Menu

Unbound Posts

Maureen Molinari, Ph.D., RD

2 November 2021
T12 Titans
No comments

Maureen Molinari, Ph.D., RD
Faculty, Integrative and Functional Nutrition

“The single greatest lesson the garden teaches is that our relationship to the planet need not be zero-sum, and that as long as the sun still shines and people still can plan and plant, think and do, we can, if we bother to try, find ways to provide for ourselves without diminishing the world.” —Michael Pollan”

Serving as a Guide

Maureen Molinari, Ph.D., RD, started her journey in nutrition when she was working for the fashion industry in New York City. At the time, she had an associate degree in fashion merchandising and loved the industry and her work, but she soon became interested in improving her health.

After reading some books on the topic, Dr. Molinari was hooked. While she still enjoyed the fashion industry, she knew she wanted to take a new direction. Following this call, she attended Rutgers University in New Jersey, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science. An internship at Fresno State University in California followed, where she learned about the intersection between agriculture and the people who work in the industry. After her internship, she earned her Registered Dietitian credential.

Dr. Molinari knew that she wanted to settle down in a place where she could go skiing and enjoy more outdoor activities. This led her to accept a job at St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson, Wyoming, where she created a diabetes program for the hospital. However, she still felt something was missing, so she returned to school once more.

While at a conference held by the Culinary Institute of America, she discovered Saybrook University. The Mind-Body Medicine program had the information that she believed she was missing from her practice. She entered the M.S. in Mind-Body Medicine program in 2010 and fell in love with the school and the program, so much so that she stayed and earned her Ph.D.

During her time at Saybrook, Dr. Molinari especially enjoyed courses on hypnosis, spirituality and health, and coaching. The coaching classes, in particular, changed how she practiced as a dietitian. They moved her focus from the more directive style traditionally taught to dietitians to being a guide in the client’s process.

After graduation, Dr. Molinari stayed on with Saybrook as an adjunct professor in the Mind-Body Medicine Department. When the Integrative and Functional Nutrition program launched, she joined the department to teach future nutrition professionals. Her favorite thing about teaching is helping students find their voice in their writing.

Outside of the classroom, Dr. Molinari spends time with her rescue border collie/Australian shepherd dog, Bear. When she’s not skiing, you can find her riding her bike or working in her garden. She has also hiked around the world, including spots in South America, the Himalayas, Andes, and Asia as well as the Tetons and Yellowstone in her own backyard. She is fascinated by her area’s medicinal and indigenous plants and has spent many hours studying them.

Walking in Two Worlds

16 August 2021
T12 Titans
No comments

Hridaya Sivalingam, Ph.D., core faculty member in the Counseling Department at Saybrook University, shares her spiritual journey and how it complements her career as an academic.

Request info

One of the most profound experiences I’ve had that has shaped my journey as a counselor educator was encountering an experience that a Western practitioner may have labeled as depression. During that time, I was working with a naturopath who referred me to a meditation teacher instead of recommending pharmaceuticals. That single referral shifted the entire way my life would unfold from that point. In contrast to previous counselors, this teacher taught me how to work with my mind, to learn how to sit, enjoy, and bear witness to its many creative ways of hooking my attention, without feeling compelled to follow along. She taught me to lean into a deeper part of my being we would come to call my “best friend.”

In my private life, this led to following several Hindu teachers as well as a regular practice and study that resulted in a full ethical conversion to Hinduism and to joining a Sivite church.
In my professional journey, it led to my pursuit of a certification in Integrative Process Therapy, a modality that blends holotropic breath work with a multitude of other somatic and energy modalities. I dove into scholarship about mindfulness-based therapies and conducted research related to the relationships between levels of mindfulness and counseling trainee anxiety and self-efficacy.
I noticed how having a dedicated meditation practice greatly impacted the presence I was able to bring to my sessions with clients and to the felt human connections and authentic relationships between my students and me in the classroom. One of my closest mentors captured this experience of diving deep spiritually while simultaneously pursuing a career as an academic as “you’re walking in two worlds.”

Saybrook has been the professional home where I can embrace these two worlds.
Here I am fortunate to get to work with colleagues who are inspired educators and creative and amazing human beings who see and honor these worlds as they inform my counseling, teaching, supervision, scholarship, and service.

