Profile

  • Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Social Work, 2021
  • California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
  • Master of Arts in Social Work, 2013
  • San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
  • Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, 2011

Anti-oppressive and liberatory practice, behavioral health equity, critical inquiry, qualitative methodologies, and the health and well-being of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities

  • Assistant Professor, 2026-present
  • Master of Social Work Department
  • California State University, Stanislaus

  • BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ Mental Health
  • Anti-Oppressive Social Work
  • Behavioral Health Care
  • Critical Inquiry
  • Health Equity Research
  • Qualitative Methodologies

 

MSW Department, California State University, Stanislaus
  • Assistant Professor, 2026-present 
  • Courses:
    • Social Work Research Methods: Fall 2026 (in-person). Graduate course about the social work research process within the context of generalist social work practice.
    • Human Behavior in the Social Environment: Fall 2026 (in-person). Graduate course about individual growth and human development across the lifespan and how to apply developmental psychological theory and ecological perspectives to the family and individual life cycles within a multi-generational cultural context.
School of Social Work, Arizona State University
  • Faculty/Academic Associate, 2015-2022
  • School of Social Work, Arizona State University
  • Average course evaluation scores on a scale of 1 (high) to 5 (low) = 1.6.
  • Courses:
    • Policy Practice: Spring 2022 (online). Graduate course on advanced knowledge and skills in social welfare policy analysis, policy formation, advocacy, and intervention for policy change.
    • Advanced Social Work Practice III: Spring 2022 (online). Graduate course on knowledge and evidence-based clinical skills for advanced practice with individuals and families.
    • Research Methods: Fall 2021 (online). Graduate course designed to introduce students to quantitative and qualitative research methods in the field of social work.
    • Human Biology for Social Workers: Summer 2022 (online). Undergraduate course designed to introduce social workers to relevant biological structures, processes, and issues commonly encountered in practice.
    • Social Service Perspectives on Government: Fall 2019 (online). Undergraduate course designed to understand the role of social workers at each level of government: federal, state, tribal, county, and municipal.
    • Introduction to LGBT Studies: Fall 2018 (online); Spring 2021 (online). Undergraduate course designed to introduce students to the historical, social, and cultural aspects of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex communities, and their resilience to challenges and barriers.
    • Diversity and Oppression in the Social Work Context: Fall 2016 (in-person). Graduate course designed to explore oppression based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual identity, and disability status to inform social work practice with diverse communities.
    • Ethics in Social Services: Fall 2017 (in-person). Undergraduate course designed to help students make ethical decisions in social service settings by applying critical thinking skills.
    • Research Methods: Summer 2016 (online); Spring 2017 (online); Fall 2019 (online). Undergraduate and graduate course designed to introduce students to quantitative and qualitative research methods in the field of social work.
    • LGBTQ Issues: Summer 2016 (online); Spring 2018 (online)*. Undergraduate and graduate course designed to introduce students to policy and current social issues within the LGBTQ community.
      • *BSW/MSW cross-listed course
    • Introduction to Behavioral Health Services: Spring 2016 (online); Spring 2017 (online); Summer 2017 (online); Fall 2017 (online); Spring 2018 (online); Summer 2018 (online); Spring 2019 (online). Undergraduate and graduate course designed to introduce students to behavioral health services for people with mental health conditions.
      • *BSW/MSW cross-listed course
    • Micro Human Behavior: Fall 2015 (online); Spring 2016 (online); Fall 2018 (online). Undergraduate course designed to review human behavior theories to inform social work practice.
    • Introduction to Social Work: Fall 2015 (in-person). Undergraduate course designed to provide a socio-historical overview of the social work profession.
    • Summer Bridge Seminar I: Summer 2015 (in-person). Graduate course designed for advanced standing MSW students to integrate human behavior theory to practice.

 
Post-Doctoral Associate/Research Affiliate, 2015-2023;
  • Medical School, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 2023-2025, PI: Dr. Marla Eisenberg
  • Analyzed qualitative data; created data collection materials, including a semi-structured interview guide and screening questionnaire; trained research assistant in qualitative data analysis using Nvivo; contributed to 6 published research articles, 3 works-in-progress, and 2 paper presentations.
Graduate Research Assistant, 2020-2021
  • School of Social Work, Arizona State University, Advisor: Dr. Lynn Holley
  • Conducted comprehensive literature searches; analyzed secondary data from qualitative interviews; contributed to 1 peer-reviewed article, 2 book chapters, and 1 paper presentation.
  • Council on Social Work Research (CSWE), Virginia Commonwealth University, 2017-2019, Advisor: Dr. Alex Wagaman
  • Analyzed qualitative focus group data; collaborated with a team of 7 researchers on 1 published research article and 1 paper presentation.
Graduate Research Assistant, 2015-2018
  • School of Social Work, Arizona State University, Advisor: Dr. Lynn Holley
  • Conducted comprehensive literature searches; analyzed secondary data from qualitative interviews; contributed to 1 peer-reviewed journal article, 1 book chapter, and 1 paper presentation.
Graduate Research Assistant, 2014-2015
  • School of Social Work, Arizona State University
  • Advisor: Dr. Natasha Mendoza
  • Conducted literature searches; contributed to 1 peer-reviewed journal article and 1 conference presentation.
  • Doctoral Research Assistant, 2013-2015
  • Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center, Arizona State University
  • Advisor: Dr. Natasha Mendoza
  • Conducted comprehensive literature reviews; contributed to 1 unpublished research paper.
Research Assistant, 2012-2013
  • School of Social Work, California State University, Los Angeles
  • Advisor: Dr. Raquel Warley
  • Conducted comprehensive literature review searches; contributed to 1 book chapter and 1 workshop presentation; analyzed secondary data using SPSS software.

Under-Review
  • Sun, N. Y., Zoe G. Baccam, Z., G., Toli Reigada, T., Jieyi Cai, J., Thomas, D., Rider, N. G. (in progress). “If we were our own Gods”: Religion and mental well-being of queer and trans youth of color during COVID-19. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender. 
In Progress
  • Thomas, D. (in progress). Womanism, mental healthcare, and healing-centered practice among Black LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary individuals living with mental distress.
  • Thomas, D., Konadu-Acheampong, S., Bonilla, Z. E., Lawrence, S. E., Wright, M. N., Bowleg, L., Eisenberg, M. E. (in progress). Sexual and gender expansive youth of color liberatory strategies in navigating identity, religion, and spirituality.
  • Thomas, D., Rider, G. N., Wright, M., Bowleg, L., Eadeh, H., & Eisenberg, M. E. (in progress). An intersectional analysis of risk and protective factors of emotional distress among Black sexual and gender diverse youth.
    • *Shared first authorship.
Book Chapters
  • Panetta, E., Thomas, D., & Poquiz, J. (in press). Supporting transgender and gender-diverse children of color and their families in clinical care. Chapter 4 in C. L. Magalhaes, R. A. Sprott, & G. N. Rider (Eds.), Mental health practice with LGBTQ+ children, adolescents, and emerging adults in multiple systems of care. Rowman & Littlefield. 2nd edition.
  • Thomas, D., & Holley, L. (2023). LGBTQ people of color with mental health conditions: Considering intersectionalities. In M. P. Dentato (Ed.), Social work practice with the LGBTQ community: Exploring practice and policy factors (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
  • Holley, L. C., & Thomas, D. (2017). LGBTQ people of color with mental health conditions: Considering intersectionalities. Chapter 21 in M. P. Dentato (Ed.), Social work practice with the LGBTQ community: Exploring practice and policy factors. Oxford University Press.
  • Warley, R., Thomas, D., & Harris, M. (2014). F.I.T. Camp: A biopsychosocial model of positive youth development for at-risk adolescents. In H. Matto and J. Strolin-Goltzman (Eds.), Neuroscience and social work: Implications for research, policy and practice. Springer Publications.

 

  • Watson, R. J., Gower, A., Rider, G. N., Thomas, D., Russell, S. T., & Eisenberg, M. (2022, March). Intersections of social identities and alcohol use among youth: Application of a novel method [paper presentation]. Biennial Meeting of Society for Research on Adolescents, New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • Eisenberg, M. E., Gower, A. L., Watson, R. J., Rider, G. N., Thomas, D., & Russell, S. T. (2022, March). Substance use behaviors among LGBTQ youth of color: Applying a novel method in three large samples to identify intersecting social positions bearing the greatest burden [poster presentation]. Annual conference of the Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine.
  • Thomas, D., Watts, K., & Goffnett, J. (2018, November). LGBTQ+ social work student narratives: Identifying advocacy strategies to enhance LGBTQ+ inclusion [paper presentation]. Sixty-fourth annual program meeting of the Council of Social Work Education, Orlando, Florida.
  • Thomas, D. (2017, November). Black women subjectivities and mad studies praxis in the era of #Blacklivesmatter and #Sayhername [paper presentation]. Thirty-eighth annual conference of the National Women’s Studies Association, Baltimore, Maryland.
  • Thomas, D., Gutierrez, J., Ekeogu, O., & Zewdu-Habte, G. (2017, November). “Being at home” in the Southwest: Women of color graduate students’ narratives of trauma, violence, and self-care strategies in a neoliberal institution [conference roundtable]. Thirty-eighth annual conference of the National Women’s Studies Association, Baltimore, Maryland.
  • Gutierrez, J., Ekeogu, O., Thomas, D., & Zewdu-Habte, G. (2017, February). Not an undergraduate, not yet a professor: The experiences of women of color graduate students on a predominantly white campus [conference roundtable]. Speaking the Unspeakable: A Conversation on Racism, Antiracism, and Colorblindness, Tempe, Arizona.
  • Holley, L. C., Oh, H., & Thomas, D. (2017, January). Discrimination and social support for people with mental health conditions: Experiences of people who are of color and/or LGB [paper presentation]. Twenty-first annual conference of the Society for Social Work and Research, New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • Mendoza, N. S., Cimino, A. N., & Thomas, D. (2016, January). Examining the relationship between psychological functioning, trauma history, and perceived coercion among drug court enrollees [poster presentation]. Twentieth annual conference of the Society for Social Work and Research, Washington, DC.
  • Thomas, D. (2015, October). The help-seeking perceptions, behaviors, and intentions of African American sexual minority women [poster presentation]. Sixty-first annual program meeting of Council on Social Work Education, Denver, Colorado.
  • Thomas, D. (2015, May). Understanding the help-seeking behaviors of Black gender and sexual minority women [paper presentation]. Fourth annual conference of Let’s Get Better Together: A Qualitative Look at Health Care in Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.
  • Mendoza, N., Broussard, R., & Thomas, D. (2014, May). Queer supervision [conference presentation]. Third annual conference of Let’s Get Better Together: A Quality Look at Health Care in Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.
  • Warley, R., & Thomas, D. (2013, April). Interventions in positive masculine identity development for at-risk youth [conference presentation]. Thirtieth annual conference of the National Organization of Forensic Social Work, Seattle, Washington.
  • Thomas, D. (2013, January). Trauma, substance abuse, and hope as predictors of juvenile offending [paper presentation]. Fourteenth annual Research Conference of Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California.

  • Thomas, D. (2024, October). Health connector program helps transgender and non-binary patients find affirming healthcare providers at M Health Fairview.
  • Thomas, D. (2020, April). Exploring an Anti-Oppressive Approach to Mental Health. Research Methods with Dr. Adrienne Baldwin-White at University of Georgia.
  • Thomas, D. (2019, March). Applying a Black Feminist Mental Health Framework to Understand the Mental Health of the Black LGBTQ+ Community. Critical Qualitative Research Methods Lecture with Professor Karin Wachter at Arizona State University.
  • Thomas, D. (2017, March). Mental Health Experiences of Black LGBTQ+ People. Research Methods with Dr. Adrienne Baldwin at University of Georgia.
  • Thomas, D. (2015, November). Strong Black Woman Ideology and Black Women’s Mental Health. Practice-oriented research with Professor Adrienne Baldwin-White at Arizona State University.
  • Thomas, D. (2014, October). Importance of critical race theory in social work practice. Diversity & Oppression with Professor Megan Lindsey at Arizona State University.
  • Warley, R., & Thomas, D. (2013, April). Positive masculine identity development. Workshop at the University of Southern California.

  • Co-Investigator. PI: Eisenberg, M. Adolescent health at the intersections of sexual, gender, racial/ethnic, immigrant identities, and native language. University of Minnesota Medical School, Department of Pediatrics, Office of Vulnerable Youth, NIH NIMHD, Grant #5R01MD015722-02. 2021-2025. $561,408.
  • Co-Investigator. PI: Eisenberg, M. Adolescent health at the intersections of sexual, gender, racial/ethnic, immigrant identities and native language: A supplementary study of HIV/AIDS preventive behaviors. University of Minnesota Medical School, Department of Pediatrics, Office of Vulnerable Youth, NIH NIMHD, Grant #3R01MD015722-01S1. 2021-2025. $352,440.
  • Recipient, Watts Impact Award Scholarship, $4,000, 2021
  • Recipient, Society of Social Work Research Travel Grant, $500, 2015
  • Recipient, Arizona State University Doctoral Enrichment Fellowship, 2014

 

 

Outreach Mental Health Therapist, Contract, 2025-2026
  • Reviving Roots Therapy & Wellness
    • Assess and diagnose clients experiencing symptoms of psychological distress.
    • Provide psychotherapy to clients.
    • Work with clients to identify situations, behaviors, and thoughts that interfere with their wellness and recovery.
    • Refer clients to other health professionals and community resources, including social services, job services, and support groups.
Social Worker, 2023-2026
  • University of Minnesota Physicians
    • Consult with a multidisciplinary clinical team to provide diagnostic impressions, treatment recommendations, and strategies for engaging patients in health and behavior change.
    • Support patients in navigating community resources and connecting with healthcare services.
    • Deliver brief, evidence-informed supportive psychotherapy.
    • Review and provide clinical input on letters of support for gender-affirming medical interventions.
Utilization Reviewer, 2019-2020
  • Valley Hospital: Mental Health & Dependency Care
    • Managed a caseload of 45-60 patients receiving inpatient mental health treatment.
    • Participated in three daily patient care team meetings.
    • Triaged patients’ level of care to their insurance companies to ensure treatment coverage.
Youth Center Assistant Manager, 2018-2019
  • One.n.ten
    • Developed and launched a support group specifically for LGBTQ+ youth of color.
    • Facilitated weekly in-person and virtual psychoeducational and social support groups for youth and young adults.
    • Recruited, trained, and supervised 15 volunteers across multiple youth center satellite programs.
Social Worker, 2016-2017
  • Symponia Health: Behavioral Health Residential Services
    • Developed weekly therapeutic group session plans.
    • Facilitated therapeutic groups on self-esteem, coping, and communication skills.
    • Provided daily individual counseling using motivational interviewing techniques.
Case Manager, 2016-2017
  • Comfort Care Hospice, Inc.
    • Managed a caseload of 8-15 patients needing end-of-life care.
    • Conducted initial psychosocial and pre-bereavement assessments.
    • Assisted families with advance directives.
Social Work Intern, 2012-2013
  • Los Angeles Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse: New Vision Residential Program
    • Provided individual therapy utilizing components of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
    • Facilitated groups on nonviolent communication and interpersonal relationship skills.
    • Completed a macro-outreach project with LA C.A.D.A.’s At Risk Men’s Service (A.R.M.S.) project, which serves gay-identified African American men.
Social Work Intern, 2011-2012
  • Los Angeles Unified School District: School Mental Health
    • Provided individual and group psychoeducational therapy using a cognitive behavioral approach.
    • Created and presented a school-wide survey for students regarding potential improvements in student services and activities offered on campus.
Social Work Intern, 2010-2011
  • San Diego County of Probation: Reflections Program
    • Assisted probation staff in home visits by asking questions about clients’ histories and recent behavior.
    • Visited clients detained in juvenile hall for check-ins.
    • Observed and assisted in the classroom and provided basic behavioral counseling for clients engaged in disruptive behavior.

  • Recipient, December Editor’s Choice List, American Psychological Association, 2025
  • Recipient, Best Qualitative Article of 2021 Award, Journal of Social Work Education, 2022
  • Nominee, Annual Graduate Student Recognition, California State University, Los Angeles, 2013
  • Nominee, Honors Convocation Recognition, California State University, Los Angeles, 2013
  • Recipient, Graduate Equity Fellowship, 2011

  • Ad Hoc Article Reviewer, Clinical Social Work Journal
  • Volunteer, National Center for Gender Health

  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Member
  • Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR), Member
  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), Member
  • National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA), Member

 

  • California Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW) #134091, 2025-Present
  • Minnesota Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) #32072, 2023-Present
  • University of Michigan Social Work/Nursing Bridges to the Doctoral Program, 2012-2013
  • Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), 2006-2010