About Alicia
Alicia Hawley-Bernardez, PhD, LMSW, is a trauma-informed therapist, professor, and educator whose work centers on healing after interpersonal harm, identity exploration, and resilience.
She specializes in supporting individuals navigating anxiety, trauma, emotionally abusive relationships, and major life transitions, while also training future social workers through trauma-informed, relational teaching.
Across both clinical and academic spaces, Alicia prioritizes connection, empowerment, and helping people rebuild trust in themselves.
A Message From Alicia
I believe healing and growth happen when people feel truly seen, believed, and supported. Whether I’m working with clients or teaching students, I focus on showing up with care, curiosity, and collaboration rather than judgment or quick fixes.
My goal is to create spaces where people can make sense of their experiences, reconnect with their own inner self, and move forward with more clarity and confidence. I’m especially passionate about trauma-informed practice and education, and about translating research into real-world work that feels human, accessible, and empowering.
Qualifications
- 2013–2017: PhD in Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
- 2009–2010: Master of Science in Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
- 2005–2009: Bachelor of Social Work, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
- Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Texas
Work Experience
- 2025–present: Therapist, Rooted Rebellion Counseling, PLLC
- 2024–present: Clinical Associate I, Inspired Practice, LLC
- 2023–present: Tenured Associate Professor, Our Lady of the Lake University
- 2018–2023: Assistant Professor of Social Work, Our Lady of the Lake University
- 2015: Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Texas at Arlington
- 2013–2016: Adjunct Faculty, Texas Christian University
- 2012–2013: Victim Advocate Program Manager, Carrollton Police Department
- 2010–2012: Transitional Housing Coordinator and Family Services Case Manager, Hope’s Door
Publications
- Evans, R., Hawley-Bernardez, A., & Gibbons, G. (2024). Strengths perspective: How social work students use mindfulness as a self-care strategy. Social Sciences, 13(4), 210. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13040210
- Hawley-Bernardez, A., Patton, J., Bakke, C., & Gibbons, G. (2024). Addressing gun violence through social work education. Social Work Education, 44(3), 586–599. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2024.2334788
- Viverette, A., Hawley-Bernardez, A., & Evans, R. (2023). Social work students’ use of adapted mindfulness-based stress reduction as a stress management strategy. Journal of Social Work Education and Practice, 8(3).
- Hawley-Bernardez, A. (2018). Jean Paton and the struggle to reform American adoption. Adoption Quarterly, 21(3), 225–227. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926755.2018.1551597
- Black, B., Hawley, A., Barnett, T., & Hoefer, R. (2017). Factors related to shelters providing teen dating violence prevention programming in schools. Children and Schools, 39(2), 99–107. https://doi.org/10.1093/cs/cdx007
- Hawley-Bernardez, A. (2017). Leaving experiences of survivors of intimate partner violence in emergency shelter and transitional housing. [Doctoral dissertation, University of Texas at Arlington]. MavMatrix. https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1161&context=socialwork_dissertations
- Hawley, A., Black, B., Hoefer, R., & Barnett, T. M. (2017). Domestic violence shelters’ efforts to prevent teen dating violence: A national survey. Violence Against Women, 23(4), 520–529. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801216644073
- Rueda, H. A., Hawley, A., Black, B. M., & Ombayo, B. (2017). Graduating MSW students’ recommended interventions for teen dating violence: A descriptive analysis. Advances in Social Work, 17(2). https://doi.org/10.18060/21202
- Weisz, A. N., Black, B. M., & Hawley, A. C. (2017). What would they do? Parents’ responses to hypothetical adolescent dating violence situations. Violence and Victims, 32(2), 311–325. https://doi.org/10.1891/0886-6708.VV-D-15-00136
- Aguiniga, D. M., Madden, E. E., & Hawley, A. (2015). Exploratory analysis of child protection mediation permanency placement outcomes. Children and Youth Services Review, 50, 20–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.12.021
- Hawley, D. A., & Hawley Barker, A. C. (2012). Survivors of intimate partner violence: Implications for nursing care. Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America, 24(1), 27–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccell.2011.12.003
- Hawley, A. C. (2009). Effects of substance abuse in repeat intimate partner violence (IPV) cases. TCU Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity, 3(1), 101–105.
