“Insanity is contagious.”
― Joseph Heller

Having worked as a therapist in a NY State psychiatric hospital decades ago and treated mentally ill clients whose psychopathology ranged from schizophrenia to drug addiction, I was not please that a profit-making organization was planning on taking away my ticket to ride. After all, I’d spent years in classes, interning in the South Bronx during the Fort Apache days when gangs ruled the streets — Tom Wolfe had not yet interviewed judges wearing revolvers beneath their robes in the court — before he published Bonfire of the Vanities.

In a move that made my MSW insufficient to treat psychiatric illness — after the team psychiatrist hung himself and left the therapists to prescribe everything from Haldol to Valium — the State allowed a company called ASWB (Assoiation of Social Work Boards) to run the whole show.

Harold Dean and Dwight Hymans now run ASWB and here’s their raison d’etre:

“The organization was incorporated in 1979 as the American Association of State Social Work Boards (AASSWB). The primary intent was to establish an independent association of regulatory bodies to develop an effective, standardized examination to measure minimum competency for entry-level social work practitioners, thereby protecting the public. This was done to avoid a conflict of interest that existed when the professional association (NASW) was administering the exams. The ASWB is a nonprofit organization composed of the social work regulatory boards and colleges of all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia.

Can you believe that horsewhit? Non-profit, you say? Well, let me tell you a little story. I’ve paid three times to take the fucking LMSW exam –so I can work at a job I already did decades ago. Otherwise, I can’t wotk at all. I’m disabled and a senior. Supposedly, ASWB will arrange to accommodate me. Not so. It’s all PR — bullshit. In fact, I’ve paid to take the exam three times and no accommodations were ever offered. And, they were nasty about it. Keep in mind that i’m now out about a thousand dollars and still can’t work — even though ASWB took away my ability to work and contribute to the massive mental health crisis in America, not to mention New York City. And ASWB won’t return my money.

The passing rate for certain groups is abysmal, as well. Would it surprise you that Latinos do well but that old white guys do not do well. Perhaps, taking a test after study hall from fifty years ago isn’t a good predictor of success — nor does a multiple choice test determine how good a therapist you are.

Listen, I did 4 years for a put up job after criticizing the corrupt Suffolk County D.A. who prosecuted me for Grand Larceny — so I understand theft! I wasa ripped off by ASWB!

Here in New York we have rising drug addiction and PTSD;

A rising suicide rate;

An abusive, sick, tyrannically racist government looking to destroy our civil rights, income, health, insurance and freedoms. Stalin was a pussycat compared to the lying fascists we have to put up with.

The destruction of support systems;

And two middle-aged white guys in charge of the psychotherapy/social work profession?

Those of you in Albany who have been sitting on a bill approved by the NY City Council since this past January are holding up a bill to grant LMSW status to masters degree mental health workers. What the fuck are you waitng for?

Pass it now! And let’s get to work!

As my AI assistant describes thelegislation:

“Push to pass New York legislation, specifically S988 (2025-2026 session) and its Assembly counterpart A5291, to repeal the mandatory exam for Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSW), remove barriers, address workforce shortages, and promote equity by allowing direct licensure after an MSW from an accredited program. This “Social Work Workforce Act” would streamline entry, benefiting communities by getting more qualified social workers into schools and agencies faster.“

This is a move to help people — not a version of Project 2025 to destroy our mental health!

Just fucking do it!