Board of Directors
The KSCSW Board of Directors is elected by the membership to govern the Society and oversee its activities. The Board of Directors is composed of six officers and one at large director for every 20 members. Board officers and most at large directors are required to be fully licensed clinical social workers in the state of Kentucky. Two at large positions may be held by members who are actively pursuing supervision for licensure and work in clinical practice, and one position may be held by a graduate student board member, who does not have voting privileges.
Monthly Board Meetings
The KSCSW Board of Directors meets on the second Monday of every month, except for January and July. All KSCSW members are invited to attend its meetings, which take place from 7 to 8:30 pm - they are currently virtual, you can find the links to join on our Training/Events Page
2021 Board of Directors
Monthly Board Meetings
The KSCSW Board of Directors meets on the second Monday of every month, except for January and July. All KSCSW members are invited to attend its meetings, which take place from 7 to 8:30 pm - they are currently virtual, you can find the links to join on our Training/Events Page
2021 Board of Directors
Jennifer Connor-Godbey, LCSW - Governance Committee Co-chair, Education Committee Co-chair
Jennifer Connor-Godbey is an outpatient counselor at the University of Kentucky Department of Psychiatry who works with adults, adolescents, and their families. Previously, she was the Program Director/Therapists for Florence Crittenton Home Residential Treatment Program. She has also worked for Bluegrass as an in-home therapist. Jennifer is certified in Eye Movement Desentization Reprocessing (EMDR) and Functional Family Therapy (FFT).
I value the opportunity to network with so many talented clinical social workers. The professional relationships I have developed by being part of this Board have helped me in so many ways be a better clinician. I enjoy the opportunity to plan and host quality trainings. I also appreciate the timely information about opportunities to advocate in the legislature individually and collectively.
Jennifer Connor-Godbey is an outpatient counselor at the University of Kentucky Department of Psychiatry who works with adults, adolescents, and their families. Previously, she was the Program Director/Therapists for Florence Crittenton Home Residential Treatment Program. She has also worked for Bluegrass as an in-home therapist. Jennifer is certified in Eye Movement Desentization Reprocessing (EMDR) and Functional Family Therapy (FFT).
I value the opportunity to network with so many talented clinical social workers. The professional relationships I have developed by being part of this Board have helped me in so many ways be a better clinician. I enjoy the opportunity to plan and host quality trainings. I also appreciate the timely information about opportunities to advocate in the legislature individually and collectively.
Beth Hellebusch, LCSW - Board Treasurer, Membership Committee Member
Beth is an outpatient counselor at the Healthfirst Bluegrass Integrated Care Clinic who sees a variety of patients; adults, adolescents, children and their families. Previously, she was the Director of Outpatient Services at the Ridge, Director of IMPACT Plus at KVC Behavioral Healthcare and TeenPOP Program Director at Bluegrass.org. She served as an At-Large Board member for two terms until 2013.
I am so excited to be returning to the Board; working with the dedicated Board Members and the opportunity to connect with and learn from social work professionals.
Beth is an outpatient counselor at the Healthfirst Bluegrass Integrated Care Clinic who sees a variety of patients; adults, adolescents, children and their families. Previously, she was the Director of Outpatient Services at the Ridge, Director of IMPACT Plus at KVC Behavioral Healthcare and TeenPOP Program Director at Bluegrass.org. She served as an At-Large Board member for two terms until 2013.
I am so excited to be returning to the Board; working with the dedicated Board Members and the opportunity to connect with and learn from social work professionals.
Kay Hubbard, LCSW - President Elect
Kay is an outpatient therapist at Bluegrass Family Consultants, LLC. She provides treatment to persons of all ages (early childhood through adult.) Areas of interest include but are not limited to: parent child relational problems, child behavioral difficulties, high conflict families, issues related to emotional dysregulation, depression, anxiety and trauma related stress. Prior to this she worked for the University of Kentucky, Center on Trauma and Children..
Kay is an outpatient therapist at Bluegrass Family Consultants, LLC. She provides treatment to persons of all ages (early childhood through adult.) Areas of interest include but are not limited to: parent child relational problems, child behavioral difficulties, high conflict families, issues related to emotional dysregulation, depression, anxiety and trauma related stress. Prior to this she worked for the University of Kentucky, Center on Trauma and Children..
