Clinical Expertise & Research

The training, scholarship, and clinical depth behind the work

Dr. Jennifer Wilson is a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and professor whose work bridges direct clinical care with decades of teaching and research. The credentials below speak to the depth she brings into the therapy room: trauma, child and family well-being, and the resilience of women through every season of life.

Education

  • PhD in Social Welfare — Florida International University, Miami, FL (2008). Dissertation: socioemotional outcomes of children sexually abused before age six.
  • Master of Social Work (MSW) — Florida International University, Miami, FL (2001).
  • Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) — San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA (1998).

Licensure & Certifications

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) — Florida License #SW 8431 (2006–present).
  • Qualified Clinical Supervisor — Florida Board of Clinical Social Work.
  • Certified Administrator — Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI).
  • NPI: 1528451333.

Areas of Clinical Practice & Modalities

Trauma and interpersonal violence; depression, mood disorders, and emotional dysregulation; stress, anxiety, vicarious trauma, and burnout; child development and well-being; relationship stress and life transitions; women's issues.

Modalities: EMDR, somatic approaches, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and trauma-focused CBT, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness and meditation, psychodynamic work, and for couples, Relational Life Therapy (RLT) with strategies from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).

Academic Appointments

  • Associate Dean, Master of Social Work program — Chamberlain University (2025–present).
  • Clinical Associate Professor & founding PhD Program Director — Sacred Heart University, School of Social Work (2017–2025). Built and launched the hybrid PhD in Social Work program; chaired the annual Antiracism Symposium.
  • Senior Contributing Faculty — Walden University (2014–present).

Selected Publications

Earlier work appears under the author's former name, J. Becker.

  • Wilson, J. (2022). Assessment. In B. Cross-Denny (Ed.), Integrated Social Work Practice: Bridging Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Level Practice. San Diego, CA: Cognella.
  • Wilson, J. & Thomlison, B. (2018). Assessment and treatment of child sexual abuse: A forensic social work perspective. In D. Springer (Ed.), Social Work in Juvenile and Criminal Justice Systems. Chicago, IL: Charles C. Thomas.
  • Levenson, J. S., Becker, J., & Morin, J. W. (2008). The relationship between victim age and gender crossover among sex offenders. Sexual Abuse: Journal of Research and Treatment.
  • Thomlison, B., Jacobs, R. J., & Becker, J. (2008). Identifying evidence-based practice for co-occurring conditions. In B. Thomlison & K. Corcoran (Eds.), Evidence-Based Practice: A Student Manual for Criminal Justice and Social Work Internships. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
  • Becker, J. & Thomlison, B. (2006). Assessment and treatment of child sexual abuse: A forensic social work perspective. In A. R. Roberts & D. Springer (Eds.), Forensic Social Work in Juvenile and Criminal Justice. Chicago, IL: Charles C. Thomas.
  • Becker, J. & Thomlison, B. (2006, 2010). Case studies. In B. Thomlison, Family Assessment Handbook (2nd & 3rd eds.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Selected Conference Presentations

  • Wilson, J. (2024). Vicarious trauma and self-care for social workers [Invited Presentation]. Sacred Heart University Field Education Workshop Series, Fairfield, CT.
  • Marmo, S. & Wilson, J. (2021). Trauma-informed teaching in uncertain times [Conference Presentation]. CASCON Conference, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT.
  • Wilson, J. (2015). Working with defiant behaviors [Invited Presentation]. Children's Services Council of Broward Conference, Lauderhill, FL.
  • Wilson, J. (2015). Vicarious trauma, stress management, and self-care for practitioners [Invited Presentation]. AmeriCorps / Volunteers of America, Jacksonville, FL.
  • Becker, J. (2009). Sexual abuse during early childhood: Characteristics, outcomes, and implications for child protection [Conference Presentation]. One Child, Many Hands, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Becker, J. & Thomlison, B. (2007). Best practices in responding to allegations of child sexual abuse [Invited Presentation]. Florida International University, Miami, FL.

A complete curriculum vitae is available on request.

Professional Memberships

  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work (GADE)
  • Executive Board Member, Jacksonville Health and Education Resource Center

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