Bruce Thyer

Distinguished Research Professor
Bruce Thyer

Contact Information

Office Location
University Center C3411
bthyer@fsu.edu

Dr. Bruce Thyer is an LCSW in Florida and Georgia and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. His professional interests include promoting evidence-based practice, outcome evaluation of social work practice and clinical theory. He is the editor of the journal Research on Social Work Practice and co-edits the Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. He is a fellow of the Society for Social Work Research, the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare and the America Psychological Association.

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AREAS OF FOCUS

  • Intervention Research
  • Research Design/Methods

EDUCATION

  • PhD, 1982, University of Michigan, Social Work & Psychology
  • MA, 1979, University of Michigan, Psychology
  • MSW, 1978, University of Georgia, Social Work
  • BSc, 1976, University of Maryland, Psychology

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=8qH8Qv0AAAAJ&hl=en

ResearchGate: www.researchgate.net/profile/Bruce-Thyer

SELECTED PEER REVIEW ARTICLES AND PUBLICATIONS

Silberberg, P. J. & Thyer, B. A. (2024). Evolutionary psychology and social work. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 34(1), 79-104. 
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/10911359.2023.2168817?needAccess=true

Breaux, H. P., Timbers, V. L. & Thyer, B. A. (2024). Prohibiting harmful practices against some LGBTQIA+ individuals and students in field placement:  Recommendations.  Journal of Social Work Education, 60(20), 183-192.          https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2023.2260866

Thyer, B. A. (2024). Behavioral assessment as an alternative to the DSM:  Suggestions for psychotherapists. Best Practices in Mental Health, 20(1), 50-69.

Yelick, A. & Thyer, B. A. (2025). Using a structured decision-making model to inform child welfare practice in Florida:  Safety versus removal. Journal of Public Child Welfare, 19(1), 211-228. https://doi.org/10.1080/15548732.2024.2312844

Thyer, B. A. (2025). Mandated ideologies are harmful to social work practice and research. Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 45(2), 298–316. https://doi.org/10.1080/08841233.2025.246956l

Marks, L. L. & Thyer, B. A. (in press). Promoting policy practice among social work students:  A review of outcome studies.  Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare.

BOOKS PUBLISHED

Thyer, B. A. & Pignotti, M. (2015).  Science and pseudoscience in social work practice.  Springer Publishing Company.

Royse, D., Thyer, B. A. & Padgett, D. K. (2016).  Program evaluation:  An evidence-based approach (6th edition).  Cengage

Figley, C. F., Yarvis, J. & Thyer, B. A. (Eds.) (2020).  Combat social work:  Applying the lessons of war to the realities of human services.  Oxford University Press.

Thyer, B. A. (2023). Experimental research designs in social work: Theory and applications. Columbia University Press.

Bruce Thyer