Donna McLaughlin

Clinical Professor, Group Work Coordinator

Donna McLaughlin is a Clinical Professor at the Boston University School of Social Work, where she teaches a range of foundation and advanced level courses focused on work with individuals and groups. In addition, Prof. McLaughlin designed a professional education course entitled Group Work with Older Adults. Professor McLaughlin’s scholarly and practice interests include the supervision and mentoring of students and new workers; community training in group work; trauma; living with chronic illness; and issues facing the LGBTQ+ community.

McLaughlin also practices as a clinician/consultant in private practice with individuals, couples and groups. She presents on social group work practice, supervision, and mentoring locally and internationally. She is a long-time member of the International Association for Social Work with Groups (IASWG) and served as the Treasurer on the International Board of Directors until January 2026. She now Chairs the Practice Committee on this Board. She serves as co-chair of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Group Work Track.

Donna McLaughlin received the Boston University School of Social Work 2019 Alumni Award for Outstanding Contributions to the School of Social Work. She is the recipient of the 2015 Group Worker of the Year Award presented by the Massachusetts Chapter, International Association for Social Work with Groups (IASWG). Her online course also won a 2014 Platinum Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning Programming from the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA).

Donna McLaughlin earned a BA in Human Services from the University of Massachusetts-Boston and her MSW from the Boston University School of Social Work.

Visit Professor McLaughlin’s Google Scholar Profile

Specialties

  • Clinical social work practice with adults (from young adults to older adults) utilizing individual, couple, and group modalities.
  • Psychodynamic and relational practice
  • Trauma-informed practice across the lifespan
  • Mentoring and Supervision
  • Living with chronic illness
  • Practice with LGBTQ+ persons

Related News

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  • Donna McLaughlin Promoted to Full Clinical Professor

    Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW) is pleased to announce that Donna McLaughlin has been promoted to full clinical professor, a testament to her extensive, high-quality, innovative work and numerous contributions to the School. McLaughlin is known for her expertise in social work practice with groups and individuals, behavioral health and trauma, and supervising, […]

  • 6/11 – 6/14: Professor López & McLaughlin Share Their Expertise at IASWG Symposium

    Improving practitioners’ understanding of effective group social work is essential for creating supportive networks, empowering communities and individuals, and promoting social change. To help improve social work with groups internationally, Professor Donna McLaughlin and Luz López from BU School of Social Work will present at the International Association for Social Work with Groups (IASWG) Symposium […]

  • BUSSW at the 2023 CSWE Annual Program Meeting: Presentations, Reception & More

    Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW) had an impressive presence at the Council for Social Work Education’s 2023 Annual Program Meeting (CSWE APM). Faculty, staff, students and alumni shared their expertise on topics ranging from anti-racist group work to early childhood mental health. Saturday night’s reception drew hundreds of attendees from peer schools, social […]

Education

  • BA (Human Services)

    University of Massachusetts Collee of Public & Community Service, 1987

  • MSW (Clinical Major)

    Boston University School of Social Work, 1994

Courses

Professor McLaughlin teaches at the Charles River Campus and in the online program.

SSW CP 755 Social Work Practice with Groups

SSW CP 762 Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups

SSW CP 798 Psychodynamic Practice with Adults

Publications

Gianino, M. & McLaughlin, D. (Eds). (2016). Revitalizing our social group work heritage: A bridge to the future (Proceedings of the XXXV international Symposium of the International Association for Social Work with Groups, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, June 6th-9th, 2013). London: Whiting & Birch, Limited.

Cohen, M.B., Simon, S., McLaughlin, D., Muskat, B., & White, M. (2016). Challenges and opportunities for applying group work principles to enhance online learning in social work. In Gianino, M. & McLaughlin, D. (Eds). (2016). Revitalizing our social group work heritage: A bridge to the future (Proceedings of the XXXV international Symposium of the International Association for Social Work with Groups, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, June 6th-9th, 2013). London: Whiting & Birch, Limited.

Collins, M.E., & McLaughlin, D. (2014). Potential for adolescent-focused group work in the Vietnam context. Vulnerable Children & Youth Studies: An International Interdisciplinary Journal for Research, Policy and Care. doi:10.1080/17450128.2014.940414

McLaughlin, D.M., & Godfrey-Grantz*, S. (2012). Mutual Inspiration: Growing and mentoring the next generation of group workers. Groupwork (An Interdisciplinary Journal for Working with Groups), 22 (1), 39-58. doi:10.1921/095182412X655282

Ruth, B.J., Gianino, M., Muroff, J., McLaughlin, D., & Feldman, B. (2012). You can’t recover from suicide: Perspectives on suicide education in MSW programs. Journal of Social Work Education, 48(3), 501-516. doi:10.5175/JSWE.2012.201000095

Presentations

McLaughlin, D. (June 2025). Mutual Aid with In-Person and Virtual Support Groups: Beginnings, Growth and Change. The International Association for Social Work with Groups (IASWG) 2025 Symposium, New York, NY (Virtual).

McLaughlin, D. (November 15-16, 2024). Presenter, Facilitator and Conference Organizer. Mutual Aid with In-Person and Virtual Support Groups: Beginnings, Growth and Change. American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), Regional Group Facilitator Conference, Southbridge, MA.

McLaughlin, D. & Lopez, L. (June 2024). Group Work Education Today: Innovative strategies for an inclusive course curriculum for anti-oppressive practice. Oral presentation. The International Association for Social Work with Groups (IASWG) 2024 Symposium, Madrid, Spain.

McLaughlin, D. & Lopez, L. (October 2023). Anti-Racist Group Work Today: Innovative strategies for inclusive course curriculum. Oral Presentation. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 69th Annual Program Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia.

McLaughlin, D. (June 2022). Exploring the experience of loss and grief during the COVID-19 pandemic: The heightened need for connecting in groups. Oral Presentation. The International Association for Social Work with Groups (IASWG) 2022 Symposium, New York, NY (Virtual).

McLaughlin, D. (June 2021). Bereavement and COVID 19: The impact on a support group with health challenged members. Oral Presentation. The International Association for Social Work with Groups (IASWG) 2021 Symposium, New York, NY (Virtual).

McLaughlin, D. (June 2020). Doubling the impact: Concurrent micro and mezzo group work with the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) – A Case Study. Oral presentation. The International Association for Social Work with Groups (IASWG) 2020 Symposium, New York, NY (Virtual).

McLaughlin, D. (2016, April). Group work supervision: Mutual aid in action. Workshop presentation, NASW, MA Chapter 2016 Symposium, Framingham, MA.

McLaughlin, D., Smith, P., & Weller, K. (2015, October). Best practices in effective online instruction: Quality vs. quantity in student-faculty and student-student interaction. Oral paper presentation, 21st Annual Online Learning Consortium (OLC) International Conference, Orlando, FL.

McLaughlin, D. & Gianino, M. (2014, October). One MSW program's approach to gatekeeping: Challenges and opportunities in status review. Oral presentation, Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 60th Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL.

McLaughlin, D. & Collins, M. (2013, June). Application of group care principles to the Vietnam context. Oral paper presentation, 35th Symposium of the International Association for Social Work with Groups (IASWG), Boston, MA.

Cohen, M.B., McLaughlin, D., Muskat, B., Simon, S., & White M. (2013, June). Challenges & opportunities for applying group work principles to enhance online learning in social work. Panel Presentation, 35th Symposium of the International Association for Social Work with Groups (IASWG), Boston, MA.

McLaughlin, D., Frey, J., & Curran, E. (2013, March). Establishing and maintaining the human connection in online education. Boston University Center for Excellence and Innovation and Teaching, Fifth Annual Instructional Innovation Conference, Boston, MA.

McLaughlin, D., Gianino, M. & Lopez, L. (2012, November). Teaching and learning experiential group work methods. Oral paper presentation, Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 58th Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.

