As human beings, our life journeys are inextricably linked – first and foremost to our creator, and then to each other. Our personal stories have far-reaching implications for the next generations. We have a responsibility to ourselves, our offsprings, to our significant others, to God, and to society to speak life and make our truths positive ones! When one of us is threatened, we are all at risk; therefore, each of us provides a vital thread in the tapestry of another. As a more naïve, younger woman, I did not fully understand this concept. Through education and research, as well as lived experience, I know this to be factual. The knowledge of this premise lends to the passion I feel for Social Work – not just an understanding of the human condition, but a desire to be an agent to improve it and perpetuate and instill that desire in others.
I am the founding Coordinator for the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program at King University. In addition to the administrative responsibilities of this position, I also develop and teach classes each semester. I love teaching and the ability to revisit concepts and expound on them. I am eternally grateful for this honored and entrusted position I hold. My hope is that while teaching students the skills necessary to make communities whole, that God is given all the glory. I do not take this appointment lightly.
My scholarly interests are many: My past research has held a clinical basis, while my current research leans more heavily toward social justice. My dissertation topic is related to regional attitudes toward interracial relationships, seeking to extrapolate causality for the development of positive and negative attitudes, as well as exploring the role of the historicity of the academy in feeding racial animus. This research has been fueled by a fascination for our diverse world. I am able to bring this empirical research into the classroom, in many instances sharing the bases of social constructs, history, and oppressive forces, as well as scientific findings, cognitive neuroscience (brain research), and various other dynamics impacting humanity and human behavior.
I believe in service to others. I provide pro bono addictions counseling weekly. I serve on various boards within the community and volunteer my time and resources in numerous ways. I am a Board Certified Diplomat (BCD) in Trauma-Informed Clinical Social Work and a member of the American Academy of Christian Counselors (AACC), the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), as well as North American Association of Christians in Social Work (NACSW), the International Consortium of Social Developers (ICSD), International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), and Phi Alpha, the national Social Work Honor Society. In 2013, I received the honor of being named Social Work Today magazine’s Top Ten Deserving and Dedicated Social Workers. I received the 2008 Public Service Award for Distinguished Citizenship, and in 2013, I received the honored appointment of Kentucky Colonel. Additionally, I am an ordained reverend. On the King University campus, I serve as the chair of the Social Work Advisory Board, Faculty sponsor for the Social Work Action Group, and the King University chapter of the national Social Work Honor Society, Chi Omega. I serve on the Committee for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) and the Green committee. I am the faculty representative for the King University Acrobatics and Tumbling team
One take-away I want my students to gain from their academic experience is that the learning does not stop with a degree in hand – and it shouldn’t! The educational process ignites the fires of knowledge-seeking, converting us into lifelong learners – ever evolving with a desire to dig deeper and ask why, not just to accept what is, but to challenge the status quo. It’s how we derive meaning from those experiences and grow, while honoring God in thoughts and actions. I also want students to shift their perspective dramatically from “serve us” to “service.”
- PhD in Social Work – Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
- Master of Social Work (MSW) – Radford University, Radford, VA
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) – Virginia Intermont College, Bristol, VA
I have conducted workshops, given presentations, provided in-service education, and published on the following:
- Trauma-Informed Systems of Care
- Pathophysiology of the Brain in Active Addiction,
- Neuroplasticity,
- Brain and Behavior,
- Asepsis,
- Psychiatric Medication Management,
- Cultural and Human Diversity,
- Human Behavior,
- Pathophysiology of the Brain in Alzheimer’s Disease,
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder,
- Conduct Disorder,
- Autism Spectrum Disorders,
- Antisocial Personality Disorder,
- Borderline Personality Disorder,
- Death and Dying,
- Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and
- Other clinical issues.
Publications:
Helbert, J.M. (2018). Assessing attitudes of college students toward cross-cultural relationships: Implications
for social work practice, research, and education. Journal of Human Behavior and the
Social Environment. DOI: 10.1080/10911359.2018.1450797