Dr. Mikaela Gabriel

Dr. Mikaela D. Gabriel (Italian & Mi'kmaq of Ktaqmkuk; she/her) is a clinical and counselling psychologist and researcher exploring Indigenous health and wellbeing, urban cultural connection, and housing transitions for Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Her primary research focus is the promotion of positive cultural identity, strength, and healing through traditional knowledge and cultural support.

Dr. Gabriel’s research and clinical work is grounded in Indigenous cultural approaches to mental health, trauma-centered approaches, with narrative therapeutic strategies. She has provided mental health care across inpatient, outpatient, and community mental health treatment settings, and currently works supporting Indigenous urban mental health treatment in Toronto.

Dr. Gabriel is a scientist with MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions in the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital, with a cross appointment to Well Living House.  She is an assistant professor (status only) at the Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health/University of Toronto, where she completed a postdoctoral fellowship. She holds a PhD in Clinical and Counselling Psychology from the Ontario Institute in Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. She is a writer, traveler, and an auntie.