Rachel Casey, Phd, MSW
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
UNIVERSITY of SOUTHERN MAINE
MEET RACHEL
​​Teaching Interests​
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Qualitative and quantitative research methods
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Theories of human behavior in the social environment
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Social justice, human rights, and diversity
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Forensic social work practice and criminal justice policy
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Research Interests
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Increasing capacity for effective, compassionate mental health treatment of incarcerated women
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Women’s lived experiences of criminal justice involvement
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Trauma responses to criminal offending behavior
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Participatory and feminist research methodologies
Education
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Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Social Work
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Ph.D., May 2018
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M.S.W., 2012
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Boston College, Lynch School of Education
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B.A. in Human Development, 2010
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Download Rachel's CV
RECENT SCHOLARSHIP
Psychotropic medication experiences of incarcerated women: A qualitative inquiry into conundrums of access and identity
Women & Criminal Justice (in press)
Rachel and her co-investigator conducted 25 semi-structured interviews with incarcerated women to learn about their experiences with mental health services during incarceration. The findings highlight the functional role of psychotropic medication for these women, while also emphasizing problems with limited access to prescribers, preferred medications, and other forms of mental health treatment. Trauma, substance use, and the impact of medication use on sense of self all emerged as interfacing with quality of life.
Professional identity and shared decision making among psychiatry residents: Designing a brief teaching module
The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice (2018)
Rachel partnered with three co-investigators to explore how psychiatrists develop professional identity and how that identity, in turn, shapes their approach to care. After conducting focus groups with psychiatry residents, Rachel and her co-investigators developed a teaching module designed to leverage the professional identity of psychiatrists in the promotion of shared decision making in practice.