VCU School of Social Work

On personal growth

“In social work, personal growth must include the capacity for empathy and the ongoing assessment of personal values in areas that conflict with social work values and practice.

“There is a belief that is very important to me and one I frequently share with students. ‘One is unable to lead where one cannot go.’ Meaning: as both a social work educator and practitioner, and where it is important to facilitate a helping process, it is critical that if we ask our clients to recognize and examine challenging personal emotional issues that may be very difficult for them, we must also be able to do the same with ourselves.

“Effective social work practice requires us to lead by example, but also including the capacity for and consistent work on personal growth. It is a lifelong endeavor.”

Education

• Ph.D. – Howard University, Washington, D.C.
• M.S.W. – Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va.
• B.A. – Virginia Union University, Richmond, Va.

Research interests

• Childhood sexual trauma and dissociative disorders
• Gerontology – Voices of the Elders
• Borderline personality disorder
• Post traumatic stress disorder

Professional affiliations

• Council on Social Work Education
• National Association of Social Workers
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority