Reena Patel
Reena Patel earned her MSW from Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai, India as a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar. She was the first American to graduate from TISS School of Social Work, one of the oldest social work institutions in Asia. Ms. Patel received the NASW Emerging Social Work Leader of the Year for AZ Chapter Branch II in 2018. Ms. Patel work experience has included working on the San Carlos Apache Reservation and with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe as a mental health therapist. Ms. Patel was also trained in providing trauma-informed care for formerly homeless and foster care youth in transitional housing at San Diego Youth Services. She also worked as a clinician for active-duty military and their families on a US Naval Base in Naples, Italy. Ms. Patel also taught as a Faculty Associate for Arizona State University School of Social and has taught courses in Diversity and Oppression in Social Work Context. She currently works as a Clinical Manager at Old Pueblo Community Services, a housing first and harm reduction organization. Ms. Patel has a deep interest in the multigenerational effects of trauma and post-traumatic growth in marginalized communities. Ms. Patel has worked with the Trauma Resource Institute since 2016, and has traveled domestically and internationally as a trainer. Most recently, Ms. Patel traveled to India with TRI as part of the SEE Learning Program launch, and helped to translate media materials into Hindi.