Here I am fortunate to get to work with counseling students who bring their own blend of different worlds to Saybrook. The students who find their way to us have their own ways of viewing mental health, of challenging dominant paradigms, of working to bridge different philosophies, and of diving in to their own depths to increase their capacity for compassion. We consciously work as a department to create spaces for them to show up fully and co-create a truly unique educational experience.

I am currently inspired by and am exploring the potential for practices and perspectives of Advaita (non-duality) to support healing at individual and societal levels. I am continuing to learn as much as I can about natural, cultural, and indigenous ways of approaching physical and mental well-being and am committed to bringing those perspectives forward in dialogues that would otherwise exclude them.

To learn more about the programs offered at Saybrook University, fill out the form below.

Emphasis on Culture

11 August 2021
T12 Titans
No comments

An important component of humanistic psychology is recognizing the value that cultural background brings to psychological health and wellness. I view culture as a source of strength and resilience that informs every aspect of clinical treatment from assessment and diagnosis to treatment goals and tasks.
I became interested specifically in Latinx mental health due to my own cultural background. My grandmother immigrated from Mexico, and unfortunately, she died before I was born. Because of this, I lost both my connection to her as well as that aspect of my cultural identity.

This led me to pursue studies in Spanish in addition to psychology. During my training as a clinical psychologist, I saw firsthand that monolingual Spanish speakers have less access to mental health treatment and often face language barriers in receiving care. I also observed that there are fewer clinicians who are able to provide therapy in Spanish.

When I became a professor at Saybrook, I was delighted to teach a diverse student body, and I discovered that many of our students are Spanish speakers. This inspired me to create an opportunity for Spanish-speaking students to learn more about providing clinical services in Spanish.

Thanks to funding from Saybrook University’s GLOBE grant initiative, I was able to create a tailored course experience that provided clinical training in Spanish. Students were provided a clinical training textbook in Spanish, they attended a workshop facilitated by a Spanish speaker with expertise in the clinical approach, and they received individualized feedback on a clinical practice example conducted in Spanish. Many of the students stated that this experience gave them the opportunity to learn professional mental health vocabulary in Spanish and that they plan to use the experience to promote optimal health practices among the clients they serve in their communities.

I believe that the enrolled Spanish-speaking students have a unique gift to offer the field of mental health: treatment that is both culturally informed and delivered in Spanish. I am grateful to the GLOBE grant initiative to create experiences such as this one, and I am looking forward to more Spanish-speaking clinical opportunities for our students.

To learn more about the programs offered at Saybrook University, fill out the form below.

Saybrook holds first annual Film, Book, and Poetry Festival

29 July 2021
T12 Titans
No comments

Saybrook University hosted its inaugural Film, Book, and Poetry Festival—a showcase celebrating the talent and artistic work of the community on July 19 and 20, 2021.

Carmen Bowen, director of university relations at Saybrook, and Valaira Sa-Ra Smith created the virtual festival. Submissions were accepted from March 1 to April 30, 2021, and were open to the entire Saybrook community.

Nathan Long, Ed.D., Saybrook University president, welcomed everyone to the event. “The arts can be a powerful conduit for connection and healing,” he said. “At Saybrook, we understand the importance of embracing creative passions and ourselves.”

Each day began with poetry readings, progressing to film screenings, and concluding with book readings. Saybrook University is proud of the following community member and the works they shared at this event.

Poetry

  • Bo Acoin, master’s student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Saybrook, read two poems: “I didn’t kill her” and “Shitty ” Coming from a background in slam poetry, Acoin’s work spoke to his experiences as a transgender man and explored the toxicity of rigid gender roles.
  • Anthony “Butterfly” Williams, Ph.D. in Psychology student with specializations in Creativity Studies and Transformative Social Change, read an excerpt from his poem “The Throne,” a work of epic proportions intertwining a retelling of the ancient Egyptian myth of Osiris and Isis with contemporary episodes from his doctoral dissertation and lived experiences of colonialism.
  • Briana Weidman, master’s student in Mind-Body Medicine at Saybrook, read her poem, “Rose of Sharon,” inspired by the history of her current home, weaving vivid imagery with stories from the past to create a sense of connection through time in a poignant reflection on the transcendence of human experience.

