Dr. Amber D. Chapman-Gray

Dr. Amber D. Chapman-Gray Violence Prevention and Intervention; trauma-informed science, public policy, law, and systemic change. Dr. Amber D.

Chapman-Gray, PhD, DBH, MAIS, LSSBH

is a forensic psychologist, behavioral health innovator, and public policy reformer dedicated to transforming how systems respond to trauma, justice, LGBTQIA+ identities, marginalized communities, human need, abuse, and violence. As CEO of Gray’s Trauma-Informed Care Services Corp., and Co-Founder of The Freedom Train Project, Inc., she bridges psychology, law,

criminal justice, administrative management, and behavioral healthcare to create trauma-informed solutions that drive systemic change. Her work centers on what she calls the Four E’s, (Efficiency, Efficacy, Empathy, and Equity) principles that guide every consultation, program, and reform initiative she leads. Dr. Gray specializes in forensic and victimology research, process improvement, and behavioral health integration, empowering organizations to move from reaction to transformation through evidence-based leadership and compassion-driven reform. Grounded in both science and heart, she believes meaningful change happens when we transform systems and the people within them, creating space for dignity, safety, and justice to thrive.

The Summit I Was Already Standing On by Dr. Amber D. Chapman-GrayThere are moments in a life when the destination you th...
04/14/2026

The Summit I Was Already Standing On by Dr. Amber D. Chapman-Gray

There are moments in a life when the destination you thought you missed quietly reveals itself beneath your feet.

For as long as I can remember, I had my sights set on Praeger Publishing. It was not just a publisher to me. It was the summit. The place where serious thought lived, where ideas carried weight, where I imagined my voice might one day belong.

In 2008, I caught my first spark. Some of my work was picked up by Greenwood Publishing Group. I was young, ambitious, and certain this was the beginning of a climb. I didn’t know where each step would land, only that I was moving forward.

Then life gave me something far greater than any publication. In 2017, I met the most amazing woman. She would later become my wife.

Years passed. In 2019, another door opened. I was published through ABC-CLIO. At the time, I didn’t recognize the magnitude. It was simply another opportunity, another chance to write, to contribute, to keep going. So I did.

Together, we dreamed bigger. I wrote, I refined, and eventually I set my sights, once again, on Praeger. This time, I was ready. Or at least, I thought I was. When I learned that Praeger had been acquired by Bloomsbury Publishing, something in me sank.

It felt like arriving at a door I had chased for years, only to find it gone. I remember the weight of that moment. The quiet kind of disappointment that doesn’t shout, but settles.

My wife, as she so often does, refused to let the story end there.
She began researching, calmly, methodically. Then came that unmistakable smile. The kind that means she has found something important.

“Amber,” she said gently, “you wrote for Greenwood… and ABC-CLIO, right?”

“Yes,” I answered, not yet understanding.

She laughed softly, leaned in, and changed everything with a single sentence:

“You’ve been writing for Praeger all along.”

I stared at her, certain I had misunderstood. But she showed me. Years earlier, Praeger had become an imprint within ABC-CLIO. The very platforms I had been writing for, the ones I had treated as steps along the way, were already part of the place I believed I had missed.

And just like that, the narrative rewrote itself.

I had not failed to reach the summit.
I had been standing on it.
What I felt in that moment is difficult to name. It was not just relief. It was something deeper. A recognition that persistence has a quiet intelligence of its own.

That sometimes, the path knows before you do.

Since then, the journey has continued. New chapters opened with Springer Publishing and Springer Nature. My words found homes on platforms like LinkedIn and Medium. And even now, another adventure is unfolding, one I am holding close until the time is right.

But through every step, every turn I thought was a detour, every moment I believed I had fallen short, there has been one constant.
My wife.

Steady. Insightful. Unwavering.
Helping me see not just where I am going, but where I have already been.

And perhaps that is the quiet truth beneath all of it:

Sometimes, we do not realize we’ve achieved our dreams because we are too busy continuing to build them.

Citation:

Chapman-Gray, Dr. A. D. (2026, April 13). PARAGON. The Summit I Was Already Standing. https://gettraumainformed.com/2026/04/14/the-summit-i-was-already-standing-on/
Published by Gray’s Trauma-Informed Care Services Corp.

I am honored to share that I was nominated for the 2026 Purple Ribbon Awards in the category of Healthcare Professional ...
04/11/2026

I am honored to share that I was nominated for the 2026 Purple Ribbon Awards in the category of Healthcare Professional of the Year.

While I was not selected as a medallion recipient this year, I was recognized as a 2026 honoree for my work supporting victims and survivors of domestic violence. I am deeply grateful for this acknowledgment and for the opportunity to contribute to work that is both critical and life-impacting.

