KURT OLSSON, DSW, LCSW
5806 Ridge Point Road, Midlothian, VA 23112 | (804) 304-5908 | kurt.l.olsson@gmail.com
PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS
I work to understand and utilize the influences of emotion and motivation on human behavior in the
social environment, particularly to benefit those seeking treatment for substance use disorders and other
addictions.
EDUCATION
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Doctor of Social Work
2014
Capstone: “Acceptance and Change: A Comparison of COMBINE Study Mood Outcomes”
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
Master of Social Work
Constructive credit track (clinical emphasis)
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
Bachelor of Science in Social Work
Utah Valley State College, Orem, UT
Associate of Science in Behavioral Science
With Honors
2003
2001
1999
PRACTICE AND LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Agency Director/Counseling Manager – LDS Family Services, Virginia
Trained and supervised professional staff; supervised/mentored
graduate students in field placements; controlled agency operational
budget; maintained a network of approved clinical providers; provided
professional consultation to ecclesiastical clients and other professionals;
maintained regulatory compliance; and pioneered new methods for
adoption service delivery.
Adoption Committee Chair/Director –
Colorado Association of Family and Children’s Agencies (CAFCA)
Chaired the adoption committee of the organization; coordinated
legislative and advocacy priorities; and represented adoption agency
members as a voting member of the Board of Directors.
Practitioner – LDS Family Services, Colorado
Provided direct clinical services for a wide diagnostic range; recruited
and supervised clinical staff; directed over 20 volunteers in managing the
outreach program; created database for electronic client records and
2008 - present
2006 - 2007
2003 - 2008
KURT OLSSON, DSW, LCSW
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producing uniform legal documents for adoption before a system-wide
implementation of another system.
Clinical Intern – LDS Family Services, Provo, Utah
Provided intake and direct clinical services; outreach.
2002 - 2003
Clinical Intern – Utah County Human Services
Provided direct clinical services, individual and group, at residential and
intensive outpatient levels of substance abuse treatment.
2002
Group Living Counselor & BSW Intern – Provo Canyon School
Created and led a psychoeducation group for aggression with adolescent
residential clients; provided mentoring under supervision of clinician;
implemented the behavioral milieu treatment for preadolescents.
1999 - 2001
Owner/Operator – Progressive Installations
Provided blinds/drapery installation services and consultation to interior
designers throughout Utah County; managed the communications,
financial, and legal requirements of operating a business.
1998 - 1999
TEACHING/TRAINING EXPERIENCE
Although I have made dozens of presentations to lay audiences on topics of mental, emotional, and
behavioral health, I have listed here only those that have a more specific clinical focus, designed for
professional audiences.
Presenter – “Integrating Brief Mindfulness-based Interventions into Practice”
LDS Family Services, Frederick, MD
Presenter – “Missionary Motivation”
LDS Family Services, Frederick, MD
Presenter – “Addiction and Recovery”
AMCAP of Virginia Annual Conference, Alexandria, VA
Presenter – “Distance Counseling and Other Tech Tools for Practitioners”
LDS Family Services, Boston, MA
Presenter – “Fundamentals of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy”
LDS Family Services, Richmond, VA
Presenter – “Time-Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy”
LDS Family Services, Dale City, VA
Presenter – “Stages of Change and Motivational Interviewing”
LDS Family Services, Richmond, VA
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Doctoral Student/Candidate
2013-2014
KURT OLSSON, DSW, LCSW
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Conducted a literature review focused on mood outcomes in substance
use relapse prevention studies, followed by a secondary data analysis on
a large multi-site clinical trial.
LDS Family Services/CAFCA, Denver, CO
Practitioner/Taskforce Chair
Conducted a statutory and case law review focused on birth father rights
in adoption law, putative father registries, and other mechanisms for
assuring due process in adoption cases. Worked with stakeholders, bill
writers, committee members, and legislators to draft, revise, and
ultimately enact a new procedure to expedite the legal processes
involved in adoption in the state of Colorado.
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
Research Assistant
Developed a custom solution to facilitate collecting clinical research data
onsite (i.e., database, user interface, data export coding, training
materials, etc.); variable coding and data entry, management, and
preparation for federally funded community program evaluation project.
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
ORCA Scholar
Proposed and conducted a grant funded, independent research project
as an undergraduate student, utilizing surveys and attribution measures.
Utah Valley State College, Orem, UT
Behavioral Science Research Student
Proposed, conducted, and reported on an independent research project
as an undergraduate student, utilizing parent surveys and reading
assessments in children’s school records.
2003-2005
2001-2002
1999-2000
1999
PUBLICATIONS, PAPERS, AND POSTERS
In preparation:
Olsson, K. L. Addressing negative affect in substance use relapse prevention.
Olsson, K. L. Effortless self-control: A state mediated model of automatic self-regulation.
Olsson, K. L. State regulated motivation in substance use disorders.
Published or presented:
Olsson, K. L. & Harper, J. M. (2000). Do perceptive people have more satisfied spouses? Journal
of Undergraduate Research, 5, 285-287.
Olsson, K. L. (1999, April). The effects of parental attitudes and behaviors on the literacy
development of children enrolled in a literacy focused preschool. Poster session presented at
the semi-annual Behavioral Science Research Conference, Orem, UT.
AWARDS
KURT OLSSON, DSW, LCSW
ORCA Undergraduate Research Scholarship, Brigham Young University
MEMBERSHIPS
National Association of Social Workers
Council on Social Work Education
Society for Social Work and Research
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1999