Sara Bressi

Sara Bressi is an Associate Professor at Bryn Mawr College's Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research (GSSWSR), where she teaches clinical practice, research methods, and human development. She holds a PhD and MSW from the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in social welfare. Her research focuses on mental health disparities, trauma-informed care, and the application of psychoanalytic theory in clinical settings. She has received grants from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and SAMHSA, and was awarded the Clowes Assistant Professorship for interdisciplinary scholarship.

Dr. Bressi's clinical work includes private practice psychotherapy and roles at institutions like the Center for Families and Vitas Hospice. She actively contributes to academic governance, serving on committees such as the Policy Committee and the Committee on Appointments. Her teaching spans foundational courses like Clinical Social Work Practice and advanced doctoral research methods.

Her scholarly work emphasizes innovations in social work practice, including mindfulness-based interventions for healthcare workers and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. She has published in leading journals like Psychiatric Services and presented at conferences such as the Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting.

Professional service includes roles in curriculum development (e.g., the AB/MSS Pilot Program) and community engagement through workshops on topics like trauma-informed primary care. She is licensed in Pennsylvania and trained in relational psychoanalysis through the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia.