempted” by state laws, 
which provide more stringent protections for PHI and which 
provide greater rights for patients.
If practitioners use a billing service or a billing 
manager do they become “covered entities” under the 
HIPAA privacy & security rules? 
Yes. Virtually all third party billing services use electronic 
means to file insurance claims, so use of such a service will 
usually make the practitioner a covered entity that will be 
required to meet the requirements of the HIPAA privacy and 
security rules. This is true even though it is the billing service 
which does the actual billing. Practitioners using third party 
billing services must, in addition, have a written HIPAA Business 
Associate Agreement with them which needs to be updated in 
accord with the 2013 revisions.
Is HIPAA compliance still optional for some 
practitioners?
Yes. Practitioners may avoid having to follow the HIPAA privacy 
and security rules if:
1. They do not bill insurers and only bill patients directly or they 
do bill insurers but file only paper claims with third party pay­
ers that continue to permit it; 
2. They do not use the services of a billing company or a billing 
manager since, as noted, those services almost all bill third 
party payers electronically, and; 
3. They do not use electronic means such as a computer linked 
fax or email for conveying patient information to hospitals, 
other providers, pharmacies, or insurers.
On the other hand, however, authorities in the field anticipate 
that the HIPAA standards for the protection of patient privacy 
will gradually become accepted as standard practice in the field.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
8    The Clinician   www.ClinicalSW.org
Chapter Reports
Mid-Hudson Chapter 
Rosemary Cohen, MSW, LCSW, President
rosemarycohen@gmail.com
• Christine Benson, LMSW has been con­
firmed as Treasurer of the Mid-Hudson 
Chapter. 
• Our new Mentoring Group for second-year 
graduate students and MSW graduates 
(first three years postgraduate), led 
by Carolyn Bersak, DSW, and Crystal 
Marr, LCSW, meets monthly at Adelphi 
University Hudson Valley Center.
• On September 28, Brian and Marcia 
Gleason, LCSWs of the Exceptional 
Marriage Institute in New York City, 
presented their “Embodied Couples 
Treatment” workshop at Health Alliance 
Hospital [formerly, Benedictine] in 
Kingston.
• “Essential Knowledge for Best Practices 
with LGBTQI Populations in a Changing 
Landscape,” a conference held on 
October 4 at the Vassar Brothers 
Medical Center, was co-sponsored by 
our chapter, Adelphi, NASW NYS Hudson 
Valley Division, Marist College Social 
Work Department and Department of 
Psychology, and the Gay, Lesbian & 
Straight Education Network.
• On November 2, our chapter’s workshop 
on OCD, presented by Sheila Knights, 
Psy.D. will be held at the Mental Health 
America of Dutchess County (MHADC) 
conference room, our new location in 
Poughkeepsie.
2014 Events
• The Hudson Valley Collaborative Spring 
Conference 2014, date to be announced, 
will again be co-sponsored by several 
local institutions—Adelphi, NASW NYS HV 
and Mid Hudson Chapter—will be our third 
conference on working with veterans. 
• On January 4, Susan Deane Miller, LCSW 
will present a workshop, “Treatment of 
Trauma Using EMDR” at MHADC. 
• On March 1, Cindy Call, LCSW will present 
“Effects of Trauma on Children” at Health 
Alliance Hospital. 
Nassau Chapter
Joseph Reiher, LCSW, BCD, Voting Rep
mitygoodtherapy@gmail.com
The Nassau Chapter this year re-constituted 
its board with a combination of new board 
members and veterans. The board has 
taken action to increase member activities 
and to become more open and available to 
members. This year we held five success­
ful “meet and greets,” three breakfast 
meetings, and two lunch gatherings, that 
resulted in more communication among 
members and the board.
This season the chapter is sponsoring 
“Uncertainty and Change: Getting Through 
by Getting Better,” a presentation by Jude 
Treder-Wolff, LCSW, RMT, CGP. There has 
been a nice response from members and 
we are looking forward to an exciting 
experience. 
Plans are underway for several more 
meet and greets, and in the near future, we 
will be offering a dinner meet at a central 
location. We are also planning another ex­
citing member event in the spring, informa­
tion to come. Office: 516-513-0704.
Queens Chapter Update
Fred Sacklow, LCSW-R, President
freds99@aol.com
Queens is a vibrant chapter with a growing 
membership base. The chapter has sched­
uled some exciting speakers and we are in 
process of adding more monthly education­
al presentations to our calendar. This is the 
result of the hard work of our educational 
committee chairs, Nancy Hazelton, LCSW 
and Lynne O’Donnell, LCSW, ACSW, as well 
as other board members. 
Last year, Carol D’Andrea, LCSW, with 
help from others, ran a small mentorship 
group. We were sad to say goodbye to a 
much beloved, long term board and chapter 
member, Jeanne Friedman, LCSW who re­
tired from practice and set off for Florida.
Please note that we now meet at the 
Free Synagogue of Flushing (we had met 
for many years at Holliswood Hospital 
but, unfortunately, it has closed). We held 
our September meeting at the new venue 
and received positive feedback. The Free 
Synagogue of Flushing has ample parking 
and is close to public transportation. Our 
morning board meetings are followed by 
time for networking, and then the educa­
tional presentations, that run from 11:30 am 
until 1:00 pm.
Meeting Dates
Check the web site for program details
2013: 9/22, 10/27, 11/24, 12/15
2014: 1/26, 2/23, 3/23, 4/27, 5/18, 6/22.
We hope to see you soon in Queens. If you 
have any questions, please contact me. 
Rockland Chapter 
Leadership Committee: 
Orsoyla Clifford, LCSW-R
ovadasz@optonline.net
 Sharon Forman, LCSW
Our chapter is off to an exciting start this 
year. Our leadership model continues to be 
collaborative, with Orsoyla Clifford, LCSW 
and Sharon Forman, LCSW sharing tasks. 
Mary Lynne Schiller, LCSW has stepped 
down but will continue to share her talents 
with us as a member-at-large of our board. 
We thank her for her hard work and look 
forward to her continued involvement. 
Our educational programs this year 
included a recent presentation on neuro­
psychological testing for beginners, which 
proved stimulating and informative. We 
look forward to presentations on non verbal 
and verbal nuances in therapeutic interven­
tions, a dream workshop, attachment in 
adult relationships, treatment failures, fam­
ily assessment with young children during 
marital separation, and neuropsychology 
and family sculpture. 
In addition to our educational presen­
tations, in March 2014 in honor of Social 
Work Month, we are featuring a movie, 
The Skin I Live In, followed by a clinical 
discussion, a networking event, and a self-
care event. We continue to provide clinical 
Fall 2013    9
MID-HUDSON • NASSAU • QUEENS • ROCKLAND • STATEN ISLAND • METROPOLITAN 
Borough President Recognizes Staten Island Social Workers at 
Chapter’s 2013 Conference 
On March 16, during National Social Work Month, the Staten Island Chapter held its 
2013 Annual Conference at the Staaten Restaurant. The Borough President provided the 
Society with a proclamation recognizing and honoring all social workers in Staten Island. A 
presentation was given by Michael Crocker, MA, LCSW and Michael Aaron, LCSW, on Treating 
Sexual Compulsions within Different Attachment Styles. 
case discussions prior to our educational 
presentations.
Mentorship programs continue to be a 
growing area in our chapter. Lynn Leeds, 
MSW and Donna Davidson, MSW have 
recently started a new group for LMSWs 
and MSWs to provide support and process 
issues. Kevin Melendy, LMSW and Sharon 
Forman, LCSW will resume their mentorship 
program for graduating students in January. 
Outreach to local MSW programs will begin 
soon. We also provide individual mentor­
ship for those in transition from student 
to professional, and for new NYSSCSW 
members. 
