ABOUT US
The Society for Clinical Social Work is the ONLY organization looking out for clinical social workers in South Carolina.
SOCIAL AND STRONG
The Society for Clinical Social Work was established in 1984 to advance the clinical social work profession within the field of mental health and promote high standards of clinical practice.
We are an organization of clinical social workers who practice in a variety of settings, including mental health clinics, family service agencies, psychiatric hospitals, medical facilities, and graduate schools of social work. Many are independent providers of clinical social work.
The Society is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation with a Board of Directors comprised of chairpersons of the various committees and officers elected by the membership.
WHAT IS CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK?
The application of specialized knowledge and skills in the areas of assessment, diagnosis and treatment for mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, conditions, and addictions. Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment take place in the context of individual, marital, couple, family, and group counseling; case management; information and referral; mediation; client education; consultation; education; research; advocacy; and expert testimony.
THEORETICAL
BACKGROUND
With a person-in-environment perspective, clinical social work incorporates theories of biological, psychological, and social development which includes, but is not limited to, an understanding of human behavior and psychopathology; human diversity; interpersonal relationships; family dynamics; mental disorders; stress, chemical dependency; interpersonal violence; consequences of illness or injury, impact of physical, social, and cultural environment; and cognitive, affective, and behavioral manifestations of conscious and unconscious processes.
EDUCATIONAL
BACKGROUND
Requirements vary from state to state, but in the state of South Carolina clinical social workers must have at a minimum a masters degree in social work from a program that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. They must have 3,000 hours of post-graduate clinical social work experience, 100 hours of one-to-one supervision by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and pass the Clinical Exam of the Association of Social Work Boards.
MEET THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Outgoing President
Anjanette Chege
LISW-CP
Anjanette Chege, LISW-CP, completed her formal education from East Carolina University, where she received both a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. Mrs. Chege has worked in both outpatient and inpatient settings with a multitude of client issues. She uses a range of
therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). She has trained in the use of Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy as well.
"My passion is to help individuals through a range of struggles such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and other changes life throws at us.”
President
Terance Dawkins
LISW-CP
Terance Dawkins is a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Independent Social Worker-Clinical Practice (LISW-CP) from Spartanburg, South Carolina. Terance achieved both his Undergraduate and Masters Degrees in Social Work from Winthrop University, empowering him with the knowledge and
and skills to excel in his profession. He holds dual licenses as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in South Carolina and North Carolina. Terance is deeply connected to his roots, having grown up in the very community where he now operates his own private practice, Missing Pieces Counseling Services. Terance's aspirations reach beyond his private practice; he also works at the Trone Center for Mental Fitness at Furman University, where he continues to touch lives and make a difference. Terance sits on the Advisory Board for Spartanburg Area Mental Health and the YMCA of Greater Spartanburg. Terance recognizes the profound impact of family interactions and daily experiences on one's beliefs and life lessons. This realization sparked his interest in Intergenerational Trauma, inspiring him to explore its implications across multiple generations. Destigmatizing mental health is a core belief for Terance, and he aims to break down self-imposed barriers that prevent individuals from seeking essential mental health services.
President-Elect
Sally Braden
LISW-CP
Sally Braden, LISW-CP, is a licensed independent clinical social worker in private practice in Columbia, South Carolina. A Columbia native, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Wofford College and her Master of Social Work from the University of Denver, where she also completed a
certificate in Animal-Assisted Social Work.
During her time in Denver, Sally worked in child and adolescent inpatient psychiatry, adult inpatient psychiatry, and emergency psychiatry, providing assessment, crisis intervention, and treatment for individuals with complex and severe mental illness. She has specialized training in animal-assisted interventions and served as a contributing author and editor of Transforming Trauma: Resilience and Healing Through Our Connections With Animals, a publication examining the role of animal-assisted interventions in trauma treatment and recovery.
After returning to Columbia, Sally established her private practice, where she works with adults experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, grief, life transitions, stress, and trauma. Her clinical approach integrates cognitive behavioral therapy with polyvagal-informed and other evidence-based practices.
Sally is honored to serve as President-Elect of the South Carolina Society for Clinical Social Work and is committed to advancing the profession through advocacy, education, mentorship, and fostering a strong community of clinical social workers across the state.
Secretary
Elaine Smith
LISW-CP
Elaine Smith is a co-founder and charter member of the Society. She worked for a year in Chapel Hill, North Carolina where she was introduced to the North Carolina Clinical Social Work Society. Upon moving back to Greenville in early 1982, she met Linda Daugherty who had been a previous member
of the North Carolina Society. Together, they planned the birth of the South Carolina Society which started with 25 charter members and was incorporated in 1984. Many of the charter members were heavily involved in the organization.
Over her career, Elaine has worked in mental health centers, Family Service (now Compass of Carolina), as a private practice partner at Baylaurel Center and currently at the Furman University Counseling Center. She is married and has two adult sons.
Treasurer
Elizabeth Parker
LPC, LPCS, PMH-C
Elizabeth (Liz) Parker earned her B.A. in Psychology from Roanoke College and her M.A. in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine from Boston University School of Medicine. Liz is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPCS) in South
Carolina and has her Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C). Currently, Liz is a Clinical Assistant Professor within the Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health Division in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina. In her faculty role at MUSC, Liz provides therapy to women navigating perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, and life transitions. Liz also has extensive experience working with children and adolescents managing major mental illness. For 10 years, Liz also taught for Boston University’s Master in Social Work Program, facilitating two online courses: Clinical Practice with Groups and Advanced Social Work with Groups.
