Patricia Galan-Cisneros

Patricia A. Galán-Cisneros is a PhD Candidate at The Catholic University of America, with a Master of Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from the Oblate School of Theology. Her extensive practice experience spans hospice social work, community education on end-of-life issues, bereavement support, and interventions for individuals facing homelessness, at-risk youth, adolescent offenders, and early childhood intervention.

Galán-Cisneros’ research focuses on addressing disparities among Latino populations, educational mobility, spirituality, mental health and wellness, and bereavement. She has taught social work practice, trauma, macro practice, and practicum education courses, as well as specialized topics such as working with Black families and Hispanic elders. She is also a certified trainer for the National End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium.

Area of Expertise

Patricia A. Galán-Cisneros' expertise encompasses both micro and macro-level social work practice. Her practice experience includes hospice social work, end-of-life community education, bereavement intervention, and working with individuals experiencing homelessness, at-risk youth, adolescent offenders, and early childhood intervention. Her research interests focus on disparities affecting Latino populations, educational mobility, spirituality, mental health and wellness, and bereavement, providing a holistic understanding of both individual and systemic challenges.

Education

PhD, Social Work, The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. (2016-current)

Masters of Social Work, Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Texas (2004-2006)

Masters of Pastoral Ministry, Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, Texas (2000-2004)

Bachelor's of Social Work, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas (1995-1997)

Associates of Art, Palo Alto College, San Antonio, Texas (1992-1995)

License/Certifications

State of Maryland Licensed Master Social Worker (2023–present) 

State of Texas Licensed Master Social Worker (2006–present)

End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) Trainer (2011–present)

Direction of Ministries in Spiritual Direction Training & Experience: Certificate of Completion (2012–present)

State of Texas Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (1997-2006)

Courses

Patricia A. Galán-Cisneros teaches courses in Social Work Practice, covering work with individuals, groups, and communities, as well as Practicum Education at both the BSW and MSW levels. She also instructs specialized courses on Trauma, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of its impact on social work practice.

Community Engagement

Patricia A. Galán-Cisneros participates in community engagement through various initiatives. She has served as a Women’s Wellness Day panel member as part of the Life Enhancement Next Steps Program. Additionally, she is involved in parish-based mentoring and facilitation of religious studies, contributing to both personal and spiritual development within her community.

Research/Special Projects

Research and special projects focus on critical issues affecting marginalized communities. Her work includes exploring educational mobility among the Latinx population and investigating meaning-making processes following homicidal loss within Black and Latino communities. These projects aim to address critical disparities and enhance understanding of trauma and resilience in these populations.

Publications/Presentations

Journal Articles (Peer Reviewed)

Galan-Cisneros, P. A., Hildebrandt, E. J., Vasquez, J., & Gomez, R. J. (2023). The new normal that never happened: Faculty and students navigating through collective and shared Trauma. Reflections:Narratives of Professional Helping, 29(1), 8–25. 

Johnson, S., Galan-Cisneros, P. & Patterson, D. Making meaning of homicide through intentionality and action: The findings of a grounded theory study. Clin Soc Work J 51, 113–130 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-022-00856-w

Shannon K. Johnson, Patricia Galan-Cisneros & Lindsay Rollins Heaton (2022) Outcomes of a practice-based evidence study of spiritually integrated psychotherapy in a mental health setting, Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, 41(4), 437- 453, DOI: 10.1080/15426432.2022.2107969

Shannon Johnson, Lindsay Rollins Heaton & Patricia A. Galan-Cisneros (2022) The use of spiritually integrated psychotherapies in mental health treatment centers, Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, 41(3), 241-259, DOI: 10.1080/15426432.2022.2054394

Gomez, R.J., Ryan, T.N., Norton, C.L., Galán-Cisneros, P.A. Perceptions of learned helplessness among emerging adults aging out of foster care. Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. Young Adult Ministry. Oblate School of Theology 

Conference Presentations

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (October, 2018). The Gift of Life through Death and Remembering: Incorporating Culturally Spiritual Symbolic Practices with Latino Communities. Latino Social Work Organization- Annual Conference, Chicago, Il.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (November, 2015). Ethical Responsibility of Self-Care: Taking Care of the Profession Through Taking Care of Me. National Association of Social Workers-Texas 39^th Annual State Conference, Galveston, TX.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A (April, 2015). Día de Los Muertos: Cultural Dimensions to Healing. The Association for Death Educators and Counseling 37^th Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX. 

Galán-Cisneros, P.A., Thompson, P., Medina, C., Gomez, R.J. (October, 2014). Inspiring social work values: Enhancing social work education through socialization and gatekeeping. Council on Social Work Education, 60^th Annual Meeting, Tampa Bay, FL.