Film

  • Ibukunola Bukky Rojugbokan, Ph.D. in Transformative Social Change student, screened her short film, “The Story.” The film examined Rojugbokan’s experience and struggles with infertility and in vitro fertilization (IVF), as a part of her greater dissertation and goal to develop online training for people considering or going through IVF.
  • Kellie Preston, Ph.D. in Psychology student with a Creativity Studies Specialization, showed her short film “Animal Assisted Play Therapy.” Preston used her own dogs and children as subjects in this informative short film that details how dogs can facilitate physical and emotional support for patients in therapy environments.
  • “The Rhythm of Blue” by Valaira Sa-Ra Smith and JC Thomas captivated the audience with its examination of women’s mental health issues in the African American community. Smith, who co-created the Saybrook Film, Book, and Poetry Festival, is an actress, model, and entrepreneur. Thomas is a performer and artist who produces independent film projects. Dedicated to women “suffering in silence,” the documentary incorporates interviews with African American women and mental health care professionals speaking about their experiences with stigma, treatment, and more.
  • Steve Sayre presented his film “Ghosts and the Afterlife,” an in-depth examination of theories regarding human consciousness and the existence of life after death. Sayre, currently studying clinical psychology at Saybrook, was inspired to make the documentary after his own near-death experiences.

Books

  • Richard Homawoo, Ph.D. in Psychology student with an Existential, Humanistic, and Transpersonal Psychology Specialization, read an excerpt from his book, “Dear I.” The excerpt, one of the 44 poetic monologues making up the work, explored themes of self-actualization and claiming the right to live life to the fullest.
  • Shannon Sims, Ph.D., adjunct faculty member in Saybrook’s department of Mind-Body Medicine, read an excerpt from her e-book, “Your Key to Mind-Body Wellness.” Dr. Sims, a survivor of long COVID-19, spoke about utilizing the lessons from her book in her integrative wellness coaching, especially during the pandemic and after her own illness, to maximize personal wellness.

The festival also provided meet and greet opportunities for artists and attendees to discuss the presented works. Creators provided insight to their artistic processes and intentions, connected with each other, and facilitated opportunities for future collaboration.

Saybrook University plans to make the Film, Book, and Poetry Festival an annual event, continuing to highlight and honor the artistic expression of its community for years to come.

Interested in joining our community as student? Fill out the form below to learn more about our programs.

Selene Kumin Vega, Ph.D., LMFT

9 July 2021
T12 Titans
No comments

Selene Kumin Vega, Ph.D., LMFT
Faculty, Mind-Body Medicine

“A deep source of wisdom and intuition is accessible inside each of us that can direct us on the path toward healing and aligning the fragmented parts of ourselves. Assisting people to access that wisdom and move toward integration and wholeness in their lives aligns us with an evolutionary current of development that can heal not only individuals on that path, but the community and world we live in.”

Inspiring Expression

According to Selene Kumin Vega, Ph.D., her teaching philosophy is guided by a few simple questions: “How can I encourage my students to grow as human beings? How can I inspire openness, flexibility, resiliency, and willingness to experiment, as well as enhance their ability to move in the world in a creative way?” Through lifelong research and experience with these questions, she has cultivated an in-depth understanding of human creativity and expression and their integral worth to our psychological well-being.

At age 15, when she became an instructor to the youngest students at her mother’s dance studio, her passion for incorporating means of creative expression into teaching officially took root. As she grew older, so did this passion.

At age 18, she began teaching junior high students from underprivileged areas as a part of a program to introduce them to the arts. Through this work, she observed how important the use of creativity-developing exercises could be, as they provided a space where participants could openly and freely express themselves. Using exercises that included movement improvisation and rhythm games, Dr. Vega was able to foster an environment for the students that encouraged curiosity, self-confidence, openness to experience, imagination, and expression. As a long-term result, her dance instruction methods expanded to include other experiential modalities that facilitate self-exploration, connection, and transformation.

