Julie Franks, DSW, LCSW, MTS is both a licensed clinical social worker and social work educator. Dr. Franks came to social work after earning her B.A. in Religious Studies from Emory University and her Masters in Theological Studies from Vanderbilt Divinity School. She recognized that her passion for social justice is best fulfilled by being a part of the social work profession. Since earning her MSSW at the University of Tennessee's College of Social Work, she has focused on supporting the most vulnerable populations in her communities. She earned her Doctor of Social Work in Clinical Practice and Leadership from The University of Tennessee in 2019.
Dr. Franks has practiced social work in Tennessee, Oregon, and Washington; she presently resides in the Seattle, Washington area where she is developing a clinical practice to support adolescents and families who experience mental health symptoms. In addition to practicing clinical social work, Dr. Franks has been teaching in masters of social work programs since 2015. She teaches classes focused on clinical therapy skills, addiction, cultural awareness and diversity, and the integration of spirituality into social work practice. She has a special interest in the implementation of peer services to clinical settings and in empowerment of vulnerable populations.
Experiencing the impact of social welfare policies in clinical practice has been incredibly influential to Dr. Franks' commitment to political social work. She is involved as a board member for the Oregon Peer Delivered Service's Coalition's Advisory and Evaluation Committee in Oregon and is a member of her local League of Women Voters Healthcare Committee. She was a grant consultant of the privately-funded Social Justice Innovation Initiative Challenging Racism in 2018 and Co-Principal Investigator of the privately funded Social Justice Innovation Initiative II: Challenging Sexism and Challenging Racism in 2019.
In her free time, Dr. Franks enjoys spending time with her family, learning to garden, crafting, and spending time outdoors.
Notable Publications
- (September 2019). Building and Advancing Skills + Cultivating Leadership = Strong DSW Program. Social Work Advocates Magazine, Published by NASW. August- September 2019. Website: https://www.socialworkblog.org/nasw-news-article/2019/08/the-aug-sep-issue-of-social-work-advocates-is-out-now. University of Tennessee College of Social Work.
- (May 2019). University of Tennessee College of Social Work announces Social Justice Innovation Initiative Grant winners. Knoxville Sun. Website: https://www.knoxvilledailysun.com/news/2019/may/ut-grant-winners.html.
- (April 2012). 'Don't Say Gay' Bill Would Hurt Students. The Knoxville News Sentinel. Website: https://archive.knoxnews.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/dont-say-gay-bill-would-hurt-students-ep-360890778-357056771.html.