Assistant Professor
University of Connecticut School of Social Work
Dr. Gio Iacono is an assistant professor at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. He completed his PhD and MSW at the University of Toronto. His areas of research and scholarship are organized into two interconnected aims: (1) promoting the holistic well-being of LGBTQIA+ young people and (2) transforming social work education and training to sustain culturally responsive practice. Dr. Iacono has collaboratively developed an LGBTQIA+ affirmative mindfulness-based intervention (Tuned In!) with LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults. A community-based participatory research pilot study of Tuned In! found significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and psychological distress, as well as increased mindfulness, self-compassion, and sexual self-efficacy among LGBTQIA+ young people at post-testing, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. Gio has worked as a psychotherapist, clinical social worker, educator, community organizer, and researcher in a variety of health and community-based settings for nearly 20 years. His community organizing and advocacy work have primarily focused on LGBTQIA+ communities. Gio has also been a mindfulness practitioner and certified mindfulness teacher for many years, integrating contemplative practices into his work as an educator, researcher, and clinician. Dr. Iacono’s work is funded by the Mind & Life Institute.
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