Dr. Azadeh Block

Biography

Dr. Azadeh Masalehdan Block is a native of Western Pennsylvania; she was born in New Castle and resides in Pittsburgh. Dr. Block has extensive experience in psychiatric and social services program research and administration. She has worked in the treatment and etiology of eating disorders, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, and major depression as well as treatment programs in structural family therapy at both the New England Medical Center and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. Her current research with Jewish Family and Community Services of Pittsburgh focuses on program evaluation for their Peer Support Groups for the resettlement of refugees and newer immigrants to southwestern Pennsylvania.

Dr. Block completed her two years of post-MSW clinical training as an outpatient therapist at Family Services of Western Pennsylvania. She has presented her research at international venues such as the Council on Social Work Education and International Association of Social Work with Groups, as well as at the local levels at the National Association of Social Worker chapter conferences in both Ohio and Pennsylvania; additionally she is an alumnus of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Program. Dr. Block previously taught at Youngstown State University, the University of Pittsburgh and Slippery Rock University. 

Research Interests

Cultural humility, refugee & immigrant services research, social work with families and groups.

Publications

• Weaver, J. & Block, A.M. (2020) Identity development in biracial children: Contextual factors from social work, Keystone Journal of Undergraduate Research,7, 13-22.
• Block, A.M., Aizenman, L., Saad, A., Harrison, S., Sloan, A., Vecchio, S. & Wilson, V. (2018) Peer support groups: Evaluating a culturally grounded, strengths-based approach for work with refugees, Advances in Social Work Practice, 18(3),930-948. 
• Davis, S., & Block, A.M.(2018) A critical analysis of the shootings of unarmed African Americans by police: A social work perspective, Keystone Journal of Undergraduate Research,5, 1-11. 
• Block, A.M., Rossi, A.N., Allen, C.D., Alschuler, M.L. & Wilson, V.B. (2016) Assessing cultural competence in a BSW student population, Social Work Education, 35, 1-16. 
• Block, A.M., Gjesfjeld, C., Greeno, C. (2013). Adolescent perspectives of outpatient mental health treatment. Best Practices in Mental Health, 9, 22-38. 
• Block, A.M. & Greeno, C. (2011). Examining outpatient treatment dropout in adolescents: A literature review. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 28, 393-420. 

Presentations

• Block, A.M & Salib, Y (2020, June) Psycho-social support groups for refugee and immigrant clients: Five-year update. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting, International Association of Social Work with Groups, June 19, 2020, Zoom conference format. 
• Aizenman, L., Block A.M., Salib, Y. (2019, November) Neighborhood-Based Psycho-Social Refugee Peer Support Groups: Assessing Impact Through Research. Great Lakes Conference on Refugee Resilience and Integration: Promising Practices, Emerging Trends, November 15, 2019, Cleveland, OH. 
• Block, A.M & Salib, Y. (2019, November) Collaboration in Assessment: Refugee Peer Support Groups in Allegheny County. 2019 State System Diversity Summit: Inclusive Excellence and International Education: Intersectionality for Student Success, November 7, 2019, California, PA. 
• Block, A.M. (2019, March) Program Evaluation Methodology for Community Based Social Work Services with Refugee Populations, Paper presented at the Annual Meeting, Baccalaureate Program Director’s Meeting, March 16, 2019, Jacksonville, FL. 
• Block, A.M. (2018, September) Stigma, Trauma and Barriers: The Legacy and Future of Mental Health Care, Paper presented at the 3^rdAnnual Black Girls Equity Summit, Village in Action to Advance Equity for Black Girls, September 28, 2018, Pittsburgh, PA. 
• Block, A.M.& Aizenman, L. (2017, September) Integrating Research Evaluation in Community-Based Groupwork, Paper presented at the Annual Meeting, National Association of Social Workers-Pennsylvania Chapter, September 17, 2017, Pocono Manor, PA. 
• Block, A.M., Pham, T., Smiley, R. (2017, September) Campus Conversations about Social Justice (SJ), Paper presented at the Annual Meeting, National Association of Social Workers-Pennsylvania Chapter, September 17, 2017, Pocono Manor, PA. 
• Block, A.M.& Aizenman, L. (2017, June) Program Evaluation Training for Refugee Peer Support Groups, Paper presented at the Annual Meeting, International Association of Social Work with Groups, June 8, 2017, New York, NY. 
• Block, A.M., Aizenman, L., & Golin, J. (2016, October) Groupwork for Recent Immigrants & Refugees. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting, National Association of Social Workers-Pennsylvania Chapter, October 6, 2016, King of Prussia, PA. 
• Block, A.M., Aizenman, L., & Golin, J. (2016, June) Peer Support Group Model for Recent Immigrants and Refugees. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting, International Association of Social Work with Groups, June 16, 2016, New York, NY.
• Block, A.M.& Rossi, A.N. (2014, November) Assessing Cultural Competence in a BSW Student Population. Workshop Presented at the Annual Meeting, National Association of Social Workers- Ohio Chapter, November 21, 2014, Columbus, OH. 
• Block, A.M.,Rossi, A.N. & Wilson, V. (2014, October)Assessing Cultural Competence in a BSW Student Population. Paper Presented at the 60^thAnnual Program Meeting, Council on Social Work Education, October 23-26, 2014, Tampa, FL.
• Block, A.M.(2013, November). “Minding the Gap”: Adolescent Development and Outpatient Mental Health Treatment. Poster Presented at the Annual Meeting, National Association of Social Workers- Ohio Chapter, November 22, 2013, Columbus, OH.
  Block, A.M.(2011, October)Exploring Barriers to Outpatient Adolescent Therapeutic Interventions. Paper Presented at the 57^thAnnualProgram Meeting, Council on Social Work Education, October 27-October 30, 2011, Atlanta, GA.

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