Jude Graether

Joined UMass: 2024.

Education: M.S.W. (expected completion August 2025) from Smith College School of Social Work, Northampton, MA; B.S. in Psychology (2017) from Union College, Schenectady, NY 

Professional Experience: Most recently, I provided support at home and in the community for folks with chronic and severe mental health diagnoses. Prior to pursuing my degree in clinical social work, I spent several years as a counselor/advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence with an emphasis on queer and trans survivors who are disproportionately affected by these forms of interpersonal violence and face additional barriers to healing, safety, and justice. I’ve also done work with teens devising and performing original plays about their lives, which sparked my interest in working with individuals to alleviate suffering through compassionate witnessing while holding space for appropriate playfulness in the journey of self-expression and healing. 

More about me: Outside of work and school, I spend my time biking, cooking, being in green spaces, catching local live music, and watching movies with my partner and our 2 cats. I love learning to do new things with my body to complement all the academic learning – last year’s project was basic sewing and altering clothes, and this year’s has been playing softball and basketball. Stay tuned for whatever hobby 2025 brings!