David P. Cecil

David P. Cecil, PhD, LICSW, is a Professor in the Department of Social Work at Samford University's School of Public Health, where he has been a key faculty member since 2016. He previously held academic positions at East Tennessee State University (2004–2009) and Asbury University (2009–2016), where he served as program director and department chair. He also served as interim chair at Samford in 2017–2018 and 2023, and has been a visiting professor at LCC International University in Lithuania since 2013.

• PhD in Social Work – University of South Carolina
• MSW – University of Kentucky
• BA in Psychology – University of Kentucky

Dr. Cecil's research centers on the global refugee crisis, international mental health systems, trauma treatment, and faith-integrated social work. His work combines clinical expertise with policy analysis, focusing on cross-national comparisons and practical interventions for displaced populations. He has conducted extensive field research in Germany, Lebanon, and Greece.

His recent publications reflect a strong trend in humanitarian social work, with emphasis on refugee mental health, ecological frameworks for training students, and faith-based support systems. The articles span qualitative studies, policy critiques, and clinical training modules, showing a consistent commitment to improving global mental health infrastructure and frontline practice.

Dr. Cecil has received recognition through professional leadership roles and a 2024 U.S. Embassy grant to develop training modules for social workers in Lebanon. While formal scientific awards are not listed, his active involvement in national and international conferences underscores his scholarly impact.

He has advised social work students and contributed to curriculum development, particularly in refugee practice and trauma-informed care. His grant from the U.S. Embassy supports teaching and training innovations. His private practice from 2010 to 2022 specialized in anxiety, trauma, and stressor-related disorders, and he is certified by EMDRIA for trauma treatment.

Dr. Cecil is actively involved in research teams focused on refugee mental health, collaborating with colleagues from Samford and Haidostian University in Beirut. He is part of international networks such as the North American Association of Christians in Social Work and the Alabama Interfaith Refugee Partnership, contributing to faith-based humanitarian initiatives and policy dialogues.