THERAPIST, AUTHOR, SPEAKER

Gabriela Zapata-Alma, LCSW, CADC

Liberation-centered bilingual, multicultural leader in trauma and power-based violence

Gabriela is a national expert with 20 years’ experience cultivating healing, equity, and liberation with individuals and communities impacted by interpersonal and structural violence. All services are available in Spanish and English.

Therapist

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Author

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Speaker

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Clinical Supervisor

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Consultant

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Faculty

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Therapist • Author • Speaker • Clinical Supervisor • Consultant • Faculty •

Gabriela deeply values interdependence and being in right relationship with their diasporic and ancestral lands as a community member, partner, parent, and future ancestor. When they are not cultivating healing and justice, they can be found with their nose in a book, their fingers in the soil, roaming through forests, or singing and dancing with family.

VALUES + MY COMMITMENT

My Values Are Core to My Work

Liberation

The ongoing process through which each of us achieves freedom from oppression and its harms. The conditions where personal and public sovereignty are honored while we collectively work towards a world where each being can develop and use their unique gifts as we choose to, as it aligns with our heart and soul’s journey within the larger web of existence.

Interdependence, Harmony,
and Balance

Recognizing and honoring our place within the interdependent web of existence, we humbly come into right relationship and solidarity with all other beings, including the Earth. Actively protecting against exploitation, we nurture sustainable relationships of care, respect, mutuality, and justice.

Transformation

As a snake sheds its skin, we bravely let go of what no longer serves us, allowing ourselves to grow into an even more authentic version of ourselves within an ongoing process of becoming that transcends life and death.

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

Therapy tailored to your unique journey and strengths

I approach you as the expert on your life and the author of your own existence. My role is to serve as a supportive partner and guide, creating a space where you can connect with your own healing power and wisdom. Therapy is never one-size-fits-all with me.

I consider therapy a science and an art deeply rooted in millennia of healing traditions. By blending modern, evidence-based approaches with time-honored practices and creative innovation, I craft a personalized path that supports you in reaching your goals.

“It is with enthusiasm that I recommend Gabriela Zapata-Alma, LCSW, CADC, as a speaker for your next event. Gabriela is a recognized leader in behavioral health, one of the most effective behavioral health presenters in the country, and is equally effective as a workshop presenter, plenary, and keynote speaker. Gabriela’s strengths are the ability to integrate cutting-edge material, evidence-based practices, solid research, and historical data in a manner that holds the audience’s attention. In my four decades as a behavioral health speaker, I have watched hundreds of speakers do presentations. Gabriela is among the best and receives my highest recommendation.”

– Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC, International Expert and Speaker

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International Speaker and Trainer

Gabriela is a highly sought-after public speaker and trainer

Available for:

  • Keynotes

  • Panels

  • Media Appearances

  • Workshops

  • Seminars

  • Webinars

  • Conferences

  • Symposia

  • Guest Lectures

  • Expert Convenings

  • Continuing Education

  • Professional and Workforce Development

Topics include:

  • Trauma 

  • Mental Health 

  • Substance Use

  • Harm Reduction 

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Power-Based Violence

  • Cultural Responsiveness

  • Anti-Oppression, Anti-Racism

  • Evidence-Based Practice

  • Housing

  • Leadership, Management

  • Clinical Supervision

  • Crisis Prevention and Response

KIND WORDS FOR GABRIELA

  • "I've had the pleasure of working with Gabriela as a colleague through partner organization collaboration, collective advocacy efforts, and as a clinical mentor and social work supervisor. I was drawn to Gabriela's content knowledge around harm reduction and substance use, domestic violence, and trauma-conscious mental health services. "

    – Clinical Supervision

  • "Gabriela is a recognized leader in behavioral health. Areas of expertise include: substance use disorder, mental health, co-occurring disorders treatment, trauma-informed care, addressing intimate partner violence, and motivational interviewing. Gabriela often provides consultations in the aforementioned areas of expertise."

    - Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC

  • “Gabriela is an amazing professor. Their class on harm reduction was one of the most thought-provoking, honest, and engaging classes I have taken at UChicago. Their anti–oppressive and transformative justice lens is super valuable and should be a requirement for anyone going into the field of social work.”

    – Student

  • “This course has equipped us with knowledge, but more importantly, it has instilled in us a sense of responsibility to contribute to a more just and compassionate world. I will take this learning beyond the classroom, apply it in our communities, and continue to advocate for change.”

    – Student

  • “Gabriela was an excellent professor who really cared about the student's learning experience. They prompted engaging discussions and answered any questions in a kind and thoughtful manner. I learned a lot about harm reduction approaches for different populations and I enjoyed learning about direct practice and macro strategies to harm reduction.”

    – Student

Clinical SUPERVISION

Clinical supervision is the cornerstone of clinicians’ effectiveness and growth 

I offer clinical supervision (regularly scheduled sessions) and clinical consultation (as needed) for people seeking to work one-on-one as well as organizations seeking an experienced clinical supervisor for individual or group supervision.

My approach to clinical supervision is relational and based on an understanding of the clinician(s), their strengths, their goals, and how they best learn and receive feedback.

COACHING + CONSULTATION

Amplify your impact with Gabriela

Grounded in real-world experience and an unwavering commitment to equity, Gabriela is a trusted consultant for leaders, nonprofits, corporations, and governments seeking to increase their impact in service of their mission.

A Selection Articles and Publications from Gabriela

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    Faith and Spirituality in Trauma Resilience, Recovery, and Healing

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    Committed to Safety for ALL Survivors: Guidance for Domestic Violence Programs on Supporting Survivors Who Use Substances

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    Behavioral Health News: Striving for Compassionate Recovery-Oriented Substance Use Care

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    New Research Findings Highlight the Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on Maternal Mental Health

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    Mental Health Treatment in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence

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    7 Common Practices in Substance Use Disorder That Can Hurt Survivors

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    Expanding Bystander Intervention Training

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    Social, Emotional, and Relational Climate

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    Substance Use Coercion Echo Toolkit

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    Women's Plan and Practitioner Toolkit

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Gabriela deeply values interdependence and being in right relationship with their diasporic and ancestral lands as a community member, partner, parent, and future ancestor. 

When they are not cultivating healing and justice, they can be found with their nose in a book, their fingers in the soil, roaming through forests, or singing and dancing with family.