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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/Focus
Mental health, substance use disorders, self-help and mutual aid groups, 12-step programs, interpersonal practice, international development, social policy
Contact Information
| Phone | Room | Address | |
|---|---|---|---|
| tpowell@umich.edu | 4668C SSWB | University of Michigan School of Social Work 1080 S. University Ann Arbor, MI 48109 |
Education
| Year | Degree | School | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | PhD | Clinical Mental Health Services | Smith College, Northampton, MA |
| 1960 | MSW | Boston College, Boston, MA | |
| 1958 | BS | Social Science | Boston College, Boston, MA |
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Powell, T. J. (2006, March). The U.S. mental health system. Presented to visiting students from the University of Tokai, Japan, Ann Arbor, MI. |
| 2006 | Powell, T. J. (2006, March). Does NAMI have anything to offer me? Presented at the NAMI of Washtenaw County Public Education Meeting. |
| 2004 | Powell, T. J. (2004, May). The emerging shape of mental health careers. Presented at Social Work Day, Ann Arbor, MI. |
| 2002 | Powell, T. J. (2002, March). Linking approaches for alcohol and other drug problems and domestic violence: Issues and approaches. Presented at the Social Intervention Group special conference, Columbia University. |
| 1999 | Powell, T. J. (1999, March). Self-help programs in the U.S. Presented to visiting students and faculty of Tokai University, Ann Arbor, MI. |
| 1999 | Powell, T. J. (1999, March). Encouraging people with mood disorders to attend a self-help group. Presented at the Annual Program Meeting, Council on Social Work Education, San Francisco, CA. |
| 1999 | Powell, T. J. (1999, March). Research supports the effectiveness of M.D.D.A. (Manic-Depressive and Depressive Association) interventions. Presented at the M.D.D.A. General Meeting, Southfield, MI. |
| 1999 | Powell, T. J. (1999, April). Current trends in mental health and managed care. Presented at the University of Michigan, School of Social Work, Pathfinders Program, Flint, MI. |
| 1998 | Powell, T. J. (1998, March). Self-help in the western-world. Presented to visiting students and faculty of Tokai University, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. |
| 1998 | Powell, T. J. (1998, April). Some perspectives on the use of the DSM-IV. Presented at the Workshop for Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. |
| 1996 | Powell, T. J. (1996, June). Self-help and Recovery, Inc. Presented at (IAPRS) International Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services, Annual Meeting, Detroit, MI. |
| 1995 | Powell, T. J. (1995, June). Quantitative approaches and outcome studies of self-help groups. Presented at the Society for Community Research and Action Presentation, Chicago IL. |
| 1994 | Powell, T. J. (1994, June). The WEMAD findings from the U-M Center for Self-Help research. Presented at the Assertive Community Treatment Conference, Michigan Department of Mental Health Sugar Loaf Resort, Cedar, MI. |
| 1994 | Powell, T. J., Garvin, C., Hill, E., & Kurtz, L. F. (1994, September). A model of A.A. utilization by persons with a dual diagnosis. Presented at the International Conference on Addiction and Mutual Help Movements in a Comparative Perspective, Toronto, Canada. |
| 1993 | Powell, T. J. (1993, January). Interpreting research findings on self-help. Presented at the New Hampshire-Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center, Hanover, NH. |
| 1993 | Powell, T. J. (1993, May). Recruiting and retaining self-help members. Presented at the Leadership Conference, Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Michigan, Leadership Conference, Grand Rapids, MI. |
| 1993 | Meissen, G., Powell, T. J., & Herring, E. L. (1993, June). Effects of label and behavior of mental health consumers on acceptance in Alcoholic Anonymous groups. Presented at the Fourth Biennial Conference for Community Research and Action, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. |
| 1993 | Powell, T. J. (1993, July). The effectiveness and use of self-help groups--A research perspective. Presented at the Employee Assistance Society of America Professional Development Institute, Ann Arbor, MI. |
| 1992 | Powell, T. J., Hill, E. M., Warner, L., Yeaton, W., Silk, K., Callahan, J., et al. (1992, April). Encouraging attendance at a self-help group for people with mood disorders: A preliminary report. Presented at Building Social Work Knowledge for Effective Mental Health Services and Policies, Division of Applied and Services Research, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD. |
