Social Work Career Development | Dorlee Michaeli, MBA, LCSW

Editor of SocialWork.Career

Ranked #10 in FeedSpot’s “70 Best Social Work Blogs and Websites” (2026)

I’m the editor of SocialWork.Career, a resource hub dedicated to social work career developments, serving 4,800+ social workers. I help social workers navigate professional growth, career transitions, and practice building through curated content, monthly webinars, and community resources.

While I also maintain a clinical practice as a psychotherapist, my work here focuses on connecting social workers with the resources, insights, and community support they need to build fulfilling, sustainable careers.

What You’ll Find on SocialWork.Career

Resources and community support for every stage of your social work career:

Monthly free webinars for mental health professionals (12+ annually)
Expert interviews and insights from leaders in the field
Career development strategies for transitions and growth
Professional development opportunities and curated resources

Recent Articles:

My Background

My perspective on social work career development comes from an unusual combination of experiences:

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with EMDR certification and psychoanalytic training
Certified Financial Social Worker (CFSW)
MBA and decade as a management consultant
Career transition experience – I’ve navigated the shift from corporate to clinical work myself

This background helps me identify and share resources that address both the clinical and business realities of building a career in social work.

For therapy services: visit DorleeMichaeli.com

Published Work and Research

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Encyclopedia of Social Work (Oxford University Press, 2019)
Co-authored “Financial Social Work” with Reeta Wolfsohn, revised by Margaret Sherrard Sherraden and Jin Huang
View publication

Research on Social Work Practice (2020)
Co-authored “Professional Collaboration Networks as a Social Work Research Practice Innovation: Preparing DSW Students for Knowledge Dissemination Roles in a Digital Society”
Examining how social workers can use professional networks for research dissemination and bridging research-to-practice gaps

Featured Writing

TheSocialWorker.com (2015)
“Meet Your Next Challenge With a Journaling Exercise” – Therapeutic journaling techniques for social workers

PsychCentral (2020)
“COVID-19 Resources for Helping Professionals and Patients” – Comprehensive resource guide during the pandemic

SocialWork.Career blog (Ongoing)
Career development resources and professional guidance for social workers

Speaking and Media Appearances

Podcasts & Interviews

University of Buffalo’s InSocialWork Podcast (Episode 170, 2015)
“How Social Media Expands Social Work Career Choices” – Interviewed by Pat Shelly, MSW
Discussed social media strategies for career development, professional branding, and innovation in social work practice
Listen to episode

Recent appearances:

The Phoenix Mind (Coming Soon) – Trauma healing and transformation through EMDR therapy
Flip Your Mindset (Jan 2026) – How to heal trauma through EMDR, particularly “benign trauma” hiding in plain sight for high-achievers
Lunar Counseling (Oct 2025) – Why successful women still feel anxious and invisible, and how trauma-informed therapy addresses the root cause
INNtrospection (Sept 2025) – How EMDR therapy helps people move from grief to growth without years of traditional talk therapy

Consulting and Teaching Work

Center for Financial Social Work (Consultant)

Educate social workers and community advocates on helping clients develop healthier relationships with money
Co-presented at 2016 NASW New York Conference on Financial Social Work

University at Buffalo School of Social Work (Consultant & Instructor)

Social media coach for university’s community engagement efforts (2013-2015)
Taught course on social work career development through social media (January 2016)
Provide coaching on employing social media to enhance brand awareness and social work practice

My Journey: A Career Transition Story

I understand career transitions firsthand. As a project director in marketing research with an MBA, I managed studies helping firms optimize products and services. But even in business, I was drawn to the psychological dimension, understanding human behavior and decision-making.

When the 2008 economic downturn created an opportunity to reassess, I followed my calling into social work. I earned my MSW from NYU’s Silver School of Social Work (2011) and have since built a clinical practice while also creating resources to support other social workers’ career development.

That business background informs how I approach social work career development on SocialWork.Career. I understand both the heart of social work and the practical realities of building a sustainable career.