Jonathan Pfeffer, M.S.S ‘24, has been named the first prize winner of the Awards for Clinical Excellence given by the Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work (PSCSW). Pfeffer will be awarded $500 and a free one-year membership to the Clinical Society. In his Alumni Spotlight, Pfeffer discusses his placement experiences, professor connections, and takeaways from ÀÏÍõÂÛ̳’s Social Work program.
Could you discuss your experiences in your social work practicum placements?
In both of my internships, I shared profound moments in session with people who, like me, identify as outsiders, exiles, and misfits. I felt honored to play a small, supportive role as they attempted to navigate a world in disarray.
My foundation-year placement was with ÀÏÍõÂÛ̳’s Access Services department, where I had the generous support of Deb Alder and Grace Cipressi. COVID-19 loomed large in many of my interactions with undergraduate students as they sought greater balance in their academic and personal lives. Much of my work involved engaging with complex ethical and existential questions about education, health, and access. I am grateful for the caustic wit and clinical wisdom of Carolyn Solo, my Year 1 clinical supervisor and Clinical Social Work Practice professor. In session, I often find myself channeling Carolyn's unique blend of psychoanalytic insight and no-nonsense candor.
I completed my advanced-year placement at the Philadelphia Consultation Center, the clinical training arm of the Philadelphia School of Psychoanalysis, where I was drawn to help make the liberating effects of modern psychoanalytic therapy accessible to all adults. Many of my patients at PCC opted to use our time to move toward greater autonomy, cultivate healthier interpersonal boundaries, and an expanded tolerance for opposing feeling states. I became acquainted with how community behavioral health policies often prioritize credentialing and billing over patient needs, which prepared me well for my current role in community mental health. I was very fortunate to have Peggy Vogt as my advanced clinical supervisor. Peggy’s seamless integration of theory and practice was instrumental in teaching me how to collaboratively shape therapeutic spaces with patients. The guidance of both Carolyn and Peggy has profoundly shaped my professional development and strengthened my commitment to social justice and ethical practice.
Could you reflect on your time taking GSSWSR courses?
I learned so much from my classmates and friends, especially Amir Kohen, Sean Callan, Nissa Gustafson, Linh Trung, and Rachael Russo. Some of the most insightful conversations took place during rides to and from campus—I highly recommend carpooling! In hindsight, I realize that many of my strongest connections were forged in Tom Vartanian’s delightful Social Policy class.
In her Theoretical Perspectives class, Sara Bressi assigned an excerpt from Elizabeth Danto’s book Freud’s Free Clinics, which illuminated the subversive potential of social work embodied by the early psychoanalytic movement, including Harlem’s Lafargue Clinic. This reading helped me feel like there was a meaningful place for me in the field of social work.
Few people can intuitively address diverse needs, connect with others, and communicate across varied experiences like John Edwards, who made CONNECT and my evening sections of Foundation Practice lively and engaging.
Lauren Montemuro-Rode’s extraordinary ability to make byzantine stats concepts accessible in Research in Practice represents true social work. It was a pleasant surprise to find I actually enjoyed figuring out differences in likelihood or making predictions.
Professor Tamara Moss, my advisor and fellow night owl, was a pleasure to work with. She always offered thoughtful recommendations on courses, potential professional opportunities, and how to navigate the more delicate aspects of the field.