Holly K. Oxhandler

Holly K. Oxhandler is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development at Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. Her primary research focuses on the ethical integration of clients’ religion/spirituality in evidence-based mental health treatment, with a particular emphasis on social work practice and education. She has developed assessment tools like the Religious/Spiritually Integrated Practice Assessment Scale and contributed to national studies on spirituality in healthcare and graduate education.

Educations:

• Ph.D. in Social Work, University of Houston (2014)
• MSW (Clinical), University of Houston (2011)
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Houston (2007)

Research Interests: Dr. Oxhandler’s work explores how mental health providers ethically incorporate clients’ religious/spiritual beliefs into treatment, with a focus on improving spiritual competencies, evidence-based practices, and social work education. Her research also addresses caregiver support, pandemic impacts on healthcare, and faith-based community resources.

Grants & Projects: Her interdisciplinary projects, including the Spiritual and Religious Competencies Project (funded by the John Templeton Foundation), aim to enhance provider training and client-centered care. She co-hosts the CXMH: A Podcast on Faith & Mental Health and authored The Soul of the Helper, a guide for helpers’ self-care and spiritual awareness.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with Baylor’s interdisciplinary teams on research projects like the Spiritual Competency Training Initiative and the Mental Health Education Reform Network.