Personal Statement

In my teaching, I attempt to create collaborative learning communities where learners can act as critical thinkers, value their own voices, see themselves as knowledge creators, and engage in dialogues of difference. I encourage participants in the learning process to become aware of the origins of their world views in ways that empower them to consider their preferred assumptions within a framework of power, privilege and liberation.

Professional Biography

Teresa McDowell is an associate professor in the Graduate School of Education and Counseling at Lewis & Clark College. Teresa has spent much of her career working to revision marriage and family therapy education in ways that better support social equity and cultural democracy. Her scholarship has focused on race/racism in family therapy practice and education, critical multicultural family research, and internationalizing family therapy programs. Recently her research agenda has included expanding critical multiculturalism in family therapy to include an international focus that addresses disparity and promotes global citizenship. She is a long time clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor.

Prior to coming to Lewis & Clark College, Teresa taught at the University of Connecticut (UConn) in Storrs, CT. While there, she served as Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Doctoral and Master’s programs. Teresa also taught family therapy at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) in Tacoma WA and at Northern Illinois University (NIU) in DeKalb, IL. She has directed university family therapy clinics at NIU, PLU, and UConn. Originally from Arizona, Teresa has spent most of her adult life in Washington State.

Curriculum Vitae

Current Projects

Teresa’s current projects include investigating the influences of social class in family therapy education; using White privilege to create equity; and transferring family therapy knowledge from one cultural context to another. She is currently collaborating with colleagues from rural Uganda and Lewis & Clark to provide cross-cultural training in family therapy. Teresa is excited about building relationships with both local and international partners that will foster cross-cultural understanding and alliances for social change.

Selected Publications 

McDowell, T, Brown, A., Kabura, P., Parker, E. & Alotaiby, A. (2011).  Working with families in Uganda and the United States: Lessons in cross-cultural professional training.  Journal of Systemic Therapies, 30(2), 65-80.

McDowell, T. & Hernandez, P. (2010).  Decolonizing academia: Intersectionality, participation, and accountabililty in family therapy and counseling. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 22,( 2), 93-111.

Garcia, M. & McDowell, T. (2010).  Mapping social capital: A critical contextual approach for working with low-status families.  Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 36(1), 96-107.

Melendez, T., & McDowell, T. (2008). Race, class, gender and migration: Family therapy with a Peruvian couple. Journal of Systemic Therapies (37), 30-43.

McDowell, T., Storm, C., & York, C. (2007). Multiculturalism in couple and family therapy education. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 26(4), 75-94.

McDowell, T. & Fang, S. (2007). Feminist informed critical multiculturalism: Considerations for family research. Journal of Family Issues, 28(4), 549-566.

McDowell, T., Fang, S., Griggs, J., Speirs, K., Perumbilly, S. & Kublay, A. (2006). International dialogue: Our experience in a family therapy program. Journal of Systemic Therapies.

Fang, S., McDowell, T. & Holland, C. (2006). Internationalizing Family Science Programs: A Spherical Expansion of Inclusive Perspectives. In R. Hamon (Ed.) International FamilyStudies: Developing Curricula and Teaching Tools. Ch. 1. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press.

McDowell, T., Dashiell, W., Holland, C., Ingoglia, L., Serizawa, T., & Stevens, C. (2005). Breaking the mold: Multiracial awareness in family therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 31(4), 399-411.

McDowell, T. (2004/5). Practicing a relational therapy with a critical multicultural lens. Introduction to a Special Section, Journal of Systemic Therapies, 24(1).

McDowell, T. (2004). Listening to the racial experiences of graduate trainees: A critical race theory perspective. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 32(4), 305-324.

McDowell, T. & Jeris, L. (2004). Talking about race using critical race theory: Recent trends in the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 30(1), 81-94.

McDowell, T., Fang, S., Gomez Young, C., Brownlee, K., Khanna, A. & Sherman, B. (2003). Making space for racial dialogue in MFT education. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 29(2), 179-194.

McDowell, T. & Shelton, D. (2002). Valuing social justice in MFT curriculum. Contemporary Family Therapy, 24, 313-331.

McDowell, T., Fang, S., Brownlee, K, Gomez Young, C., & Khanna, A. (2002). Transforming a MFT program: A model for enhancing diversity. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 28(2), 179-191.

Selected National Presentations

Hernandez-Wolfe, P. & McDowell, T. (2011).  Speaking of privilege: Family therapy educators’ journeys toward compassionate action.  Annual AFTA conference, Baltimore, MD. 

Brown, A., Libal, K. & McDowell, T. (2011).  Human rights & domestic violence. Unsettling Feminisms Conference/Afillia.  Chicago, IL.

Brown, A., McDowell, T., Alotaiby, A., Goss, D. & Parker, E. (2011).  Liberation-based praxis in cross-cultural work.  Unsettling Feminisms Conference/Afillia.  Chicago, IL.

Hernandez-Wolfe, P., Almeida, R. & McDowell, T. (2009).  Decolonzing FamilyTherapy.  Liberation Based Healing Conference, Austin, TX.

Fang, S., McDowell, T., Kosutic, I. & Griggs, J. (2009).  Listening to the voices of international students in family therapy and family science.  National Council on Family Relations, San Fransisco, CA. 

Kosutic, I., Garcia, M., Melendez, T., McDowell, T. & Anderson, S. (2009).  Raising critical consciousness in family therapy supervision.  International FamilyTherapy Association Conference, Portoroz, Slovenia. 

McDowell, T. (2008).  Acting as a white ally:  Strategies for anti-racist activity, Annual AFTA conference, Philadelphia, PA.

Hernandez, P. & McDowell, T. (2008).  Toward a post-colonial academy.  Liberation Based Healing Conference, Balitmore, MD.

McDowell, T. & Storm, C. (2008).  Family Therapy: A Strength Based Approach, Menoufiya University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt.

 

Selected Professional Activities

Clinical Member & Approved Supervisor, American Association for Marital and Family Therapy (AAMFT)

Member, American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA)

Editorial Board, Journal of Marital & Family Therapy

Editorial Board, Journal of Systemic Therapies

Academic Credentials

Ed.D. 2003 Northern Illinois University
M.A. 1985 Pacific Lutheran University

 Washington State Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, #LF00001571