Caleb Stephens

My name is Dr. Caleb Stephens. I am a 2011 Bachelor of Social Work graduate from Bethel College, Kansas, a 2014 Masters of Social Welfare graduate from the University of Kansas, and a 2021 Doctor of Philosophy graduate from the University of Kansas in Performance Studies. I am a dually licensed LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) and a LMAC (Licensed Master Addiction Counselor). I have worked in child welfare, addictions, schools, psychiatric residential treatment facilities, with incarcerated individuals, and have been a community organizer and activist for the last 10 years. My research areas are the Black narrative, safety, hope, empowerment, intentionality, and authenticity. I am a student of Kimberlé Crenshaw’s Intersectionality, and apply it in all aspects of my life. More than anything, I am a social worker.
As a social worker, I am tasked with meeting people where they're at. As an intersectional clinician, I am tasked with putting into practice the understanding of the ways different intersecting pieces of identity come together to create the lens that people experience and navigate through the world. With that understanding comes the realities that occur as a result of those identities. My teaching philosophy as well as my praxis as a clinician is to meet people where they're at, to empower their voice, and to help to create authentic and informed identity and truth. I believe in a multi-faceted approach to educating and learning, as people have different learning styles, processing capabilities, and things that work best for them. I believe in tough conversations. I believe in tenderness and intentionality. I believe that people deserve to be able to express their needs. I believe people should be provided with the resources and tools equitably. My teaching philosophy lives actively to create a naturally therapeutic environment where people have the opportunity to feel rooted, grounded, and where they are able to do the work necessary to live their best life. “You are worth whatever work it takes to get to wherever you wanna go.” That is my teaching philosophy, and I am thankful for opportunities to speak truth to power, because if anyone deserves it, it’s young people these days. I am honored to have the opportunity to encourage and empower life and the pursuit of joy.

I have been a licensed social worker since 2011 and have worked in in PRTF's, child welfare, jails, youth homes, group homes, schools, addictions clinics, and in the community offering mental health services of all different kinds.

I graduated from the advanced standing social welfare program and went on to get my PhD in Performance Studies from the University of Kansas.