Derrik Tollefson

Dr. Derrik Tollefson is a Professor and Director of the I-System Institute for Transdisciplinary Studies at Utah State University. His expertise spans Program Evaluation, Child Welfare, Family Violence, and Research Methods. He holds a PhD from the University of Utah (2001), an MSW from the University of Denver (1995), and a BSW from Utah State University (1994).

His research focuses on interventions for domestic violence offenders, addiction recovery, and the application of mind-body bridging principles. He has pioneered the I-System Model, emphasizing holistic approaches to social challenges like substance abuse and social conflict. Recent work includes developing recovery resilience frameworks and evaluating distance education models in social work.

Key contributions include studies on batterer treatment effectiveness, motivational interviewing in healthcare, and juvenile justice policy. He has led evaluations for child welfare programs, courts, and educational initiatives. His work bridges academic research with practical policy solutions.

As Director of the I-System Institute, he oversees transdisciplinary research addressing complex societal issues. He has collaborated with state agencies and community organizations on projects like the Utah BSW Child Welfare Traineeship and the Farmington School Dropout Prevention Program.