About the Developer
Kimberly Weeks is a licensed clinical social worker and Doctor of Social Work (DSW) candidate at Simmons University with more than 20 years of experience in social work and behavioral health practice. Her professional background includes work in mental health services, trauma-informed care, psychosocial assessment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community-based behavioral health support. Kimberly is also an adult adoptee and partner to an individual affected by Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), experiences that have contributed to her interest in environmental health awareness, housing conditions, trauma-informed perspectives, and the relationship between environmental stressors and overall well-being. The Environmental Justice–Informed Mental Health Practice Framework (EJ-MHPF) was developed as part of her doctoral capstone project and reflects an interdisciplinary interest in environmental justice, housing conditions, trauma-informed perspectives, social determinants of health, and environmentally informed mental health practice. Her work focuses on increasing awareness of how environmental housing conditions and structural inequities may influence psychological well-being, chronic stress, and broader health experiences. Grounded in person-in-environment perspectives, resilience theory, trauma-informed care, environmental justice frameworks, and DEIPAR-informed practice, the EJ-MHPF was designed as a professional educational resource to support clinicians, educators, students, researchers, and interdisciplinary providers.
Kimberly R. Weeks, LCSW, DSW(c)
CADC III, CIMHP, C-DBT, EMDR-Certified Therapist
Founder, Environmental Justice–Informed Mental Health Practice Framework (EJ-MHPF)
Positionality Statement
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Doctor of Social Work candidate, educated White female, and partner to an individual living with chronic illness and disability, I recognize that my personal, professional, educational, and social identities shape how I understand environmental justice, mental health, trauma, health inequities, and access to resources.
My worldview has been influenced by more than 20 years of professional experience in mental health and social service systems, as well as personal experiences navigating health-related and environmental stressors within my own household. These intersecting identities contribute to my understanding of how environmental conditions and structural inequities influence community well-being.
I recognize that aspects of my positionality provide me with forms of privilege and relatively greater access to many societal rewards. As an educated White female with access to professional systems, I have benefited from social mobility and protection from many forms of systemic discrimination experienced by marginalized populations.
These privileges have afforded me opportunities not equally accessible to all. Supporting a chronically ill and disabled partner has deepened my awareness of the barriers many encounter within healthcare and housing systems, increasing my sensitivity to the ways these stressors impact stability and quality of life.
I also recognize that my positionality may be perceived differently across service populations. Individuals from historically marginalized backgrounds may question whether I can fully understand lived experiences shaped by systemic racism or environmental injustice that I have not personally experienced.
The EJ-MHPF is grounded in principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, intersectionality, power analysis, and antiracism (DEIPAR). My intention is to contribute a conceptual educational resource that promotes more holistic, equitable, and environmentally aware approaches within clinical social work practice.
Mission
The mission of the Environmental Justice–Informed Mental Health Practice Framework (EJ-MHPF) is to promote greater awareness of how environmental housing conditions, structural inequities, and environmental stressors may intersect with mental health, trauma-informed practice, and overall well-being. Through interdisciplinary education, professional training resources, and socially responsive perspectives, the EJ-MHPF seeks to support clinicians, educators, students, researchers, and interdisciplinary providers in developing more holistic, environmentally informed, and equity-centered approaches to mental health practice, leadership, advocacy, and community well-being.
Vision
The vision of the Environmental Justice–Informed Mental Health Practice Framework (EJ-MHPF) is to contribute to a future in which environmental justice, housing conditions, and social determinants of health are more fully recognized within interdisciplinary mental health education, public health awareness, and social work practice. The EJ-MHPF aspires to support greater collaboration, environmental awareness, ethical reflection, and socially responsive leadership in efforts to promote healthier environments, more equitable systems, and improved community well-being.
NASW Code of Ethics
As a long-standing member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the developer is committed to upholding the profession's core values and ethical principles, including service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. The EJ-MHPF reflects these commitments by promoting environmental awareness, social justice, culturally responsive practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and holistic person-in-environment approaches to mental health. Consistent with the NASW Code of Ethics, the framework emphasizes the importance of addressing social and environmental conditions that may influence individual and community well-being while supporting ethical, equitable, and evidence-informed social work practice. The developer’s professional interests include environmental justice, trauma-informed social work practice, interdisciplinary education, systems advocacy, housing-related health disparities, leadership development, and socially responsive approaches to mental health care and community well-being. This educational platform was created to promote interdisciplinary learning, reflective practice, and greater awareness of environmental factors that may intersect with mental health, public health, and social work practice.