Paul Felker

MSW Program Director; Associate Professor of Social Work

McInnis 231
pfelker@eastern.edu

Dr. Paul Felker is the MSW Program Director at Eastern University. Dr. Felker is a licensed social worker with 30 years of experience in child welfare, outpatient psychotherapy, and medical social work. He has worked for a public child protective service agency in the city of Chester, PA. He has also worked as an outpatient psychotherapist specializing in couples and sex addiction counseling. He has also worked as a grief and trauma counselor in a pediatric intensive care unit in a children’s hospital. 

Dr. Felker has taught at the BSW and MSW level for several universities for 16 years. He has taught advanced clinical practice, policy, human behavior, diversity, and research courses. In addition, he has conducted continuing educational seminars for social workers and allied mental health professionals throughout the state of Pennsylvania. In addition, Dr. Felker presented his research on traumatized children in Banff, Canada to an international audience of trauma clinicians. His seminar evaluations often note him as a passionate and gifted speaker.

Education

Ph.D., Social Work, Widener University (Chester, PA)
M.S.W., Widener University (Chester, PA)
B.S.W., Eastern University (St. Davids, PA)

Research Interests

His areas of research include trauma and neurobiology, palliative care, chronic pain, and prison reform. He has examined dissociation from a strengths perspective. He is currently conducting research on trauma and dissociation with a sample of 4785 children worldwide.

Professional Associations and Services
  • NACSW, North American Association of Social Work
  • NASW, National Association of Social Work
Publications
  • Tamburro, R., Shaffer, M., Hahnlen, N., Felker, P., Ceneviva, G.  Care Goals and Decisions for Children Referred to a Pediatric Palliative Care Program.  Journal of Palliative Care Medicine 2011; 14(5): 607-613.
  • Ceneviva, GD, Ruth J, Bramley H, Tamburro R, Shaffer M, Hahnlen N, Felker P.  Goals of Care for Children with Life-Limiting Conditions.  Critical Care Medicine 2008; 36(12): A 103
  • Ceneviva, GD, Tamburro R, Ruth J, Bramley H, Shaffer M, Hahnlen N, Felker P.  Factors Associated with the Level of Support Requested for Children with Life-Limiting Conditions.  Critical Care Medicine 2008; 36(12): A104