Paul Johnson, DSW, LCSW

Associate Professor

Paul Johnson is an Associate Professor at the School of Social Work at the University of Southern Maine.
 
Prior to assuming his appointment at USM he was a member of the faculty at Lehman College, City University of New York.  Before entering academia, he was employed by Jewish Child Care Association and also worked at United Cerebral Palsy of New York State. Not only has Dr. Johnson practiced in the United States, but prior to immigrating to the United States in 1986, he worked in residential social work in the United Kingdom.  Paul’s research focuses on children from immigrant and refugee families who often face economic, social and personal hardships-poverty, separation from family members and challenges of cultural adaptation. Many of the children are dealing with the effects of war, persecution and other trauma.  Presently Paul is working with the Portland Public Schools Multilingual Department, concerning access of mental health services for Portland’s ever expanding multicultural community. In the spring of 2007, this program was awarded a three year $300,000 grant by the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation. This grant allowed the Portland public Schools to partner with the city of Portland’s Public Health Divisions-school based health center, Office of Minority Health, Community Counseling Center, Day One, Language Access for New Americans, Youth Alternatives, the Maine Office of Immigrant and Multicultural Affairs and the University of Southern Maine School of Social Work. Paul is widely published in these fields and in June 2007 had a book entitled Empowering Children through Art and Expression published by Jessica Kingsley. He has recently completed with two British colleagues, Professor Mark Doel of Sheffield Hallam University and Professor Steven Shardlow of Salford University Contemporary Field Social Work. (Sage Publishers). It is anticipated that the book will be published in June 2010.  He currently has another book in preparation with Bruce St. Thomas entitled: Surrender: Connecting to a Global Story. The Larger Truth about the Intra-Cultural World Community and Globalization. A New Model for Healing. He and Bruce are also writing a monologue based on the work undertaken with the Portland Public Schools Multilingual Department. Finally, he and Dr. Mary Wilson from the University College of Cork are working on a joint project based on students work in Groupwork settings for a special edition of Groupwork. For the past twelve years Paul has been a member of the Association for the Advancement of Social work with Groups. He is also a board member of Art Exchange for JustPeace, an organization that was established in 2004 in the Portland community.  

Books

Doel, M., Shardlow, S., and Johnson, P. (publication 2010) Contemporary Field Social Work. Sage Publishers

St. Thomas, B., and Johnson, P.G. (2007) Empowering Children through Art and Expression: Culturally Sensitive Ways of Healing Trauma and Grief. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. 

Chapter/enteries

Johnson, P.G., Beckerman A., and Auerbach, C. (2009). Researching our own practice: single system design for Groupwork. Groupwork Research. Editor O. Manor: London, Whiting and Birch. ISBN-10: 1 861771 07 x

Refereed articles

Johnson, P., and B. Fairchild (2008). The Teachers Task, Empowering the Student.  Reflections Narratives of Professional Helping. 14, (1), 39-45.

Johnson, P. (2007). Out of the shadows and into the spotlight. A personal account of the Twelfth European Groupwork Symposium. Groupwork 17, (3) 76-78.

Berthiaume, J., Johnson, P., and Richeson., N. (2007). The Social Workers Role in Meeting the Physical Activity Needs  Of Older Adults in Long Term Care. 8, (4), 8-10.

St. Thomas, B., and Johnson, P.G. (2006).  Changing Perceptions Creating New Identities in the Work Place. Groupwork. 16, (2), 25-42.

Gilroy, G., and Johnson P. G. (2004). Listening to language of children’s grief.Groupwork. 14 (3), 91-111.

ST. Thomas, B., and Johnson, P.G.  (2004) Play the lantern of hope. Journal of Poetry Therapy.  17 (2), 81-90.

ST. Thomas, B., and Johnson P.G. (2003). In their own voices: play activities and art with traumatized children. Groupwork.13 (2), 34- 48

Johnson, P.G., Beckerman A., and Auerbach, C. (2002). Researching our own practice: single system design for groupwork. Groupwork. 13  (1), 57-72.

ST. Thomas, B., and Johnson P.G. (2002). Child as healer. Migration World, 24, (5), 33-39.

Johnson, P.G. (2001). In their own voices: report of a study on the long term effects of child sexual abuse. The Journal of Sexual Aggression. 7, (2), 41-56.

Johnson, P.G. (2001). Reclaiming fatherhood. Fathering Magazine.  (Electronic version). Fathermag.com. (Reviewed by editor and blind reviewed by two members of editorial board)

Cahill, L.T. Kaminer, R.K., and Johnson P.G. (1999). Developmental, cognitive and behavioral sequelae of child abuse. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinics of North America. 8, (4), 827-843.

Johnson, P.G. (1999). What a long strange trip it’s been. Journal Reflections Narratives of Professional Helping. 5, (3), 12-17.

Levitt, L., Beckerman A., and Johnson, P. (1999). Defending social and health servicesunder threat. Questions and Strategies.  Journal of Social Work Practice. 13,  (1), 59-67.

Articles in professional journals

Johnson, P.G.  (2004). Testing, Testing.  Community Care. Issue 1523, p.45. May 20-26, 2004

Johnson, P.G.  (2004). Open wide, please.  Community Care. Issue 1515, p.45. April 8-14, 2004

Johnson, P.G. Johnson, P.G. (2004). Dads have their day.  Community Care. Issue 1515, p.45.March 25-31, 2004

Johnson, P.G. (2004). Unhealthy States. Community Care. Issue 1503, p.41.January 7th, 2004. 

Johnson, P.G. (2003). Dangerous Liaison?  Community Care   Issue 1499, p.41 November 20-26th, 2003.

Johnson, P.G. (2003).  Faith, Hope, Charity. Community Care. Issue 1495, p.47 October 23-29th, 2003.