Dr. Vega later earned an M.A. in Clinical Psychology and her psychotherapy license that grounded her movement, trance, and ritual work in the world of mainstream psychology. Later, she further developed her academic pursuits when she earned a Ph.D. in Psychology from Saybrook University with a concentration in Consciousness and Spirituality.

After receiving her Ph.D., Dr. Vega served as a faculty member at multiple institutions. Her journey would come full circle, however, when her work in higher education led her back to Saybrook, joining the College of Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences in 2011 as a faculty mentor. One semester later she began teaching core classes in the Mind-Body Medicine programs, as well as mentoring students and serving on dissertation committees. Over time, she transitioned into a leadership role, developing and revising courses as well as creating and overseeing the Mind-Body-Spirit Integration (MBSI) seminar for all new students.

Dr. Vega has never forgotten her earliest lessons in teaching. In her classroom, she focuses on engaging students in a process of learning that includes movement, meditation, guided imagery, expressive arts, and sharing about themselves and their experiences within small, facilitated groups.

“Our highest potential as human beings is to truly embrace the mutual interdependence of all the beings of this world and to value the full development of potentialities and consciousness for all,” Dr. Vega says. “This involves an ongoing process of healing the wounds in our psyches, fully inhabiting our bodies, increasing our consciousness while developing a healthy relationship with our unconscious aspects, and deepening our relationships with other humans as well as with the other inhabitants of the planet we share. I encourage each student to grow toward their own individual potential and trust their inner wisdom with the support of mentors and teachers they respect.”

Master’s vs. Ph.D. in social work: What’s the difference?

25 June 2021
T12 Titans
No comments

Pursuing a career in social work allows you to promote social change and positive development in individuals and communities alike.

To allow for a career in the field, you will first need a degree in social work. There are various social work programs offered in higher education, including at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Your career path will likely be determined by the level and type of program you choose.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

A master’s degree in social work is typically a two-year program preparing graduates for direct practice jobs in specialized social work fields. This can include work with clients, including families, the elderly, and children. As an MSW degree holder, you will be qualified to work in clinical and supervisory roles in the social work sector. Before you can get a license to practice as a social worker, you must first obtain an MSW.

With this degree, you can become licensed to treat patients who suffer mental, emotional, and behavioral issues and provide an array of social services and individual support. As a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), you will be qualified for roles in advocacy, teaching, or social service policymaking.

Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work (Ph.D.)

If you are more interested in the research side of social work or tackling major social work issues from an administrative lens, a Ph.D. in Social Work program may be better suited for you. These programs are designed to prepare you for professional advancement in the social work field, offering a curriculum focused on leadership, analytics, and research.

Ph.D. in Social Work programs usually take 5 to 7 years to complete. Graduates will be prepared to pursue careers in academia, research, administration, and more. Many schools also offer a DSW, or Doctor of Social Work. Discover the difference between a social work Ph.D. and DSW here.

Is a doctorate in social work necessary?

A Ph.D. in social work exposes students to the theoretical and research nature of social work, while an MSW prepares students for the direct practice elements of the profession. While both programs allow you to become a practicing social worker, a Ph.D. prepares you for more versatile and senior roles in the sector.

An MSW is mostly aimed at existing or aspiring social workers who require extra practical social work knowledge, skill development, or specializations.

On the other hand, pursuing a doctorate prepares you for roles beyond practical work; it develops you as a leader, an advocate, and an evidence-driven and informed social worker in the promotion of community health and well-being.

Graduate degrees in social work

Saybrook University’s Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work program is designed to equip you with the knowledge to become an administrator, consultant, teacher, or practitioner in a variety of social work roles.
Learn more about our Ph.D. in Social Work program today and be the catalyst for change in your community.

How to network in the digital age

25 March 2021
T12 Titans
No comments

Building a professional network is one of the most important things you can do to advance your career. In the advent of remote work, networking has also gone digital.

Networking from home can take some extra work and research. What was once defined by coffee chats and in-person events has now transitioned to online forums and messaging. So—how can professionals successfully network in the digital age?

Online networking sites for professionals

With social media, networking has become more comfortable and effortless than ever before. A variety of websites fit for remote networking exist, all with varying approaches to building connections with other professionals.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn has more than 774 million users—all spanning various professions and locations. Almost every business organization has some sort of visibility or presence on LinkedIn.

