Dr. Valerie Stokes, LISW ’93 Professor of Social Work; Department Chair; Director of Academic Diversity Initiatives
Education:
Ph.D., University of South Dakota
M.S.W., University of Nebraska at Omaha
B.A., Northwestern College
712-707-7084
vstokes@nwciowa.edu
VPH 206
Dr. Stokes is a trusted professional with years of experience. She earned a Ph.D. in Human Development & Educational Psychology at the University of South Dakota in 2008, and she is a (LISW) licensed independent social worker. She received a bachelor’s degree in social work from Northwestern College in 1993 and earned a Master of Social Work degree at the University of Nebraska in Omaha in 1997. She is a licensed mental health therapist. Dr. Stokes joined Northwestern’s social work department after serving as executive director of The Bridge, a transitional housing agency in Orange City. She previously spent seven years as a therapist at Northwestern, including four as co-director of student counseling services. She also has worked as a program supervisor at the Council on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence and as a social worker at the Crittenton Center in Sioux City. She has taught at Northwestern College since 2008, and she is a tenured professor and conference speaker. She was the 2012 recipient of the college’s Teaching Excellence Award.
Dr. Stokes owns her own private practice, New Leaf Therapy LLC, which continues to inform her teaching. Dr. Stokes’ therapeutic approach is relational, strengths-based, and solution-oriented. She utilizes a variety of therapeutic treatment strategies with a highly personalized approach. She is trained in a variety of theoretical models in her work with clients including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy for trauma), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Skills, Solution Focused Therapy, Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Life Span Integration Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Family Systems, Attachment Theories and Psychoeducation of the Neurobiological Response System. She uses a strengths-based approach with a trauma-informed lens to join clients on their journey toward health and wellness. Dr. Stokes welcomes clients of all diverse backgrounds. In addition, stays clinically up-to-date while serving as the Clinical Behavioral Health Supervisor for Promise Community Health Center, a federally qualified health clinic, for their mental health therapy providers. All of her work in the community keeps her teaching current in the latest practice theories and conversant in their applications.
In addition to teaching social work at Northwestern, Dr. Stokes is also the college’s director of academic diversity initiatives.
PSY225 - Developmental Psychology: Adulthood
(4 credits) This course explores psychological issues and theories in normal adult development, with emphasis on cognitive, social and personality functioning from young adulthood to old age.
SWK225 - Diverse Populations and Social Justice
(4 credits) Examines theoretical foundations for understanding dynamics of social inequity, privilege, and oppression; focus on diversity and on populations at risk due to racism, sexism and classism; self-assessment of students' racial and cultural heritage as it shapes their attitudes and biases toward different cultural and racial groups; emphasis on helping students become culturally competent social workers who are grounded in their faith and who identify with the profession's respect for diversity and commitment to social and economic justice. Open to non-majors. Prerequisites: PSY100SS, SWK200, or SOC101SS, or permission of instructor. Note: Transfer credits will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. No academic credit will be granted for social work courses taken in programs which are not accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. No academic credit will be granted, in whole or in part, for life experience or work experience. Students must achieve a grade of "C" or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved.
SWK300 - Direct Helping Skills
(3 credits) This course is designed to help students develop basic interviewing skills and techniques in the area of social work. This course will provide foundational skills in interviewing so that students can work effectively with individuals, families and groups from all diverse populations. Different techniques of interviewing and theoretical principles of interviewing will be investigated. Students will increase their practical skills through the use of an interactive learning environment and through intensive use of video feedback and role playing. Prerequisite: SWK225. Note: Transfer credits will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. No academic credit will be granted for social work courses taken in programs which are not accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. No academic credit will be granted, in whole or in part, for life experience or work experience. Students must achieve a grade of "C" or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved.
SWK360 - Social Policy & Advocacy
(3 Credits) Examines social policy development and the political process, with special attention to the poor and disadvantaged. This course will assist students in acquiring skills to see the inadequacies, gaps and inequities in social policies in the past and present and help them develop critical thinking and advocacy skills, plus a commitment to change. Prerequisites: SWK200, SWK225 and be at the junior level; or permission of instructor. Note: Transfer credits will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. No academic credit will be granted for social work courses taken in programs which are not accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. No academic credit will be granted, in whole or in part, for life experience or work experience. Students must achieve a grade of ?C? or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved.
SWK400 - Family Systems: Theory & Practice
(4 credits) This course is designed to help students develop basic skills in working with diverse families at varying family life stages and composition. Concepts of family-centered practice, including strategies of engagement, problem analysis/assessment, evidence-informed intervention for change strategies, theoretical approaches, and evaluative effectiveness are studied and practiced. Prerequisite: SWK370 and be at the senior level. Note: Open to social work majors only. Transfer credits will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. No academic credit will be granted for social work courses taken in programs which are not accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. No academic credit will be granted, in whole or in part, for life experience or work experience. Students must achieve a grade of "C" or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved.
