Bio:
Phyllis A. Swint, PhD, LMFT is an Associate Clinical Professor and Director of Clinical Training for Counseling and Family Therapy (COFT) housed in the department of Psychology and Brain Sciences. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Pennsylvania, and Approved Supervisor for Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).
Swint maintained a long-standing relationship with COFT post-graduation, after completing both her Master of Family Therapy (MFT) degree in 1995 and PhD in Couple and Family Therapy (PhD) in 2009. Prior to her faculty appointment, she held director positions in various community mental health organizations for over two decades. In those roles, Swint partnered extensively with the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities, Philadelphia Department of Prisons, and Philadelphia Family Court to name a few with the goal to further strengthen services and advocacy efforts for Philadelphia’s most vulnerable and marginalized populations. In addition, she worked to increase clinical training and career opportunities for MFT graduate students.
Swint’s doctoral research emphasized the importance of interprofessional collaboration and treatment in the Philadelphia prisons to reduce recidivism outcomes for incarcerated women. This was the culmination of years of prison-to-community clinical work that continues to inspire her clinical, scholarly, and research interests that include: advancing clinical training education as it relates to curriculum and supervision, workforce development for clinicians and interns, and advancing Contextual Theory and Therapy as an evidence-informed approach to family therapy practice. Families impacted by incarceration, mental health and addiction; and the formulation of equitable healthcare and family policy for vulnerable and marginalized communities remain foci in her research agenda.
Selected Publications:
*Chou, J. Patton, R., Zaarur, A., Katafiasz, H., Swint, P., Dang, Y., & Feeney, E. (2023). Understanding families impacted by opioid use: Outcomes of a therapist training program. Families, Systems, and Health, 41, 425-433, https://doi.org/10.1037/fsh0000818. Journal Rank: 39 of 46 in Family Studies; Impact Factor: 1.95. Google Scholar Citations: 1
*Patton, R., Chou, J., Dang, Y., Zaarur, A., Katafiasz, H., & Swint., P. (2023). Exploring MFT and counseling trainees’ substance use knowledge and perceptions upon entering an opioid use disorder training program. International Journal of Systemic Therapy. doi- org.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/10.1080/2692398X.2022.2123692. Journal Rank: None; Impact Factor: 1.9. Google Scholar Citations: 0.
Richardson, A., Davey, M.P., & Swint, P.A. (2013, July). Female adoptees’ experiences balancing relationships with biological and adoptive mothers’ post-reunification. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 39(3), 358-372.
Family Therapy News, Volume 27, number 4, August 1996: “Reunification of Inmates and their Families: Treatment Considerations”
Grant Participation
Patton, R. Swint, P., Jordal, C., Krauthamer Ewing, S., Chou, J., Ramakrishnan, A., Tyszka, A., Sponseller, L., & Garcia, K. Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program. Strengthening Healthcare through Interprofessional Networks and Education (SHINE). Project ID #:1 M01HP54855‐01‐00. Funding Period: 2025-2029. Funding Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration. Federal Type: Training. Amount: $2,400,000.00. Role and Effort: Co-Investigator, 10% FTE.
Opioid Workforce Expansion Program. Interdisciplinary Training Initiative for Children, Adolescents & Families Impacted by Opioid Use Disorder. Project ID #: T98HP33419. Funding Period: 2019-2022. Funding Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration. Federal Type: Training Grant. Amount: $1,300,000.00. Role and Effort: Co-Investigator/Faculty Member, 7% FTE. Drexel Subcontract to University of Akron, $655,039.59.
Professional Societies
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT): Clinical Fellow
- National Council on Family Relations (NCFR): Professional Member