Gwen Mitchell headshot

Gwen Vogel Mitchell

Associate Professor

What I do

Associate Professor | Clinical Psychologist

Specialization(s)

Global Mental Health | Trauma | Torture | Intercultrual Practice

Professional Biography

Areas of Specialization: Dr. Gwen Mitchell received her Psy.D. from the University of Denver in 2005 and is a licensed clinical psychologist in the State of Colorado. She was the co-founder and Director of International and Clinical Services for SalusWorld, an International NGO that focused on healing the invisible scars of trauma worldwide. She also maintains a private practice and conducts psychological evaluations for asylum seekers, T and U Visas for the US immigration courts.

Dr. Mitchell has worked for many years as a trainer, consultant, and program developer for humanitarian organizations including Doctors without Borders / Medecins Sans Frontiers, the Center for Victims of Torture and the Open Society Foundation in various locations including Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Jordan, Myanmar, Thailand, Grenada, Bosnia, and Ethiopia. She also provided support for a global evaluation of UNHCR's mental health and psychosocial support for humanitarian staff and was a member of a UNICEF technical work group focused on child protection inside Myanmar. She played a part in the development of a mental health policy for the country of Liberia and has developed programming for marginalized groups including People Living with HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ communities, former political prisoners and torture survivors.

Degree(s)

  • PsyD, Clinical Psychology , University of Denver - Graduate School of Professional Psychology
  • BA, Psychology , University of Iowa , 1999

Licensure / Accreditations

  • Psychological First Aid (PFA)
  • Licensed Clinical Psychologist
  • HealthRight International - Psychological Evaluations for Asylum Seekers

Professional Affiliations

  • American Psychological Association
  • Society for the Study of Culture and Psychiatry

Research

Dr. Mitchell has conducted research and has clinical experience in the assessment and treatment of trauma and torture survivors. Her clinical work has also included local, national, and international capacity building assignments.

In addition to publications in peer-reviewed psychology journals, her insights have appeared in the Guardian and Denverite.

Key Projects

  • Direct Services for Survivors of Torture

Presentations

Mitchell, G. M. (2018). Current Picture of Mental Health Globally. Global Health and Disasters. Anschutz Medical Campus : CU.
Mitchell, G. M. (2018). The Emotional Impact of Disaster on Children and Families . Pediatric in Disasters . Anschutz Medical Campus: CU.
Mitchell, G. M. (2014). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Aid Workers . PTSD in Aid Workers . http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2014/mar/03/post-traumantic-stress-disorder-aid-workers?commentpage=1.

Awards

  • Faculty Career Champion, DU Career Services
  • Faculty Career Champion, DU Career Services