Thomas J. Powell

Professor Emeritus of Social Work

Thomas Powell conducts research with mental health and substance use self-help groups. He has been an active participant in research on community support systems for consumers and family caregivers. As principal investigator for the NIMH-funded Center for Self-Help Research, he has collaborated with a number of organizations including the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Schizophrenics Anonymous, Recovery, Inc., and consumer-run agencies. He has also collaborated with members of 12-step groups. He is a Board Member of the Home of New Vision, an addiction services provider.

Internationally, he has worked with the Taiwan Alliance for the Mentally Ill. He has also made presentations to health agencies in the area of Hyderabad, India.

His areas of interest include international development, interpersonal practice and social policy.

Research Interests

Mental health, substance use disorders, self-help and mutual aid groups, 12-step programs, interpersonal practice, international development, social policy

Contact Information

  • [email protected]

  • 4668C SSWB
    University of Michigan
    School of Social Work
    1080 S. University
    Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Education

  • 1966 PhD Clinical Mental Health Services
    Smith College, Northampton, MA
  • 1960 MSW
    Boston College, Boston, MA
  • 1958 BS Social Science
    Boston College, Boston, MA

News

Activities

Publications

Powell, T. J. & Kurtz, L. F. (2015). Self-help/mutual-help groups for people with mental health and addiction problems. In H. Friedman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Mental Health. (2nd ed.). Elsevier.
Powell, T., Garrow, E., Woodford, M., & Perron, B. (2013). Policymaking opportunities for direct practice social workers in mental health and addiction services. Advances in Social Work, 14(2), 367-378.
Powell, T. J., Sheng, M., & Wang, F. T. (2012). Raising awareness around the world: the Taiwan Alliance for the Mentally Ill (TAMI). NAME eAdvocate.
Powell, T. J., & Perron, B. E. (2010). The contribution of self-help groups to the mental health/substance use service system. In L. D. Brown & S. Wituk (Eds.), Mental Health Self-help: Consumer and Family Initiatives. New York: Springer.
Powell, T. J., & Perron, B. E. (2010). Self-help groups and mental health/substance use agencies: The benefits of organizational exchange. Substance Use and Misuse, 45(3), 315-329.
Perron, B. E., & Powell, T. J. (2008). Online groups and social work practice. In A. Gitterman & R. Salmon (Eds.), The Encyclopedia of Social Work with Groups. New York: Routledge.
Powell, T. J. (2005). [Review of the book Circles of recovery: Self-help organizations for addictions]. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 28(3), 305-307.
Powell, T. J., Yeaton, W., Hill, E. M., & Silk, K. R. (2001). Predictors of psychosocial outcomes for patients with mood disorders: The effects of self-help group participation. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 25(1), 3-11.
Powell, T. J., Silk, K. R., & Albeck, J. H. (2000). Psychiatrists' referrals to self-help groups for people with mood disorders. Psychiatric Services, 51(6), 809-811.
Powell, T. J., Warner, L., Hill, E. M., & Yeaton, W. (2000). Encouraging people with mood disorders to attend a self-help group. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 30(11), 2270-2288.

Presentations

Year Description
2014 Wortman, S. & Powell, T. J. (2014, January). Thinking as you search: Narrowing your search results in PubMed.
2013 Powell, T. J. (2013, February). Self-help groups in the organizational field of mental health agencies: Some interventions and research questions. University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI.
2012 Powell, T. J. (2012, October). Panelist, Social Justice Grand Round Series, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI.
2012 Powell, T. J. (2012, September). Schizophrenics Anonymous: Does it work? How does it work? Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America Conference, Houston, TX.
2012 Powell, T. J. (2012, August). The NAMI perspective on mental illness. Ann Arbor Rotary, Ann Arbor, MI.

Courses

Past Courses

Title Instructor Term Course Section Meeting Start Meeting End
Mental Health Policies and Service Powell, Thomas J. Winter 2017 001 02:00 pm 05:00 pm View Course
Mental Health Policies and Service Powell, Thomas J. Winter 2017 003 09:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Advanced Topics in Interpersonal Practice Powell, Thomas J. Fall 2016 006 05:00 pm 08:00 pm View Course
Mental Health Policies and Service Powell, Thomas J. Winter 2016 003 09:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Mental Health Policies and Service Powell, Thomas J. Winter 2016 001 02:00 pm 05:00 pm View Course
Advanced Topics in Interpersonal Practice Powell, Thomas J. Fall 2015 006 05:00 pm 08:00 pm View Course
Mental Health Policies and Service Powell, Thomas J. Winter 2015 003 09:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Mental Health Policies and Service Powell, Thomas J. Winter 2015 001 02:00 pm 05:00 pm View Course
Interpersonal Practice with Individuals, Families and Small Groups Powell, Thomas J. Fall 2014 009 06:00 pm 09:00 pm View Course
Advanced Topics in Interpersonal Practice Powell, Thomas J. Fall 2014 006 05:00 pm 08:00 pm View Course