Guelph Grad Q&A: Dr. Mikaela D. Gabriel

Psychology Helped Grad Achieve Dreams  

Dr. Mikaela D. Gabriel is a research scientist at Unity Health Toronto and holds the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Women and Two-Spirit Mental Health and Homelessness. She is also a clinical and counselling psychologist and an associate professor.  

While she always knew she wanted to study psychology, she was so determined to attend U of G that she applied to multiple programs just to ensure she got in. Now more than a decade since graduating from the University of Guelph’s Psychology program, Dr. Gabriel credits U of G with giving her everything she needed to achieve her current success.  

Continue reading to learn how the University of Guelph gave Dr. Gabriel the experience and foundation she needed for graduate school and beyond. 

Interview with Dr. Mikaela D. Gabriel

Tell us about yourself and why you chose to study Psychology at the University of Guelph?

Hi! My name is Dr. Mikaela D. Gabriel, and I graduated from the University of Guelph in 2013. I'm a mixed-ancestry Italian and Mi'kmaw researcher, psychologist, professor, Auntie, and cat lady. I'm from the Toronto area originally, but the second I took a campus tour of the University of Guelph, it felt like home. I always knew I wanted to study psychology, but my heart was so set on Guelph, that I applied to the English and History degree programs to make sure I got in somehow. I'm sure glad I did :)   

What did you like most about your program? Is there anything in particular about the courses or professors that stands out to you?

The University of Guelph psychology program offered all the benefits of a larger university's breadth of knowledge, while offering classroom sizes that didn't feel too overwhelming. I had opportunities to explore every aspect of research methods, neuropsychology, personality, and more that you need for a psychology degree, all with approachable professors who love what they do. Actually, some of the courses I took in my undergrad helped with my licensing exams over a decade later. The professors I was lucky to study from in my undergrad have inspired how I care for my own students when I teach, and I thanked some of them in my dissertation. I also completed an English minor in my time at Guelph, and those literary analysis and writing skills are still put to work each day.  

Did you do co-op? If yes, tell us a bit about your co-op job and your experience.

I did not, but I had plenty of opportunities in applied psychology for both research and counselling on campus. I'm outrageously grateful for the opportunities to contribute to research projects, seeing up-close how applied psychology research can support not only knowledge gaps, but help change systems and even policy. I also was able to be trained and deliver peer-to-peer counselling, which helped me know for certain that this was the path for me.

Where are you currently working and what is your role?

I'm a research scientist at Unity Health Toronto, where I hold the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Women and Two-Spirit Mental Health and Homelessness. I'm a clinical and counselling psychologist providing mental health care for the urban Indigenous community in Toronto. I am also an Associate Professor, Affiliated Scientist at the Waakebiness Institute for Indigenous Health at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. My work is devoted to exploring, understanding, caring, and teaching the needs of Indigenous mental health in Canada, while uplifting community voices to research and policy levels

How did your degree and time at the University of Guelph help get you to where you are today? How do the skills and education you gained help with your current work?

The University of Guelph gave me everything I needed to achieve my dreams. Opportunities to gain real experience, the invaluable foundations to learn my craft, applied research in practice - everything to prepare me for grad school and beyond. The best part is Guelph grows with you: the harder I worked and the more I took on, the more encouragement and challenges were there to meet me and develop my skills. Guelph may seem small compared to other universities, but it's mighty, and the people are just the best, which is why I try to visit when I can.  

What advice would you give someone considering the Psychology program or applying to the University of Guelph?

Absolutely do it - there's so much there for you to learn. Have a great time and study your heart out. It's okay to feel a bit lost before you find which branch of psychology might be the right fit. Also, explore other courses - apiculture, literature, music, art - you'd be surprised how much fun they can be, plus it'll add some excitement when you're studying humans. When I think of the challenges of exam time, I always remember with fondness how excited I was to study Freud, Frankenstein, and fairy tales, and how well they complemented one another.

Bonus Questions

Where was your favourite place to eat on campus and what was your go-to food order?

The Bullring. I think I did a full tour of the menu since everything was a safe and tasty bet but oh, wow, those breakfast wraps. Also, huge shout-out to Bob's Dogs. I miss you, buddy. 

In your opinion where is the best place to study on campus?

A comfy chair in the library (for brief study review) or Atrium (for long-term cram sessions and easy access to coffee).  

What was your pre-exam ritual?

Pray and scream into my coffee cup. Just kidding, there's no time to scream. Have breakfast, fresh coffee, meet a friend for a hug in the library, review my notes a few more times, trust my brain to do its thing. 

What are your top 5 favourite things about U of G?

1. The people
2. The encouraging professors  
3.  The gorgeous red of the ivy on Johnston Hall in the fall
4. The Cannon!
5. Watching the service puppies socialize on campus