This field requires sustained commitment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a willingness to engage with some of the most complex aspects of the human experience. Recognition in this space is not solely personal. It reflects the collective efforts of advocates, clinicians, researchers, and survivors working toward meaningful and lasting change.

In recent years, my work has evolved from direct victim services to a broader focus on supporting providers, advancing trauma-informed systems, and contributing to academic and applied research in violence prevention and intervention, women’s health, and victim-centered care. I remain committed to continuous growth, not only in striving to be better, but in ensuring that the work itself does better for those it serves.

I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to Dr. Tabitha Chapman-Gray for the nomination and for her continued partnership in this work.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients and fellow honorees. It is a privilege to stand alongside professionals dedicated to advancing safety, accountability, and trauma-informed care.

The work continues.

I want to share why Gray’s Trauma-Informed Care Services Corp signed onto a national letter alongside more than 430 orga...
02/11/2026

I want to share why Gray’s Trauma-Informed Care Services Corp signed onto a national letter alongside more than 430 organizations calling for federal protections for sensitive locations.

Schools, child care settings, health care facilities, places of worship, and other essential community spaces must remain places of safety and access, not fear. When enforcement actions occur in or near these locations, the harm does not stop with immigrant families. It ripples outward, disrupting education, healthcare, community trust, and overall wellbeing.

For decades, across administrations and party lines, there was broad recognition that limiting immigration enforcement in these settings protects children, families, service providers, and entire communities. Reaffirming and codifying those protections is not about politics. It is about public health, safety, and human dignity.

My company joined this sign-on letter to urge Congress to include safeguards for sensitive locations in Department of Homeland Security funding, including protections outlined in the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act. This is one meaningful step toward reducing trauma, preventing harm, and restoring stability in the places people rely on most.

Advocacy grounded in evidence, compassion, and accountability matters. Trauma-informed systems matter. Community safety matters. Policies that allow people to live, learn, work, worship, and seek care without fear matter.

I’m sharing the full letter here for transparency and for anyone who would like to read more.

In solidarity,
Dr. Amber D. Chapman-Gray
Founder, Gray’s Trauma-Informed Care Services Corp

I’m deeply honored (and still a bit stunned) to share that I received a Congressional Letter of Support from Congressman...
02/10/2026

I’m deeply honored (and still a bit stunned) to share that I received a Congressional Letter of Support from Congressman Dr. Corey A. Jackson, representing the 60th District.

This recognition highlights my work in victim advocacy, trauma-informed systems reform, and public health education.

To my colleagues who requested this on my behalf, thank you, it comes at a moment when I’ve been questioning my impact. This letter reminds me that every step we take to support victims and survivors and shape trauma-informed policy matters.

I’m grateful, motivated, and ready to continue the work.

Today, Gray’s Trauma-Informed Care Services Corp proudly stands in solidarity with SB 882, legislation dedicated to prot...
02/04/2026

Today, Gray’s Trauma-Informed Care Services Corp proudly stands in solidarity with SB 882, legislation dedicated to protecting families seeking citizenship while ensuring their safety.

After 33 years of fighting for justice, I am deeply honored to lend my voice, the heart of my organization, and that of our collaborative partners...
from the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence to immigration, DEI, and child advocacy agencies, to this vital cause.

Justice means ensuring every family is safe, seen, and supported in their journey. Our letter of support is on its way to Capitol Hill, because this is what we do: we ensure justice rolls forward.

Justice isn’t just a cause I support, it’s woven into who I am and what I do. While my focus is on domestic violence prevention, victim advocacy, law enforcement administration, preventing violence and working with justice adjacent organizations for intervention, educating others about it, and intervening in crises, supporting SB 882 aligns with that mission.

When we create safer pathways for families, we reduce the conditions where violence can take root. That’s why my organization and our collaborative partners stand for causes like this.... to foster a future where prevention is possible, and violence is less likely to occur.

If you are not in social services, law enforcement, child abuse prevention, public health, human and health services, or domestic violence prevention & intervention, this doesn't mean you can't do something for your state or country. In fact, it is really important that you help out your fellow human beings, whenever you are able.

Community engagement is the heartbeat of lasting change. By supporting SB 882, we’re not just advocating behind closed doors, we’re inviting our communities to learn, engage, and ensure justice reaches families everywhere.

Together, we build a safer, more just future for all.





Level 1 case studies represent some of the most common experiences victim advocates encounter. While they may appear rar...
02/02/2026

Level 1 case studies represent some of the most common experiences victim advocates encounter. While they may appear rare or extreme, most advocates will come across a case like this at least once in their career.