Overall, it promises to be an energetic 
and fruitful year as we work to expand our 
chapter, learn from one another, and share 
our joys and challenges of social work 
clinicians.
Staten Island Chapter
Janice Gross LCSW, President
Jgross1013@aol.com
Our clinicians find themselves busy with 
families, children and challenging cases. 
In late October 2012, we had the additional 
challenge of local families traumatized 
and displaced by Superstorm Sandy. Many 
clinicians volunteered their personal time 
for hands on help, and provided specialized 
interventions for trauma.
We are happy to report that we had a 
chapter educational presentation, hosted at 
the College of Staten Island Undergraduate 
Social Work Program, featuring CSI faculty 
members. The event was attended by 
chapter members and students. We look 
forward to an ongoing relationship with CSI 
as they move forward into an MSW program 
starting in fall 2014.
This year’s educational programs had a 
diversity of themes and presenters: “Music 
Therapy” with Lynne Satiel , LCSW and 
“Collaborative Law” with Philip Garippa, 
LCSW. For further information and to 
attend a meeting, contact Janice Gross, 
718-420-9432.
Metropolitan Chapter
Karen Kaufman Ph.D., LCSW, President
Karenkaufman17@gmail.com
Good News! The Met Chapter recently 
restored its listserv, complete with the 
personal attention and care of its listserv 
monitors. The chapter continues to improve 
and enhance the professional practice of 
clinical social work through its sponsorship 
of clinical lecture and discussion oppor­
tunities, peer-supported private practice 
groups, speed networking events, listserv 
access, workshops, new member recep­
tions, mentorship groups and the annual 
Diana List Cullen Memorial Scholarship 
Awards, formerly First Year MSW Student 
Writing Contest. (See story on page 10.)
Many new and exciting programs and 
events are planned for 2013-2014 by our 
active committees: Education, Membership, 
Trauma Studies, Substance Abuse, Listserv, 
Mentorship/Peer Consultation, The Aging 
Client and the Aging Clinician, Family 
Practice and Psychoanalysis. In addition, an 
LGBT Committee is currently under review. 
We are always exploring new ideas to 
suit our members’ varied clinical interests 
and educational needs. We encourage you 
to get involved by joining one of our com­
mittees or explore opportunities to join the 
board. We welcome new talent and experi­
ence and invite you to attend our programs, 
member receptions and holiday celebra­
tion. You may contact any board member or 
committee chair to explore your interests 
(for contact info, please see the Society’s 
website). 
above left: (l to r) Staten Island Chapter Vice President Dennis Guttsman, MSW, LCSW; Co-
presenter Michael Aaron; President Janice Gross, LCSW and Co-presenter Michael Crocker. 
above right: Graduating student, Rosario Lopez-Rivera of the Silver School of Social Work at 
New York University, was presented with the Clinical Excellence Social Work Award.
10    The Clinician   www.ClinicalSW.org
S
ix social work students won awards this fall in the Met Chapter’s growing 
writing scholarship program, which invites New York City-area graduate 
schools to submit three clinically-oriented papers written by first-year 
students.
Winners of the 2013 Diana List Cullen Memorial First-Year MSW Student 
Writing Scholarship Contest each received a $500 scholarship to apply toward 
their second year of graduate study, and a one-year free membership in the 
Society. 
The winners were: Carlos Malave, Graduate School of Social Work at 
Lehman College; Elizabeth Boskey, Columbia University School of Social 
Work; Harvey Weissman, Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College; 
Penelope Yates, Silver School of Social Work at NYU; Andrew Chesler, 
Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University and; Linnea deLuise, 
Graduate School of Social Service at Fordham University.
Launched in 2011 by the Met Chapter Membership Committee under 
the leadership of Chair Richard Joelson, DSW, the scholarship contest was 
conceived as a way to support students while strengthening the collaboration 
between the Society and local graduate schools of social work. This year it 
was renamed in honor of the late Diana List Cullen, Past President of the Met 
Chapter, member of the Education Committee, and a lifelong lover of learning. 
A reception to honor the six award recipients was held on October 2 at the 
Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. Faculty, Met Chapter board members, and 
the families and friends of the awardees attended the event, which was orga­
nized and emceed by Chris Farhood, MSW, LCSW, Scholarship Coordinator.
“We are very impressed, not only with the caliber of the papers, but also 
with the students themselves—outstanding scholars who have chosen to 
enter our profession,” Committee Chair Joelson said. The students’ papers 
focused on such clinical issues as working with transgender clients, and 
included a clinical interpretation of a case reported in The New Yorker. They 
were evaluated by the Education Committee, chaired by Susan Appelman, 
MSW, LCSW. 
When the contest began in 2011, three graduate schools participated. The 
award winners were Kimberly Berndes of the Columbia University School of 
Social Work; Pamela Leff, Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College; 
and Hao Wong, Silver School of Social Work at NYU. That year’s awards cer­
emony was particularly celebratory, with all three deans in attendance, as well 
as Hao’s family, which flew in from China.
In 2012, four graduate schools participated in the contest. The winners 
were Daniel Schneider, of the Graduate School of Social Service at Fordham 
University; Jonathan Boland, Columbia University School of Social Work; 
Devin Bokaer, Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College; and Sheena 
Marquis, Silver School of Social Work at NYU.
The recent scholars have expressed an interest in the Society’s Mentorship 
Program, chaired by Helen Hinckley Krackow, MSW, LCSW, BCD and assisted 
by Antoinette Mims, MSW, LMSW. The program offers support to graduates 
making the transition from student to clinical social work professional. 
Six MSW Students Win Met Chapter Writing Awards 
Scholarship Is Renamed in Honor of Diana List Cullen 
By Chris Ann Farhood, MSW, LCSW, Scholarship Coordinator
Carlos Malave (center)
Penelope Yates (holding check)
Elizabeth Boskey
Andrew Chesler
Harvey Weissman
Linnea deLuise
Fall 2013    11
Call for Proposals
For Workshops and Panels for the 45th Annual Conference 
of the New York State Society for Clinical Social Work 
Facing Impasses: Identifying and Working Through
Date of Conference: May 10, 2014
We work with our patients to help them overcome difficulties that are impeding their ability to 
reach a fuller life. However, sometimes the treatment reaches an impasse. It is this aspect of the 
treatment that we want to address at this conference. We are looking for proposals for Workshops 
and Panels from all theoretical orientations as well as all modalities that address this theme.
•	Working with topics and issues that we 
might find uncomfortable, such as: race, 
racism, race consciousness, and race 
relations; class; money; mortality; sex, 
sexuality, and intimacy, etc. 
•	Working with difficult emotions, such as: 
shame; humiliation; betrayal; pain; anger; 
hate; inappropriate feelings about our pa­
tients (such as sexual attraction); envy; fear; 
uncomfortable countertransference; etc.
•	Difficulties in accepting transferential 
feelings.
•	What to do when we don’t want to do 
the work.
•	How to recognize blocks we would rather 
ignore. 
•	The boring patient. 
•	Other factors that may contribute to 
impasses, such as: collusion in the 
treatment, including how it may differ 
when working with individuals, couples, 
families, or groups. What role can our 
agency play?; frustration with the patient; 
making “mistakes.” 
•	The uses of theory. How do we gain support 
from an understanding of the treatment 
