Holly Oxhandler

Holly Oxhandler is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development at Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. She earned her PhD in 2014 from the Graduate College of Social Work at the University of Houston, with a dissertation focused on religion/spirituality (RS) integration in mental health care.

• PhD in Social Work (University of Houston, 2014)
• MSW (University of Houston, 2011)
• B.S. in Psychology with minor in Studio Arts (University of Houston, 2007)

Her research centers on the ethical integration of clients’ religion and spirituality in evidence-based mental health treatment. She developed the Religious/Spiritually Integrated Practice Assessment Scale (RSIPAS) and related instruments to assess RS integration in clinical settings. Her work spans serious mental illness, anxiety disorders, virtual reality applications, and professional identity in social work.

She co-hosts the CXMH: Christianity & Mental Health podcast, translating academic research for public consumption. Funded by the John Templeton Foundation and Spencer Foundation, she emphasizes mentoring students and faculty while advocating for spiritual competence in clinical practice. Key awards include multiple foundation grants supporting her research.