Books · Articles · Media · Grants · Presentations
31 peer-reviewed articles, one book, four book chapters, and ongoing funded research centering Black women’s health, diagnostic equity, and oncology social work.
Published 2026
I wrote this book because students were learning assessment in a vacuum, disconnected from the cultural narratives that shape how clients present and how clinicians see them.
Reel Assessments: From Screens to Clinical Practice bridges popular media and clinical social work education. Drawing on film and television, it offers a framework for understanding diagnostic bias, cultural context, and empathic assessment in practice.
Published by Kendall Hunt Publishing, 2026. 186 pages. Available now for course adoption and individual purchase.
Order Your Copy →Reel Assessments: From Screens to Clinical Practice
Kendall Hunt Publishing · 2026 · 186 pp.
Author: Shanika Lavi Wilson, DSW, LCSW, LCAS
Topics: Clinical assessment · Diagnostic bias · Media pedagogy · Cultural competence in practice
2025
Microaggressions, Misogynoir, and Liberation for Black Women in Higher Education Leadership
In S. R. Logan & H. S. Dudley (Eds.), Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Higher Education Leadership (pp. 171–228).
Navigating Resilience: Anti-Oppressive Social Work and the Ecological Framework for Black Children’s Identity
In M. T. Hines III (Ed.), The Reclamation of Black Lives Matter in Education.
Addressing Workplace Bullying in the Digital Age: A Micro, Macro, and Mezzo Perspective
In M. D. Baez (Ed.), AI-Powered Leadership, Ch. 11. IGI Global.
Bridging the Gap: Addressing Mental Health Disparities in the African American Community
In A. El-Amin et al. (Eds.), Building Health, Resiliency, and Unity in the Black Community, Ch. 9. IGI Global.
31 Articles · 2015–2025
Research centering diagnostic bias in Black women, oncology social work pipelines, and culturally grounded clinical practice.
The Weight of Resilience: Navigating the Black Girl Glare, the Strong Black Woman Trope, and Somatic Expressions of Depression
Journal of Women’s Health Care and Issues, 8(2), 1–12.
Understanding the Hidden Struggles: Cultural and Somatic Expressions of Depression and Anxiety in Black Women
Women Health Care and Issues, 7(7).
Treating Anxiety in Black Women with NTU Psychotherapy Practices
Journal of Women Health Care and Issues, 7(3).
The Intersection of Mind and Body: Somatic Symptoms of Depression in Black Women
Journal of Women Health Care and Issues, 7(8).
Mental Health Disparities Among African American Young Adults
Journal of Anxiety & Depression, 7(2), 1–10.
Ophelia Settle Egypt (1903–1984): Pioneering Voice in Social Justice and African Centered Activism
Journal of Ubuntu/Nyingi waUbuntu, 1(1), 22–31.
The Effects of Authoritarian Parenting Style on Black Teenage Males
Acta Scientific Clinical Case Reports, 5(9), 3–10.
An Autoethnography Defining the Impact of Racial Disparities on the Black Woman’s Maternal Experience
Acta Scientific Clinical Case Reports, 5(9), 25–37.
Using Storytelling and African Centered Social Work to Amplify a Black Man’s Voice
Clinical Reviews and Case Reports, 3(5).
The Effectiveness of Group Therapy in Supporting Adoptive Families
Journal of Psychology and Mental Health Care, 6(2).
The Effects of Colorism on Self-Perception and Self-Esteem
Journal of Psychology and Mental Health Care, 6(2).
The Correlation Between Spirituality and Academic Success Amongst African American Women
International Journal of Clinical Case Reports and Reviews, 3(5).
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): An Important Evidence-Based Practice for Social Work
Journal of Psychology and Behavior Research, 1(1), 38–44.
The Invisible Dilemma of Collegiate Homelessness
Journal of Psychiatry and Behavior Therapy, 2(1), 37–40.
Teaching Social Work Students Financial Literacy to Improve Financial Decision Making
Journal of Psychology and Mental Health Care, 3(3).