frame, theory, or orientation if the treatment 
starts to derail? How do we change to a 
different form of treatment and face any 
fears about new treatments and techniques?
•	Inhibitions, both our patient’s and our 
own, which can cause deadlocks.
•	Feeling manipulated by patients, managed 
care, or agencies.
•	Agency issues that may inhibit treatment.
•	Description: purpose, function, and 
teaching objectives. Include brief clinical 
illustrations.
•	A workshop outline describing concepts to 
be developed.
•	A bibliography.
•	On a separate page, your C.V. and all other 
identifying information. Underline one 
affiliation that you would like listed on the 
brochure. Private practice is not considered 
an affiliation.
•	On a separate page, a brief paragraph of 
about five lines, stating the purpose of the 
workshop and listing five to six aims and 
objectives.
PLEASE E-MAIL ONE SET OF SUBMISSIONS TO: merylgalster@yahoo.com.
The subject line of your e-mail should read: NYSSCSW Educational Conference.
–or–
MAIL FOUR SETS OF SUBMISSIONS TO:
Meryl Alster, 175 West 93rd Street, Apt. 15-H, New York, NY 10025
Suggested Topics: 
Proposals should be from three to five typewritten pages, 
double-spaced, and must include: 
Deadline for Submission of Proposals: January 13, 2014 
12    The Clinician   www.ClinicalSW.org
W
ith its broad theme and innovative format, the 
Society’s 44th Annual Education Conference, held 
on May 4, featured an eclectic mix of clinical topics 
and approaches.
The agenda for the event, “Enhancing the Treatment 
Experience: A Day of Networking and Learning,” comprised 
a keynote address and four workshops. By comparison, 
past conferences featured two keynotes in the morning, 
followed by up to eight simultaneous workshops in the af­
ternoon. Attendees often expressed frustration with having 
to choose only one workshop from so many they would have 
liked to attend. 
This year, a new schedule was proposed by Society 
President Marsha Wineburgh, who served as Chair of the 
Annual Education Conference Committee. It included one 
keynote session, attended by everyone, followed by four 
consecutive workshops.
In an interesting twist, the clinicians did not have to 
travel from room to room to attend the workshops. Instead, 
attendees were divided into four groups, each assigned to 
a meeting room. The workshop leaders travelled in round 
robin fashion among the groups to make their presentations, 
so that each attendee participated in every session. 
The presentations informed us, challenged us, and 
renewed our appreciation for the varied demands of our 
profession. Keynoter Susan Klett, LCSW, BCD presented 
“Shattering Trauma: Recovering and Repairing the Self 
Through the Therapeutic Process.” Her presentation is 
reviewed in an accompanying article. 
Workshop leader Noah Clyman, LCSW, ACT demonstrated 
the use of cognitive behavioral techniques in a discreet 
anxiety-provoking situation. His assistant took the part of a 
graduate student, overcome with anxiety when attending job 
fairs. His methodology was demonstrated through role play. 
Ellen Daniels, LCSW presented “How Do I Keep Going.” 
She described her wrenching experiences in maintaining her 
therapy practice during her daughter’s serious illness. It was 
an honest and revealing glimpse of her struggles. 
Education Conference Offers Broad Theme, 
New Format, Eclectic Mix of Topics
By Meryl Alster, MSSW LCSW-R, Committee Chair
New York State Society for Clinical Social Work 44th Annual Education Conference  |  May 4, 2013 
Enhancing the Treatment Experience: 
CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
WORKSHOP PRESENTERS (l to r)
top: Noah Clyman, LCSW, ACT; Jess 
Allen, LMSW; center: Ellen Daniels, 
LCSW; Gwenn A. Nussbaum, LCSW, 
BCD, CGP; bottom: Steven A. 
Weisblatt, MD 
Fall 2013    13
A Day of Networking & Learning
T
he illustrious Susan Klett commenced this year’s an­
nual education conference with a richly documented 
scientific paper based on the clinical case study of an 
adult survivor of childhood incest. Klett demonstrated the 
application of a relational approach over a two-year period, 
illuminating the impact of cumulative trauma on the sense 
of self and the self in relationships. She quickly engaged the 
audience with a well-chosen opening question illustrating 
core psychodynamic features of the case and its implications 
for treatment. Klett then delved into some of the extensive 
research she has done on the subject of complex trauma 
(i.e., cumulative traumas) including current neuroscience 
research, as well as attachment theory and infant research, 
and object-relations theory, among others. She explained the 
profound effects of trauma on the brain, the central nervous 
system, and the physiological systems of the body on an 
unconscious level, and made the link to attachment theory 
and the efficacy of focusing on attunement to affective states 
in the course of psychotherapy. Importantly, Klett cited 
evidence from neuroscientists that new patterns of neural 
organization may be formed through the patient-therapist 
relational experience. 
The Treatment
Klett chose vignettes to make salient theoretical points 
informed by trauma, attachment, and object-relations theory. 
Examples included the demonstrated use of empathic 
attunement in order to facilitate safety within the holding 
environment, particularly vital during the first year. The 
patient was described as an educated, professional young 
woman who had developed a wide range of dissociative 
patterns in order to survive multiple onslaughts from both 
parents. They consisted of denial, splitting, neurogenic 
amnesia, numbing, dissociation, hyperarousal, and panic 
attacks. Her presenting problem was that she longed for 
an intimate relationship, yet was terrified of it. 
Shattering Trauma: Recovering and Repairing the 
Self Through the Therapeutic Process
Keynote presented by Susan Klett, LCSW-R, BCD; Reviewed by Marie McHugh, LCSW-R
Susan A. Klett, LCSW-R, BCD, received 
her MSSW from Columbia University and 
a Certificate in Adult Psychoanalysis and 
Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy from The 
Postgraduate Center for Mental Health. 
Former Chair of the Society’s Annual 
Education Conference Committee, she 
is Co-Director of Washington Square 
Institute, where she also serves on fac­
ulty as a Supervisor and Training Analyst, 
Director of Continuing Education, and 
Coordinator of the Group Series. She is 
on the Editorial Board of WSI’s Journal 
Issues in Psychoanalytic Psychology. She 
is the Past President of The Postgraduate 
Psychoanalytic Society, former board 
member, Co-chair of the Planning and 
Education Committee and a faculty 
member of Postgrad* The Institute of the 
Postgraduate Psychoanalytic Society. 
She has published articles and reviews 
on trauma, eating disorders and the 
psychoanalytic process, and has pre­
sented nationally and internationally on 
trauma. She maintains a private practice 
in Manhattan working with individuals, 
couples and groups.
Marie McHugh, LCSW-R is a certified 
psychoanalyst in private practice 
in Manhattan.
Klett showed sensitivity to and awareness of the patient’s 
earlier experiences as she explored relational failures and 
analyzed the patient’s needs and defenses, as well as her own 
countertransference. Ferenczi’s “wise child” is hypervigilant 
to the needs of the caretaker, Klett explained, and this con­
cept relates directly to the patient-therapist relationship. By 
staying closely attuned throughout the first year of treatment, 
she helped the patient’s trust develop and her anxious and 
hypervigilant states no longer blocked the work. 
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
14    The Clinician   www.ClinicalSW.org
We Need You!
45th Annual Education Conference Reviews 
Gwenn A. Nusbaum, LCSW, BCD, CGP asked us to stretch our 
therapeutic framework by challenging frequently held assump­
tions about the importance of forgiveness when working with 
traumatized individuals. Using case examples, she explored 
