Faculty Directory
Susan Tohn
Associate Professor
Susan Tohn
M.S.W., LICSW
Contact
McGuinn Hall 216
Telephone: 617-552-4040
Email: susan.tohn@bc.edu
Education
- B.A., Tufts University
- M.S.W., Boston University
Research Interests
Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma Treatment in Israel, LGBTQ Equality, Narrative Therapy, Couples and Family Therapy, Strength-Based Child Welfare, Foster Care
Expertise
- Clinical Practice
- Mental Health
Profile
Susan Tohn, MSW, is Associate Professor of Clinical Practice and has been teaching at Boston College School of Social Work (BCSSW) since 1999, joining the faculty full-time in 2005. In 2012, she was appointed to Clinical Chair of the MSW program. Professor Tohn earned her BA from Tufts University and her MSW from Boston University.
Professor Tohn’s teaching focuses on clinical practice with a specialty in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. She developed the LGBTQ course at BCSSW and has a particular interest in integrating LGBTQ issues throughout the BCSSW curriculum. In addition, Professor Tohn is the coordinator for and teaches sections of the required child and family clinical course and the advanced children and families’ course.
Professor Tohn received a Teaching and Mentoring grant from Boston College in 2010. In 2009, she was co-principal investigator on a Boston College Research Incentive Grant entitled, “Social Workers Collaborating with Teachers through Solution-Focused Brief Therapy". This grant brought Solution Focused techniques into a classroom environment using the Working on What Works model.
Professor Tohn has published and co-authored (with J. Oshlag) Crossing the Bridge: Integrating Solution Focused Treatment into Clinical Practice. She has also co-authored (with J. Oshlag) Solution-Focused Therapy with Mandated Clients: Cooperating with the Uncooperative, in S. Miller, M. Hubble, & B. Duncan (Eds.), Handbook of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.
Clinical Practice Experience
2003 - Present, Clinical Supervisor, Solutions, on-site locations
Provide individual weekly LICSW supervision to 1-8 social workers working toward their license. Focus of supervision is the integration of Solution-Focused Treatment into their setting. The different settings include: Outdoor adventure clinical groupwork, hospice social work, home-based family stabilization team, out-patient mental health, Department of Children and Families, lead agency intensive case management and clinical directorship supervision, employee assistance programs, anger management groups, and drug and alcohol counseling.
1992 - Present, Clinical Social Worker, Solutions, Private Practice, Sudbury, MA
Provide clinical services to individuals, couples, families and groups. Clinical work utilizes Solution-Focused Brief Therapy approach. Participate in Blue Cross/Blue Shield Voluntary Outcomes Measurement Project. Own and operate private practice providing clinical training of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for agencies, private practice clinicians, schools, universities, and presenting at conferences.