Seema L. Clifasefi (she/her), PhD, MSW
Personal Statement
My research lies at the intersection of substance use, mental health, criminal justice and housing policy, with an emphasis on populations with lived experience of homelessness, substance use and/or involvement in the criminal justice system. Since 2006, I have been part of a collaborative academic and community-based research team evaluating the effects of Housing First, which entails the provision of immediate, permanent, low-barrier, nonabstinence-based housing to individuals with the lived experience of homelessness and alcohol problems. I am committed to and passionate about social and racial justice and my career path reflects this commitment. My most recent work focuses on the development, evaluation, and dissemination of a comprehensive, multi-dimensional program that aims to improve alcohol, health, and quality of life related outcomes for this population. Ultimately, through my work, I hope to help create positive social change by promoting understanding and compassion across different demographic and socio-economic class systems.Education
Masters of Social Work, University of Washington, 2017
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, 2003
Bachelor of Science (Distinction in Psychology), University of Washington, 1995
Department Affiliations
- Needs Assessment for Supporting Technology use and Harm Reduction (STaHR Study)
- eHaRT-A: adapting an in-person harm reduction for alcohol intervention into a telehealth platform
- eHaRT-A
- A cluster-randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of the Life Enhancing Alcohol-management Program (LEAP) for Housing First residents
- Staying in Touch and Engaged Project (STEP)
- The Doorway Project
- The Life Enhancing Alcohol-management Program 2.0 (LEAP 2.0)
Recent Publications
Dual study describing patient-driven harm reduction goal-setting among people experiencing homelessness and alcohol use disorder.
(2021 Jun)
Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 29(3): 261-271
Fentress TSP, Wald S, Brah A, Leemon G, Reyes R, Alkhamees F, Kramer M, Taylor EM, Wildhood M, Frohe T, Duncan MH, Clifasefi SL, Collins SE
(2021 Jun)
Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 29(3): 261-271
Fentress TSP, Wald S, Brah A, Leemon G, Reyes R, Alkhamees F, Kramer M, Taylor EM, Wildhood M, Frohe T, Duncan MH, Clifasefi SL, Collins SE
Combining behavioral harm-reduction treatment and extended-release naltrexone for people experiencing homelessness and alcohol use disorder in the USA: a randomised clinical trial.
(2021 Apr)
Lancet Psychiatry 8(4): 287-300
Collins SE, Duncan MH, Saxon AJ, Taylor EM, Mayberry N, Merrill JO, Hoffmann GE, Clifasefi SL, Ries RK
(2021 Apr)
Lancet Psychiatry 8(4): 287-300
Collins SE, Duncan MH, Saxon AJ, Taylor EM, Mayberry N, Merrill JO, Hoffmann GE, Clifasefi SL, Ries RK
Content Analysis of Health Concerns among Housing First Residents with a History of Alcohol Use Disorder.
(2021)
J Health Care Poor Underserved 32(1): 463-486
Mackelprang JL, Clifasefi SL, Grazioli RS, Collins SE
(2021)
J Health Care Poor Underserved 32(1): 463-486
Mackelprang JL, Clifasefi SL, Grazioli RS, Collins SE
Characterizing components of and attendance at resident-driven Housing First programming in the context of community-based participatory research.
(2021 Jul)
J Community Psychol 49(5): 1376-1392
Collins SE, Goldstein SC, King VL, Orfaly VE, Gu J, Clark A, Vess A, Lee G, Taylor EM, Fentress T, Braid AK, Clifasefi SL
(2021 Jul)
J Community Psychol 49(5): 1376-1392
Collins SE, Goldstein SC, King VL, Orfaly VE, Gu J, Clark A, Vess A, Lee G, Taylor EM, Fentress T, Braid AK, Clifasefi SL
The life-enhancing alcohol-management program: Results from a 6-month nonrandomized controlled pilot study assessing a community based participatory research program in housing first.
(2020 Apr)
J Community Psychol 48(3): 763-776
Clifasefi SL, Collins SE, LEAP Advisory Board
(2020 Apr)
J Community Psychol 48(3): 763-776
Clifasefi SL, Collins SE, LEAP Advisory Board
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