About Laura Gambrel
I have over fifteen years of experience working with children, adolescents, families, and communities, both in the United States and abroad. I have worked in educational, community, government, and non-profit settings. I have experience in teaching, clinical work, and both quantitative and qualitative research. I have over twenty years of personal meditation experience, which I integrate into my professional work. My research interests center on clinical applications of mindfulness for couples and families, creative methods in MFT training, and supporting couples through the transition to parenthood. I was awarded the Family Process Institute Dissertation Grant, the 2013 Virginia Tech Outstanding Dissertation Award, and the 2013 AAMFT Dissertation Award for my research related to mindfulness and pregnant couples.
I am currently an associate professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Previously, I was an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at La Salle University in Philadelphia. I have my doctorate in marriage and family therapy from Virginia Tech. I completed my doctoral internship at Appalachian State University in the Department of Human Development and Psychological Counseling where I taught and supervised graduate level therapists-in-training.
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in North Carolina and a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Colorado. I have my master's degree in contemplative psychotherapy from Naropa University. I am an AAMFT approved supervisor as well and have provided supervision mentorship to people training to be supervisors. I am trained in mindfulness and meditation, play therapy, sandtray and art therapy, Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy, PREPARE/ENRICH, and group facilitation. I enjoy guiding experiential therapy with people of all ages. I specialize in mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches with couples, families, and parenting. Much of my recent research has been related to interventions to enhance the couple relationship for new parents. I have taught meditation and mindfulness in a variety of settings. I am also the founder of the Blacksburg Meditation Group.
Personally, my husband and I have been together for 15 years and we have 3 children. I experienced "three under three" and know the joys and challenges of motherhood in the early years intimately. I also understand through my own life, my research, and my work as a therapist the common struggles of dual-career couples who are also wanting to be involved parents.
I am currently an associate professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Previously, I was an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at La Salle University in Philadelphia. I have my doctorate in marriage and family therapy from Virginia Tech. I completed my doctoral internship at Appalachian State University in the Department of Human Development and Psychological Counseling where I taught and supervised graduate level therapists-in-training.
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in North Carolina and a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Colorado. I have my master's degree in contemplative psychotherapy from Naropa University. I am an AAMFT approved supervisor as well and have provided supervision mentorship to people training to be supervisors. I am trained in mindfulness and meditation, play therapy, sandtray and art therapy, Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy, PREPARE/ENRICH, and group facilitation. I enjoy guiding experiential therapy with people of all ages. I specialize in mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches with couples, families, and parenting. Much of my recent research has been related to interventions to enhance the couple relationship for new parents. I have taught meditation and mindfulness in a variety of settings. I am also the founder of the Blacksburg Meditation Group.
Personally, my husband and I have been together for 15 years and we have 3 children. I experienced "three under three" and know the joys and challenges of motherhood in the early years intimately. I also understand through my own life, my research, and my work as a therapist the common struggles of dual-career couples who are also wanting to be involved parents.
