Andrea L. Doerfler, M.S.S.W.
Assistant Professor
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Education
B.A. Psychology, Linfield College (1986)
M.S.S.W. Social Work, Columbia University (1988)
Doctoral Student, Social Work and Social Research, Portland Sate University
Why I study social work...
As an undergraduate psychology major and sociology minor, I took a course titled "Direct Social Work Practice". In that course, taught by a practicing social worker, I was exposed to the powerful and diverse practice of social work and became convinced that social work would provide the training that I needed to become an advocate and practitioner working with marginalized children and their families. I had found a forum for my passion for children's mental health. Even today, I continue to be passionate in my belief that all children have the right to emotional, social and physical health and I am committed to intervening on behalf of children to make that happen.
Publications and Professional Work
Select Publications
Simpson, J.S., Jivanjee, P., Koroloff, N., Doerfler, A. & Garcia, M. (2001 ) Systems of Care: Promising Practices in Children's Mental Health, 2001 Series, Volume III. Washington, D.C.: Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice, American Institutes for Research.Manuscript in process: The Who, Why and What of Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation.
Select Presentations
"The links between successful inclusion and family support" presented with Bradley, J., Ama, S., Kibera, P., and Archer, S. at the 10th Annual Building on Family Strengths Conference, Portland, Oregon, June 2003."Promising practices in children's mental health" paper presented with Koroloff, N, and Simpson, J., at the 6th Annual Building on Family Strengths Conference, Portland, Oregon, June 1999.
"Understanding attachment trauma in children and adolescents" presented
for Service Alternatives for Washington, Inc., Vancouver, Washington, November 1997.
"Working with developmentally disabled and medically fragile children in care" presented at the Group Care Symposia, Dept. of Children and Family Services, Kelso, Washington, September 1997."Clinical Issues Related to Autism" staff training presented for The Children's Home Society Vancouver, Washington, April 1997.
"Oppositional Defiant Disorder/Conduct Disorder: Definition and Interventions" staff training presented for Service Alternatives for Washington, Inc., Vancouver, Washington, December 1996.
"Mainstreaming Children with Autism" presented at the Staff Development Conference, Waterloo School District, Waterloo, Iowa, March 1994.
"Stress Management in the Home and Classroom" presented as part of the Parent and Teacher Education Series for the Waterloo School District, Waterloo, Iowa, February 1994.
"Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Techniques for the Classroom" presented for the Staff In-service Day for the Area Education Agency 7, Waterloo, Iowa, November 1993.
"Behavior Challenges and Interventions for Students with Autism", presented for the Staff In-service Day, Area Education Agency 7, Waterloo, Iowa, October 1993.
"Autism: Implementing Structured Teaching Strategies in the Classroom", presented for the Staff In-service Day, Area Education Agency 7, Castle Hill School, Waterloo, Iowa, September 1992.
Courses that I teach...
At Pacific University, all faculty teach a variety of different courses. Typically, we do not use graduate teaching assistants, which means that your classes will be taught by professors and that you will have plenty of opportunity to get to know the faculty in your discipline.
Below, I have listed some of the courses that I teach. We are always developing and trying out new classes, so the list may change now and then. You can use the links to the left to read descriptions of the courses listed below.
| SocWK | 201 | Principles of Social Work |
| SocWk | 300 | Micro Social Work Practice |
| SocWk | 301 | Macro Social Work Practice |
| SocWk | 320 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment |
| SocWk | 425 | Counseling and Interviewing Techniques |
| SocWk | 470 | Internship Seminar |
| SocWk | 475 | Social Work Internship |
What I would tell a student considering a major in Social Work....
Social work practice is an incredibly diverse field and provides an amazing array of opportunities for students interested in working with people as they face challenges in their lives. If you care about the social problems that exist in society such as poverty, homelessness and abuse and want to be part of the answer to solving these problems, social work may be the major for you. We welcome students who care about others and have a strong desire to facilitate change on the individual, community, or societal levels.