The Effects of Mindfulness in a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Setting
Journal of Psychology and Mental Health Care, 3(4).
Childhood Trauma and Effective Empirically Based Interventions
Journal of Psychology and Behavior Research, 1(1), 45–55.
Effectiveness of Financial Literacy Interventions Provided to Homeless
Journal of Clinical Cases and Reports, 6–10.
Correlation Between Perception and Underutilization of Mental Health Services in Depression Among African Americans
EC Psychology and Psychiatry, 7(5), 263–269.
Social Worker Perceptions of Marijuana Use Versus Opiate Use Among Pregnant Women
Dual Diagnosis: Open Access, 3(26).
Educational Success of African Americans with Autism: An Exploratory Study
Journal of Neuroinflammation and Neurodegenerative Diseases, 2(1).
Family as Caregiver: Understanding Dementia and Family Relationship
Advanced Clinical and Translational Research, 2(2).
Perceptions of Excessive Use of Force on Disenfranchised Communities
Education Research and Health Development, 1.
Exploring the Link Between Black Racial Identity and Mental Health
Journal of Depression & Anxiety, 6(2).
Using the College Systems Model to Address High-Risk Underage Drinking
Journal of Depression & Anxiety, 6(4).
Assessing the Relationship Between Mental Health Symptoms and Alcohol Consequences in College Drinkers
Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 34(4), 402–414.
BASICS, ACT, Mindfulness, and BMI: Effective Evidence-Based Practices for Collegiate High-Risk Drinking
Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 26(1), 81–88.
Full record: Google Scholar · ORCID · ResearchGate
In the Press
Writing for public audiences is part of making social work knowledge accessible beyond the academy.
Embracing Healing: The Transformative Power of Trauma-Informed Care for Families
April 2025
2025 · with Q. Dinnerson
The Musical Genius of Beyoncé, David Bowie, Kendrick Lamar, and Janelle Monoáe
2025
Black Women and Suicide: The Silent Crisis and Its Aftermath on Families
January 2025
Funded Research
Grant funding is how research moves from idea to impact in communities.
Research Advancement Pilot Program (RAPP)
Faculty Research Award Program (FRAP)
Collegiate Recovery Grant
Conference & Training Talks
Every talk is designed to give practitioners something concrete they can use the next day.
The Cost and the Gift of Caring: Compassion Fatigue, Satisfaction, and Trauma-Informed Supervision
NCCU Dept. of Social Work Fall Field Education Forum
From Exhaustion to Empowerment: Understanding Burnout and Compassion Fatigue
NCCU Dept. of Social Work Spring Field Education Forum
Using Narrative Therapy When Treating African American Clients Who Experience Workplace Bullying
NASW NC Clinical Institute · with Q. Dinnerson
Understanding Practitioner Spirituality When Coping with Vicarious Trauma
NCCU Spring Field Education Forum · with L. Graves
Addressing Unconscious Bias and Applying Anti-Racism Techniques in Clinical Supervision
NASW NC Clinical Supervision Training
Research Journey with Graduate Students on Colorism
Triangle Association of Black Social Workers (TABSW)
Preventative Care in School Based Mental Health from a Social Worker’s Perspective
3rd Annual Southeastern Social Work Conference, UNC Pembroke
Addressing Unconscious Bias and Equity in Supervision
William & Mary Counseling Center Spring Provider Ethics Workshop
Mental Health & Wellness: Managing Through COVID-19
NCAA Leadership Institute (Virtual)
Using the Empowerment Theory and Practice to Assist HBCU Social Work Students
9th Social Work Symposium, University of Memphis (Virtual)
Exploring the Link Between Black Identity and Mental Health and Using the SBIRT Model
CSWE Annual Conference, Orlando, FL
Exploring the Link Between Black Identity and Mental Health and SBIRT Model
AMERSA Conference, Washington, DC
Sustainability Through Collaboration
Southern College Health Association Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA