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Cynthia Bott is a licensed clinical social worker who has 25 years of social work teaching experience at the graduate and undergraduate level with San Francisco State University and Siena College.  She is a clinical social worker who has expertise in the areas of crisis, psychiatric emergencies, mood and characterlogical issues.  Cynthia is a member of the LGBTQ community and is a past Board President of the Pride Center.  Her research interests at this time focus on assisting local non-profits who need assistance with acquiring and analyzing the data needed to meet their program objectives.  She is currently assisting United Tenants of Albany and The Food Pantries for the Capital District.  

Degree Program University
Ph.D. Social Welfare University at Albany
M.S.W. Social Work San Francisco State University
B.S. Education, American Studies Bowling Green State University

My Siena Experience

My Teaching Philosophy

I recognize students as future colleagues in social work.  We work collaboratively to develop and apply the concept of 'use of self' to our present and future work.  In this service, I encourage and model risk taking to promote critical thinking which can be applied to self and others.  In addition, there is an emphasis on understanding the impact of the environment and context on human behavior.  

What I Love About Siena

I love the chance to interact with the students on a daily basis.  Class sizes here are smaller as compared to other institutions I have taught in which allows for more variety in teaching methods.  This allows for the opportunity to work with students on a more individual level which allows for the accommodation of different strengths and weaknesses. 

My Favorite Courses to Teach

 I enjoy teaching the skills and theory classes because I like the application to practice.  This includes classes on human behavior, skills building and group work.  

My Professional Experience

Year Title Organization
2019 - Now Associate Professor Siena College
2019 - Now Psychotherapist HPA/Live Well
2015 - 2022 Psychiatric Social Worker Ellis Hospital
2013 - 2019 Assistant Professor Siena College
2008 - 2021 Psychiatric Social Worker Capital District Psychiatric Center
2007 - 2010 Research Assistant University at Albany
2006 - 2007 Clinical Supervisor Aldea Children and Family Services
2005 - 2007 Lecturer Cal State Hayward, Sociology
2004 - 2007 Mental Health Clinician - per diem Solano County Mental Health
2000 - 2006 Field Supervisor BTW Consultants, Inc.
1997 - 2007 Lecturer San Francisco State University, School of Social Work
1993 - 2000 Psych Social Services Coordinator/Clinical Director Huckleberry Youth Prgrams
1990 - 1993 Case Manager/Supervisor Huckleberry Youth Programs - Sojourner House
1986 - 1989 Crisis Line Director San Francisco Suicide Prevention

Articles & Book Reviews

  • Mrs. Doubtfire mentoring program: Helping children in residential care transition to bedtime
    Residential Treatment for Children and Youth
    2017
  • A is for Activism: Or not
    Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work
    2016

Awards & Distinctions

  • Advisor of the Year
    Category: Service-University
    Siena College, 2018
  • Tenure-Track Outstanding Teacher-Scholar Award, School of Liberal Arts
    Category: Teaching-Research
    Siena College, 2018

Books & Book Chapters

  • A public health perspective of women's mental health
    Springer
    2010

Presentations

  • Flipping the Script
    2021
    New York State Social Work Education Association, Saratoga Springs, New York
  • A content analysis of BSW syllabi
    2018
    New York State Social Work Education Annual Conference, Saratoga Springs, New York
  • Food Pantry Utilization
    2017
    Food Summit, Albany, New York
  • A survey-based study of social workers' critical consciousness and practice with LGB clients
    2014
    Society for Social Work and Research, San Antonio, Texas
  • Critical consciousness, social justice activity, and direct practice
    2014
    National Association of Social Workers, Washington, D.C., District of Columbia
  • Reaching out to Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual youth: Issues in mental health
    1998
    American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C., District of Columbia