Matthew Atwood
Dr. Atwood is a contributing faculty member at Walden University member in the field of behavioral health. He has been a licensed social worker since 2004 and has worked in a variety of work and client settings in order to provide a well-rounded perspective and experience to offer students at Walden University.
He gained his first experience in social work as a case manager for juvenile offenders and children at risk in Wichita, Kansas. His admiration for the therapist that he worked with led him to become a social worker. His first job as a licensed social worker was working as a bereavement counselor for a hospice agency. He always wanted to join the military, and so he was provided that opportunity to become a social work officer in the US Air Force and gained experience in family advocacy, mental health counseling, and drug and alcohol treatment. After the Air Force, he worked as a social science researcher for the Department of Army in the Human Terrain Systems program to provide social-cultural information to commanders. He then worked with soldiers who were being discharged from the military. He also worked part-time as a psychiatric hospital social worker. Currently, Dr. Atwood works at the Leavenworth, Kansas, Veterans Hospital as a social work coordinator counseling therapist with an emphasis on drug and alcohol counseling, mental health, and crisis counseling.
Dr. Atwood earned a Bachelor's degree in sociology at Brigham Young University with an emphasis in research and analysis and minors in business administration and psychology, a Master of Social work at Wichita State University, and a Doctorate degree at Northcentral University. He is very happy to have the opportunity to work at Walden University to help give back what other teachers gave him when he was a student.
Courses Taught
SOCW 6121 - Advanced Social Work Practice II
Education
PhD, Northcentral University
MSW, Wichita State University
BS, Brigham Young University
Public Service
Boy Scouts of America, Volunteer - Leavenworth
Leavenworth Soccer Association, Volunteer - Leavenworth
Awards / Honors
Golden Key International Honor Society, Golden Key International Honor Society, 2018
Meritorious Unit Award National; Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; AF Training Ribbon; NATO Civil Service Medal; Commanders Award for Civilian Service; Global War on Terrorism; Civilian Service Medal, Federal Government, 2011
Military and Civilian Awards, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, 2012
Publications
Atwood, M. J. (2018). A Qualitative Phenomenological Study of Anticipative Savoring Strategies of Older Adults.