Dr. Cavel's research interests are highly influenced by her 10 years of experience working with children and families. Her comprehensive exam topic for her doctoral studies at Smith College School for Social Work was entitled "An Exploration of the Influence of Defense Mechanisms on Placement Instability within the Foster Care System." She also published in "Perspectives on Social Work," a journal of the Doctoral Students of the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, an article entitled "Reflections on countertransference and the holding environment in psychodynamic social work practice." Currently, she has a special interest in understanding emotional abuse, and in particular, the psychological response to emotional abuse from those investigating cases of abuse and neglect who encounter its adverse effects on children.