Member-at-Large
Tanisha James
LCSW, LICSW-CP, LCAS, CCS
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS
EDUCATION & CONFERENCE
Tamara Houston
LISW-CP/S, CGP
With more than 20 years of experience in the mental health field, Tamara Houston is the founder and owner of Renewal Life Counseling, LLC, a multi-provider mental health practice serving South Carolina and North Carolina. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Child and Family Studies from Berea College and her Master of Social Work from the University of Georgia, where she concentrated in Community Empowerment and Program Development. Her clinical work focuses on relational trauma, dissociation, anxiety-related disorders, and grief and bereavement. She is an EMDRIA Approved Consultant and a Brainspotting Fellow with the Southeast Brainspotting Institute. In addition to her clinical practice, Tamara provides clinical supervision, consultation, and continuing education for mental health professionals. She also serves as Program Director for Recovery Bridges through The Nola Network, which provides low-cost brief mental health services across South Carolina. She has served in several leadership roles within SCSCSW and continues to serve in her current position on the Board of Directors. Her work focuses on advancing trauma-informed care, expanding access to mental health services, and strengthening clinicians and communities.
MEMBERSHIP
Shannon Kaigler
LISW-CP
Shannon has experience working with children and adolescents with varying needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD and other behavioral diagnoses. She earned her BA in Psychology from the University of South Carolina, and her MSW from the University of New England. Shannon has specialized training in school mental health, special education, Strengthening Families Program, Child Parent Psychotherapy, and integrating play therapy.
NOMINATIONS
Colleen Corbin
LISW-CP
Colleen Corbin (she/her), LISW-CP/S, received a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Columbia College and a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina. Colleen is a Licensed Independent Social Worker – Clinical Practitioner and Supervisor. She has specialized training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Child First Forensic Interviewing, Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention, Family Strengthening, Child Parent Psychotherapy and Traumatic Grief. Colleen has academic experience teaching courses in psychology, leadership and social work. Colleen specializes in providing evidence-based treatment services to children, adolescents, and adults who have experienced abuse and other forms of trauma. Currently, Colleen is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Impact Clinical Consulting, LLC. A group private practice counseling agency specializing in maternal wellness and court involved clinical services. Colleen works with individuals experiencing difficulties associated with trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, perinatal mental health and difficult family dynamics.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Jordanne Hammar
LISW-CP
Jordanne Hammar is a Licensed Independent Social Work (LISW-CP) with dual licensure in South Carolina and Florida and has served on the SCSCSW board since 2023. Originally from Florida with a Masters in Social Work from Florida State University, she is now a resident of Charleston, SC. While she currently runs her own private therapy practice, her past clinical experiences have included working in in-patient settings for physical rehabilitation, acute psychiatric care, and substance abuse. With clinical and professional interests in chronic illness and disability rights, with particular emphasis on caregiver stress and burnout, Jordanne is committed to ensuring that patients and families understand their rights and the importance of advocacy for best health outcomes. Within the role of Government Affairs Chair for the South Carolina Society for Social Work, her goal is to bring this same commitment and energy to ensuring that state clinical social workers have a voice in legal policy and legislation that can impact their daily practice.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Caitlin Shadek
LMSW
Caitlin Shadek is a Licensed Master Social Worker in the Women’s Reproductive Behavioral Health Division at the Medical University of South Carolina. Prior to her career in perinatal mental health, Caitlin was a litigation attorney, earning her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law. Caitlin’s professional interests include perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, the transition to motherhood, the mother-infant dyad, infertility and pregnancy loss. Additionally, Caitlin feels passionately about helping to bridge the gap in care in perinatal mental health As Co-Chairperson for the Society, Caitlin strives to advocate, and help others to advocate, for policies that will positively impact state clinical social workers and the populations they serve.
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
Anna Rickell
LISW-CP
Anna Rickell facilitates Grief Groups at First Presbyterian of Spartanburg and Workplace Disruption Incident.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Amanda Parrott
MSW, LISW‑CP
Amanda Parrott, MSW, LISW‑CP, is a licensed clinical social worker and co-founder of the Sisu Center for Resilience in Greenville, SC. She earned her BA in Psychology from Clemson University and her MSW from the University of Georgia. She has more than 20 years of experience in academic, community, and private practice settings, including 12 years in Charleston and as a clinician within the Furman Counseling Center.
Amanda’s clinical work is grounded in evidence‑based practices and shaped by a warm, attuned, and collaborative therapeutic style. She is known for helping clients quiet self‑criticism, strengthen self‑compassion, and reconnect with their authentic goals. Her approach integrates cognitive‑behavioral strategies, strengths‑based methods, and culturally responsive care, along with specialized experience supporting individuals with ADHD through practical skill‑building and emotion‑regulation work. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by students and professionals, Amanda supports individuals who feel overwhelmed by competing demands or stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. She offers both traditional in‑office therapy and outdoor walking sessions. Amanda is new to the board and is excited to contribute to the mission and community of the South Carolina Society of Clinical Social Work.