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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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).<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n