David P. Cecil, PhD, LICSW has more than 25 years of experience as a therapist, educator, and clinical supervisor. From 2016 to 2026, he served as a professor in the Master of Social Work program at Samford University, where he taught graduate courses in psychotherapy, trauma, psychopathology, and clinical practice while mentoring and supervising future therapists. He previously served on the faculty at East Tennessee State University (2004–2009) and Asbury University (2009–2016), where he also held leadership roles as department chair and program director. He has twice served as interim department chair at Samford and was a visiting professor of abnormal psychology at LCC International University in Klaipėda, Lithuania, from 2013 to 2022.

Throughout his career, Dr. Cecil has remained committed to understanding how people heal from trauma and adversity. His research has focused on trauma-informed care, attachment, and the mental health needs of refugees and displaced populations. He has conducted fieldwork and presented internationally, including in Germany, Greece, Lebanon, Lithuania, Russia, and England. In 2024, he partnered with colleagues from Samford University and Haigazian University in Lebanon to receive a U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy grant supporting the development of trauma-informed training for social workers serving refugee communities.

In his counseling practice, Dr. Cecil works primarily with adults experiencing anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and emotional distress. His approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that meaningful change occurs when people feel genuinely understood and emotionally safe. Drawing from attachment theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), motivational interviewing, person-centered therapy, and EMDR, he helps clients better understand the patterns that have shaped their lives, strengthen their relationships, and move toward greater freedom, resilience, and well-being.

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., & Perekotiy, M. (2026). "Things Are Not Well": Learning from the Lived Experiences of Social Workers Engaged with Refugee Populations in Greece. Quarterly on Refugee Problems.

• 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. 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., & Hagues, R. (2025). 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. (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.