My Research Bio

Michael Zuch is an Austrian-American scholar, clinical therapist, and PhD student in Social Work. His research examines the structural determinants of immigrant and LGBTQ+ mental health and child welfare. Drawing from clinical practice and critical social theory, Michael works to expand existing models of mental health to better reflect systemic inequities and cross-cultural contexts. His emerging scholarship bridges research, advocacy, and clinical practice to advance health equity in public health and social work, particularly for immigrant communities.

Research Citations

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

1. Naing, H., Wai, S. Y., Naing, K. S., Smith, S., Zuch, M. T., Eby-McKenzie, T., Mainthow, N. & Givaudan, M. (2025). Randomized controlled trial on the healing drawing procedure group trauma treatment intervention provided by non-specialized mental health providers to gender based violence survivors and sex workers living in Yangon, Myanmar. International Journal for Psychology and Behavioral Health, 23(3), DOI:10.19080/PBSIJ.2025.23.556114

2. Alessi, E. J., Alexander, L., Zuch, M. T., Hillel, R. S., Parekh, M., Aziz, A., & Zadeh, L. (2025). How does necropower shape the everyday experience of LGBTQ+ people seeking asylum in England and Wales? Perspectives from providers and directly affected people. Sociology Compass, 19(7), e70086. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/soc4.70086

3. Held, M., Zuch, M. T., & Galvez, E. (2025). Policy-related stress and mental health among immigrants in the United States. Journal of International Migration and Integration. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-025-01233-5.

4. Diaz-Strong, D. X., Velazquillo, A., Roth, B., & Zuch, M. (2021). Social work research on immigrants and refugees: An analysis of content in leading journals from 2007-2016. Social Work, 66(2), 111-118.

5. Roth, B. J., Crea, T. M., Jani, J., Underwood, D., Hasson III, R. G., Evans, K., Zuch, M. T., & Hornung, E. (2018). Detached and afraid: U.S. immigration policy and the practice of forcibly separating parents and young children at the border. Child Welfare, 96(5), 29-49.

6. Zuch, M. T. (2015). The effectiveness of arts in trauma intervention: A literature review. Vanderbilt Undergraduate Research Journal, 10(1), 1-15.

Non-Peer Reviewed Publications

1. Zuch, M. T. (2021). The transformative potential of trauma recovery. Symposeum Magazine, (2). Available online at https://symposeum.us/the-transformative-potential-of-trauma-recovery/.

2. Zuch, M. T. (2018). The reintegration needs of male survivors of trafficking: Discussion & social work interventions. [Internal Report for Winrock International].

3. Yeo-Peterman, R. E. & Zuch, M. T. (2018). Resilience: Healing arts for resettled refugees [curriculum]. 1st Edition. Seattle, WA: First Aid Arts.