Clinical Practice versus Social Justice Activism: Resolving Conflict through Research

ABSTRACT

This article describes the formulation of a thesis project that emerged from the author’s concerns that advancing her social work education would compromise her commitment and engagement with social activism.

KEYWORDS:

• MSW thesis
• social activism
• social work activism

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rebecca Stahl

Rebecca Stahl, MSW, earned a bachelor’s in social work from New York University, where she first became interested in the intersections of clinical practice and systems change. She earned her MSW in the advanced standing program at Smith College School for Social Work in 2012. The current focus of Rebecca’s work is school-based social work practice. She is the social work supervisor for a relationship abuse prevention program in seven New York City high schools. Additionally, Rebecca is curious and passionate about psychotherapy and has worked as a therapist for adults at the Karen Horney Clinic and currently in private practice. Rebecca maintains a commitment to community organizing and activism and is a member of the NYC Racial Social Work Group, where she organizes with social workers for racial equity and social justice in the social services.