Smith School for Social Work provides students with a focus on clinical social work, integrating comprehensive educational theories, skills and practices of clinical work. This collection includes full-text access to theses and dissertations, as follows:
- Smith College School for Social Work Theses, 2007-present Available to anyone both on and off-campus (some with a 5 year restriction limiting access to the Smith community), anyone via interlibrary loan
- Smith College School for Social Work Dissertations, 2009-present Available to the Smith community including off-campus access with a current Smith login, anyone on campus, and anyone via interlibrary loan
2016
"Stop resisting!" : an exploratory study of police brutality and its impacts on Black and Latino males, their communities, mental health and healing, Manuel A. Ortiz, Masters Thesis
From spitting rhymes to inspiring minds : the role of hip hop therapy in treatment engagement amongst Latinx and Black youth : a project based upon an investigation at Beats. Rhymes and Life, Tatiana R. Padilla, Masters Thesis
How I got over : young African American men tell the story of how they achieved academic success : a descriptive study, Rebecca M.C. Ramer, Masters Thesis
First-generation college students and class consciousness : exploring how social class influences college adjustment, Rachel L. Redd, Masters Thesis
Resilient open heart : an exploration of compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and spiritual practice with end of life and palliative care clinicians, Nathalie J. Rodriguez, Masters Thesis
"I own my T!" : the experience of older transgender people of color regarding personal identity, systems of support, and desires for the future, Venae N. Rodriguez, Masters Thesis
"We are all mentally ill" : grassroots efforts to provide LGBTQ affirmative psychotherapy & social services, 1960-1987: Oral History Project, Seattle, Washington, Dexter Rose, Masters Thesis
Sensory processing disorder, invalidating childhood environments, and mental health outcomes in adulthood, Emma Ross, Masters Thesis
Cultivating resilience : antidotes to White fragility in racial justice education, Katherine E. Roubos, Masters Thesis
"War was either going to be a skeleton in my closet or I could try to make it something else" : an exploration of moral injury, moral repair, and veteran anti-war activism, Zoe Rose Rudow, Masters Thesis
Beats, Rhymes, Life & resilience : hip hop therapy with youth of color : a project based upon an investigation at Beats, Rhymes and Life Inc, Emily S.L. Schwartz, Masters Thesis
Climate change on the therapist's couch : how mental health clinicians receive and respond to indirect psychological impacts of climate change in the therapeutic setting, Elizabeth B. Seaman, Masters Thesis
Bless your heart but hide the children : the effect of entertainment media depictions of social workers on public opinions about social work as a profession, Abigail R. Spear, Masters Thesis
Resolving dissonance : how experiences of flow of live music performance facilitate dedifferentiation and impact the subject well-being of young adults, Amanda N. Sposato, Masters Thesis
Caring for the caregivers : the relationship between perceived organizational support and teacher-child interactions in Head Start classrooms, Mariel R. Stadick, Masters Thesis
Social workers' experiences related to online dating : a descriptive study, Miriam B. Stevens, Masters Thesis
Co-parenting children survey : an investigation between separated and intact families, Abigail R. Sushchyk, Masters Thesis
Clinicians' perceptions of their role in grief counseling, Dinh Q. Tran, Masters Thesis
Unhealthy weight control behaviors in adolescents : are there classes of risk?, Grace M. Van Schoick, Masters Thesis
Clinician perceptions of harm reduction, psychotherapy and the role of traditional abstinence models, Abigail R. Vayda, Masters Thesis
Trust, jealousy and communication in long-term couples practicing consensual non-monogamy, Christina Wang, Masters Thesis
Exploring sexual assault prevention and education programs on college campuses, Anastacia Marie Webb, Masters Thesis
Clinical perspective on non-suicidal self injury in adolescents : a qualitative study, Rachel E. Weiner, Masters Thesis
Impact of support groups on kinship care providers : a project based on an investigation at Community Coalition, Los Angeles, California, Judith Farber Weissman, Masters Thesis
Caregiver involvement in child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient care : a clinician's perspective, Erika Wentworth, Masters Thesis
The impact of clinical social workers' conceptualizations of moral injury on their treatment actions in work with veterans, Zachary P. Wigham, Masters Thesis
Santeria and mental health : bridging the gap between the social work profession and Orisha, Penelope Williams, Masters Thesis
Standing on the edge of the "Rubyfruit jungle" : lesbians recall the experience of questioning in therapy, Emily Willstatter, Masters Thesis
Partners' perceptions regarding problematic alcohol use and the effects with romantic relationships : a qualitative study, Meghan E. Wilson, Masters Thesis
The experience of same-sex partner loss among people age 55 and older, Courtney Woodburn, Masters Thesis