| 1992 | Powell, T. J. (1992, May). An historical perspective on self-help. Presented at the Self-Help/Mutual Aid Groups in Southwest Detroit Conference, Southwest Detroit Community Mental Health Center. |
| 1992 | Powell, T. J. (1992, September). Factors associated with participation in self-help groups. Presented at the International Conference on Self-Help and Mutual Aid, Ottawa, Canada. |
| 1992 | Powell, T. J. (1992, October). The role of Recovery Inc. in a mental health services system. Presented at the Institute on Hospital and Community Psychiatry, Toronto, Canada. |
| 1992 | Powell, T. J., Meissen, G. J., & Herring, E. L. (1992, October). Assessing the acceptance of persons with severe mental illness in Alcoholics Anonymous an application of the planned action mode. Presented at the Conference on the Integration of Social Work and Social Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. |
| 1992 | Moles, E. L., Chapleski, E. E., & Powell, T. J. (1992, November). Interagency cooperation and awareness and acceptance of mental health. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Washington, DC. |
| 1992 | Powell, T. J. (1992, December). Self-help and the social work practitioner. Presented at Toward Empowerment: New Trends in Social Work Research and Practice, University of Michigan, School of Social Work, Field Instructors Meeting. |
| 1991 | Powell, T. J. (1991, May). Recovery Inc. as a model for self-help. Presented at the Conference on Mental Illness, Stigma and Self-Help, University of Illinois, Department of Psychiatry, Abraham A. Low Institute. |
| 1991 | Powell, T. J., & Olszta, G. (1991, May). Self-help organizations for persons with serious mental illness. Presented at the Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Michigan, Kalamazoo, MI. |
| 1991 | Powell, T. J. (1991, May). Women and self-help. Presented at Continuing Education for Women, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. |
| 1991 | Powell, T. J., & Janssen, J. (1991, July). Cooperative approaches to self-help. Presented at the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association, Annual Convention, Providence, Rhode Island. |
| 1991 | Powell, T. J. (1991, August). Current self-help research. Presented at the Alternatives '91, National Mental Health Ex-Patient/Consumer Conference, University of California at Berkeley. |
| 1991 | Powell, T. J. (1991, November). Effect of cooperative efforts between mental health aging network agencies on improved mental health services to older adults and older minorities. Presented at the 44th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, San Francisco, CA. |
| 1991 | Powell, T. J. (1991, June). The role of self-help in a comprehensive services system. Presented at the University of Michigan Department of Social Work in Psychiatry, Ann Arbor. |
| 1990 | Powell, T. J. (1990, March). The agenda for the University of Michigan Center for Self-Help Research and Knowledge Dissemination. Presented at the Workshop on Consumer-led Self-Help Services, National Institute of Mental Health. |
| 1990 | Powell, T. J. (1990, April). The decade of the empowered consumer. Presented at the Mental Health Services Information Fair, Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Washtenaw County. |
| 1990 | Powell, T. J. (1990, July). The mission of the U.S. NIMH Supported Center for Self-Help Research and Knowledge Dissemination. Presented at An International Conference on Schizophrenia, Vancouver, Canada. |
| 1990 | Powell, T. J. (1990, August). A research strategy for a center for self-help research. Presented at the American Psychological Association, Boston, MA. |
| 1990 | Powell, T. J. (1990, December). Linking self-help and the public mental health system. Presented at the National State Mental Health Program Directors Meeting, Washington, DC. |
| 1989 | Powell, T. J. (1989, May). Federal initiatives and self-help. Presented at the Statewide meeting sponsored by the Michigan Self-Help Clearinghouse, Washtenaw Community College. |
| 1989 | Powell, T. J. (1989, November). Validity threats in self-help research. Presented at the Doctoral Brown Bag Series, School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. |
| 1989 | Powell, T. J. (1989, October). Self-help program for persons with bipolar disorders. Presented at the Forensic Center, Ypsilanti, MI. |
| 1989 | Powell, T. J. (1989, October). Complementary aspects of self-help and professional care programs. Presented at the Mood Disorders Self-Help Group, Windsor, Canada. |
| 1989 | Powell, T. J. (1989, October). Design issues in self-help research. Presented at the Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. |
