Dr. Amber Deneén Chapman-Gray, PhD, DBH, is a behavioral health scholar, forensic research psychologist, victimologist, violence-prevention specialist, former neuroscience researcher, and trauma-informed care consultant whose work centers on improving systems of response for victims and survivors of violence. Her professional background integrates behavioral healthcare, forensic psychology, public policy, law enforcement administration, integrated care, quality improvement, neuroscience-informed research, and victim advocacy.
Dr. Chapman-Gray earned her Doctor of Behavioral Health from Arizona State University, where her doctoral training emphasized integrated behavioral health, patient-centered care, healthcare quality, and systems-level improvement. She completed behavioral healthcare consultation training through a preceptorship and residency with the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Department and Naval Branch Health Clinic at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. During her residency, she conducted a retrospective quality-improvement study examining patient wait times for Marines who reported sexual assault or rape. Her project focused on improving access to care, reducing delays in service delivery, strengthening provider and departmental processes, and improving the overall experience of patients navigating medical and victim-service systems.
Dr. Chapman-Gray also earned a PhD in Psychology, Public Policy, and Law from Alliant International University’s California School of Forensic Studies, where she completed low-residency forensic research training. Her scholarly work examines trauma-informed care, domestic violence, coercive control, victimology, criminal behavior, forensic linguistics, violence prevention, and the intersection of behavioral health with legal, medical, and public policy systems. Her research background also includes neuroscience research experience supporting three university professors, strengthening her interdisciplinary approach to behavioral health, trauma, cognition, victimology, and systems-level intervention.
Dr. Chapman-Gray is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Public Administration at Walden University, further extending her interdisciplinary work into public administration, government systems, public policy, and political leadership. Her academic and professional trajectory reflects a long-standing commitment to improving the institutions that respond to violence, trauma, and human vulnerability.
In 2017, Dr. Chapman-Gray founded Gray’s Trauma-Informed Care Services Corp, a healthcare education and consultation organization designed to support victim services providers, integrated healthcare professionals, law enforcement-adjacent personnel, social workers, mental health professionals, community health workers, healthcare providers, and allied professionals. Through this organization, she develops and delivers education, consultation, procedural guidance, and training grounded in current evidence-based research, trauma-informed principles, integrated care, and quality-improvement methodology. Her work supports organizations seeking to improve service delivery, reduce retraumatization, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and enhance victim-centered practices across criminal justice, medical, behavioral health, and legal settings.
For nearly three decades, Dr. Chapman-Gray has worked in violence prevention and intervention, including non-sworn law enforcement and victim advocacy contexts. Her professional focus includes domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, gender-based violence, coercive control, trauma recovery, resilience, marginalized communities, patient-centered medical homes, integrated behavioral healthcare, and systems-level approaches to victim safety. She incorporates quality improvement, Lean Six Sigma methodology, process mapping, and program-development strategies into her consultation work to help organizations create more effective, ethical, and survivor-centered systems of care.
As a Doctor of Behavioral Health, forensic research psychologist, victimologist, and former neuroscience researcher, Dr. Chapman-Gray integrates behavioral health, trauma-informed care, victim advocacy, public policy, and systems-level quality improvement into her professional work. Her approach is grounded in the belief that victims and survivors deserve systems that are informed, ethical, responsive, clinically aware, and structurally accountable.
Dr. Chapman-Gray is also an author, educator, and public scholar. She writes on domestic violence, violence prevention and intervention, religious studies, sexual psychology and behavior, women’s health, marginalized communities, criminal behavior, forensic linguistics, technical writing, and procedural documentation. Her work has appeared in news articles, podcasts, blogs, and public-facing educational materials addressing domestic violence, violence against women and children, trauma-informed care, and victim advocacy. She is a contributing author to Women and Violence: Global Lives in Focus.
Her advocacy and service have been recognized through multiple honors and commendations. Dr. Chapman-Gray received a letter of commendation from the late U.S. Senator John McCain for outstanding charitable work connected to the creation of a battered women’s shelter. She also received congressional recognition from U.S. Representative Ken Calvert for outstanding community work in violence prevention and intervention. Her honors include recognition from the National Organization for Victim Assistance, including awards related to leadership, victim assistance, and crime victim advocacy, as well as recognition connected to the Margery Fry Outstanding Victim Advocate and Edith Surgan Victim Activist traditions.
Dr. Chapman-Gray holds credentials and specialized training in forensic domestic violence counseling, addictions counseling, human trafficking victim services, opioid use disorder education, project and program management, quality improvement, and Lean Six Sigma methodology. She completed opioid use disorder education through Harvard Medical School Continuing Medical Education, with emphasis on identification, counseling, and treatment. Her quality-improvement training includes value stream mapping, 5S, A3, kaizen, Hoshin Kanri, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Six Sigma Black Belt, and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt in Healthcare.
Dr. Chapman-Gray has also maintained membership and leadership involvement in numerous academic, honors, service, and professional organizations, including Phi Kappa Phi, Gamma Beta Phi, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Golden Key International Honour Society, Kappa Delta Pi, Health Occupation Students of America, the National Association of African American Honors Programs, the Society for Collegiate Leadership & Achievement, and Epsilon Sigma Alpha. She is the former President of Epsilon Sigma Alpha–Psi Gamma at Arizona State University.
