Krystal Schaffer

Dr. Krystal Schaffer is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Human Services at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), affiliated with the Institute for Resilient Regions and the Centre for Health Research. She holds a BA from the University of Queensland, an MSocWk from Griffith University, and a PhD from USQ.

Her research focuses on First Nations well-being practices, psychodynamically-informed group therapies for juvenile detention reduction, and the impact of family court reports on families. She also examines media representation of gender-based violence and its implications for social work.

As an associate supervisor, she supports doctoral research in areas such as individualized care models, art-psychotherapy for youth, and legal system impacts on families. Her work bridges clinical practice with systemic social justice concerns.