Elizabeth Madden-Klicker is a skilled and dedicated social worker with more than 30 years of professional experience in roles spanning from direct service to program administration. Elizabeth has spent her social work career committed to improving the lives of others. Elizabeth will earn her Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Kentucky in May 2025. Her capstone project, “Integrating Interoception into School Social Work Practice,” explores the importance of understanding and accurately interpreting bodily signals to understand emotions and self-regulate. She has a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Chicago, a Master's degree in Education focusing on Secondary Special Education and Transition from the University of Kansas, and a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Purdue University. Elizabeth is a licensed clinical social worker who works as a school social worker in a public high school special education program. She also serves as an adjunct professor at George Williams College of Social Work at Aurora University, teaching graduate and undergraduate social work students. In this capacity, Elizabeth strives to educate and motivate future aspiring social workers. As a social worker, Elizabeth worked in research, fundraising, schools, and governmental and community-based social service agencies. She brings this broad base of social work knowledge to the classroom. In addition to her social work credentials, Elizabeth is a 500-hour certified yoga instructor who recognizes the importance of the body-mind connection.
DSW Showcase Student Presentation
Elizabeth Madden-Klicker
DSW Candidate
Integrating Interoception into School Social Work Practice
Concentration - Clinical Social Work
- Monday, April 28, 2025 -
- 9:00 am
Abstract
Interoception and emotional regulation are essential concepts that assist in understanding human functioning and well-being. Interoception, a person’s ability to sense and interpret their body signals, plays a critical role in managing emotions. Students with strong interoceptive awareness can effectively identify and respond to their feelings. Poor interoceptive awareness makes social or other challenging school situations difficult to manage since there is an increased sensitivity to stressors and reduced coping strategies. Incorporating activities that enhance interoception enables a school social worker to support students’ emotional regulation and foster resiliency.
This capstone presentation explores the integration of interoception into school social work practice. The current research on school-based interoception programs will be reviewed, followed by an exploration of the theoretical foundation supporting the incorporation of interoception. The presentation culminates with concrete interoceptive strategies. Capstone attendees will learn how to incorporate interoceptive practices into their daily work with students to enhance students’ emotional regulation.