| 1988 | Powell, T. J. (1989, March). Self-help and professional services. Presented at Case Western Reserve University, School of Applied Social Sciences, Lecture Series. |
| 1987 | Powell, T. J., & Fellin, P. A. (1987). Mental health services for older adults in Michigan: Progress, problems, and prospects. Presented at The University of Michigan School of Social Work and the Michigan Department of Mental Health, Ann Arbor. |
| 1984 | Powell, T. J. (1984, June). The organization of self-help groups. Presented at the National Conference on Self-Help Groups for Genetic Blood Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Washington, DC. |
| 1984 | Powell, T. J. (1984, January). Social support for the long term mentally Ill: Some ideas from imaginative literature. Presented at the Ann Arbor Dickens Fellowship, Ann Arbor, MI. |
| 1982 | Powell, T. J. (1982, March). The organizational and social network benefits of the self-help organization versus the agency support group. Presented at the Annual Meeting, American Orthopsychiatric Association, San Francisco, CA. |
| 1981 | Powell, T. J. (1981, March). Mental health care and social work in Sudan. Presented at the World Health Organization, EM/MENT/98(d) General. |
| 1981 | Powell, T. J. (1981, March). Social work in the mental health care program of Kuwait. Presented at the World Health Organization EM/MENT/98(c) General. |
| 1981 | Powell, T. J. (1981, March). Egyptian social work services and training opportunities in mental health programs. Presented at the World Health Organization EM/MENT/98(b) General. |
| 1981 | Powell, T. J. (1981, March). Social work services and training opportunities in mental Health care within the eastern mediterranean. Presented at the World Health Organization EM/MENT/98(a) General. |
| 1981 | Powell, T. J., & Granville, K. H. (1981, June). Issues related to the development of mutual assistance programs among Indo-Chinese refugees. Presented at the National Conference on Social Welfare, l08th Annual Forum, San Francisco, CA. |
| 1980 | Powell, T. J. (1980, February). Social support networks and agency policy. Presented at the National Council of Community Mental Health Centers, Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA. |
| 1980 | Powell, T. J. (1980, April). Utilizing systems of social support. Presented at the Annual Meeting, American Orthopsychiatric Association, Toronto. |
| 1979 | Powell, T. J. (1979, May). The role of the social network in seeking help. Presented at the Annual Forum of the National Conference on Social Welfare, Philadelphia, PA. |
| 1978 | Powell, T. J. (1978, February). The consumer compares self help and professional service programs. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Council of Community Mental Health Centers, Kansas City. |
| 1977 | Powell, T. J. (1977, May). Affiliation with self help groups: The role of ideology. Presented at the Annual Forum of the National Conference on Social Welfare. |
| 1977 | Powell, T. J. (1977, September). The impact of an enriched program of community mental health education. Presented at the Council on Social Work Education Workshop on Community Mental Health Education, Chicago, IL. |
| 1975 | Powell, T. J., & Vanek, L. (1975, May). Changing conceptions of the nonprofessional. Presented at the Annual Forum of the National Conference on Social Welfare, San Francisco, CA. |
| 1975 | Powell, T. J. (1975, March). Self help groups: A neglected resource. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Orthopsychiatric Association, Washington, DC. |
| 1974 | Powell, T. J. (1974). The local church: A caregiver and potential collaborator with human service agencies. Presented at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor. |
| 1974 | Powell, T. J., Bevilacqua, J., & Rothenberg, E. (1974, March). Curricular exchanges between state departments of mental health and schools of social work. Presented at the Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Atlanta, GA. |
| 1973 | Powell, T. J., & Glasser, P. (1973, May). The client's social circle: A source and resource available to deal with estranged clients. Presented at the Forum of the National Conference on Social Welfare, Atlantic City, NJ. |
| 1973 | Powell, T. J. (1973, May). Accountability: Its dimensions and application to programs. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Orthopsychiatric Association, New York. |
| 1972 | Powell, T. J. (1972, November). Strengthening human services through collaboration with the churches. Presented at the Southwest Regional Meeting of the American Orthopsychiatric Association, Galveston, TX. |