Across her work, Dr. Chapman-Gray’s mission is to improve how systems understand, assess, and respond to victims of violence. Her professional identity bridges behavioral health, forensic research, victimology, public policy, healthcare quality, trauma-informed education, and violence-prevention advocacy. Her work is dedicated to helping providers and institutions serve victims with greater competence, dignity, safety, and care.
Tabitha M. Chapman, PhD, MFT, PCC, is an accomplished executive, educator, mental health professional, public figure, survivor advocate, and expert voice on coercive control, cultic abuse, psychological manipulation, trauma, and recovery. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, Public Policy, and Law from Alliant International University and is currently pursuing a second doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Walden University.
Dr. Chapman serves as the Executive Director of the Freedom Train Project Incorporated, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocacy, education, and support for victims and survivors of coercive control, cultic abuse, psychological manipulation, trafficking, and related forms of interpersonal and systemic harm. Through her leadership, she works to advance public awareness, strengthen survivor-centered advocacy, and improve the ways communities, professionals, and institutions recognize and respond to high-control dynamics.
As a marriage and family therapist and professional clinical counselor, Dr. Chapman brings a trauma-informed and clinically grounded perspective to her work with individuals, families, communities, and organizations. Her professional background bridges mental health, forensic psychology, public policy, survivor advocacy, education, and public-facing prevention work. Her approach reflects a deep commitment to helping survivors reclaim autonomy, safety, dignity, and voice after experiences of manipulation, control, exploitation, and abuse.
Dr. Chapman is also widely recognized for her public advocacy and educational work related to NXIVM, coercive control, cultic abuse, and survivor recovery. She was featured in Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult, a Cecilia Peck production featured on Starz, as well as Branded and Brainwashed, featured on Tubi. Her public survivor advocacy has also been highlighted through media coverage, interviews, organizational features, and educational programming addressing coercive control, cult recovery, and the long-term impacts of psychological abuse.
Her media and podcast appearances include Migration, Trafficking and Cults; Let’s Talk About Sects with Sarah Steel in the episode “ICAM and The Freedom Train Project”; Butterflies and Bravery in “Deep Insights with Tabitha Chapman”; A Little Bit Culty with Sarah Edmondson and Anthony “Nippy” Ames in “Talking with Tabitha Chapman on All Things NXIVM” and “Talking with Tabitha Chapman on All Things NXIVM, Part 2”; Proverbs with Daisy Maskell in “Rewind: Tabby Chapman on Surviving the NXIVM Cult”; and Frankie Files Podcast, Episode 36, “NXIVM & Tabitha Chapman.”
Dr. Chapman’s advocacy has also been recognized in public reporting and survivor-centered media. Her victim impact statement and survivor advocacy were discussed in public coverage surrounding the sentencing of Allison Mack, including reporting by Courthouse News and the Times Union. She has also been featured in survivor advocacy articles, including “Cult Survivor Empowers Other Victims Breaking Free of Coercive Control,” and was recognized as Daily Point of Light #7535 for her public service and activism.
In addition to her media and advocacy work, Dr. Chapman has been highlighted by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the National Domestic Violence Hotline in organizational press releases and community announcements after receiving the Karen Cooper Beloved Community Award for her activism and public education regarding cultic abuse. Her work continues to contribute to national conversations about coercive control, cultic systems, domestic violence, trafficking, survivor autonomy, and the need for trauma-informed institutional responses.
Across her professional, clinical, educational, and advocacy work, Dr. Chapman is committed to advancing survivor-centered care, public education, and systemic accountability. Her leadership with the Freedom Train Project reflects a mission to illuminate hidden forms of abuse, challenge systems that enable harm, and help individuals, families, providers, and communities better understand the complex realities of psychological captivity, trauma, liberation, and healing.
PAST EDUCATORS AND SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS
Dr. Anchal Goyal, BDS. Dr. Anchal Goyal is a former Content Creator and Author for Gray’s Trauma-Informed Care Services Corp. During her time with the organization, she was a graduate student attending Liberty University’s School of Health Sciences, earning her Master’s degree in the field of Public Health. Her educational concentrations are program planning and evaluation in health education, principles of community health education, advocacy strategies for health communication, and organizational ethics. While finishing her degree, she also earned her graduate certificate in Health Promotion. Dr. Goyal is also a dentist. She attended her undergraduate studies at PGIMS University, in India, where she earned a Bachelor’s of Dental Surgery with an emphasis in oral health care.
During her working years, Dr. Goyal has done services for non-profit organizations aimed at community-level oral health prevention. She provided clinical services and health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients. She has also conducted various oral health camps at different schools and villages in order to spread oral health awareness and education to the public. The Indian Dental Association awarded her with a Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding work in the field.
Dr. Goyal began her journey to become a public health researcher and health program officer three years ago. She loves working with communities to improve their health and emphasized prevention and primary care more than tertiary care. Dr. Goyal is currently in her practicum with our organization and was onboard on December 6th, 2021, as a Research/Content Author and Intern. Dr. