Cynthia G. S. Franklin, Ph.D.

Assistant Dean for Doctoral Education and Stiernberg/Spencer Family Professor in Mental Health and Coordinator of Clinical Social Work Concentration

Cynthia Franklin, Ph.D is Professor and holder of the Stiernberg/ Spencer Family Professorship in Mental Health at The University of Texas at Austin, School of Social Work where is also Coordinator of the clinical concentration for the Masters in Social Work Program. Dr. Franklin is an internationally known scholar and leader in school mental health practice with over 100 publications in the professional literature on topics such as how to help youth at-risk to dropout of high school, the effectiveness of solution-focused, brief therapy with at-risk youths in schools and how to help pregnant and parenting youths stay in school and become self-sufficient. Dr. Franklin is the author of several books including, The School Services Sourcebook: A Guide for School-based Professionals ( Oxford University Press) Taking Charge: A School-based Life Skills Program For Adolescent Mothers ( Oxford University Press) and Family Treatment: Evidence-based Practice with Populations At-Risk ( Cengage). She has won numerous awards including a life time achievement award presented to her by the Solution-focused, Brief Therapy Association for her work with forgotten children. Dr. Franklin has also been active in the mental health practice community. She is a clinical member of The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and holds practice licenses in clinical social work (LCSW) and marriage and family therapy (LMFT). Before going into academia full time Dr. Franklin served in the ministry and conducted a clinical practice for 10 years.

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

Professional Interests

School social work, family therapy, clinical practice, clinical assessment and measurement, and integration of research and practice. School social work; family therapy; clinical practice; clinical assessment

Education

• Ph.D., University of Texas at Arlington
• M.A., Spalding University
• M.S.S.W., University of Texas at Arlington

Teaching History

Faculty Research

• Solution-focused Alternatives for Education (SAFED) (2003)
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Therapy with Learning Challenged Students Using Single Case Designs (1998)
• School-Age Pregnancy and Prevention Research Project (1995)

Faculty Publications

SPECIAL LINKS

Solution-focused Alternatives for Education: An Evaluation of Gonzalo Garza Independence High School (DOC)

Evidenced-Based Studies on the Effectiveness of School Social Work Practice (PDF)

Evidenced-Based Studies for the Effectiveness of Solution-focused Therapy (PDF)

Books

The Church Leader’s Counseling Resource Book: A Guide to Mental Health and Social Problems
Edited By Cynthia Franklin. Ph.D. and Rowena Fong, Ed.D.
To Order…

Solution Focused Brief Therapy in Schools: A 360 Degree View of Research and Practice
By Michael S. Kelly, Johnny S. Kim, Cynthia Franklin
Published by Oxford University Press, 2008

Taking Charge: A School-based Life Skills Program for Adolescent Mothers
By Mary Beth Harris, Cynthia Franklin
Published by Oxford University Press US, 2008