David Pooler

Education

PhD, University of Louisville
MSSW, University of Louisville
BA, Lee University

Research Interests

• Adult Clergy Sexual Abuse
• Joy in Social Work and Professional Flourishing
• Professional Ethics for Social Workers
• Institutional Courage, Organizational Development, Leadership, and Change

Selected Publications

Pooler, D.K., & Droesch, R. (2025). Adult clergy sexual abuse and PTSD: The impact on protestant female survivors. Pastoral Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-025-01228-0

Moncrief-Stuart, S., & Pooler, D. K. (2025). Adult clergy sexual abuse survivors, posttraumatic stress disorder, and institutional betrayal trauma. Traumatology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/trm0000542

Pooler, D.K. & Barros-Lane, L. (2022). A national study of adults sexually abused by clergy: Insights for Social Workers. Social Work, 67(2), 123-133. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swac001

Wolfer, T.A., Pooler, D.K., & Graves, B.D. (2022). Finding joy in social work: Practical strategies, Social Work, 67(3), 266–275. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swac021

Pooler, D.K., & Frey, A. (2017). Responding to survivors of clergy sexual abuse. In H.D. Gingrich, & F.C. Gingrich (Eds.) Treating trauma in Christian counseling. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press ISBN 978-0-8308-2861-6

Pooler, D.K., Wolfer, T., & Freeman, M. (2014). Finding joy in social work: Interpersonal sources. Families in Society, 95(1), 34-42. https://dx.doi.org/10.1606/1044-3894.2014.95.5

Pooler, D.K., Wolfer, T., & Freeman, M. (2014). Finding joy in social work II: Intrapersonal sources. Social Work, 59(3), 213-221. 10.1093/sw/swu020 

Pooler, D. K. (2011). Pastors and congregations at risk: Insights from role identity theory. Pastoral Psychology, 60(5), 705–712. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-011-0356-5

Background

Dr. Pooler has more than 25 years of social work practice experience working with several different populations, including at-risk and abused children, adults with severe and persistent mental illness, and persons with addictions. In his current clinical practice, Dr. Pooler works with religious trauma and spiritual abuse survivors and helps them heal from their injuries by using EMDR and other techniques. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a supervisor designation in Texas.

Dr. Pooler's passion over the past 15 years has been studying Adult Clergy Sexual Abuse. As director of the Adult Clergy Sexual Abuse: Advocacy and Research Collaborative (ACSARC), Dr. Pooler works to advocate for policies and practices that make religious systems healthier and safer. This advocacy work focuses on creating spaces where people's needs for safety and accountability are prioritized. The data from his research is used by advocates and allies of survivors to better understand the injuries from ACSA, how survivors heal, and to demonstrate how important it is to create state laws and statutes that criminalize ACSA.

Dr. Pooler teaches in the PhD program (qualitative research methods) as well as the residential and online MSW programs (clinical practice and social policy). For five years, he has served in administration as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Dr. Pooler currently consults with individuals, ministry teams, churches, and religious organizations on ways they can prevent misconduct and abuse. He also works with people and systems in the aftermath of religious trauma and abuse to help them to respond in trauma-informed ways that are healing and helpful.

Dr. Pooler's research, teaching, and clinical work are grounded in human resilience and hope, and he explores the integrations of life, work, and spiritual practices through critical thinking, courage, and exploring vulnerability.