2015
An exploratory study on mental health service experience and its perceived impact on young adults transitioning out of foster care, Sonia Lizette Aldape, Masters Thesis
"The most badass thing I've ever done" : experiences of transgender and gender non-conforming birth parents, Lauren Ambrosini, Masters Thesis
Experiences of multilingual social workers : trauma therapy in Spanish and English, Emily H. Aviles, Masters Thesis
Exploring military social worker's dual professional identities, Sarah E. Bakst, Masters Thesis
The role of a mother's childhood trauma in parenting her child on the autism spectrum : a case study, Bryannyagara Q. Barboza, Masters Thesis
Minding the gate : reflections and recommendations of field liaisons on their gatekeeping roles, Laura Berenson, Dissertation
The challenge of moral difference : a theoretical investigation of encounters with a client's capacity for violence, Sarah K. Brady, Masters Thesis
Art as a clinical tool in the treatment of complex PTSD : a theoretical study, Emma T. Brenner-Malin, Masters Thesis
Voices of family- and partner-violent adults in treatment : participants' experience of therapy, Justin Butler, Masters Thesis
On being lesbian and being adopted : a mixed methods study of identity and coming out experiences, Theresa A. Cain, Dissertation
Personality development in clinical social workers : the significance of introjective personality type in therapists, Lindsey C. Calder, Masters Thesis
"If you talk to God, you are praying; if God talks to you, you have schizophrenia" : distinctions between psychosis and spiritual experience among Christians, Jennifer Callaghan, Masters Thesis
What are the merits of addressing psychological maltreatment? : exploring the perspectives of initial assessment workers and detectives, Kara Cavel, Dissertation
Love-melancholy : revolt against mourning, Samantha R. Chaplin, Masters Thesis
Clinician perspectives of behavioral health service delivery in patient-centered medical homes, Melanie L. Cox, Masters Thesis
Testing and explaining a social emotional learning program and the intersection of trauma in urban, low-income students : a mixed methods study, Johanna Creswell Báez, Dissertation
Substance abuse and music use : exploring relationships through recovery, Andrew Culler, Masters Thesis
Clinicians' voices on suicide prevention for veterans, Katherine E. Culpepper, Masters Thesis
The coming out process : an exploratory study of famiies with more than one LGBQ sibling, Kimberly Dasso, Masters Thesis
Recollective awareness meditation : a self-care process for meditating therapists, Sophie S. Davis-Cohen, Masters Thesis
Living in the shadows : the psychological impact of parental deportation on Hispanic children, Jeanne Marie Dewey, Dissertation
Gang stalking : internet connectivity as an emerging mental health concern, Elizabeth E. Dietrich, Masters Thesis
The kids feel (more than) all right : a study exploring the subjective experiences and perceptions of adult-male children raised in planned lesbian families as relates to their gender development, Naomi D. Drexler, Masters Thesis
It takes a village : a survey of women's experiences of emotional support during prenatal care visits, Elizabeth M. du Toit, Masters Thesis
Relationships that appear to contribute to the development of an earned- secure attachment, Abby E. Feinberg, Masters Thesis
Exploration into pre-clinicians' views of the use of role-play games in group therapy with adolescents, Sarah H. Flashman, Masters Thesis
"I could never do that in real life" : an exploration of real world morality and moral decision-making in role-playing video games, Samuel E. Flescher, Masters Thesis
The effect of mindfulness practice on the personal and professional lives of hospice bereavement counselors, Heather R. Floyd-Haupt, Masters Thesis
Taking it all in : how do psychodynamic social workers use social justice values in clinical practice?, Danielle S. Frank, Masters Thesis
The effectiveness of EMDR therapy on clients with addictions, Jennifer L. Franklin, Masters Thesis
Content and metaphor : making meaning of voices, Emma P. Gabriner, Masters Thesis
Cultivating presence : effects of therapist's mindfulness meditation on therapeutic presence, Marianne Galus, Masters Thesis
Self-love or self-obsession? : a comparative theoretical analysis of Black women's natural hair selfies on social media, Rachael E. Gardiner, Masters Thesis
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder : experiences of diagnosis, treatment, and management by African American caregivers, Lydie H. Gnacadja, Masters Thesis
Supporting probation youth : an examination of services and access to services provided : a project based upon an independent investigation of San Francisco Bay mental health agencies, Marjorie R. Gomez, Masters Thesis
Could it be a brain injury? : difficulty in identifying clients with brain injury in psychotherapeutic work, and best means of clinically supporting clients with possible brain injury, Sarah E. Gordon, Masters Thesis
How do the online illness narratives of people living with advanced-state cancer inform clinical social work practice with this population?, Jenny B. Grabelsky and Jenny B. Leitson-Grabelsky, Masters Thesis
Surviving the divorce : the power of the sibling relationship, Jessica Hallberlin, Masters Thesis
Altruism in relationship to the therapeutic process : an exploratory study of the perspectives and experiences of clinical social workers, Leslie M. Hammer, Masters Thesis
Talking about race : how do White clinicians engage in dialogue about race in cross-racial therapy with Black clients?, Elizabeth J. Hare, Masters Thesis
The narratives of adult third culture kids : cultural identity development and psychological support upon reentry to one's home country, Yoko Hisano, Masters Thesis
"What are you?" : understanding the contextual influence on the racial categorization of multiracial adults and the impact on their sense of belonging, Maya N. Hochberger-Vigsittaboot, Masters Thesis
Examining social work students' interests and motivations for working in child welfare : implications for human caring, Steven Hoffler, Dissertation
Sharing our edges : the mindfulness influence on therapist's formulation of insight, Sonia S. Hsieh, Masters Thesis
Gould Farm : outcomes at a psychosocial therapeutic community reexamined : a project based upon an independent investigation, with permission of the Gould Farm, Monterey, Massachusetts, Frances Huberman, Masters Thesis
The impact of identity on the experience and management of bipolar disorders, Lisa M. Jaffe, Masters Thesis
The role of self-compassion in alcohol use disorders : an exploratory study : a project based on an investigation at ServiceNet, Inc., Northampton, Massachusetts, Kaitlyn M. Janicki, Masters Thesis
Pregnancy, an opportunity for empowerment : a trauma and attachment informed approach to creating a corrective relationship for mothers with trauma histories and subsequent substance abuse, Judith W. Kamara, Masters Thesis
Fostering positive identity development in adolescents : beneficial aspects of learning at the Putney School, Leah King, Masters Thesis
The dyad of colleagues : transferential experiences of clinical trainees with their personal therapists and its impact on practice, Aubrey J. Koch, Masters Thesis
Conceptualization and treatment of psychoanalytic envy through Kleinian/Bionian lens, Maia Kolchin-Miller, Masters Thesis
Qualitative study of benefits of the intensive behavioral support program at Peck Full Service Community School in Holyoke, Massachusetts : a project based upon an investigation at Peck Full Service Community School, Holyoke. Massachusetts, Seweryn Kolysko, Masters Thesis
Parent perceptions of school violence : a replication study, Maria Segura Kwon, Masters Thesis
"I love my children... but I hate being a mom" : exploring narratives of maternal ambivalence in anonymous, digital spaces, Christine M. Lacy, Masters Thesis
Flow in the therapy setting : an examination of optimal experience in clinical social work practice, David E. Landry, Masters Thesis
Developing a protocol for the treatment of transitioning adolescents : a survey of gender clinics in the United States, Elise Lehotsky, Masters Thesis
Smith College School for Social Work graduate students' attitudes, behaviors, and experiences concerning religion and spirituality in social work practice and social work education, Candice Light, Masters Thesis
The role of fictional narratives in adolescent identity formation : a theoretical exploration, Anne Lind, Masters Thesis
Ecotherapists' perceptions about the efficacy of their work, Fiona C. Lundy, Masters Thesis
Mothers experiencing homelessness : an exploratory study on parental involvement in children's education and perceived barriers to involvement :, Marla G. Maccia, Masters Thesis
The roots and implications of rape myth acceptance in public discourse : the Steubenville, Ohio rape case, Shannon E. Mackey, Masters Thesis
Exploring the experiences of female clinicians treating adolescent females involved in social aggression : conceptualization and enactments through the lenses of trauma and relational theory, Shirley Malove, Dissertation
Parental perceptions of parent-therapist alliance and adolescent self-disclosure on the perceived efficacy of adolescent psychotherapy treatment, Kara G. Maltese, Masters Thesis
Co-parenting in a highly conflicted separation/divorce : learning about parents and their experiences of parenting coordination, legal, and mental health interventions, Kelly E. Mandarino, Dissertation
The implementation and acceptance of yoga techniques for children with complex trauma among practicing clinicians, Danielle S. Martineau, Masters Thesis
Millennials' perceptions of how their capacity for romantic love developed and manifests, Kate McGuire, Masters Thesis
The power of play : a theoretical study of play, the self, and the public school, Rebecca G. Medrano, Masters Thesis
I googled. "How do you know you're gay?" : a qualitative study on LGBTQ identity formation and the Internet /, Rebekah M. Meresman, Masters Thesis
Trans* individuals' experiences with employment discrimination : supporting self-efficacy in the job-seeking process, Matthew S. Meurer-Lynn, Masters Thesis
The birds and the bees can have canes and wheels : the sexual identity formation of women with visible physical disabilities, Clara J. Miller, Masters Thesis