Janet Doss, MSSW, LCSW - Advocacy Committee Co-Chair
Janet graduated from the UK with a bachelor in social work and a bachelor in education/recreational and leisure studies. After working 2 years in the field, she decided to return to school to further her education. She graduated from the University Of Louisville Kent School Of Social Work with a concentration in Mental Health in 1986. In 1992 while working at Bluegrass.org, Janet obtained her LCSW. Janet had practiced social work in a variety of setting including CPS, Juvenile Court, mental health and school social work. Currently Janet works part time in her private practice serving child, adolescents and adults with mental health issues. Janet also works part time at the University Of Kentucky College Of Social Work as the School Social Work certification coordinator and as an adjunct professor.
Janet graduated from the UK with a bachelor in social work and a bachelor in education/recreational and leisure studies. After working 2 years in the field, she decided to return to school to further her education. She graduated from the University Of Louisville Kent School Of Social Work with a concentration in Mental Health in 1986. In 1992 while working at Bluegrass.org, Janet obtained her LCSW. Janet had practiced social work in a variety of setting including CPS, Juvenile Court, mental health and school social work. Currently Janet works part time in her private practice serving child, adolescents and adults with mental health issues. Janet also works part time at the University Of Kentucky College Of Social Work as the School Social Work certification coordinator and as an adjunct professor.
Cassie Brown, LCSW- Secretary
Cassie Brown, LCSW has been in practice at Eastern State Hospital (ESH) in Lexington for the past six years with adults with serious mental illness and substance use. Prior to that, she worked with children and families with KVC Kentucky. She has also taught as an adjunct at the UK College of Social Work. At ESH she chairs the hospital research council, as well as the committee on healthcare inclusivity. She helped create and run two successful research-centered conferences for ESH.
Cassie has served on the KSCSW board previously as the Education Committee Chair. She has presented continuing education since 2011 on topics such as gender diversity preventing burnout, stigma of serious mental illness, substance use and shame, and motivational interviewing. Her professional interests include: SMI, substance use, LGBTQ-centered care, program evaluation and inter-professional collaboration. Cassie would like to serve on the KSCSW board to promote professionalism and education for Kentucky’s clinical social workers and to support KSCSW’s commitment to social justice and ethical practice.
Cassie Brown, LCSW has been in practice at Eastern State Hospital (ESH) in Lexington for the past six years with adults with serious mental illness and substance use. Prior to that, she worked with children and families with KVC Kentucky. She has also taught as an adjunct at the UK College of Social Work. At ESH she chairs the hospital research council, as well as the committee on healthcare inclusivity. She helped create and run two successful research-centered conferences for ESH.
Cassie has served on the KSCSW board previously as the Education Committee Chair. She has presented continuing education since 2011 on topics such as gender diversity preventing burnout, stigma of serious mental illness, substance use and shame, and motivational interviewing. Her professional interests include: SMI, substance use, LGBTQ-centered care, program evaluation and inter-professional collaboration. Cassie would like to serve on the KSCSW board to promote professionalism and education for Kentucky’s clinical social workers and to support KSCSW’s commitment to social justice and ethical practice.
Gwen Shelton, LCSW- At Large Member, Membership Committee Member
Gwen is in therapist in private practice, where she specializes in LGBTQ+ issues. Her other areas of interest are addiction/recovery, anger management, trauma, spirituality, and self-esteem. She is also certified in Brainspotting. Prior to entering private practice, Gwen worked as an outpatient therapist at Brentwood Meadows, an addiction and mental health treatment facility in Newburgh, Indiana. Gwen has taught as an adjunct professor for the MSW program at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY.
Gwen has been an active member of the KSCSW Book Club.
Gwen is in therapist in private practice, where she specializes in LGBTQ+ issues. Her other areas of interest are addiction/recovery, anger management, trauma, spirituality, and self-esteem. She is also certified in Brainspotting. Prior to entering private practice, Gwen worked as an outpatient therapist at Brentwood Meadows, an addiction and mental health treatment facility in Newburgh, Indiana. Gwen has taught as an adjunct professor for the MSW program at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY.
Gwen has been an active member of the KSCSW Book Club.
