Portland State University (2015)
Masters of Social Work
Portland State University (2014)
Graduate Certificate in Infant-Toddler Mental Health
Grinnell College (2009)
Bachelors of the Arts, Major: Sociology/Spanish
Gabriela Maldonado Bell, LCSW
gabriela.maldonadobell@birchpsychology.com | 303.834.1026x24
Gabriela Maldonado Bell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who offers psychotherapy with children and families, individuals in the perinatal period, as well as early childhood mental health consultation for preschool and childcare centers. Gabriela is bilingual and available to support both English and Spanish speaking children & families. In her work with children, Gabriela focuses primarily on children ages 2-10yrs old. To guide her clinical work she draws from an attachment-focused lens, mindfulness, play therapy, interpersonal neurobiology and family system theory. She has experience supporting children and families navigating a wide range of challenges including behavioral concerns, significant life changes, experiences of trauma, divorce, involvement in the child welfare system, concerns of anxiety and/or depression, support for children who are neurodiverse, and gender identity exploration.
Gabriela believes strongly in the power of relationships and as such strives to build respectful, safe, attuned connections with each of her clients. Taking a collaborative approach to her therapeutic work, she truly values her clients’ perspectives, and views them as the experts while she walks beside them facilitating their journey. A parent herself, Gabriela has an intimate appreciation for the beautiful, messy, and often exasperating realties of caregiving. With this perspective in mind, she strives to create a therapeutic space where both children and adults feel heard and seen. She can be reached at gabriela.maldonadobell@birchpsychology.com and 303.834.1026 ext 24
Specialties:
Therapy- Spanish, COS (Circle of Security), Early Childhood, Play Therapy, Perinatal/ Postpartum, Humanistic, LGBTQ, Adoption, Trauma, Parent Training, Family Therapy, Relational, Attachment, Anxiety, Depression
When certain, potentially traumatizing events occur between the ages of 0-17, the effect they can have on that individual's life is massive; these events are often referred to as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). A prevalence of ACEs in someone’s childhood can lead to a number of different issues later in life, including physical health issues such as heart disease and diabetes; mental health issues such as being at a higher risk of suicide, depression and bipolar disorder, and other issues such as pregnancy complications, difficulty forming healthy relationships, and struggling to create a stable work history as an adult.