McLaughlin, D. & Lopez, L. (2012, June). Constructing compassion in group work: Building mutual aid. Oral Paper presentation, 34th International Symposium of the Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups (AASWG), Long Island, NY.

McLaughlin, D. (Chair), Muskat, B., & Mesbur, E.S. (2012, June). Teaching social group work on-line: Developing creative approaches to enhance learning. Oral Presentation, 34th International Symposium of the Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups (AASWG), Long Island, NY.

McLaughlin, D. (Chair), Muskat, B., & Mesbur, E.S. (2011, October). Teaching social group work on-line: Discovering creative approaches to enhance learning. Oral Presentation at Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 57th Annual meeting, Atlanta, GA.

McLaughlin, D., Gianino, M., & Lopez, L. (2011, June). Social group work in the classroom: The experiential lab. Oral Paper presentation, 33rd International Symposium of the Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups (AASWG), Long Beach, CA.

Gianino, M., & McLaughlin, D. (2009, November). Integrating suicide prevention education in social work education: Faculty perspectives. Oral Paper Presentation, Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 55th Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX.

McLaughlin, D., & S. Godfrey-Grantz*, (2008, June). Mutual inspiration: Growing and mentoring the next generation of group workers. Oral Paper Presentation, 30th International Symposium on Social Work with Groups, International Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups in cooperation with the 14th European Groupwork Symposium, Cologne, Germany.

McLaughlin, D., Gianino, M., Lopez, L., & Schiller, L. (2006, October). In real time: An advanced experiential workshop for teaching and supervising group work in the classroom and the field. Lead presenter and planner, International Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups conference, San Diego, CA.

Grants

Student Fellowship Coordinator. PIs: Ruth, B. & Muroff, J. (2007-2008). Suicide Education Enhancement Project (SEEP), MA Department of Public Health.

Professional Activities and Certifications

Board Member, International Association for Social Work with Groups (IASWG)

Group Work Track Chair, Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

Editorial Board Member, Journal of Social Work with Groups

2014- 2016: Fellow, Wiley-Deltak Faculty Fellows Program.

2011-2014: Member-at-Large, Board of Directors, International Association for Social Work with Groups (IASWG), formerly known as AASWG (elected position).

2012-2013: Co-Chair, XXXV Annual International Association for Social Work with Groups (IASWG) Symposium 2013 Planning Committee.

2012-2013: Member, NASW MA Chapter, Symposium 2014 Planning Committee.

2011-2012: Member, NASW MA Chapter, Symposium 2012 Planning Committee.

2008: Co-Chair, Planning Committee, 2008 Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups, Massachusetts Chapter.

2006-2009: Massachusetts Chapter Representative, Board of Directors, International Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups.

2006–2013: Member, Board of Directors, Massachusetts Chapter, International Association for Social Work with Groups (formerly AASWG); President, 2006–2007.

2003-2006: Co-chair, Multicultural Forum Committee, The Chestnut Hill School.

2001-2007: Member, Multicultural Forum Committee, The Chestnut Hill School.

2000-2002: Consultant to director, Thom Boston Metro Early Intervention Services

1996-1999: Member, Board of Directors, Alliance for Young Families, Boston, MA

1998: Postgraduate Certificate, Substance Use, Advanced Clinical Diagnosis Intervention and Treatment (84 hours), Boston University School of Social Work

1996: present Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Division of Professional Licensure, Board of Registration, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, License # 1027749

Member, Council on Social Work Education

Member, National Association of Social Workers, Massachusetts Chapter

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

Awards and Honors

2015: Group Worker of the Year Award 2015 presented by the Massachusetts Chapter, International Association for Social Work with Groups, Brookline, MA.

2014: Platinum Award, Practices in Distance Learning Programming, United States Distance Learning Association- USDLA (Online course: Clinical Practice with Groups, CP771) St. Louis, MO.

1999: Leadership and Service Award, Just A Start Corporation, Cambridge, MA.

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