Due to its targeted purpose and professional features, LinkedIn is the perfect platform for networking. Its group, member, and job offerings make it the go-to site for career-related networking.

LinkedIn offers members a global, remote networking experience. You have the opportunity to reach prospects all over the world, follow and learn from CEOs, and build relationships with your dream company.

Try taking advantage of LinkedIn groups, where you can join based on industry or interest. With this feature, members can share industry updates, job openings, discussion threads, and build quality, relevant relationships.

To succeed in remote networking with LinkedIn, you will need to create an optimized LinkedIn profile. An optimized profile allows you to be better seen and identify relevant opportunities in your industry. LinkedIn will also automatically suggest influential connections to you based on those with related interests or profiles.

LinkedIn also allows you to perform robust searches for members—with filtering options by location, company, and even position.
Seemingly endless job opportunities are posted on the LinkedIn job section, spanning various industries. If you are serious about networking online, LinkedIn should be your first platform.

Slack

If you want to connect with people who share common interests, another great remote networking platform is Slack. Slack hosts communities for every location, skill set, industry, and hobby out there. Try seeking out niche professional Slacks, like Ladies Get Paid or Designer Hangout.

Conferences

Attending virtual conferences, seminars, and workshops is a great way to meet new people related to your industry.

You may even discover more connections at virtual events than at an in-person conference due to their accessibility. At these virtual conferences, attendees are encouraged to—and may feel more comfortable—connecting and fostering relationships outside of the stand-alone event.

Virtual events are great for first-time networkers. By having a shared experience and reference point, it can feel less scary to reach out to new connections and follow up.

Other social media platforms

Social media platforms like Reddit and Facebook also have sections dedicated to people with common interests—a hub for remote networking opportunities.
Try seeking out groups dedicated to announcing job openings or virtual coffee chats. By taking advantage of all social media has to offer, you’re likely to find like-minded individuals and build quality connections.

Professional networking online: methods and advice

Building a robust network of professionals takes effort, but with the right tools and mindset, you can find amazing connections and even job-related success. Keep these tips in mind as you begin your remote networking journey.

It is a two-way process. Networking is about sharing, not just taking. Make sure your remote networking experience is always a two-way street.
Networking should be about building trust and helping one another achieve goals. You can accomplish this by regularly engaging with people in your network and looking out for opportunities to strengthen relationships. With that, connections will naturally feel the desire to help. After all, it’s only human to look for ways to reciprocate good gestures.

Try making friends first. Just as you wouldn’t propose on a first date, the same goes for building connections. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you build a rapport with your connection before furthering any discussion or presenting any big asks.

Avoid generic messages. Before sending emails or direct messages to people you want to connect with, be sure to research who they are, their company, environment, and other things that make your message not sound generic. And whenever you drop comments on platforms, don’t give blanket statements like the layman to the field. Be specific, constructive, and endearing.

Know your network’s network. Often, people we already have in our network will have connections of their own with whom it would be valuable to build relationships. A quick and effortless way to expand your network is to ask people in your network for a referral.

Make follow-up a priority. Following up with existing contacts should be of a higher priority than connecting with new people. A strong bond with a few individuals within your industry is better than just having many people know you without any real connection. It’s important to not only talk with a connection when you need something from them. Check in consistently to ensure you are top of mind when an opportunity arises.

Building your professional network online is a lot like in person—it requires perseverance, persistence, and a desire to connect. Networking is about building relationships over time throughout your career. Don’t wait until you are out of work to start networking. Take time to network online today using these tips and tools.



Allison Winters Fisher

21 March 2021
T12 Titans
No comments

Allison Winters Fisher
Ph.D. Mind-Body Medicine: Healthcare Systems Specialization, 2019

“I may not have experienced war firsthand, but I have certainly felt the range of human emotion. Our emotions are what connect us. We are all living, breathing, moving human beings.”

Empathetic Service

I grew up dancing, so dance has always been a really important part of my life. When I was in college, I became interested in psychology, but I didn’t really want to leave dance behind. I ended up marrying the two.