Level 1 Case Study | When the Full Story Takes Time

A young woman with a history of traumatic brain injury sought medical care for persistent headaches. She was told that being slapped months earlier would not explain her symptoms. Still, her physician referred her to a victim advocate for additional support while they continued to investigate.

The client was hesitant. She told the physician, “I’m not one of those women who get beaten by their husband. We fight, sure, but I fight back.” With compassion, the physician explained that advocacy support could help her access resources while they searched for answers. She agreed.

When she met with the advocate, the client shared that during a recent argument, her husband had “knocked her around more than usual.” She could not clearly remember what happened, only that her head had hurt constantly since and she knew she had sustained a cranial injury in the past. The advocate encouraged her to request a new CT scan, explaining that when people already have a TBI, a new head injury may have been acquired related to her current domestic violence situation. The advocate informed the client that being cautious was appropriate.

It should be noted, in many cases of domestic violence head injuries are often missed.

The client scheduled the appointment with the physician. The physician initially believed her symptoms resembled common headaches but ordered the scan to be safe.

An hour later, multiple providers entered her room. The CT revealed something unimaginable. A bullet was lodged in her brain.

Her husband had not only hit her. He had shot her. The memory loss was attributed to the injury. The incident was reported, and prosecutors moved forward.

Yet during the legal process, the client recanted. After communicating with her husband from jail, she came to believe his explanation that she had accidentally shot herself and that the advocate had “put ideas in her head.”

The client's domestic violence case was dismissed. However, prosecutors later pursued a separate charge for attempted murder.

Under laws like California Penal Code 664/187, prosecutors do not need the victim to testify to prove attempted murder. Instead, they must show that the person intended to kill, which can be demonstrated through evidence such as the use of a weapon, the severity of the actions, or prior threats.

Advocate Food for Thought:

Recantation does not mean deception. It is often the result of trauma, coercion, fear, loyalty, or survival. Sometimes the truth emerges immediately. Sometimes it takes years. Our role, as victim advocates, is to hold space for safety, not certainty.

Case Study | Level 2Level 2 case studies often require broader thinking, deeper investigation, research, and cross-colla...
02/02/2026

Case Study | Level 2

Level 2 case studies often require broader thinking, deeper investigation, research, and cross-collaboration. In organizational settings, these are often some of the most complex cases to navigate, especially when it comes to appropriately resourcing and supporting clients.

A victim advocate received a client with young children who consistently stayed late at work, finding reasons to avoid going home. When gently asked whether domestic violence was the reason, the client explained that her husband had only become physically violent once, after she told him she wanted to separate so she could “experience life and the world.” She could not explain why the attack happened and initially did not connect her avoidance of home to violence.

The client became extremely distressed when informed that the shelter program was designed for emergency placement and that she might not qualify for transitional living. A residential therapist’s initial assessment revealed what appeared to be a stable childhood. She was raised by a single parent and was well cared for. At 19, she married a longtime family friend after becoming pregnant.

Despite the therapist’s assessment, the advocate sensed something was missing. The client did not present as easily frightened, which did not align with the level of distress she displayed. During a later check-in, the advocate asked how long she had known her husband. The answer was her entire life. When asked about the age difference, the client estimated around twenty years.

A joint meeting between the advocate and therapist revealed the truth. The husband had been the client’s lifelong perpetrator. She had been forced into marriage after becoming pregnant, cementing years of coercion and control that had never been named or understood as abuse.

Food for Thought for Victim Advocates:
When something feels off, do not stop at the surface. Odd behavior can signal polyvictimization, coercive control, mental health impacts, or long-term trauma that has never been given language. Domestic violence is rarely one-dimensional. It is layered, complex, and deeply contextual. Our role is to help clients move from surviving to truly thriving.

02/01/2026

I’m sharing a new article today on somatic symptoms and domestic violence. This topic is too often misunderstood.

Survivors of domestic violence frequently experience chronic physical symptoms, repeated medical visits, and a persistent sense that something is “wrong” with their bodies. This article explains why. It explores how prolonged trauma affects the brain and nervous system, particularly the limbic system, and how those changes can manifest as very real somatic distress.

I hope this article works to help survivors feel less alone and helps professionals better understand what trauma looks like when it lives in the body.

Thank you to everyone who continues to read, reflect on, and support my life's passion, research, and work.