Gomez, R.J., & Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (October, 2014). Just a link away: Engaging social work students through social media. Council on Social Work Education, 60^th Annual Meeting, Tampa Bay, FL.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (November, 2013). End-of-life nursing education consortium (ELNEC): Loss, grief, and bereavement. Annual Scientific Meeting-Gerontological Society of America, New Orleans, LA.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (November, 2012). End-of-life nursing education consortium (ELNEC): Loss, grief, and bereavement. ELNEC National Association of Social Worker, DC Chapter & VITAS: End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium, ELNEC Core Program. Washington, DC.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (March, 2013). Weaving ethics into social work. National Social Work Month, NASW San Antonio & Morningside Manor San Antonio, TX.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (October, 2012). Nuestra historia: A legacy of tradition, encouragement, and love. Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas 26^th Annual State Conference, Dallas, TX.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (July, 2012). End-of-life nursing education consortium (ELNEC): Loss, grief, and bereavement. ELNEC train the trainer CORE one day program. National Association of Hispanic Nurses 37^th Annual Conference: End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium, ELNEC Core Program. San Juan, PR.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (October, 2011). Advanced directives. Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas 25^th Annual State Conference, Ft. Worth, TX.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. & Webber, K. (April, 2010). Journey through compassion fatigue: Professional caregivers management. The 28^th Annual Convention of the Texas & New

Mexico Hospice Organization and The Annual Meeting of the Texas Academy of Palliative Medicine, San Antonio, TX.

Poster Presentations

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (October, 2018). Ethical Responsibility of Self-Care: Taking Care of the Profession Through Taking Care of Me. Latino Social Work Organization- Annual Conference, Chicago, Il. 

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (April, 2018). The Professional Responsibility of Self-Care: Taking Care of My Profession Through Taking Care of “Me”. The Catholic University of America Research Day, Washington, DC.

Program Facilitations and Speaking Engagements

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (October, 2020). Incorporating Culturally Spiritual Symbolic Practices with Latinx Communities, Virtual, Association for Death Education and Counseling.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (November, 2019). (Facilitated & Coordinated) The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Waking Dreams, Latino Social Work Organization, The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (July, 2019). (Guest Speaker) OLLU Ph.D. Summer Residency. Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (January 2015). (Facilitated & Coordinated) Understanding the Assertive You. Journey of Crossroads. Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas Latina’s In Progress, San Antonio, TX.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (2011- Present). My first Christmas in heaven. San Antonio, TX. Annual

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (2009- Present). Grief in the holidays. San Antonio, TX. Annual

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (2009- Present). Life after loss (Six-week bereavement community programs). San Antonio, TX. Annual

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (1999- Present). Día de los muertos: History, remembering, and healing. San Antonio, TX. Annual

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (1999). Día de los muertos: History, remembering, and healing. Chicago, IL.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (1999- Present). Día de los muertos: History, remembering, and healing. San Antonio, TX. Annual

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (December, 2013). Palo Alto College Academic Achievement Dinner. San Antonio, TX.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (May, 2013). Palo Alto College Commencement Ceremony. San Antonio, TX.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (March, 2013). Bearing witness: Healing and the arts at the end of live. San Antonio, TX.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (September, 2012). When families grieve. UT Health Science Center. San Antonio, TX.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (March, 2012). Bearing witness: Developing & enhancing a faith-based bereavement program. San Antonio, TX.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (March, 2011). Mid-wife of the soul: Bearing witness in death & dying. San Antonio, TX.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (June, 2010). Bearing witness in the process of death & dying: Clergy Resources for care at the end of life. San Antonio, TX.

Galán-Cisneros, P.A. (July, 2000). Encuentro 2000: The many faces in God’s house Los Angeles, CA.

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

• Society for Social Work Research, Student Member
• National Association of Social Workers, Member
• Council on Social Work Education, Member
• Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas-San Antonio Chapter Board Immediate Past Chair (2015-2016)
• Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas-San Antonio Chapter Chair (2013-2014)
• Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas-San Antonio Chapter Chair-Elect (2011-2012)
• Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas-San Antonio Chapter Member (2010-2011)
• Alzheimer’s Association Volunteer- Educational Summit Committee Member (2011-2013)
• Southeast Community Outreach for Older People- Board President & Member (2010-2013)
• Texas & New Mexico Hospice Organization- Convention Host Committee Member (2010-2011)
• American Heart Association “Vestido Rojo”- Committee Member (2009-2013)
• Social Justice Institute of San Antonio- Committee Member (2010-2016)

Awards

• The Ronald Keith Barrett, PhD Scholarship for Diversity and Multicultural Presentation Award (2020)
• Distinguished Alumni – Palo Alto College, San Antonio, TX (2020)
• Palo Alto College First Inaugural Outstanding Former Student Award (2013)
• Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas Estrella de Tejas Leadership Award (2012)
• Southeast Community Outreach for Older People Outstanding Volunteer (2012)
• Our Lady of the Lake Worden School of Social Service Nala Award (2012)
• VITAS Leadership Council Award for Community Service (2010)
• City of San Antonio Official Appreciation for Devoted Service to HWNT (2010)
• Blessed Sacrament Academy Teacher of the Year (2002)
• Outstanding Newmanite Award Palo Alto Catholic Campus Ministry (1993)