It is a common misconception that dance movement therapy (DMT) has to do with dance in the traditional sense—that is learning a specific sequence of movements within the style of a particular dance technique such as ballet or modern dance. In actuality, DMT is about being with the patient—wherever they are—and moving with them in a way that is meaningful. What makes it therapy, and not just dance, is the relationship between the patient and the therapist.

My first job as a dance/movement therapist was facilitating groups on inpatient psychiatric units in a hospital in New York City. It was exhausting but fulfilling. Joining my patients on their journeys taught me how to be empathic; they taught me much of what I understand today about the human condition. We use movement and the body as a way to process, as a way to express, as a way to work toward goals. It can look very different from person to person. It may be as subtle as focusing on your breath, using your breath to help relax yourself. I’ve also had clients during which we may be talking through part of their story or an issue that they’re working through, and we’ll move together. The dance therapist is then there to guide the client through the process.

When I started pursuing a career as a dance therapist, I didn’t know that I wanted to work with the military and veteran community. Yet when I began working with veterans, I felt this connection that I could not ignore. I may not be serving in the military in the traditional sense, but it is my hope that I am able to help veterans find a sense of peace and healing.

Later, when I was working as a DMT in the Community Living Center of a local Veterans Affairs medical center, I met a man who happened to be on the same aircraft carrier as my grandfather during World War II. Our talks helped me come to realize my personal duty to serve those who have served.

When working for a military medical facility in San Diego, my patients were active-duty military members, many of whom were receiving treatment for multiple diagnoses, including substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. I supported their therapeutic goals by teaching them mind-body skills that they could carry with them and utilize wherever missions might take them.

This was also the time in my career when Saybrook University and I found each other. As I was moving, breathing, and exploring with military soldiers, I also was undergoing my own training, deepening my knowledge and understanding of mind-body skills alongside my own army of wellness warriors.

I have now had the opportunity to create and implement a mind-body program at the integrative traumatic brain injury treatment program where I currently work with active-duty service members. As I helped them build their health and wellness skills, I continued to build my own as well. I may not have experienced war firsthand, but I have certainly felt the range of human emotion. Our emotions are what connect us. We are all living, breathing, moving human beings. These are the truths I strive to honor through my work in DMT.

Since the pandemic started, I have been part of a resiliency initiative at a hospital called Operation OASIS that provides virtual offerings to help build resiliency in the community. Offerings include meditation, yoga, and creative arts among others. I specifically offer sessions on breathing techniques, yoga, and guided meditation. In the fall of 2020, I received a civilian achievement award from the Department of Defense for the work I have been doing on this project.

I am both honored and humbled to serve those who serve.

What Is Integrative Social Work?

21 January 2021
T12 Titans
No comments

Updated on August 6, 2025

Social work as a whole centers around the interaction between individuals and their environment, providing support and guidance through a given situation. Integrative social work takes it a step further by ensuring the betterment of individuals using the holistic and systematic perspective of social work.

At Saybrook University, the holistic approach is part of our core for all programs, including our Integrative Social Work programs. We offer a Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work, as well as specialized Ph.D. programs that apply a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to social work traditions.

What is a holistic approach to social work practice?

A holistic approach to social work assesses all factors in a person’s life when determining a path to care. Social workers who take a holistic approach to their practice tend to examine client behavior through a wide variety of lenses, including environment, family dynamics, culture, and more.

Often, holistic social work will not only attempt to tackle issues faced by an individual but also their communities. This ensures practitioners are addressing root causes of negative outcomes and ideally affecting change for a wide range of people, not just their given client.

By taking all of these elements into consideration, a social worker can better detect any hidden issues that could give rise to emotional distress or negative behaviors. This holistic lens can lead to better care plans and overall support for clients similar to how integrative social work is concerned with the general well-being of individuals.

What is integrative social work?

Integrative social work draws from the concept of holistic social work to create a model rooted in systemic support for an individual. This social work practice model is often described as “person-centered,” meaning it takes into account the physical, emotional, community, and spiritual well-being of a client. The integrative social work model teaches that if you do not recognize all of the above dimensions in your practice, it will undermine the whole.

Integrative social work also addresses an individual’s community issues in relation to their personal issues in an attempt to find long-term solutions.

Integrative social work, at its core, combines the time-honored traditions of social work with the values of social justice and social transformation.

