Terrence O. Lewis, MSW, PhD, LICSW
Associate Professor
Anderson Hall, Room 452
610-430-4191
tlewis@wcupa.edu
LinkedIn
Curriculum Vitae
Degrees
- BA, Social Work: Catholic University of America
- MSW: University of Kentucky
- PhD, Social Work and Sociology: Boston University
Main areas of interest
- Relationships between churches and marginalized populations
- Culturally competent mental health practice
- Social justice advocacy for individuals and families within marginalized groups
Inspiration
Religion, spirituality, and community service have played central roles in my life since childhood. Faith-in-action was a core theme in my educational and spiritual journeys. The intersections of faith and work crystallized during my undergraduate program, when I was introduced to liberation theology and the social work profession. A holistic approach to social work should include a critical awareness of the roles that religion and/or spirituality play in the lives of individuals, families, and communities. We should embrace the beautiful and transcendent complexities of life and relationships. After all, relationships are the heart of our existence.
Relationships between churches and marginalized populations
As a community-based researcher, I have focused on the role of religion and spirituality in the psychosocial and sexual health of marginalized populations, specifically ethnic minorities and LGBT populations.
Presentations
- Lewis, T.O. (2016, March). LGBT-affirming Black churches and their responses to HIV/AIDS. Workshop presented at meeting of the National Association of Black Social Workers, New Orleans, LA.
- Lewis, T.O. (2014, November). The phenomenon of LGBT-affirming Black churches and their response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in Black America. Paper presented at meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, Indianapolis, IN.
- Lewis, T.O. (2014, January). LGBT-affirming Black churches' responses to homophobia, and the HIV/AIDS crisis. Paper presented at meeting of the Society for Social Work and Research, San Antonio, TX.
- Lewis, T.O. (2013, October). LGBT-affirming Black churches and their responses to HIV/AIDS. Continuing education presentation at Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN.
- Lewis, T.O. (2012, November). The responses of LGBT-affirming Black churches to homophobia and the HIV/AIDS crisis. Paper presented at Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Washington, D.C.
- Lewis, T.O. (2012, June). The phenomenon of LGBT-affirming Black churches and their response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in Black America. Paper presented at the International Social Work Conference, Minneapolis, MN.
- Lewis, T.O. (2012, March). The phenomenon of LGBT-affirming Black churches and their response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in Black America. Paper presented at Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN.
- Lewis, T.O. (2012, January). The phenomenon of LGBT-affirming Black churches and their response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in Black America. Paper presented at University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Publication
- Lewis, T.O. (2015). LGBT-affirming Black churches’ responses to the HIV/AIDS crisis. Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, 34(2), 140-157.
Culturally competent mental health practice
In more than a dozen years of clinical practice I worked in a psychiatric crisis house, family preservation programs, community mental health centers, and private practice with individual adults and couples. One focus of my research is culturally competent practice with marginalized groups.
Presentations
- Lewis, T.O. (2015, January). Addressing conflicts between faith and social work values: From historical frameworks to practice skills. Continuing education presentation at West Chester University, West Chester, PA.
- Lewis, T.O. (2012, July). Mental health careers: Walking with others towards healing and hope. Seminar presented at Urban Scrubs Camp, Minneapolis, MN.
Publications
- Lewis, T.O. (2012). Social Work and Divinity, edited by Daniel Lee and Robert O’Gorman [Review of the book]. Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, 31(3), 303-305.
- Lewis, T.O. (2012). Understanding Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Active clients achieve positive goals. [Online continuing education module, Gannett Education].
- Lewis, T.O. (2011). Counseling for spiritually empowered wholeness: A hope-centered approach by Howard Clinebell [Review of the book]. Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, 30(2), 178-180.
Social justice advocacy for individuals and families within marginalized groups
Presentations
- Bohrman, C., Chiarelli-Helminiak, C., Lane, T., & Lewis, T.O. (2016, April). The social work educators’ response to police brutality. Panel presentation at meeting of the Pennsylvania Chapter - National Association for Multicultural Education, West Chester, PA.
- Lewis, T.O., Chiarelli-Helminiak, C., Lane, T., and Bohrman, C. (2015, October). The social work response to police brutality. Panel presentation at Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Denver, CO.
Additional areas of research
Presentations
- Lewis, T.O. & Wooten, N. (2015, October). Getting hired in academia: A primer for doctoral students. Panel presentation at Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Denver, CO.
- Lewis, T.O. (2013, November). DSM-5: An overview of the changes. Continuing education presentation at Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department, Minneapolis, MN.
Publication
- Spencer, R., Basualdo-Delmonico, A., & Lewis, T.O. (2011). Working to make it work: The role of parents in the youth mentoring process. Journal of Community Psychology, 39(1), 51-59.
Additional projects
- Member, Council on Social Work Education Council on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression
- Assistant Chair and Graduate Coodinator, MSW Program, West Chester University (PASSHE Center City)
- Faculty advisor, Graduate Social Work Student Organization