SWK420 - Community Systems: Theory & Practice
(4 credits) Examines generalist Social Work practice theories and skills with organizations and communities. Students will develop competencies related to larger system practice, such as networking, community needs assessment, organizational theory and dynamics, larger system planned change processes, program evaluation, social action, community planning, grant writing, and supervision. Prerequisite: SWK370 and be at the senior level. Note: Open to social work majors only. Transfer credits will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. No academic credit will be granted for social work courses taken in programs which are not accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. No academic credit will be granted, in whole or in part, for life experience or work experience. Students must achieve a grade of "C" or above in all social work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course until the standard has been achieved.
PRESENTATIONS & TRAININGS
Stokes. V. (2022, April). The Mess of Incarnational Living, invited keynote at Genesis House annual banquet.
Stokes. V. (2022, March). Racial Stress and Trauma, invited presentation at the 2nd annual Northwestern Trauma-Informed conference.
Stokes. V. (2021, October). Covid coping responses of Iowa mental health and social workers, presented at the NASW-IA virtual Symposium.
Stokes, V. (2021, October). Equipping faculty in critical DEI conversations at Christian institutions in higher education, presented at CSWE conference in Orlando, Florida.
Stokes, V. (2021, November). Equipping faculty in critical DEI conversations at Christian institutions in higher education, presented at the NACSW virtual conference in Glendale, California.
Stokes V. & Sween, B. (2021, July). “The effects of ACEs score on academic achievement in college students: A mixed methods approach,” Presentation, Western Iowa ACES Coalition, virtual, Iowa.
Stokes, V. (2020, June). “Ethical decision-making: The brain and clinical self-regulation" Dr. Stokes hosted a virtual ethics workshop for mental health professionals in collaboration with Elevate therapy services on June 11, 2020. Participants joined from across the state as well as other regional states.
Stokes, V. (2019, April). “Vicarious Trauma & Compassion Fatigue: "I thought about quitting today" Invited presentation for 2nd Annual NWC Trauma Informed Conference for Schools.
Stokes. V. (2018, October). “Anxiety and children.” Invited presentation for NW IA Elementary Counselors Association.
Stokes V. (2018, August). Clinical Supervision in Social Work: Monitoring and mentoring social work practitioners. 6-hour CEU presentation designed for clinical supervisors by NASW-IA, Orange City, Iowa.
Stokes. V. (2018, May). “Polyvagal theory and caregiving: Mindfulness Exercises” Invited presentation for NW IA Aging Association.
Stokes. V. (2018, March). “Polyvagal theory in the classroom” Invited presentation for Trauma-Based School Conference, Orange City, IA.
Franklin, R., Stokes, V., and Elliot, J. (2016, September). Embracing Diversity: Theological vision statements and assessment plans. Presentation for a national meeting of the CCCU, New York City, NY.
Stokes, V. (2016, October). “Bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” – Christian Survivors’ Experiences in the Church. Presentation for a regional meeting of the CCDA, Sioux Center, Iowa.
Stokes V. & Van Peursem, D. (2016). Ethical Issues in the Age of Social Media. Presentation, Northwestern Ethics Conference, Orange City, Iowa.
Stokes V. & Van Peursem, D. (2016, July). Ethical Dilemmas surrounding Social Media and Technology for Social Workers in Rural Practice Settings. Presentation at the Rural Social Work Caucus/Annual National Institute on Social Work and Human Services, Vermillion, South Dakota.
Stokes V. & Buhman, M. (2012, August). Clinical Supervision in Social Work: Monitoring and mentoring social work practitioners. 6-hour CEU presentation designed for clinical supervisors by NASW-IA, Sioux City, Iowa.
Stokes V. & Kuik, N. (2012, April). “I just want to be a normal kid: A phenomenological study of undocumented Latino youth in Northwest Iowa. Presentation, NASW-Iowa Symposium, Des Moines, Iowa.
PUBLICATIONS & TECHNICAL REPORTS
Stokes, V, et al. (unpublished paper, February 2020). “A grounded theory approach to professors’ development of a diversity inclusive classroom and curriculum.”
Stokes, V., Kuipers, L, Cruse, K., Petitt, A. (unpublished paper, September 2019). White Parents of Black Children: Adoptive Parents’ Perceptions on Racial Identity and Racial Oppression of Their Children.
Stokes, V. (2015). The expectations for boys and girls. In All Things. Andreas Center for Reformed Scholarship and Service.
Stokes, V., Beeson, J., Beyer, A., Dahlquist, C., Ipema, C., Jordan, D., Powell, A., Scarlett, K., Twedt, H., and Wubben, A. (2015). Housing research: realities & perceptions - a mixed model study of quantitative data for Sioux County, Iowa. Report compiled for Community Healthy Partners of Sioux County.
