Cassie DeSena-Jacobs, D.S.W., LCSW, M.S., is a clinical social worker with over 19 years of experience in New York and Virginia. Cassie’s work has focused on trauma-informed, anti-racist and culturally competent care in various communities, including acute hospital work, community social work and direct practice in New York and Virginia. Cassie has a history of working with nonprofits on micro and macro levels, including building nonprofits, developing programming and facilitating therapeutic training

Since 2019, Cassie has been teaching at VCU School of Social Work. A first-generation college student, she is passionate about her position at VCU. Her teaching interests include trauma-informed care through an anti-racist, culturally competent lens when working with children, adolescents, adults and families. Her clinical expertise is in trauma, serious mental illness and mental health practices. Cassie’s research focuses on the school to prison pipeline and creating training for school staff focused on inherent bias, cultural humility, trauma and relationship building. Cassie has worked on leading clinical labs, developing curriculum around trauma and serious mental illness, and launching two continuing education series on serious mental illness during her time at VCU.

In July 2024, Cassie took on the role of director of mental health initiatives, with the goal to oversee and coordinate all mental health initiative activities. The mental health initiative focuses on growing the VCU School of Social Work’s mental health and behavioral health coursework and other educational opportunities, with a particular focus on severe mental illnesses (SMI). This includes the M.S.W. Certificate in Mental Health and the Minor in Mental Health Practice, both launching in Fall 2025.

Cassie maintains a small private practice, which focuses on adolescents and adults who have experienced sexual trauma, trauma within family of origin and complex PTSD. She also has extensive experience providing inclusive care for the LGBTQIA + population and those who have worked in sex work. In her practice, Cassie’s goal is to be non-judgmental and highlight the strength of a person as a way to process trauma and life events.