Areas of Expertise
- Social work with children and adolescents, school social work, school culture and climate (research and practice)
- Religious diversity, religious/spiritual cultural competence
- Individual and family therapy
Education
- B.A. in sociology, University of Rhode Island (1986)
- MSW, Rhode Island College (1988)
- MTS, Harvard University (1999)
- Ph.D. in sociology and social work, Boston University (2017)
What's My Why?
It has been a pleasure and privilege to teach in Salve's Department of Social Work. The school’s mercy mission aligns so perfectly with social work values, as well as with my own professional values. I am deeply committed to teaching future social workers how to help individuals and simultaneously work towards social justice on the societal level. During my time here at Salve, I have taught Introduction to Social Problems and the accompanying service learning experience. Recently, I had the opportunity to design and teach Religion, Spirituality and the Helping Professions, which focuses on teaching the religious diversity knowledge and skills necessary for religiously competent professional practice. My experience at Salve has been exciting and enriching. Teaching here has provided the amazing opportunity to mentor the next generation of social workers and other helping professionals. I am honored to be a part of this institution and its mission.
Professional Experience
I have been a clinical social worker for over 30 years and have worked in a variety of social service settings. My experience has primarily been focused on working with adolescents and families at risk of involvement with the juvenile justice and/or child welfare systems. In addition to providing agency and outreach-based individual and family counseling, I have also worked in many different schools and educational settings. Throughout my career, I have provided clinical supervision to many college students pursuing careers in social work, psychology and mental health counseling. Before coming to Salve, I taught at the Rhode Island College School of Social Work for over 20 years at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In addition to teaching at Salve, I am a clinical supervisor for the student support team at Blackstone Academy Charter School in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Selected Publications
Rheaume, H. (2007). University/agency partnerships. In M.E. Collins, M. Amodeo and C. Clay. Review of the Literature on Child Welfare Training: Theory, Practice and Research. Boston, MA: Boston University School of Social Work.
Rheaume, H., Collins, M.E. and Amodeo, M. (2011). University/agency IV-E partnerships for professional education and training: Perspectives from the states. Journal of Public Child Welfare. 5(5), 481-500.