Dr. Adi Barak
Loss in Israeli society; Arts in Psychotherapy; Group Dynamics
CV
I see myself as a critical social work researcher, practitioner, and pedagogue. My research into critical social work bridges theories of constructivist psychology, creative arts, and critical theory. Through this multidisciplinary lens, I try to understand how dominant sociopolitical narratives play a part in individuals’ well-being and meaning-making processes; what critical consciousness is and how it can be promoted in intervention; and what clients’ critical perspectives on various interventions and programs are. I use creative arts as a methodology to explore the abovementioned questions, and also as a specific focus of research within my broader subject. Against this backdrop, I ask how creative arts can become a tool for negotiating meanings and gaining political insight, in therapy as well as in social work education.
I explore these topics horizontally – that is, across different populations, communities and social settings – integrating the abovementioned theoretical subjects and applying a variety of qualitative approaches. Having acquired an interdisciplinary education - a PhD in social work and an MFA in theatre - I put an emphasis on interdisciplinary research that draws on theories of social sciences as well as the humanities.
Publications
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
Barak, A. (in press). Fusing Horizons in Qualitative Research: Gadamer and Cultural Resonances. Qualitative Research in Psychology.
Wolk, N., Barak, A., & Yaniv, D. (2020). Different Shades of Beauty: Adolescents’ Perspectives on Drawing From Observation. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1-10.
Barak, A., Stebbins, A. (2020). Anticipated Alienation and Critical Social Work: Returning Citizens’ Perspectives on Reentry. The British Journal of Social Work. Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcaa069
Barak, A. (2019). My Childhood Neighborhood: A Critical Autoethnography. Qualitative Inquiry. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/1077800419843565
Barak. I*, & Barak, A. (2019). Israeli Ethiopian Female Adolescents' Perspectives on Alliances with Social Workers: Agency, Power, and Performing Identity. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 89(1), 77-85.
Barak, A. (2019). Critical Questions on Critical Social Work: Students' Perspectives. The British Journal of Social Work, 49(8), 2130-2147.
Bina, R., Barak, A., Posmontier, B., Glasser, S., & Cinamon, T. (2018). Social workers’ perceptions of barriers to interpersonal therapy implementation for treating postpartum depression in a primary care setting in Israel. Health & social care in the community, 26, 75-84.
Elran Barak, R., Barak, A., Cohen-Ashkenazi, S., & Schifter, T. (2018). Barriers to Hospital Admission among People with Eating Disorders: A Qualitative Internet-Based Study. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 27(6), 1784-1792.
Elran-Barak, R., Barak, A., Lomranz, J., & Benyamini, Y. (2018) Proactive Aging among Holocaust Survivors: Striving for the Best Possible Life. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 73(8), 1446-1456.
Barak, A., & Stebbins, A. (2017). Imaginary Dialogues: Witnessing in Prison-Based Creative Arts Therapies. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 56, 53-60.
Barak, A., & Stebbins, A. (2017). Reentry as Performance: Reflections from Institution X. Critical Social Policy, 37, 287-309.
Barak, A., & Leichtentritt, R.D. (2017). Creative Writing After Traumatic Loss: Towards a Generative Writing Approach. British Journal of Social Work, 47(3), 936-954.
Leichtentritt, R. D., Shamir, M. M., Barak, A., & Yerushalmi, A. (2016). Bodies as means for continuing post-death relationships. Journal of health psychology, 21(5), 738-749.
Barak, A. (2016). Critical Consciousness in Critical Social Work: Learning from the Theatre of the Oppressed. British Journal of Social Work, 46(6), 1776-1792.
Barak, A., & Leichtentritt, R.D. (2015). Ideological Meaning Making After the Loss of a Child: The Case of Israeli Bereaved Parents. Death Studies, 39, 360-368.
Barak, A., Speilberger, J. & Gitlow, E. (2014). The Challenge of Relationships and Fidelity: Home Visitors' Perspectives. Children and Youth Services Review, 42, 50-58.
Barak, A., & Lichtentreit, R. (2014). The Configurations of Time in Bereaved Parents' Narratives. Qualitative Health Research, 24(8), 1090-1101.
Barak, A. (2013). Playback Theatre and Narrative Therapy: Introducing a New Model. Dramatherapy, 35, 108-119.
Leichtentritt, R. D., Yerushalmi, A., & Barak, A. (2013). Characteristics of the Ongoing Bond. British Journal of Social Work, 45(4), 1102-1118.
Krumer-Nevo, M., Barak, A. & Teichman, M. (2007) Inclusion and its implementation: Youth workers' perspectives on an experimental social-business initiative for 'at-risk' youth in Israeli community centers. Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, 2, 257-260.
Krumer-Nevo, M., & Barak, A. (2007) Service Users and Personal Social Services in Israel: Are We Ready to Hear What Clients Want to Tell Us? Journal of Social Services Research, 34, 27-42.
Krumer-Nevo, M., & Barak, A. (2006). Service Users' Perspectives on the Benefits System in Israel: A Participatory Action Research. Social Policy and Administration, 40, 774-790.
Krumer-Nevo, M. & Barak, A. (2006). Participatory action research: The perspectives of social service users regarding social services. Bitachon Sociali (Social Security), 72, 11-39. (Hebrew)
Krumer-Nevo, M., Barak, A. & Teichman, M. (2006). Implementing inclusion: Youth "at risk" at the Israeli Community Center Network. Mifgash (Encounter), 22, 33-56. (Hebrew)
Peer Reviewed Book Chapters
Barak, A. (2020). From language to art: A Marcusian approach to critical social work pedagogy. In C. Morley, P. Ablett, C. Noble and S. Cowden (Eds). The Routledge Handbook of Critical Pedagogies for Social Work: New Perspectives on Educating for Social Change (pp. 96-107). London: Routledge.
Courses
76751301 - Qualitative Research Methods B
76761001 - The Drama of Art: From Narrative to Therapy (Seminar)
76761101 - The Drama of Art: From Narrative to Therapy (Practicum)
76762001 - Expressive Arts, Therapy, and Therapist
Research
- Critical Social Work
- Arts in Psychotherapy and Research
- Political Psychotherapy
Last Updated Date : 06/10/2024
