Meet the Instructor

David La Fazia

Assistant Teaching Professor, UW School of Social Work

David La Fazia is a social worker with more than 30 years of experience working with older adults and their family caregivers. He is the director of the UW Certificate in Gerontology program and co-chair of the clinical social work specialization at the UW School of Social Work. 

La Fazia’s research includes developing and implementing trials focused on cognitive-behavioral interventions for treating mood, behavioral problems, and sleep disturbances in older adults with dementia and their family caregivers. His research centers on serving vulnerable and underserved populations, especially LGBTQ+ older adults and caregivers, and he provides training to adult family homes, nursing facilities, assisted living residences, area aging agencies, veterans service agencies, associations and other entities to help implement programs to improve the lives of people with dementia and their family, nonfamily, and chosen caregivers.

La Fazia has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology and a certificate in gerontology from the University of Portland. He also has a master’s degree in social work and a Ph.D. from the University of Washington.