situations in which forgiveness, a seemingly basic concept, may 
not be therapeutically appropriate. 
In a very lively workshop, Steven A. Weisblatt, MD presented 
a new approach to diagnosing mood disorders. We saw how 
once this shift is incorporated, our therapeutic framework 
can change.
The members of the 2013 Annual Education Conference 
Committee—Richard B. Joelson, DSW, LCSW, Marie McHugh, 
LCSW, Marsha Wineburgh, DSW, LCSW, and Meryl Aster, MSSW 
LCSW-R—extend a big thank you to the many deserving people 
who worked to produce this conference. They include Society 
Administrator Sheila Guston and volunteers Roz Cohen and 
Evan Giller, who made sure that registration went smoothly. 
Our volunteer workshop coordinators and leaders, Kathie 
McEwen, MSSW, LCSW-R, ACSW, Chris Farhood, MSW, LCSW-R, 
ACSW, Hafina Allen, LMSW and Saloni Sethi, LMSW, kept us on 
time and offered the committee good suggestions.
The committee members for the May 10, 2014 Annual 
Education Conference are Meryl Alster, LCSW-R; Daphne 
Leahy-Matteo, LCSW-R, SEP;  Marie McHugh, LCSW-R; and 
Dale Schneitzer, LCSW-R.  
During the second year the treatment deepened, and the patient 
began making observations of her emotional self and started 
processing previously unprocessed dissociated states that had 
resulted in splits of consciousness and truncated development. 
Klett described the importance and use of silence in the sessions, 
and her experiencing of projective identification in one particular 
session, as the patient gained access to memories and connections 
to feelings about a life threatening experience of physical abuse. 
As the treatment progressed, the patient re-experienced and 
worked through the incest trauma in an empowered and resilient 
state, using dreams as a transitional space in which to integrate 
and transform her experience. She was able to gain valuable insight 
into her eating disorder, and came to understand her self-injurious 
behaviors as stemming from a need to remain attached and identi­
fied with the aggressors (i.e., both of her parents). Eventually, the 
patient was able to achieve separation and individuation through the 
treatment by being able to fully mourn early losses, and to process 
and voice previously unarticulated experiences.
Summary
Klett concluded her presentation by re-emphasizing the profound 
impact of trauma on the body, brain, self, and the self in relation­
ships as evidenced in her work with this patient. She then further 
elaborated upon findings of neuroscience research, which included 
the role of the therapist in serving as a conduit to the rebuilding 
of brain networks of memory integration, self-organization, and 
affect regulation. Klett closed with an analysis of the transference 
and a powerful example of figuratively embracing and accepting the 
patient as a whole object—the good with the bad—which led to 
the patient’s ability to synthesize good and bad aspects of self and 
others, and contributed to her development of a cohesive sense 
of self and thereby shifted the treatment from object relating to 
object usage. 
Lastly, Klett reflected on forgiveness, and ended with a quote 
by Mark Twain that captures the patient’s experience of forgiving 
herself: “Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel 
that has crushed it.”  
We work hard to create educational programs that in­
form and inspire. However, the committee cannot do it 
alone. We rely on members to help us keep the programs 
relevant and useful. 
Please take a few minutes to think about the topics 
that are important to you. What areas do you want to 
learn more about? What issues have not been covered 
adequately? What types of programs would help you 
develop as a clinician? 
Please e-mail me your thoughts and ideas at meryl­
galster@yahoo.com. Of course, the committee will not 
be able to implement every idea, but each one is wel­
comed. Many of our finest programs have grown from 
comments and suggestions from members like you.
Overview
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
Keynote
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
Fall 2013    15
please welcome the new members of the nysscsw*
NAME	
CHAPTER
Abdel Hady, Zamyra	
MET
Abraham, Melissa A., LCSW-R	
MID
Abrams, Alison S., M.Ed., MA	
WES
Adams, Eris	
MET
Agazarian, Lauren, LCSW, MS	
NAS
Ajwani, Neena, LCSW, LMSW	
MET
Almouli, Jennifer	
MET
Alwan, Yasmine	
MET
Baez, Annecy	
WES
Barron, Therese M., LCSW	
MET
Baumann, Janet, Ph.D., LCSW-R	
MET
Berlow, Nancy	
NAS
Bombardiere, Dina, LCSW, MSW 	
NAS
Bow, Thomas E., MA, LCSW, MSW 	
MET
Brondolo, Kathryn A., LCSW-R	
ROC
Brown, Patricia, LMSW	
SI
Buckingham, Anne M.	
WES
Cappiello, Michael T., LCSW-R, MSW 	 WES
Cavaluzzi, Nancy E., LCSW	
MET
Chessa, Judy, LMSW	
WES
Cohen, Gail	
WES
Coleman, Beth	
MET
Cooke, Elizabeth M.	
MID
Corby, Alissa D.	
MID
Dando, Holly H., LCSW-R	
MET
Davies, Catherine E., LCSW, LMSW	
MID
Dea-Jue, Susan	
WES
Dellorletta, Amanda S.	
WES
Deluca, Anthony J., Ph.D., LP	
SI
Dold, Miranda, LCSW	
WES
Doyle, Stephanie E.	
WES
Dunn, Regine	
MET
Duroska, Emmanuella, MSW	
MET
Dworkin, Jane	
MID
Ellis, Wanda, LMSW	
MET
Engelman, Joanna, MSW	
MET
Feldman-Hills, Hayley A., LMSW	
MET
Fields, Ashley M., LCSW	
QUE
Frankel, Matthew	
MET
Funaioli, Michelle, LCSW-R, LMSW	
MET
Gaiton, Lana, Ph.D., LP	
MET
Gamar, Dietra E., LCSW-R	
MET
Gardiner, Myrtho W., LCSW	
MET
NAME	
CHAPTER
Garidis, Christina	
MET
Giordano, Risa, LCSW	
MET
Gottlieb, Sari	
WES
Grande, H. Mari P., LCSW-R, MSW 	
MET
Greenwald, Kenneth	
MET
Guidi, Carol S.,	
MID
Gunzburg, Arthur, LCSW-R	
MET
Guttman, Chaya	
NAS
Henry, Kimberly	
QUE
Ho, Vivian	
MET
Isaacs, Robert M., LCSW	
MET
Johnson, Maria G., LCSW, MSW	
NAS
Jones, Linda, LCSW-R	
MET
Jureidini, Althea, LCSW	
MET
Kadosh, Chava K., LCSW, MSW 	
MET
Kane-Coletta, Kathleen, LCSW	
NAS
Katz, Jerry S., LCSW	
MET
King, Purim, LCSW	
WES
Kober, Mary Ellen, LCSW, MSW 	
WES
Koenigsberg, Shira, MSW, LMSW	
NAS
Kolker, Emily	
WES
Kramer, Carol J., LCSW-R, MSW 	
MET
Laurette, Marta J.	
NAS
Law, Georgette C., LCSW-R	
WES
Lawrence, Monique	
MID
Leahy, Daphne	
MET
Li, Margaret	
QUE
Loper, Sally, LCSW-R	
MET
Luria, Deena, LCSW-R	
MET
Malkin, Diane, LCSW	
WES
Mason, Marc, LMSW	
MET
McCarthy, Krista, LMSW	
MET
Meyerhoff, Krista	
MET
Meyers, Amy, Ph.D., LCSW-R	
MET
Miller, Ann, LCSW	
MET
Modafferi Partridge, Mary, LCSW-R	
ROC
Moylan, Kelly, LCSW	
MET
Nadler, Diane L. 	
MET
Nicoll, Miriam, LCSW	
ROC
Nobile, Jessica	
ROC
Nunez Stetson, Stacey	
MET
Nwasike, Unoma	
MET
O’Malley, Danielle A. 	
WES
NAME	
CHAPTER
Olsen, Mary C.	
MET
Ostrov, Julia	
MET
Positano, Christina, LMSW	
MET
Pross, Cindy E., LCSW-R, MSW	
NAS
Rabinowitz, Ellyn, LCSW	
ROC
Reiff, Amy	
MET
Rich, Karen, LCSW	
MID
Roberts, Renee	
MET
Roberts, Joanne, LCSW	
QUE
Rogers, Susan, LCSW, MSW 	
MET
Romanelli, Debra	
MET
Rose, Julie A., LCSW-R, MSW	
NAS
Rosenberg, Maxwell, MSW	
WES
Rostant, Caroline, LCSW	
MET
Schechter, Linda, LCSW	
MET
Scotto, Janine T., LCSW	
SI
Sears, Dionne, LMSW	
MET
Siegel, Arleene, LMSW	
MID
Singh, Tara	
MET
Smith, Ann	
MET
Sokoll, Rebecca	
MET
Sokolov, Mollie, LCSW	
MID
Sorter, Dorienne	
MET
Spanbock, Betsy W. 	
MET
Spurrell, Elizabeth A., LCSW	
MET
Steinglass, Judith S., LCSW-R	
WES
Stern, Arleen R., LCSW-R, MSW	
MET
Strauss, Judy	
MET
Suben, Elaine M., LCSW, MSW 	
MET
Sukenik, Susan E., LCSW	
MET
Tanner, Ronald	
WES
Tartell, Jacqueline	
MET
Thomas, Elizabeth	
MET
Torres, Linda, LCSW-R	
QUE
Valerio, Estephany M. 	
MET
Vanefsky, Lisa	
MET
Walton, Susan V., LCSW-R	
WES
Weissman, Harvey	
MET
Welch, Steven P., LCSW	
MET
Wright, Christina, LCSW	
WES
Wu, William, LMSW	
MET
CHAPTER KEY: MET–Metropolitan, MID–Mid-Hudson, NAS–Nassau County, QUE–Queens County, ROC–Rockland County, 
SI–Staten Island, WES–Westchester County.
*These new members joined between March and October, 2013.
16    The Clinician   www.ClinicalSW.org
Sheldon Blitstein
Sheldon Blitstein, MSW, LCSW, a State Board Member-at-Large 
from the Westchester Chapter, died in July. He recently retired 
from Family Services of Westchester. Earlier, he was Clinic 
Director at the Fordham-Tremont Mental Health Clinic and at 
Aurora Concept. 
Diana List Cullen
Diana List Cullen, MSW, LCSW, passed away in January 2013. 
President of the Met Chapter of the NYSSCSW from 1994 to 
2000, she also served on the State Board during those six 
years. The Met Chapter has named its writing scholarship 
program for clinical social work students in her honor. 
A student at the NYU School of Social Work when she first 
joined the Met Board, Cullen emerged as an innovative leader 
who could recruit others, including many of the Society’s cur­
rent leaders. A creative therapist specializing in EMDR, she was 
one of first to use online psychotherapy. 
Cullen was also a dancer, a potter, and a savvy business 
administrator. At a celebration of her life in February, friends 
recalled her outstanding work for the Society ; her contribu­
tions to the pottery program at the 92nd Street Y; and her work 
with the “The Circle of Elders” at the Unitarian Church; among 
other poignant memories.  
Murray Itzkowitz
Murray Itzkowitz, DSW, who passed away in July 2013, was 
Executive Director of The Bridge, Inc. for 31 years, Past 
President of the Met Chapter of NYSSCSW, and a member of 
the State Board. He was a warm, capable and generous leader, 
the devoted partner of Phyllis Mervis, DSW, LCSW, CGP, our 
dear, distinguished colleague. 
“Through his unyielding commitment to our clients,” The 
Bridge’s CEO said, “Murray built The Bridge into one of the 
City’s premier human service agencies for people with mental 
illness, substance abuse, the homeless and people with HIV/
AIDS… His extraordinary leadership, vision and commitment 
to serving people with behavioral health issues will indeed be 
missed.” 
In Memoriam 
Adrienne Lampert
Adrienne Lampert, LCSW-R, who passed away in October 2013, 
served as President of the NYSSCSW, and of the Brooklyn 
Chapter. She was also President of the National Federation of 
Societies for Clinical Social Work, and ICAPP, an association of 
private practitioners. 
Society President Marsha Wineburgh, DSW, said, “Adrienne 
was a born leader—spunky, intelligent, persistent and persua­
sive. We worked together for many years to advance clinical 
social work and the NYSSCSW. She served in many capacities, 
initiated the important State Presidents’ Committee for our 
chapter presidents, hired a marketing firm to increase our 
public profile, and worked to get us health insurance. She will 
be greatly missed.” 
Lampert graduated from New York University, earned an 
MSW from Case Western University, and certification from the 
New York Society of Freudian Psychoanalysts and the William 
Alanson White Institute. In 2002, she moved to Ithaca, where 
she continued contributing her time and talents to mental 
health and other community organizations.
Selma Porter 
Selma Porter, LCSW, a dedicated board member of the 
Rockland County Chapter, was 83 years of age when she passed 
away in November 2013. Perceptive, influential and kind, she 
recently attended a board meeting, and maintained her practice 
until last year. She was “a compassionate friend and social 
worker, and her passing is a loss to our board, the Society, 
and our community,” said Rockland Chapter President Orsolya 
Clifford, LCSW-R. 
Anita Weintraub
Anita Weintraub, Ph.D., MSW, a member of the Staten Island 
Chapter, passed away in February 2013. She was a devoted 
school psychologist at Curtis High School, and a psychothera­
pist at a clinic in Brooklyn.
NOTE: To list death notices of NYSSCSW members, 
please contact Kristin Kuenzel at 800-288-4279 or 
info.nysscsw@gmail.com.
Fall 2013    17
T
he author of The Age of Insight: The Quest to Understand 
the Unconscious in Art, Mind and Brain, From Vienna 
1900 to the Present (2012, Random House), Eric Kandel, 
recently recalled the advice he received as a young man from 
his mentor, Harry Grundfest: ‘Look, if you want to understand 
the brain, you’re going to have to take a reductionist approach, 
one cell at a time.’ “He was so right,” Kandel said.
Reductionism, which means to study very complex ideas by 
reducing them to simple components, is used in basic sciences 
such as biology, physics, and chemistry, as well as in philoso­
phy and linguistics. However, reductionism is also very much 
rejected and looked down upon by those who believe that some 
systems are too complex to be reduced to the smallest building 
blocks. The belief is that those building blocks which make the 
existence of each particular system possible are themselves 
not reducible anymore.
In The Age of Insight, Kandel, a brilliant psychoanalytically-
minded neuroscientist and Nobel Prize laureate, explores this 
reductionist approach to connections between the sciences of 
mind and brain, as well as arts and creativity. Kandel, who was 
born in Vienna eight years before Kristallnacht, goes back to his 
childhood and his memories at the beginning of his book. He 
then walks us through the process and results of the interac­
tion of key leaders, Freud, Schnitzler, Klimt, Kokoschka, and 
Schiele, of “two cultures,” science and humanities, in Vienna at 
the beginning of 20th century. Through these five pioneers, we 
learn about the influence that the Vienna School of Medicine 
had on the Vienna School of Art History; about the revolution 
in thinking regarding the human mind, conscious and uncon­
scious; and, how brain science relates to art. The early 20th 
century ideas have endured to the present, particularly in the 
area of neuropsychoanalysis and the continued synthesis of art, 
mind and brain.
Series of Workshops
The beginning of Kandel’s book was the topic of the first in a 
series of workshops. On April 14, Dr. Margery Quackenbush, the 
Executive Director of NAAP, led the workshop, focusing on the 
history of Kandel’s early research in the field of neurobiology 
and on the further expansion of his ideas to include art, creativ­
ity, and the work of the unconscious.
At the second workshop, held on May 5, Dr. Natalie Riccio 
further explored the mind-brain relationships, “brain-based” 
and dynamic psychology, and the search for inner meaning in 
art and literature. At our third workshop, on June 2, this discus­
sion was continued by Sandra Indig, Committee Chair, and was 
expanded into the area of brain-mind relationships in terms 
of the brain being a “creativity machine,” and the “beholder 
share” concept, as well as representations of psyche, anxiety 
and aggression in art. Dr. Inna Rozentsvit moderated the work­
shops, and spoke on the neurological aspects of the material 
presented and discussed by participants.
Kandel’s book is not a textbook on mind and creativity. It is 
not a manual for utilizing neuroscience in artistic endeavors. It 
does not provide all the answers. However, it is an invitation to 
discussion about mind-brain, science-art, psychology / psycho­
analysis and art / literature connections, and cross-pollinations. 
Kandel calls for the reductionist approach used in basic biologi­
cal sciences to re-construct these synthetic connections.
The reductionist approach can help us, as psychoanalysts, 
to better comprehend the dynamics taking place in the viewer/
beholder before works of art. The approach is the first step in a 
complex journey toward grasping the dynamics of the creativity 
process itself.
The next workshop in the series, “Reading Eric Kandel’s 
The Age of Insight ,” is planned for November 17, from noon 
to 2:00 pm. Anyone who is interested in joining this quest, 
as participant and/or presenter, may contact Sandra Indig at 
Psych4arts@hotmail.com or Diana Isaac at InternCCT@gmail.
com to register. 
Committee for Creativity & Transformation in Clinical Practice
THE AGE OF INSIGHT: A Call for a Reductionistic Approach to 
Psychoanalytic Thought, Neuroscience, Art and Creativity
By Sandra Indig, LCSW-R, LP, ATRCB, CC&T, Committee Chair and Workshop Series Organizer 
and Inna Rozentsvit, M.D., Ph.D., Workshop Series Moderator
“There is nothing 
     in a caterpillar 
         that tells you it’s 
             going to be a butterfly.”
 
