Sharon Lyter, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW

Dr. Sharon Lyter

Professor
KU Doctor of Social Work Program Director
Community Forum Chair
Family-in-Environment Sequence Chair
Principal Investigator, Institute on Justice
Principal Investigator, Institute for Social Work in Mental Health and Professional Wellness 

Old Main 328 B-wing
Kutztown, PA 19530 
Phone: 610-683-4932
Fax: 610-683-4383
lyter@kutztown.edu

Biographical Statement:

Dr. Lyter earned the PhD (major: social work; minor: abnormal psychology) from the Graduate School of Rutgers University, and the MSW from Temple University. Her experience includes serving as program director for the BSW program at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania; serving in an administrative and teaching capacity for Rutgers University School of Social Work, Camden Campus; serving on the faculty of the chemical dependency program, Penn State, Abington; serving as a clinical social worker for the Employee Counseling Service of Rutgers University; maintaining a private practice in North Wales, PA; and serving as a research analyst for the Division of Youth and Family Services in Trenton, NJ. While in Camden city, Dr. Lyter provided consultation in the development of LEAP of Camden, NJ, a pioneering charter school. Dr. Lyter is a licensed clinical social worker. 

Dr. Lyter has advocated for policies that support social worker safety and risk management and was instrumental in policy change regarding worker safety through CSWE and the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.  

Teaching Interests:

    • Family-in-Environment
    • Psychopathology
    • Generalist Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups
    • Practice Skills
    • Advanced Micro Practice
    • Field Instructor Education
    • Doctoral Dissertation Seminar

Research Interests and Publications:

    • application of the DSM in social work practice
    • cultural competence and social work practice
    • integration of field and practice in social work education
    • social work supervision and constructive criticism
    • social worker safety, home visiting, & risk management
    • addictions and parenting practices
  • Publications (book chapters and journal articles)

    Kim, Y.M., & Lyter, S.C. (in press).  Evaluation of a baccalaureate Social Work Learning Community.  Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work.   

    Lyter, S.C. (accepted for publication). Adversity, resilience, and choice of social work as a career.   

    Lyter, S.C., & Lyter, L.L. (2016). Social work educator views of DSM. Social Work in Mental Health, 14(3), 195-214. DOI: 10.1080/15332985.2015.1011365

    Lyter, S.C. (2016).  Safety and risk management.  In C.A. Hunter, J.K. Moen, & M. Raskin (Eds.), Social work field directors: Foundations for excellence. Chicago, IL:  Lyceum.  

    Lyter, S.C. (2012). Potential of field education as signature pedagogy: The field director role. Journal of Social Work Education, 48(1), 179-188.  

    Lyter, S.C., & Lyter, L.L. (2012). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: Making it work for social work. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, 6(6), 53-64.  

    Lyter, S.C., & Abbott, A.A. (2010).  The journey of planned change.  In A.A. Abbott (Ed.), Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs: Challenging myths, assessing theories, individualizing interventions (2nd ed., Chapter 7, pp. 209-243). Washington, DC: NASW Press.  

    Lyter, S.C., & Lyter, L.L. (2010).  Group strategies in ATOD treatment.  In A.A. Abbott (Ed.), Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs: Challenging myths, assessing theories, individualizing interventions (2nd ed., Chapter 10, pp. 331-404). Washington, DC: NASW Press.  

    Smith, S. H., & Lyter, S. C. (2009). Preparedness for culturally competent social work practice. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, 4(3), 25-34.

    Lyter, S.C. (2009). Woundedness and social workers: Strategies for supervision of practicum students. Arête, A Professional Journal Devoted to Excellence in Social Work, 32(1), 20-37. 

    Lyter, S.C., & Abbott, A.A. (2007). Home visits in a violent world. The Clinical Supervisor, 26 (1/2), 17 - 33. doi: 10.1300/J001v26n0l.03  

    Lyter, S. C., & Smith, S. H. (2005). Connecting the dots from curriculum to practicum: Implications for empowerment and integration in field education. The Clinical Supervisor, 23 (2), 31-45. doi: 10.1300/J001v23n02̱03  

    Lyter, S.C. (2005). Social work field liaison agency visits: Factors associated with student performance and satisfaction. Arête, 28 (2), 1-11.  

    Lyter, L.L., & Lyter, S.C. (2003). Why some youth don't use alcohol: Protective factors and implications for parenting skills.  Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 3(2), 3-23. doi: 10.1300J160v03n02_02 

    Lyter, S.C., & Lyter, L.L. (2000).  Intervention with groups. In A.A. Abbott (Ed.), Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs: A social work perspective. Washington, DC: NASW Press.

    Abbott, A.A., & Lyter, S.C.  (1998). The use of constructive criticism in field supervision.  The Clinical Supervisor, 17(2), 43-57. doi: 10.1300/J001v17n02_02

  • Professional Involvement

    • CSWE Field Council Ad Hoc Survey Group member (2013 to present)
    • Councilor (two terms, 2006 to 2011), Field Council, Council on Social Work Education
    • Field Notes Editor and Consulting Editor for Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work
    • Consulting Editor for Field Educator
    • Member, Association of Baccalaureate Program Directors
    • Member, Council on Social Work Education
    • Member, National Association of Social Workers