Stokes, V., Gritters, H., Hegstad, G., Kahanic, B., Prachar, K., Reyes, E., Rozeboom, C., Stubbe, K., Studer, T., Torres, G., Witt, T., and Yohe, M. (2014). Temporary driver’s license legislation for undocumented workers: A three-part study. Report compiled for CASA of Siouxland and disseminated by the NASW-IA chapter at http://www.nasw-heartland.org/?page=IowaLinks.
Stokes, V., Anderson, E., Angus, J., Boon, R., Harms, J., Koster, H., Martinez, K., Shapiro, S., Spring, H., Van Gorp, A., and Wheeler, A. (2013). ATLAS Orange City area: A ten-year agency evaluation. Report for the board of directors, ATLAS, Orange City, Iowa.
Reisetter, M, Schweinle, A, & Stokes, V. (2009). Elements of Engagement for Successful Learning, The Qualitative Report.
Stokes, V., & Schweinle, A. (2007). Sleep and academic functioning. Growth: The Journal of the Association for Christians in Student Development, 7, 27-37.
Almond-Reiser, T.M., & Stokes, V. (2007). Texting is changing the social environment of adolescent females. Paper presented at annual meeting of the Mid-West Educational Research Association. October 2007. St. Louis MO.
Schweinle, A., Reisetter, M., & Stokes, V. (2006). Freshman student engagement at USD. (Submitted to the University of South Dakota.) Vermillion, SD: University of South Dakota, Educational Psychology Program.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Dr. Stokes completed EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) and ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy) trauma therapy training in June 2022. By end of September, she will also have completed the Traumatic Stress Studies Certificate program—a seven-month course under the direction of Dr. Bessel van der Kolk of the Trauma Research Foundation, Boston, Massachusetts in September 2023. Dr. Valerie Stokes completed a certificate program with Oregon State University on Search Equity Advocate training in June 2021, preparing her to develop a similar program for Northwestern in the future as an academic diversity initiative.
PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY SERVICE
Quarterly Joint Providers meeting of Sioux county, attending member, ongoing
Plymouth and Sioux County Health Planning Councils, attending member, ongoing
Consultation for local agencies, e.g. Promise, Genesis House, ALTAS of OC, per request
Lights for Liberty, immigration protest, community organizer, summer 2019
Conexciones, Trinity Reformed church, organizing member, 2016 - present
NASW-IA, NW Iowa representative of Chapter board, August 2016 - present NASW-IA, Vice-President of Chapter board, June 2011 - 2013
DACA Immigration Clinic, community organizer, December 2012
NASW-IA – State Promotions/Membership committee, 2010-2011
NASW-IA – State Board Iowa Social Work Licensure Advisory committee, 2010-2011
NASW-IA –NW Iowa Region Trainer for clinical supervision seminars and workshops, 2011
CASA of Sioux County, board member, 2010-2014
Family Crisis Center, consultant/researcher, 2009 – 2010
Iowa Chapter, National Association Social Workers, Social Work Promotions Committee, 2009 – 2014
Tri-County Domestic Violence Coalition, member, February 2008 – 2012.
Iowa Coalition on Homelessness, board member, June 2007 – 2009
The Bridge, Orange City, Iowa, volunteer grant writer. March 2007
State of Iowa Suicide Prevention Task Force, June 2002 – June 2006
Community Health Partners, Orange City, IA, board member, August 2001-August 2004
Healthy 2010 Coalition, Sioux County, IA, member, August 2001 – August 2002
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), 3rd Judicial District, IA, volunteer, April 1998- November 1999 CSADV (Council on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence), volunteer, 1995-1996
Opportunities Unlimited, Sioux City, Iowa, volunteer, November 1994 – May 1995
Domestic Violence Aid Center, Sioux Center, Iowa, volunteer, October 1990 – February 1991
Children’s Haven International, Reynosa, Mexico, service project volunteer, March 1990
Salvation Army, Sioux City, Iowa, volunteer, November of 1987 and 1988
National Association of Social Workers
National Association of Christians in Social Work
Christian Association of Psychology Studies
NASW IA - Rural Northwest Iowa Branch co-coordinator, 2007-2008
NASW IA - Social Work
Promotion/Membership Committee, 2008-2010
NASW IA - Clinical Supervision Task Force,
2010
NASW IA - Vice President, 2011- 2013, returning again as VP 2014 for three-year term.
Board member for CASA (Center for Assistance,
Service, and Advocacy) of NW Iowa.
Teaching Excellence Award, Northwestern College, 2012
NAMI-Iowa recipient of the Heros in the Fight award, 2008
