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. Through living in various parts of the world, I have gained an appreciation for diverse cultures and values. 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. 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 in Pennsylvania (MF000702) and a licensed professional counselor in the state of Colorado (LPC - 6306). I have my master's degree in contemplative psychotherapy from Naropa University. 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.
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 in Pennsylvania (MF000702) and a licensed professional counselor in the state of Colorado (LPC - 6306). I have my master's degree in contemplative psychotherapy from Naropa University. 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.