 
 
—Richard Buckminster Fuller
18    The Clinician   www.ClinicalSW.org
specific individuals or general groups; and whether the law refers to 
warning or protecting. 
In all cases, however, the laws that cover the potential for third 
party harm differ significantly from the child abuse reporting laws, 
even though they both modify confidentiality. An important shift in 
professional responsibility has taken place. 
In the child abuse reporting laws, professionals are required to 
report past crimes, while in the laws dealing with the threat of third 
party harm, professionals may be required to predict the possibil­
ity of future crimes. This can be a heavy burden for mental health 
professionals, who usually find that accurate prediction is next to 
impossible in their work. 
In the 1980s, another revolutionary event occurred which again 
brought into question the modification of professional confidential­
ity and its value to society: the discovery of HIV and the beginning 
of the AIDS epidemic. A book about that era by Randy Shilts, And the 
Band Played On, points out that it took some time for scientists to 
learn that AIDS was transmitted by a virus and, further, to under­
stand that AIDS was not characteristic of certain groups, but that it 
was transmitted by certain types of high risk behaviors. 
These discoveries opened the door to new ethical debates over 
confidentiality. One of the many questions that arose was: if your 
psychotherapy patient, a person who could transmit HIV, is engaging 
in behavior with an identified third party, should there be a Tarasoff-
like duty to warn the third party that he or she is in danger? 
To understand the debate, you must place it in the historical 
context of the early 1980s, when there was no treatment to slow or 
control the progress of HIV in the body. A diagnosis of AIDS was 
a virtually certain sentence to a quick and horrible death. The fa­
miliar debate of the Tarasoff case resumed, but this time in a new 
context. Would potential HIV patients come in for testing if they 
knew that the results of the tests might not be kept confidential? 
Would society be better served if HIV-positive individuals were 
warned in confidence of their condition so that they could take 
precautions in their behavior, or would it be more useful to limit 
confidentiality and warn the possible victims of their behavior? 
There was a legal tradition of reporting and containing contagious 
diseases, for example, in the notorious case of Typhoid Mary, a 
disease-carrier who was confined on an island in the East River to 
control her behavior. Should AIDS be treated be treated like this, 
differently than other diseases? 
New York was one of the epicenters of the AIDS epidemic, 
and therefore one of the centers of the legal, ethical, and politi­
cal debate over whether there should be special protections for 
HIV-related information. Today’s health care professionals may not 
need to know the details of that debate, but they do need to know 
its outcome, and the special protections for the communication of 
HIV-related information that were instituted in our state. 
The recent passage of the Safe Act in New York State, the gun 
control law, further modifies confidentiality and makes for more re­
porting requirements for licensed professionals regarding individu­
als who may be harmful to themselves or to others. 
Laws and court cases are not the only source of modifications to 
the absolute confidentiality referred to by the authors of that long-
ago NASW Code. I will briefly discuss two other sources of change in 
the last 50 years—technology and insurance.
In a three-volume biography of Freud by his friend and colleague, 
Earnest Jones, it is reported that the first psychoanalyst was also 
one of the first consumers in Vienna of an exciting new technologi­
cal device, the telephone. Jones does not mention, however, that 
Freud ever had phone sessions with his patients when, for instance, 
snowstorms made travel impossible in old Vienna. We can only spec­
ulate whether Freud conducted phone sessions with his patients. 
But I think we can say with a high degree of certainty that he 
never sent or received an email from a patient, and then worried 
about his email being hacked and posted on the Internet. He never 
checked out a patient on Google or Facebook, and then wondered 
if it was unethical to obtain information indirectly that the patient 
had not yet been ready to tell him in their sessions. He never had 
a session using Skype with a patient in another country, and then 
worried that his Austrian medical license might not cover him for 
a service delivered in another country, or if his malpractice insur­
ance company would consider it outside his scope of practice and 
refuse to cover him in the event of a lawsuit. And he certainly never 
had to worry about meeting the complex requirements of the HIPAA 
regulations brought into force because he was transmitting patient 
health information by electronic means. 
All of those concerns and questions are gifts to us, therapists 
who live and work in the age of modern technology, and especially to 
those who work with insurance systems.
Social workers in New York State took significant strides for­
ward—in the 1970s, with the passage of the “P” law, in the 1980s, 
with the passage of the “R” law, and just a few years ago, with the 
passage of the licensing law—in having their practice both legally 
What Happened to Confidentiality?  CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
u I think we can say with a high 
degree of certainty that [Freud] 
never sent or received an email 
from a patient, and then worried 
about his email being hacked 
and posted on the Internet.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 
Fall 2013    19
Confidentiality?  CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
recognized and reimbursed by insurance companies. However, 
increased recognition brought with it increased responsibility and 
regulation. 
The NYSSCSW, led by the Legislative Committee, chaired for 
many years by Marsha Wineburgh, was an important force in the 
passage of those laws, and we all celebrated those achievements. 
Even then, skeptics warned us that we were selling our souls to 
the devil, referring, no doubt, to the compromise of confidentiality 
required by working with insurance companies. 
But I don’t think that even the most skeptical and prescient of 
those individuals ever anticipated the complexities and demands of 
working with managed care systems. These systems require not only 
a listing of the diagnosis and the services rendered, information that 
has always been required of physicians working with insurance but 
often detailed information about the patient’s functional impairment 
and the progress being made in attaining the goals of the treatment. 
All of this information is supposed to demonstrate “medical neces­
sity” as required by the patient’s insurance contract. 
The term “medical necessity” is frequently criticized by 
ethicists as being excessively vague. The blanket permission to 
release medical records, signed by patients when they decide 
to use their insurance, has been criticized as well. Patients and 
professionals alike benefit from access to health care insurance, 
but patients also give away something important in terms of 
confidentiality. The decision to use insurance for a psychological 
problem should not be made lightly. 
 I work part-time at Yeshiva University, where I have taught values 
and ethics in the graduate school of social work for many years. I tell 
my students that I am glad to teach them something about confiden­
tiality, but it will have to be from an historical perspective, because 
in the modern world there is no such thing as privacy. 
Of course, that is a bit of an exaggeration for rhetorical pur­
poses. There still is such a thing as confidentiality in professional 
relationships. However, confidentiality has become much more 
limited, much more regulated, and infinitely more complex. As 
professional social workers, part of our responsibility is to protect 
what still exists of confidentiality, and to explain to our clients, 
in a meaningful and understandable way, those limitations and 
complications. 
The State Education Department is now responsible for draft­
ing requirements for organizations to qualify as CE providers. The 
NYSSCSW will apply to qualify promptly. We offer many clinical 
continuing education programs that will meet state requirements. 
Most likely, continuing education credits acquired before January 1, 
2015 will not be applicable. However, newly licensed clinicians will 
be exempt from continuing education until after their first license 
renewal.
New York State Education Department (SED) 
Policies for Distance MSW Programs
The SED has developed policies for distance (virtual or online) 
education programs that seek to register with the department. In 
addition to overseeing education programs that lead to professional 
licensing, SED is making concerted efforts to protect mentally ill 
patients who are receiving treatment services from an unlicensed 
social work intern or graduate student in this rapidly changing edu­
cational environment. Relevant policies include:
• The SED definition of distance education programs as those hav­
ing 50% or more distance courses.
• There is no need to register additional online courses unless they 
exceed 50% or more of the total number of courses.
• We would typically expect clinical courses to be face-to-face (in-
person) courses.
Further clarification from SED indicated that these policies do 
not apply to programs outside New York State unless they want to 
establish an office in New York. That would require permission to 
operate in New York to award diplomas and compliance with our 
licensing standards. 
Programs (whether online or residential) outside New York State 
are currently required to take responsibility for finding an internship 
site that is authorized in New York to provide professional social 
work and clinical social work services. Supervision must be pro­
vided by an LMSW, LCSW or other qualified supervisor. A supervisor 
located outside New York cannot supervise practice in New York; 
regulations require in-person supervision, and the supervisor must 
have access to the patient and patient records to make appropriate 
decisions about treatment and delegation to the supervisee. The 
supervisor is also required to hold an appropriate New York State 
license to practice and supervise in New York. Skype or other forms 
of distance supervision of clinical practice are not allowed. Out-
of-state MSW programs that offer MSW diplomas that do not meet 
these requirements will make obtaining a New York State license a 
much more complicated process. 
Legislative Committee  CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
20    The Clinician   www.ClinicalSW.org
The Clinical Social Work Association, a national membership 
organization, has produced an excellent position paper on this issue. 
David Phillips was one of the contributors. The CSWA committee 
gathered information through hour-long surveys with deans and ad­
ministrators of six social work schools, and reviewed four additional 
programs on line. CSWE standards for MSW education, standards 
of the American Psychological Association for online education, and 
relevant social work ethical codes were compared. 
A second concern noted by the committee was the fact that 
online programs appear to be interested in partnering with corpora­
tions to recruit and admit students. Apparently, 75% of the schools 
offering online MSW degrees use marketing firms to find students. 
The firms demonstrate no serious consideration of the person’s “fit” 
for social work or the financial burden of advanced education that 
the student will have to bear. Should sales marketing approaches 
like these have a place in social work education?
Ethical considerations also arise. The centrality of the human 
relationship in social work, the integrity of social work education, as 
well as the privacy and confidentiality issues for clients all need to 
be better understood and addressed. 
At this time, there are no national standards for distance learn­
ing. CSWE has been silent and the New York State Board for social 
work is just beginning to look at the issue. (By the way, in New York, 
the Fordham School of Social Work now has 50 online students). 
Without regulatory attention, the advent of distance learning 
brings with it the danger of dumbing down the MSW degree even 
further, creating a larger gap between generic education and the 
clinical training needs of our work. Online classes, with and without 
a teacher’s active involvement, rob students of the implicit educa­
tion required for building relationship skills, listening skills, and an 
understanding of the nuances of assessment. 
Get Involved
For those of you who may be thinking, “Thank god—retirement 
beckons. Soon I’ll be free from all of these concerns,” let me share a 
recent study that indicates that retirement leads to poorer physical 
and mental health. Author Gabriel Sahlgren bases his research on 
data from the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe, 
which covered 9,000 individuals between the ages of 50 and 70. Here 
is what he found:
Retirement led to:
• a 39% reduction in the likelihood of describing one’s health as 
very good or excellent
• a 41% increase in the probability of suffering from depression, 
and
• a 63% increase in the probability of having at least one diag­
nosed physical condition.
He found that the long-term effects of retirement are consis­
tently negative and large. University of Zurich researchers also 
found a decrease of 1.8 months of life for every year a person 
retired early. 
So keep working, keep active in your chapters, and get involved! 
HIPAA 
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7
President’s Message 
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
Can HIPAA compliance be partial?
No. There is no such thing as partial HIPAA compliance. If you 
become a covered entity under HIPAA, you must fully comply with all 
the privacy and security rules for all of your patients.
If you were in compliance with the HIPAA privacy and 
security rules in the past are you currently still in 
compliance? 
Not necessarily. As of September 23, 2013, covered entities are sup­
posed to be in compliance with the new HIPAA Omnibus Rule. Much 
has changed including new provisions in the Policy and Procedures 
Handbook, the Notice of Privacy Practices, the Business Associate 
Agreement, the Authorization Form, and other forms. The defini­
tion of a “covered entity” has not changed, however. If you were 
not required to be HIPAA compliant before, that is, you did not bill 
insurers electronically, then you are still not required to become 
HIPAA compliant.
Where can you get further information regarding the 
requirements of the HIPAA privacy and security rules?
 
The HIPAA Compliance Manual for Small Mental Health Practices 
in New York State (4th Edition, 2013) by Dr. Bruce Hillowe updates 
the HIPAA privacy and security rules to include the recent revi­
sions and also integrates the HIPAA rules with relevant New York 
State laws. The Manual can be ordered through Dr. Hillowe’s office 
at (800) 286-0369 or www.brucehillowe.com. It also contains all 
forms needed to comply with both the HIPAA rules and relevant New 
York State laws in both hard copies and an accompanying CD-ROM. 
Additional information may also be found on the website of the U. 
S. Department of Health and Human Services at www.hhs.gov/ocr/
privacy/index.html 
Fall 2013    21
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The William Alanson White Institute 
 
Welcomes Applications from Social Workers (LMSW’s and LCSW’s) 
for full training in our 
Certificate Program in Psychoanalysis 
and in our 
Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Training Program 
 
The Certificate Program in Psychoanalysis is a 4 to 6 year program providing coursework and 
seminars, clinical supervision and experience in our Clinical Services, and a personal analysis 
 
The Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Training Program is a 3 year program, 
including coursework and seminars, individual and group supervision, 
and clinical experience in our Child and Family Center 
Details are available on our website: www.wawhite.org or from David Appelbaum, Psy.D. (212) 875-1015 
Training is available to New York State LMSW’s and LCSW’s 
whose licensed scope of practice includes psychotherapy and/or psychoanalysis. 
NEWS ABOUT OUR MEMBERS
• In June, the Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society honored Bernard 
Frankel, Ph.D., BCD, LCSW, of the Nassau Chapter, and Lena Furgeri, 
Ed.D., LCSW, CGP, of the Met Chapter, with the organization’s lifetime 
achievement award. 
• In October, Fran J. Levy, Ed.D., BC-DMT, LCSW gave the Marian Chace 
Foundation Lecture at a conference of the American Dance Therapy 
Association, speaking about “Gifts We Have to Give: Opening the 
Doors of Shared Creativity.” Levy is a Board Certified Dance/Movement 
Therapist and a Psychodramatist. A diplomate of the NYSSCSW, she 
has been practicing as an integrative arts psychotherapist in Brooklyn 
for over 30 years.
NOTE: Please send recent news items about members 
to Ivy.lee.miller@gmail.com
22    The Clinician   www.ClinicalSW.org
THE INSTITUTE FOR EXPRESSIVE ANALYSIS 
                                      
