Chikako Nagai

Chikako Nagai is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at California State University, Long Beach. She holds a Ph.D. from Smith College (2007) and an M.S.W. from the University of Washington (1996).

Her research focuses on integrating psychodynamic approaches with cognitive therapy, brief psychotherapy, clinical supervision, and spirituality in social work practice, with emphasis on multicultural issues related to ethnicity and race. Specializations include Community Mental Health, Psychodynamic Therapy, Spirituality in Social Work, and Multicultural Issues.

As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Dr. Nagai provides clinical services to individuals, couples, and families. She serves as an Ethnic Minority, Children’s and Geriatric Mental Health Specialist, offering cultural consultation and training to mental health professionals. She has supervised community mental health programs and provided clinical supervision to diverse clinicians and interns, and is certified as an EMDR therapist.

Prior to joining CSULB, she taught as adjunct faculty at Smith College, City University of Seattle, Antioch University in Seattle, and Seattle University. She teaches courses including Direct Interventions with Individuals and Families, Social Work Practice in Mental Health, Spirituality in Social Work Practice, and Foundations for Generalist and Multicultural Practice, and provides thesis advising to graduate students.