Professor Dr. Thecla Damianakis

Biography

Thecla Damianakis is a Professor at the School of Social Work. Her primary research interests focus on clinical interdisciplinary health research, specifically over the past 15 years, where she has been involved in multiple initiatives aimed at developing and evaluating interventions to support caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke, and traumatic brain injury bereavement. She examines psychosocial resources that influence recovery and resiliency, including spirituality, creativity in the arts, and community networks, as well as health outcomes. Further research includes evaluating the quality of care and the impact of institutional policies, as well as professional practices related to communication and interpersonal models. Prior to her current position, she was an instructor at the University of Toronto, where she supervised numerous students on varied research projects and continues to provide consultation to professionals and agencies. Her professional background encompasses counseling individuals, families, and groups, community organizing to address health and social disparities, conducting cross-cultural anti-oppression training, and program development and evaluation for immigrants, refugees, women, and youth.

Research Interests