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SMART Center

Publications

Our Research

The SMART Center is dedicated to advancing the field of mental health through innovative, community-focused research. Our work centers on improving access to care, strengthening clinical practices, and developing effective, trauma-informed interventions for children, adolescents, and families.

By integrating research, training, and clinical services, the SMART Center serves as a hub for applying evidence-based knowledge to real-world practice.

Focus Areas

Our research initiatives emphasize areas critical to improving mental health outcomes, including:

  • Trauma-informed care and recovery
  • School-based mental health interventions
  • Tele-behavioral health and access to care
  • Evidence-based practices for children and families
  • Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (SUD)
  • Workforce development and clinical training

Through these focus areas, we aim to address gaps in care and support long-term well-being in the communities we serve.

Applied Research & Practice

The SMART Center bridges the gap between research and practice by embedding research into everyday clinical work. Our team actively evaluates and implements evidence-based interventions, ensuring that services are both effective and informed by the latest findings.

This approach allows us to:

  • Continuously improve service delivery
  • Adapt interventions to meet community needs
  • Train emerging professionals in best practices
  • Contribute to the advancement of the mental health field

Collaborative Partnerships

Our research is strengthened through partnerships with schools, community organizations, and academic programs. These collaborations allow us to expand our impact, share knowledge, and develop innovative solutions to complex mental health challenges.

Student & Trainee Involvement

As a training-focused clinic, the SMART Center provides students and trainees with opportunities to engage in research-informed practice. Interns and supervisees gain exposure to evidence-based interventions, program evaluation, and data-informed decision-making as part of their clinical experience.

Advancing the Field

The SMART Center is committed to contributing to the broader field of mental health through research, training, and community engagement. Our work supports the development of effective, accessible, and sustainable approaches to care.

Learn More

To learn more about current research initiatives, collaborations, or opportunities to get involved, please contact our team at SMARTCenter@memphis.edu.

Publications & Scholary Work

 

The SMART Center is committed to contributing to the advancement of mental health practice through scholarly research and dissemination. Faculty and affiliated clinicians regularly engage in research that informs evidence-based interventions, strengthens trauma-informed care, and improves access to behavioral health services.

Our work contributes to the broader field through:

  • Peer-reviewed journal articles
  • Conference presentations and invited talks
  • Practice-focused publications and reports
  • Collaborative research with community and academic partners

These efforts reflect our commitment to integrating research, training, and clinical practice to improve outcomes for children, families, and communities.

Selected Publications

School Mental Health and Technology:

  • Elswick, S., Hendrick, W., & Casey, L. (2021). ENGAGE Smart Desk: An API Capable DataCollection and Analysis System for Classroom Behavior. LDI EDM Virtual
    Conference Paper. (in press).
  • Elswick, S., Casey, L., Rudd, L,, Crutchfield, J., Cuellar, M., Seemann, D., Taylor, L., &Simmons, L. (2021). Using a Multi-tiered Systems of Support Framework as the
    Foundation for Overlaying Trauma-Informed Practices: A Pilot Study in One Urban
    School District. School Social Work Journal.
  • Elswick, S., Brasfield, M., and Lancaster, C. (2021). Supporting Students and Teachers in
    Remote Education: School-based Mental Health Professionals’ Role during Virtual
    Instruction. International Journal of Education and Social Sciences. 8(4).  
  • Elswick, S., Washington, G., Mangrum, H., Peterson, C., Barnes, E. Pirkey, P., & Watson,
    J.(2021). The Trauma Healing Club: Utilizing Culturally Responsive Processes in
    the Implementation of a Group Intervention to Address African Refugees Trauma.
    Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma. 10.1007/s40653-021-00387-5.
  • Elswick, S.E., & Cuellar, M.J. (2021). School Social Workers Perceptions of the Use ofFunctional Behavior Assessments. Research on Social Work Practice. February
    2021. doi:10.1177/1049731521990740 
  • Elswick, S.E., Hirschi, M., Delavega, E., and Casey, L.B. (2020)"The Therapy Box in the Classroom: A Function-based Multi-Component Directive Play Therapy Treatment Package Intervention," International Journal of School Social Work: Vol. 5: Iss. 2. https://doi.org/10.4148/2161-4148.1063
  • Mueller, C. E., Casey, L. B., Albert, D., Harrell-Williams, L. M., Zoblotsky, T. A., & Elswick,S. E. (2020). Towards Convergence in Approaching LDI Concrete Tasks: The K-12 Education Expert Panel Perspective. The 13th International Conference on Educational Data Mining, July 10-13, Virtual Conference. Paper submitted for publication in LDI program.

Presentations:

  • Elswick, S., Hendrick, W., & Casey, L. (2021). ENGAGE Smart Desk: An API Capable DataCollection and Analysis System for Classroom Behavior. LDI EDM Virtual
    Conference Paper. (in press).
  • Mueller, C. E., Casey, L. B., Albert, D., Harrell-Williams, L. M., Zoblotsky, T. A., & Elswick, S. E. (2020). Towards Convergence in Approaching LDI Concrete Tasks: The K-12 Education Expert Panel Perspective. The 13th International Conference on Educational Data Mining, July 10-13, Virtual Conference. 

Pending Publications:

  • Elswick, S. (2021). "Minecraft™: Just a Game or a Conduit to Enhance Social-EmotionalLearning?" Education and Information Technologies. (submitted for review).
  • Cuellar, M. & Elswick, S. (2021).  School Policing in Today’s Schools: School Social Worker
    Recommendations for Promoting Safety in Urban School Districts. (under review)
  • Elswick, S., Hirschi, M., Cuellar, M, Ousley, B., & Simmons, L. (2021). The School Social Workers Role in Interdisciplinary Collaboration with School Safety Personnel (in progress)
  • Pirkey, P., Johnson, R., Winsor, D., Washington, G., & Elswick, S. (2020). Teachers’ meaning-
    making process of yoga as an embodied self-regulation tool: The high school yoga mat
    study. International Journal of Health Promotion and Education. (in progress).
  • Elswick, S. & Casey, L. (2021). Let’s Talk Tech: Developing Social Work Skills in Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Science Convergence to Harness Technology for Good. The Journal of Technology in Human Services. (prepping for submission).
  • Elswick, S. & Hendrick, W. (2021). ENGAGE: An API Capable Data Collection and Analysis System for Classroom Behavior. The Journal of Technology in Human Services. (in progress)
  • Elswick, S. Casey, C., Casey, L., Nelson, M., Owens, J., Jin, S., & Lee, Y. (2021). Looking Back and Looking Ahead to Technology’s Role in Higher Education: How a Pandemic Placed Higher Education at Our Fingertips and May Help Increase Retention. International Journal of Technology in Higher Education. Special Call COVID-19 (under review).
  • Elswick, S., Washington, G., Apple, H., Peterson, C., & Barnes, E. (2021). Adapting an
    Evidence-based Group Trauma Intervention for Telehealth. Social Work in Health Care. (in progress).

Research Impact

Our publications and presentations support the translation of research into practice by:

  • Informing the use of evidence-based and trauma-informed interventions
  • Advancing knowledge in school-based and community mental health
  • Enhancing training and workforce development
  • Supporting innovation in tele-behavioral health services