Katherine van Wormer

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Katherine van Wormer, a professor of social work at the University of Northern Iowa and a writer on addiction treatment, claimed in an Irish Times article on May 6, 2003 that U.S. president George W. Bush seems to display "all the classic patterns of addictive thinking".

Dr. van Wormer holds a B.A. in English from the University of North Carolina, a postgraduate degree in education from Queen's University of Belfast, a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Georgia, and an MSSW from the University of Tennessee.

According to her website at the University of Northern Iowa, she is active in the "civil rights and peace movements" at home and in Northern Ireland. Her academic work focuses on women in prison and alcoholism treatment. She worked as an alcoholism counselor in Washington State and Ohio, and for two years as a program director at a treatment center north of Hamar, Norway.

Despite her academic record, her primary notoriety is from her criticism of Bush. Critics have responded to her assertions in a number of ways, usually citing her lack of formal medical training and specifically her lack of a medical degree and license to practice medicine. Her analysis also relies on Bush's public statements, writings, and actions, without reference to his private medical records.

[edit] Publications

Human Behavior and the Social Environment (2007) a two volume set, Oxford University Press.

Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work: The US in Global Perspective(2006). Brooks/Cole.

• Confronting Oppression, Restoring Justice: From Policy Analysis to Social Action. (2004). Alexandria, VA: CSWE.

• Addiction Treatment: A Strengths Perspective. (2003). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Co-authored with Diane Davis. Instructor’s Manual to accompany text.

• Counseling Female Offenders and Victims: A Strengths-Restorative Approach. (2001). New York: Springer.

• Women and the Criminal Justice System: Gender, Class, and Race. (2000). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Co-authored with Clem Bartollas.

• Social Work with Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexuals: A Strengths Perspective. (2000) Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Co-authored with Joel Wells and Mary Boes.

• Social Welfare: A World View. (1997). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 685 pp.

• Alcoholism Treatment: A Social Work Perspective. (1995). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 350 pp.