Helen Harris

Education

EdD, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
MSW, Our Lady of the Lake University
BA, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Full Curriculum Vita

Professional Credentials

LCSW-S, ACSW, DCSW

Research Interests

• Congregational Discernment
• Diversity and Christianity
• Grief and Cognition in Children
• Trauma Loss and Grief
• Current Applications of the Work of Alan Keith-Lucas
• Faith and Adoption
• Faith and Practice in Social Work Education

Selected Publications

Alexander, B. A., & Harris, H. (2020).  Public school preparedness for school shootings: A phenomenological overview of school staff perspectives. School Mental Health, 1-15. DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-020-09369-8

Harris, H., Yancey, G. I., & Steward, S. (2020). Congregational discernment: One church case study.  Religions, 11(27). doi:10.3390/rel11010027

Harris, H. W. (2019). Prescience, prophecy, and prayer: Alan Keith-Lucas applied in 2018.  Social Work & Christianity: An International Journal, 46(4), 3-20. DOI: 10.34043/swc.v46i4.108

Harris, H., Urdaneta, V., Triana, V., Vo., C. S.,  Walden, D., & Myers, D. (2018). A pilot study with Spanish-speaking Latina survivors of domestic violence comparing EMDR & TF-CBT group interventions. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 6(11)

Harris, H., Yancey, G., & Myers, D., Deimler, J., Walden, D. (2017). Ethical integration of faith and practice in social work field education: A multi-year exploration in one program. Religions, 8(9), 177. DOI: 10.3390/rel/8090177.

Harris, H., Hess, B., Polson, E. C., & Yancey, G. I. (2017). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and grief: Diagnosis and differentiation in primary care medicine. The Journal of Loss and Trauma,

Cole, C. & Harris, H. (2017). The lived experiences of people who identify as LGBT Christians: Considerations for social work helping. Social Work & Christianity: An International Journal, 44(1-2), 31-52

Harris, H., & Yancey, G. (2017). Values, dissonance, and rainbows: Practice tips for Christian social workers in a polarized world. Social Work & Christianity: An International Journal, 44(1-2), 123-142

Harris, H., & Ellor, J. W. (2016). Lessons from the vertical limit: Valuing older adults. Journal of Gerontology & Geriatric Research, 5(6), DOI: 10.4172/2167-7182.1000364.

Harris, H., Ellor, J. W., & Yancey, G. I. (2016). DSM-5: The intersectionality of spirituality, culture, & aging. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 29(1), 3-17, DOI: 10.1080/15528030.2016.1243502

Harris, H., Rogers, R., & Singletary, J. (2016). Competency-based education and Shared academic freedom for transformational education. European Journal of Educational Sciences, 3(3).

Blinka, D., & Harris, H. W. (2016). Moral injury in warriors and veterans: The challenge to social work. Social Work & Christianity: An International Journal, 43(3), 7-28.

Harris, H., Yancey, G., & Myers, D. (2016). Social work field education in and with congregations and religiously-affiliated organizations in a Christian context. Religions, 7(52). doi-10.3290

Harris, H., & Kramer, C. (2015). Perinatal loss and grief: Part one-The pain and the promise. The Journal of Family and Community Ministries, 28(1), 108-129

Harris, H., & Kramer, C. (2015). Perinatal loss and grief: Part two-An awakening spiritual role and response. The Journal of Family and Community Ministries, 28(1), 130-145

Harris, H. (2015). Much to do about protest: The Keith-Lucas theory for mourning. Social Work & Christianity: An International Journal, 42(4), 413-429.

Harris, H., Lee, C., & Yancey, G. (2015). Cognition in adult bereavement: Preliminary findings from five hospice bereavement focus groups. Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care.

Harris, H. (2015). Much to do about protest: the Keith-Lucas theory for mourning. Social Justice & Christianity: An International Journal,42 (4), 413-429.

Harris, H. & Scheibner, A. (2015). Learning to give voice in ministry to persons with dementia: Student monologues. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 27(1), 34-47

Harris, H., Hale, J., Harris, B., & Hale, C. (2014). Four narratives of adoption: Creating family. The Journal of Family and Community Ministries, 27, 13-28

Harris, H., Harris, E., Hale, J. & Hale, C. (2013). Four narratives of adoption: Challenges and resilience. Journal of Family and Community Ministries

Harris, H. & Custable, V. (2013). Suicide in the professional literature: An annotated bibliography. The Journal of Family and Community Ministries, 26(1), 49-65

Harris, H. & Myers, D. (2013). Student perceptions of integrative field seminar: A comparison of three models. Journal of Administrative Issues: Education, Practice and Research, 3 (2), 2-16

Background

Helen Harris came to Waco to begin the first hospice in Waco. She has served as a social worker and bereavement coordinator for Hillcrest Community Hospice, where she was the first director of the program. Since coming to Baylor in 1997, she has continued to work with hospice by volunteering with Providence Hospice and by providing volunteer training for several area hospices.

She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), North American Association of Christians in Social Work (NACSW), the Military Child Education Coalition, the National Alliance for Grieving Children, and the Association for Death Education.

Dr. Harris was honored as a "Woman of Distinction" by Girl Scouts of America, and in 2013, was named Outstanding Faculty: Lecturer for Baylor University. She is also a Faculty Fellow for the University and Academy of Teaching of Learning.

Dr. Harris served as a social worker at the Methodist Children's Home and at South Texas Children's Home, where she developed the first independent living program and directed the foster care program. Before joining the School of Social Work faculty, she taught adjunctively for six years in Baylor's Health Education Department.

She is married to Don Harris; they are parents of Daniel and Beth and grandparents of Samantha and Corrie.