Education
- Ph.D. Baylor University
- M.S.W. University of Pittsburgh
- B.S.W. University of Pittsburgh
- A.A. Biblical Studies, Liberty University
Dissertation
- Explorations of Pregnancy Options Counseling Across Varying Settings
What are the main focuses of your research?
- Psychosocial Assessment within the medical setting
- The intersection of faith and social work practice
What specific courses or specialties do you teach?
- SCOW 101: Foundations in Social Work
- SOCW 364:Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
- SOCW 302 and 310: Generalist Practice I & II
- SOCW 342: Social Welfare Policy Analysis
- SOCW 410: Social Work Capstone
What is the most important piece of advice you give students to help them succeed?
- We are commanded, in scripture, to love God and love people (Mark 12:30). When we can do both things well and with our whole heart, then we will experience success. Such success may not meet the perspective of what the world defines as successful, but, that should never be our end goal.
Selected Publications
- Hollenberger, J.C. & Madden, E.E. (2024). “At the end of the day it’s their choice”: An exploratory qualitative study of pregnancy options counseling. Social Work and Public Health.
- Hollenberger, J.C. & Madden, E.E (2024). The practice of pregnancy options counseling in social service and healthcare settings in the United States: A systematic literature review. Social Work in Health Care.
- Timbers, V. & Hollenberger, J.C. (2022). Christian mindfulness and mental health: Coping through sacred traditions and embodied awareness. Religions 13: 62.
- Homan, K. & Hollenberger, J.C. (2021) Religious support moderates the long reach of adverse childhood events on physical health. Journal of Religion and Health 5.
- Hollenberger, J.C. & Madden, E.E. (2021) Teaching note: Integrating family planning in social work education. Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work 26 (1): 79-90.
- Dew, M.A., Hollenberger, J., Obregon, L.L., Hickey, G., Sciortino, C.M., Lockard, K.M., (2018). Psychosocial evaluation of candidates for mechanical circulatory support and risk for adverse post-implantation medical outcomes. Manuscript in preparation.
- Steel, J., Smith, T., Hollenberger, J., Phillips, C., Swartz, K. & Rudow, D. (2015). The Psychosocial and Independent Living Donor Advocate Evaluation and Post-surgery Care of Living Donor. Journal of Clinical Psychology in the Medical Setting 10.1007/s10880-015-9426-7
Contributor to Christian Scholars Review Blog and In All Things:
Is there any additional personal experience you would like to share?
I spent years as a young professional trying to navigate clinical practice within the context of my personal faith. It wasn’t until I received thoughtful mentorship in an organizational setting that I learned how to meaningfully and ethically integrate faith into my work. That experience shaped me profoundly, and I’m incredibly grateful for the mentors who poured into me. Now, I consider it an honor to do the same for students—walking alongside them as they prepare to become compassionate, competent, and faithful social workers.
My research interests include pregnancy options counseling, mental health and religion/spirituality, and the intersection of faith and social work practice.
I am currently working closely with the Center for Rural Ministry running a one-year affinity group for lay leaders and pastors to think well about special needs and mental health in the church. I also love mentoring student researchers and have worked with students as they explore issues like human trafficking, social work and entrepreneurship, and crisis text lines. Together, we’ve presented at national conferences in Chicago, Dallas, and Pittsburgh.
Outside the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our four children, and mischievous dog, Izzie. We enjoy hiking, skiing, going to the beach, and spend a lot of time driving back and forth to different extra-curricular activities.