Sarah B. Coughlin.
Specialty: Clinical
Field of Practice: 惭别苍迟补濒听贬别补濒迟丑
Job Title: Member of the聽Massachusetts Parole Board聽and private practice clinician
Location: Massachusetts
As a member of the Massachusetts Parole Board, Sarah Coughlin champions a more humane vision of justice鈥攐ne that recognizes and addresses the environmental and systemic factors that drive harm and disconnection.
She credits her experience at the Boston College School of Social Work with helping to shape her commitment to promoting the self determination of her clients.
"Social work blends advocacy, compassion, and respect for human dignity," says Coughlin, MSW'07.聽 "I love social work's commitment to seeing each person within their unique context and honoring their right to choose their own path."
What advice would you give to a current MSW student?
Bring compassion and humanity into every space. Challenge systems boldly, uphold core social work values, and care for yourself鈥攜our own wellbeing fuels the courage and persistence justice requires.
What do you do?
I am currently serving as Governor Healy's first appointment to the Massachusetts Parole Board and Advisory Board of Pardons as one of seven individuals responsible for evaluating people's eligibility, conducting hearings, and making legal determinations regarding release and supervision. In this role I am constantly advocating for a more humane approach to justice and for our system to acknowledge and address the environmental and systemic factors that contribute to harm and disconnection.
Why social work?
Social work blends advocacy, compassion, and respect for human dignity. I love social work's commitment to seeing each person within their unique context and honoring their right to choose their own path. The field allows me to walk alongside people from all backgrounds and learn from their experiences and work collectively to address the root causes of injustices and inequities. It's a career built on compassion, growth, and human connection.
What is most rewarding?
My social work career has profoundly changed me as a human in ways that I am forever grateful. Every human interaction offers a chance for internal growth, to witness resilience, foster dignity, and create meaningful systems changes. The diversity of experiences and human connections makes the work endlessly dynamic, deeply humbling, and profoundly fulfilling.