School of Social Work

Jeff Ciak is a third-year doctoral student at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work. Jeff has worked with adults with psychiatric disabilities and substance use disorders in a variety of settings. These professional experiences inform his research interests. Jeff’s primary research interests are participatory approaches to mental health research and patient-provider communication in physical health settings for people with psychiatric disabilities.

Jeff received a Bachelor of Arts in history from Clarion University of Pennsylvania (2012) and a Master of Social Work from California University of Pennsylvania (2017). During his master’s program, Jeff completed field internships with Cribs for Kids, a nonprofit working with low-income families on infant safe sleep, and JFCS of Pittsburgh, a refugee resettlement agency. In these positions, Jeff provided case management services, grief counseling, and assisted with grant writing.

Prior to coming to VCU, Jeff’s clinical work included: Assertive Community Treatment team case manager and substance use clinician (Pittsburgh Mercy), outpatient behavioral health clinician (Arlington County CSB), emergency mental health services co-responder (Prince William CSB) and as a primary therapist (Recovery Centers of America (substance use treatment facility).

Education and credentials

M.S.W., California University of Pennsylvania
B.A., history, Clarion University of Pennsylvania

View Jeff Ciak's curriculum vitae.