Jaimie L. O’Gara, Ph.D., LISW, CADC
She/Her/Hers
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Jaimie L. O’Gara, Ph.D., LISW, CADC
She/Her/Hers
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Dr. O’Gara identifies as a fatherhood and family strengthening scholar. Her research focuses on factors and processes that contribute to youth and family wellbeing and resilience. In collaboration with researchers from Michigan State University and Loras College, Dr. O’Gara is leading the Dubuque Youth and Family Resilience Project (DYFRP). DYFRP is an ongoing research project that examines how COVID-19 and other family adversities impact parenting, co-parenting, youth physical and mental health wellbeing, and academic success. Her work is intended to inform community policies and practices to equip families with the skills and resources to overcome hardships so that all families can thrive.
As a clinician, Dr. O’Gara has treated a range of individuals from infancy to older adulthood facing an array of clinical concerns such as substance use issues, mental health disorders, and trauma. Her clinical expertise is in empowering families to recognize their strengths and to learn how to solve their own problems so that they can successfully navigate their lives. Dr. O’Gara draws on her clinical and research experiences to prepare students to help families and individuals thrive long-term.