The Collective Treatment Programs is thrilled to share that our Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Kristen Zaleski, Ph.D., LCSW, has been named Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter (NASW-CA).

SOCIAL WORKER OF THE YEAR 2026

This prestigious award recognizes leaders who demonstrate exceptional commitment, advocacy, and tangible impact in elevating the social work field and supporting communities throughout California. Dr. Zaleski will be formally presented with the honor this October at the 2026 NASW-CA Annual Conference, an event bringing together practitioners statewide for professional development, collaboration, and advocacy.

Ryan Franke, CEO of The Collective Treatment Programs, shared:

“This recognition celebrates a career dedicated to service, clinical excellence, and innovation. Long before joining our team, Dr. Zaleski established herself as a nationally recognized authority on trauma, spending a decade as a Clinical Associate Professor at USC’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, founding the USC Keck Human Rights Clinic, and serving survivors through the UCLA Rape Treatment Center and the Department of Veterans Affairs. As an author of two seminal books and widely cited research on trauma and sexual violence, her academic and clinical contributions have shaped the landscape of modern social work.”

Dr. Zaleski has made a transformative difference across The Collective programs, guiding both clients and clinicians with unmatched clinical insight, empathy, and visionary leadership.

Please join our entire team in congratulating Dr. Zaleski on this well-earned achievement!