Link: https://link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/978-3-030-85493-5_1576-1

Reference:
Chapman-Gray, A.D. (2026). Somatic Symptoms and Domestic Violence. In: Shackelford, T.K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Domestic Violence. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85493-5_1576-1

website(s):
http://www.gettraumainformed.com
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Amber-Gray
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adgraydbh/
https://thefreedomtrainproject.org/

I recently contributed a guest article to Body Chaos, a survivor-led, trauma-informed platform founded by Christine Depr...
01/29/2026

I recently contributed a guest article to Body Chaos, a survivor-led, trauma-informed platform founded by Christine Depre, PhD

The article, When the World Reopens Old Wounds: Misogyny, Trauma, and Healing, examines how rising cultural misogyny can quietly reactivate trauma for survivors. Drawing on research and applied practice, I explore how seemingly casual remarks can trigger nervous system responses, revive hypervigilance, and resurrect long-standing narratives of being “too much” or “not enough.”

I argue that healing is not passive. It is an active form of resistance, rooted in boundaries, self-trust, and the refusal to internalize oppressive messaging. Body Chaos sits at an important intersection of survivor advocacy, trauma-informed education, and systems accountability.

Dr. Depre’s work translates lived experience into insight that is deeply relevant for survivors, advocates, and professionals working within trauma-responsive systems.

For those engaged in advocacy, healthcare, education, or public policy, I encourage you to explore her work. You can read my article at Dr. Depre's website.

Also, Dr. Depre is looking for those in the field, or with lived experiences to become a guest contributor to her platform.

*Guest Contributor Guidelines for Body Chaos*

To be considered as a guest contributor to Body Chaos, writers should be established professionals or practitioners working within their field and able to speak with authority, care, and credibility on their subject matter.

Submissions should generally fall between 500 and 1,000 words. However, if a piece exceeds this range and the narrative depth is essential to the work, length is negotiable. Substance, clarity, and integrity of the message take priority over strict word counts.

All content must align with the voice, standards, and ethos of Body Chaos. This includes writing that is reflective, accessible, and grounded in lived experience, research, or applied practice. Pieces should feel congruent with the platform’s tone: honest, thoughtful, and deeply human.

Most importantly, submissions must be survivor-centered and trauma-informed. This means demonstrating an understanding of trauma’s impact on the body, mind, and lived experience, while avoiding sensationalism, victim-blaming, or extractive storytelling. Contributions should honor survivor agency, complexity, and dignity, and reflect a commitment to healing, advocacy, and systemic awareness.

Body Chaos values work that bridges personal insight with broader understanding, offering readers perspective, validation, and meaningful reflection.

🔗 body-chaos.com

Have you ever walked into work and felt the air change?A place that once felt manageable suddenly becomes tense, hostile...
01/21/2026

Have you ever walked into work and felt the air change?
A place that once felt manageable suddenly becomes tense, hostile, or unsafe. That shift is not imagined, and it is not harmless.

In my newest article, I break down what sudden workplace toxicity does to the brain, the body, and long-term psychological health, and why these environments are especially damaging for trauma-exposed professionals. This is not about being “too sensitive.” It is about what happens when safety disappears.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/trauma-sudden-workplace-toxicity-power-betrayal-dr-amber-d--udvxc/?trackingId=T1BNYuafR5iTVvmdWx91eg%3D%3D

The House has done its part by passing the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act. As violence preventionists, Gray’s know...
01/14/2026

The House has done its part by passing the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act.

As violence preventionists, Gray’s knows how essential this bipartisan bill is for stabilizing the Crime Victims Fund, which domestic violence shelters, r**e crisis centers and child advocacy programs rely on for life‑saving services.

We urge the Senate to take up and approve this legislation immediately so that victims and survivors of domestic violence and other crimes can access consistent, timely support.

Delaying this measure would jeopardize critical services; survivors deserve decisive action now.

Advocate

🛑 New on PARAGON | Gray’s Trauma-Informed Care Services CorpHuman trafficking does not always look like what we expect. ...
01/13/2026

🛑 New on PARAGON | Gray’s Trauma-Informed Care Services Corp

Human trafficking does not always look like what we expect. It often hides in plain sight.

In my newest article in PARAGON, I examine human trafficking and prevention through a trauma-informed, evidence-based lens. The piece breaks down how trafficking occurs, who is most vulnerable, common myths versus realities, and what prevention actually looks like at the individual, community, and systems levels.

This article is written for providers, educators, advocates, parents, and community members who want to move beyond awareness and toward meaningful prevention and intervention.

Trafficking is not just a criminal justice issue. It is a public health issue, a human rights issue, and a community responsibility.

📖 Read the full article in PARAGON, the e-Magazine of Gray’s Trauma-Informed Care Services Corp
🧠 Trauma-informed
📊 Evidence-based
🤍 Survivor-centered

Because prevention begins with understanding.

Link: https://gettraumainformed.com/2026/01/13/january-is-national-human-trafficking-awareness-month/

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