The Institute for Expressive Analysis (IEA) is a New York State 
License qualifying program that offers training in psychoanalysis. 
IEA places a particular emphasis on the integration of 
psychotherapy and psychoanalysis with the creative process.
The curriculum provides diverse theoretical approaches including 
Object Relations, Self-Psychology, Relational Psychoanalysis, 
Jungian, and Contemporary Freudian theory. Training focuses on 
both verbal and nonverbal aspects of treatment and is applicable 
for both private practice and institutional settings. 
IEA’s program promotes the development of therapeutic artistry 
by providing a solid clinical base along with exposure to creative 
currents in contemporary psychoanalysis. IEA offers a personal, 
intimate training atmosphere based on the belief that every 
analyst must find her/his own therapeutic metaphor, style, and 
way of integrating the many dimensions of training. Central to this 
integration is developing a deep understanding of one's own 
subjectivity and patient-analyst co-created dynamics related to 
the transference-countertransference; the heart of psychoanalytic 
treatment. 
IEA’s 
consultation 
center 
is 
also 
available 
for 
low-fee 
psychotherapy referrals.   
www.IEANYC.org 
Associates
Upper West Side, NYC
Motivational Eating Disorder Group 
Motivation & Change Group
Utilizing the Trans-theoretical Model of Change and 
the techniques of Motivational Interviewing, the 
facilitator will assist clients in raising awareness 
around what maintains their behaviors, flush out 
ambivalence and increase behavioral changes and 
ambivalence and increase behavioral changes and 
address distorted thinking, irrational beliefs, values 
and psychodynamic issues that drive behavior.
Associates
Upper West Side, NYC
Motivational Eating Disorder Group 
Motivation & Change Group
Utilizing the Trans-theoretical Model of Change and 
the techniques of Motivational Interviewing, the 
facilitator will assist clients in raising awareness 
around what maintains their behaviors, flush out 
ambivalence and increase behavioral changes and 
ambivalence and increase behavioral changes and 
address distorted thinking, irrational beliefs, values 
and psychodynamic issues that drive behavior.
www.CedarAssociates.com
Cedar Associates of Westchester, NY, treating eating 
disorders since 1994,  is pleased to announce 
the start of a Motivational Group in NYC for patients 
with eating disorders.
Contact:  Judy Scheel, Ph.D., LCSW
jscheel@cedarassociates.com
914 244-1901
W
E
S
T
C
H
E
S
T
E
R
C E N T E R  F O R  T H E  S T U D Y O F
P S Y C H O A N A L Y S I S  &
P
S Y C H O T H E R A P Y
Professional Education
Is A Lifelong Process
Please call for a brochure and information about
our next Open House:
www.wcspp.org
914-997-7500
Chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York
in 1974, WCSPP provides training in psychoanalysis and
psychotherapy across a range of contemporary psychoanalytic approaches.
WCSPP, 468 Rosedale Ave., White Plains, NY 10605
• Four-Year Psychoanalytic Training Program
• Two-Year Adult Psychotherapy Training Program
• Two-Year Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
Training Program
• One-Year Couples Psychotherapy Training Program
• One-Year Supervisory Training Program
Financial Aid Available to All Candidates as needed
• Psychotherapy Service (Sliding Scale)
 
 
Furnished, bright, spacious office with 
private waiting room available in Huntington. 
Rent for three days a week for $675 a month. 
Lower starting rent negotiable if you are trying 
to build your practice. 631-424-5042. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CLASSIFIED AD RATES 
 
$30.00 for 30 words. $1.00 per word 
thereafter. All classifieds must be prepaid. For 
information, or to place a classified ad, call 
631-725-9845 
 
 
 
 
 
CLASSIFIED 
ADS 
NEW YORK
STATE
SOCIETY
FOR
CLINICAL
SOCIAL
WORK,
INC.
Fall 2013    23
	
  
Clinicians’ Writing Group 
 
     So much clinical writing is done in a dry, boring 
fashion. It need not be that way.Just as Oliver Sacks 
includes his own personal experiences in his books, 
making his work exciting and accessible to readers, you 
too can do this in writing about your work. 
 
     I run a writing group for clinicians who want to write 
in a lively, engaging way about clinical material and 
other aspects of their work — journal article, blog, book, 
magazine, newspaper, newsletter. This group can help 
get you started, find your voice, and serves as a 
wonderfully supportive community, meeting on the third 
Friday of the month in my office in Hastings-on-Hudson 
from 9-10:30 am. There is also the possibility of phone 
participation for those at a distance. The fee is $70 per 
meeting. 
 
     I have had a lot of experience with different kinds of 
writing and with the publishing industry, having 
published two books, a number of journal articles, a 
blog, some newspaper and newsletter pieces. I can 
share with you what I spent years learning the hard way 
about the publishing industry. I am also available for 
private writing consultation.  
 
See my website Drsharonfarber.com. Contact me at 
Sharonkfarber@gmail.com or 914-478-1924. 
 
 
	
  
PTI of 
CFS
Innovative Programs in NYC & DC 
emphasize analytic listening and clinical 
immersion, integrating contemporary 
psychoanalytic perspectives. We offer  
small classes and a supportive training 
experience with IPA-member faculty.
Our NY Adult Psychoanalysis Program 
is a License Qualifying (LP) program.
All Masters-level professionals are welcome 
to apply. LMSW’s may receive supervised 
experience credit toward LCSW certification.
Monthly Saturday classes in DC 
facilitate training from a distance. 
Additional programs include: 
Child/Adolescent Psychoanalysis, 
Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy,  
and Parent-Infant Treatment.
For more information call  
Susan Roane, PhD, at 347-725-0080.
Visit us at instituteofcfs.org
Psychoanalytic Training Institute  
Contemporary Freudian Society
Formerly New York Freudian Society
 
 
 
Want to master
the art of 
couple therapy?
TRAIN IN EFT FOR COUPLES WITH
NYCEFT
New York Center for
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Dr. Sue Johnson
Developer of EFT
Understanding the 
attachment-based logic 
underneath the dynamics 
of couples’ relationships 
gives you a roadmap for 
de-escalation and 
creating secure bonds 
between partners.
www.nyceft.org
Monthly Video Presentations 
in NYC,CT, and NJ
Attend the Basic Externship June 2014
to begin your path to certification
Core Skills workshops deepen
your skills
Core Skills workshops deepen
your skills
visit us on the web at
646-755-3168
or call us at
24    The Clinician   www.ClinicalSW.org
NEW YORK
STATE
SOCIETY
FOR
CLINICAL
SOCIAL
WORK,
INC.
New York Society for
Clinical Social Work, Inc.
243 Fifth Avenue, Suite 324
New York, NY 10016
Connect • Participate • Grow
Join the New York State Society for Clinical Social Work
> Advance Your Professional Education • Conferences, Practice Development, Peer Consultation
> Advocate for Clinical Social Work • Lobbying, Coalitions, Legislation, Vendorship, Managed Care
> Build Professional Networks • Mentoring, Teaching, Job Listings, Referral Opportunities 
> Collegiality & Connections • Social Events, Website, Facebook, E-News, Listservs, Newsletter
We Welcome: MSW students and recent grads interested in 
clinical social work, as well as CSWs from all settings.
NYSSCSW, 243 Fifth Avenue, Suite 324, New York, NY 10016-8703
Tel: 800-288-4279  
Email: info.nysscsw@gmail.com 
Website: www.nysscsw.org 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NYSSCSW/info