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Jennifer Bobo

(she/her)

Asst Professor Term

Kent School of Social Work

Orcid identifier0009-0004-2172-6270
  • Asst Professor Term
    Kent School of Social Work
  • 502-852-8735 (Work)
  • 502-558-3811 (Mobile)

BIO

Jennifer is a proud alumna of the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science, where she earned her MSSW in 2006 with a focus on clinical practice. Her early career was rooted in outpatient mental health settings, where she provided services to a range of populations, including adolescents navigating substance misuse, individuals and families impacted by trauma, adults with co-occurring disorders, unhoused individuals, and families and caregivers of children diagnosed with autism.

 

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), she specialized in trauma-informed care clinically in a community mental health setting and began supervising practicum students while maintaining a private practice. Her clinical work eventually expanded into mezzo-level leadership as the Program Director for the Center for Promoting Recovery and Resilience (CPRR), a SAMHSA-funded initiative housed at the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science (PI: Dr. Bibhuti Sar). In this role, she oversaw training in evidence-based practices for clinicians across the region and facilitated free trauma-focused therapy for children. She also contributed to national initiatives through her involvement with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN).

 

Jennifer has taught at the Kent School for over 13 years and transitioned into a full-time faculty position six years ago teaching the MSSW Practice course sequence (SW 604: Micro Social Work Practice, SW 605: Macro Social Work Practice, SW 640: EBP with Individuals, Families and Groups, SW 677: Mezzo Social Work Practice).  Additionally, she has served as a practicum instructor in the past, and currrently is a practicum liasion working with many agencies and students. She is passionate about teaching and mentorship, with a deep commitment to engaging students in reflective, practice-based learning. Each spring, she also supports PhD practicum students serving as teaching assistants, helping them develop their teaching competencies and navigate the complexities of academic instruction.     

 

In addition to her academic and clinical work, Jennifer has previously served on the board of People Against the Trafficking of Humans (PATH), and was an active member of the Louisville Metro Human Trafficking Taskforce, the Statewide Trauma-Informed Care Steering Committee, and the Community Shield Initiative. She continues to maintain a private practice and serves as a Kentucky-approved LCSW supervisor, currently mentoring six clinicians working toward licensure.

 

Her current areas of interest clinically include mental health and trauma treatment, trauma-informed care practices within organizations, somatic practices, expressive arts, mindfulness practices, and radical self-care.

 

Her current academic interests include best practices in pedagogy, innovative instructional design, and the integration of reflective practice to enhance both student learning and ongoing instructional development.

DEGREES

  • MSSW
    University of Louisville, Kent School of Social Work, Louisville, United States17 Aug 2004 - 13 May 2006
  • BS
    University of Louisville, Louisville, United States8 Aug 2000 - 13 May 2004

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
    Kentucky Board of Social Work, Frankfort, United States7 Oct 2009
    A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is a mental health professional who holds a master’s degree in social work and has completed the necessary clinical supervision and licensure requirements to provide psychotherapy, mental health assessments, and behavioral interventions. LCSWs are trained to support individuals, families, and groups through a variety of challenges, including mental health disorders, trauma, substance use, and life transitions. They use evidence-based practices and a person-in-environment perspective to promote well-being, resilience, and social justice.
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker – Approved Supervisor (LCSW-Supervisor)
    Kentucky Board of Social Work, Frankfort, United States13 Dec 2016
    A Licensed Clinical Social Worker – Board‑Approved Supervisor (LCSW‑Supervisor) is an LCSW who has met additional requirements set by the Kentucky Board of Social Work—including specialized training in supervision and formal board approval—to provide clinical supervision to associate-level social workers. These supervisors support the professional development of future LCSWs by guiding their clinical practice, ensuring ethical standards, and overseeing their preparedness for independent licensure.
  • Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
    Family and Children's Place, Louisville, United States12 Oct 2010
    Certification indicates that the therapist has demonstrated competence in EMDR, completed required consultation hours, and adheres to high standards of ethical practice. EMDR helps clients process traumatic memories by engaging both hemispheres of the brain, often through guided eye movements, to reduce emotional distress and promote healing.
  • Kentucky Early Care and Educational Trainer
    Kentucky Autism Training Center, Louisville, United States
    A Kentucky Early Care and Educational Trainer is a qualified professional who provides training and support to early childhood educators and caregivers across Kentucky. They deliver evidence-based workshops and coaching on topics such as child development, curriculum design, effective teaching strategies, family engagement, and compliance with state regulations. Their goal is to enhance the quality of early care and education programs, ensuring that children receive developmentally appropriate, nurturing, and inclusive learning experiences in child care centers, preschools, Head Start programs, and family child care homes.