Ginny Luftman, PhD, LCSW- At Large Member, Governance Committee Member
Ginny Luftman, PhD, LCSW, is an Associate Professor in UK Department of Psychiatry, where she has worked for 25+ years. She obtained her MSW and PhD from UK college of Social Work. Her clinical practice focuses on working with patients with Eating Disorders. Ginny has served on the on the Law Committee for the Clinical Social Work Society and continues to ‘man’ the society hotline to answer questions from clinical social workers throughout the US on a broad range of legal issues. She co-authored the ‘Clinical Guidelines for Clinical Social Work in Custody Evaluations’. Ginny serves on the Social Work Advisory Board of UK College of Social Work. She has served as a CASA volunteer, Board Member for the American Lung Association and for The Well. She is currently Vice-chair of the UK College of Medicine Admissions Committee.
Ginny believes strongly in the KSCSW and their educational and advocacy efforts for members and for the society as a whole. This Society provides invaluable peer collaboration and support while serving the community’s mental health needs. She looks forward to the opportunity of taking on an expanded role in this wonderful organization.
Ginny Luftman, PhD, LCSW, is an Associate Professor in UK Department of Psychiatry, where she has worked for 25+ years. She obtained her MSW and PhD from UK college of Social Work. Her clinical practice focuses on working with patients with Eating Disorders. Ginny has served on the on the Law Committee for the Clinical Social Work Society and continues to ‘man’ the society hotline to answer questions from clinical social workers throughout the US on a broad range of legal issues. She co-authored the ‘Clinical Guidelines for Clinical Social Work in Custody Evaluations’. Ginny serves on the Social Work Advisory Board of UK College of Social Work. She has served as a CASA volunteer, Board Member for the American Lung Association and for The Well. She is currently Vice-chair of the UK College of Medicine Admissions Committee.
Ginny believes strongly in the KSCSW and their educational and advocacy efforts for members and for the society as a whole. This Society provides invaluable peer collaboration and support while serving the community’s mental health needs. She looks forward to the opportunity of taking on an expanded role in this wonderful organization.
Annie Bassoni, LCSW - At- Large Member, Education Committee Member
Annie provides therapy to University of Kentucky employees and their family members, as well as retirees from UK. She has been in this position for almost 10 years. Her prior experience includes in-home services through Family Preservation and IMPACT. She has also worked at the Chrysalis House reuniting women in recovery with their children.
This is my first service on a Board and I'm excited to be a part of a strong group of professionals..
Annie provides therapy to University of Kentucky employees and their family members, as well as retirees from UK. She has been in this position for almost 10 years. Her prior experience includes in-home services through Family Preservation and IMPACT. She has also worked at the Chrysalis House reuniting women in recovery with their children.
This is my first service on a Board and I'm excited to be a part of a strong group of professionals..
Steven Johnson, PhD, LCSW - At Large Member
Steven is an outpatient therapist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Kentucky. Besides his clinical work with adults and couples, he enjoys teaching and supervising residents in psychotherapy. He is the musical director of New Song in the Bluegrass, a community chorus in Lexington.
It is great to serve again on the board of KSCSW. I am excited to see how KSCSW will continue to be a driving force in the social work community.
Steven is an outpatient therapist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Kentucky. Besides his clinical work with adults and couples, he enjoys teaching and supervising residents in psychotherapy. He is the musical director of New Song in the Bluegrass, a community chorus in Lexington.
It is great to serve again on the board of KSCSW. I am excited to see how KSCSW will continue to be a driving force in the social work community.
Jacqueline Thomas, MSW, LCSW - At- Large Member
Jacqueline currently works for Bluegrass Family Consultants in Lexington and she is also a social worker for the University of Kentucky transplant clinic. She has a diverse background working with crisis, community practice and private practice. Jacqueline specializes in childhood and adult trauma, anxiety issues and eating disorders, but she loves working with a multitude of needs beyond that. She is certified in EMDR and enjoys incorporating it into her sessions. She moved to Kentucky in November of 2018 and would love to be a part of the board to further her connections and to be more involved in the social work community in Kentucky.
Jacqueline currently works for Bluegrass Family Consultants in Lexington and she is also a social worker for the University of Kentucky transplant clinic. She has a diverse background working with crisis, community practice and private practice. Jacqueline specializes in childhood and adult trauma, anxiety issues and eating disorders, but she loves working with a multitude of needs beyond that. She is certified in EMDR and enjoys incorporating it into her sessions. She moved to Kentucky in November of 2018 and would love to be a part of the board to further her connections and to be more involved in the social work community in Kentucky.