Request info

Pursuing a Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work

Pursuing a doctoral degree in integrative social work prepares students to become leaders, researchers, and advocates of social work and community health.

After the completion of a Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work, graduates will be prepared to do the following:

  • Examine and evaluate the traditional community and societal values of social work and apply them to the dynamic landscape of the 21st century
  • Explain the influence of social policy and public health programs on general health and well-being of individuals, organizations, and communities
  • Support health equity and social justice in health care, society, and law
  • Engage, assess, and intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  • Critically evaluate methodologies, apply published research, and conduct independent research to investigate contemporary issues with community and society
  • Assess and synthesize evidence, theories, and informed practices and interventions in integrative social work

By possessing these high-level skills in both practical and research methods, students are ready to enter the field of social work in any capacity. The majority of integrative social work graduates go on to pursue careers in health care, education, community organizing and activism, child welfare, public policy, and more.

Integrative Social Work FAQs

What is integrative social work?
Integrative social work takes traditional social work and incorporates a holistic and systematic perspective of social work to better treat the whole person and garner long-term solutions to community issues.

Can you study integrative social work?
Yes, Saybrook University offers an integrative social work Ph.D. program that is 100% online.

How does integrative social work differ from traditional social work?
Integrative social work utilizes the principles of traditional social work and incorporates holistic insights. Integrative social work also draws on teachings from sociology, psychology, health care, and law, providing a holistic approach with a broad perspective on social work issues within communities and societies.


To learn more about Saybrook’s Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work program, visit our program page. We also offer two specialized Ph.D. programs in Integrative Social Work: Integrative Community Studies Specialization and Legal Studies Specialization. Fill out the form below to request more information or learn how you can apply today.

Interested in other types of practice models in the field of social work? Head to our blog about the four different types of social work practice models.

What is the difference between a DSW and a Ph.D. in social work?

13 January 2021
T12 Titans
No comments

If you hold an MSW, or a master of social work degree, you may be interested in taking the next academic step and pursuing a doctorate in social work.

Social work doctoral programs are typically offered in two formats:

The Ph.D. and DSW are both social work doctoral programs that allow graduates to gain more specialized knowledge in the field and pursue different job opportunities.

Students may struggle with deciding which of these two doctoral degrees in social work is the better option.

By laying out the basics, we can discover the difference between them and determine which program is the right fit for you.

What is a Ph.D. in social work?

A Ph.D. in social work is a doctoral program focused on research, education, social work policy, administration, and planning.

With a Ph.D. in social work, graduates are well-equipped to contribute to the ongoing academic conversation around social work through in-depth research and leadership skills.

A Ph.D. in social work elevates professionals in the field and develops key skill sets. Ph.D. programs in social work often maintain a focus on:

  • Evaluating social work methodologies
  • Conducting personal research in social work
  • Applying public research to contemporary issues
  • Assessing and synthesizing social work practices, interventions, and theories

Common career paths for graduates with a Ph.D. in social work include:

  • Training and development manager
  • Social work educator or professor
  • Researcher
  • Consultant

What is a DSW, or doctor of social work?

A doctor of social work degree, or DSW, offers students advanced training and practice in the field of social work. This education may involve research work but typically focuses on the application of social work principles and theory into leadership roles.

Common career paths for graduates with a DSW include:

  • Human services director
  • School social worker
  • Social work administrator
  • Advanced practice social worker
  • Nonprofit executive or administrator

The difference between a DSW and a Ph.D. in Social Work

While both result in doctoral degrees, there are some key distinctions between a DSW and Ph.D. in social work, including:

  • A Ph.D. in social work focuses more on developing students as researchers in the field. In contrast, a DSW is more practice oriented, focusing on clinical practice or social work applications.
  • A DSW prepares the student for administrative and leadership roles in the field, while a Ph.D. prepares the student for roles in academia in social work.

While both degrees hold many similarities, these are the most fundamental differences between them. Understanding these differences—and the most common resulting career paths—can help a student make the best choice for their education.

Interested in pursuing a graduate degree in social work? Saybrook University’s Integrative Social Work Ph.D. program combines the time-honored traditions of social work with the values of social justice and social transformation. Learn more here.