PhD Students
Kristen Theile
Education
Teaching Interests
- Social Work Practice within Organizations and Communities
- Understanding Mental Health & Behavior
- Program Evaluation Methods in SW
- Trauma Informed Practice
Research Interests
- Human Service Organizations, Administration, and Workforce
- Implementation Science
- Mixed Methods Research
- Program Evaluation
- Social determinants of health and behavioral health integration
- Strengths-Based Social Work and Holistic Well-Being Approaches
- Trauma Informed Care
Publications
- Clark, S.L., Miller, B., Akin, B.A., *Theile, K., Whittenbury, K., Brooks, M., *Bryant, S., Carr, K., & McArthur, V. Exploring trauma-Informed organizational practices and self-care as pathways to resilience among child welfare workers. (Submitted May 20, 2025). Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy
- Clark, S.L., Miller, B., Akin, B.A., Barney, R, Theile, K., Carr, K., & McArthur, V. (In press). Investigating the effects of resilience and meditation interventions on secondary traumatic stress among child welfare professionals: A randomized clinical trial. Traumatology.
- Clark, S.L., Pope, N.D., Dowdy-Hazlett, T., Barney, R., Theile, K., Mathis, C., Lattimer, A., Rogers, C., Kinzie, S., & Mitchell, J. (In press). “Do no harm can get a little muddy”: Social workers’ experiences with moral distress. The Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research.
- Clark, S. L., Riley, E. N., Lardner, M., Theile, K., Edge, L., Pearson, T., & Cull, M. J. (under review; submitted November 2024). Team culture and secondary traumatic stress in child welfare professionals.
Presentations
- McGladrey, M., Theile, K., Blackwell, T., Wentworth, L., Wilson, J., Heise, C., & Real, B. (September 17-20, 2025). Rural Kentucky Case Studies of Libraries as Social and Health Resource Hubs. [Panel presentation]. The Association of Rural & Small Libraries Conference. Albuquerque, New Mexico.
- Clark, S.L., McGladrey, M., Riley, E.N., & Theile, K. (2025, September 16-17). Findings and Next Steps with the Kentucky Mandatory Reporting and Community Supporting Study. Kids are Worth It Conference 2025, Lexington, KY.
- Theile, K., Clark, S., McGladrey, M., Riley, E., Kinzie, S., and Rogers, C. (2025, April 6-8). A qualitative exploration of attitudes and beliefs of mandated reporting vs mandated supporting [Conference presentation]. ResilienceCon 2025, Nashville, TN, United States
- Theile, K. & Clark, S., (2025, April 6-8). From Awareness to Action: Transformative Immersion Educational Experience in Social Justice [Poster presentation]. ResilienceCon 2025, Nashville, TN, United States
Bio
Kristen Theile (she/her) has an extensive background in the non-profit sector, with experience collaborating with grassroots, religious, and community-based organizations both domestically and internationally. As a dual doctoral candidate pursuing a Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) and a Ph.D. in Social Work, Kristen initially entered the DSW program driven by a calling to effect change at the macro-organizational level. Her growing interest in research and the desire for deeper insight into evidence-based practices led her to pursue a Ph.D. She believes that holding both a DSW and Ph.D. offers her a unique vantage point for conducting research that fosters meaningful partnerships with organizations and communities, ultimately driving social change. She serves in multiple leadership and volunteer roles within the College, including President of the PhD Social Community, PhD/DSW Student Ambassador, and Graduate Representative for the Social Work Association. Outside of her academic pursuits, Kristen enjoys quality time with her supportive partner and their 130-pound dog, Arrigo, as well as staying active and maintaining close connections with family and friends.