Beth Counselman-Carpenter

Dr. Beth Counselman-Carpenter serves as Associate Professor of Social Work at Adelphi University, where she also holds the position of Program Director for the Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program. Her work combines clinical expertise with innovative research to advance social work education and practice.

Specializing in trauma-informed care and post-traumatic growth, particularly with breast cancer survivors, Dr. Counselman-Carpenter's research focuses on helping individuals thrive after traumatic experiences. Her scholarly work emphasizes equity and inclusion, as demonstrated by her editorship of the textbook An Intersectional Approach to Human Behavior in the Social Environment: Decolonizing Theory to Practice, which reimagines social work theory through a decolonized lens.

As Program Director, she played a pivotal role in establishing Adelphi's Doctor of Social Work program, designed to prepare practitioners with leadership skills to address complex social issues. The program's trauma-informed approach equips graduates to become ethical leaders across agencies, nonprofits, and academic institutions.

Dr. Counselman-Carpenter's interdisciplinary methodology bridges real-world challenges with classroom education, inspiring students to create meaningful community impact. Her commitment to social justice manifests in both her teaching philosophy and research agenda, making significant contributions to contemporary social work education.