Gabriela McGreal

Personal Qualities / Strengths

Gabriela’s professional work is characterized by compassion, wisdom, and exceptional skills. With a diverse clientele, she possesses the ability to swiftly establish therapeutic connections, meeting individuals exactly where they are in their journeys. Gabriela’s personal experiences with pain have equipped her with the unique capacity to create a sacred space where individuals can express confusion, anger, and grief.

Her unwavering belief in the innate capacity of people to transcend their challenges empowers clients by harnessing their inherent ability to find meaning, tap into their inner resources, and draw strength from their cultural and spiritual assets. Gabriela is widely recognized for her ability to operate beyond the confines of the conventional Western medical model of mental illness, reframing clients’ difficulties as distinctive opportunities. Simultaneously, she emphasizes the importance of holding space and guiding individuals towards self-love and self-acceptance as the crucial first step in the healing process.

In her practice, Gabriela employs structural social work methodologies to help clients understand themselves within the context of their personal history, cultural norms, and family narratives. She encourages them to reevaluate and replace outdated beliefs with more constructive ones. Her eclectic approach encompasses narrative therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), logo therapy, and various creative exercises designed to facilitate personal growth and self-discovery.

When addressing substance use and addiction issues, including substance, gambling, sex, food, and self-harm, Gabriela offers psychoeducation, explores relapse triggers, and employs SMART tools to reduce cravings and triggers. She is a strong advocate for the idea that life beyond addiction should be vibrant and fulfilling. Her motto encapsulates this sentiment: “Nothing in the universe and in your life is ever wasted.”