David Cecil, PhD, LICSW, is a Professor in Samford University’s Master of Social Work program, where he has been a faculty member since 2016. His extensive academic career includes faculty positions at East Tennessee State University (2004–2009) and Asbury University (2009–2016), where he held leadership roles as department chair and program director. At Samford, he has twice served as the interim department chair. Additionally, Dr. Cecil was a visiting professor of abnormal psychology at LCC International University in Klaipėda, Lithuania, from 2013 to 2022.

Since 2016, his research has focused on the global refugee crisis and international trauma-informed therapeutic interventions. Dr. Cecil has conducted fieldwork and presented research in Germany, Lebanon, Lithuania, Russia, Greece, and England. In 2024, in partnership with colleagues from Samford and Haigazian University, he secured a U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy grant to design specialized training modules for social workers supporting refugees. He currently continues his research in Lithuania, evaluating trauma-informed mental health interventions.

As a seasoned clinician with a background in mental health and psychotherapy, Dr. Cecil’s expertise includes neurobiologically informed trauma therapy, psychoanalysis, attachment theory, and motivational interviewing. His clinical experience began in the 1990s within community mental health services for adults with chronic conditions. Today, through his private practice, he specializes in treating anxiety, complex trauma, and relationship issues. He is an EMDRIA-certified clinician and incorporates Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and attachment-based strategies to facilitate healing and resilience.

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Education & Certifications

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• Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker- Supervisor (LICSW-S, #3898C)
• PhD in Social Work, University of South Carolina
• Master of Social Work (MSW), University of Kentucky
• BA in Psychology, University of Kentucky

 

Areas of Expertise

Global refugee crisis, international mental health policy, trauma and stressor-related disorders, clinical program evaluation, and international research.

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Recent Publications

• Hagues, R., Cecil, D., & Kandylaki, A. (2026). “I believe the world can be better”: Greek social workers discuss faith, coping, and motivation for working with refugees. WRSP-Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work, DOI: 10.1080/15426432.2025.2612655. 
• Cecil, D., & Hagues, R. (2024). International best practices for responding to the refugee crisis: Lessons from front-line social workers. Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration Humanitarian Pathways Conference. Möckern-Friedensau, Germany.
• Cecil, D. P., & Žiaučyna, K. (2023). A theoretical, historical, and socio-economic case for saving lives through strategic improvement of mental health systems around the world. Mental Health: Global Challenges. DOI | Full Text
• Cecil, D., Hagues, R., Mansour, R., Ghanem, A., & Robbins, D. E. (2021). The lived experiences of social workers working with refugees in Lebanon. Journal of Social Work, 0(0), 1-21.
• Cecil, D., Stoltzfus, K., & Hagues, R. (2018). The role of faith and faith-based organizations in the German response to the refugee crisis. Social Work & Christianity, 45(3).

Selected Presentations

• Cecil, D. (2024). Counseling aspects: Practical advice for healthcare workers responding to families and victims of gun violence. Healthcare Ethics and Law Conference, Samford University.

• Cecil, D. & Žiaučyna, K. (2023). International comparisons of mental health systems. Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD) 40th Annual Conference.

• Cecil, D. (2017). Multi-national perspectives on mental health treatment: Examining the disconnect between best practices and human flourishing. Health and Human Flourishing Conference, LCC International University.

• Copeland, R. & Cecil, D. (2018). Attachment theory and CBT for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorders. Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration (SEPI) 34th Annual Meeting, New York, NY.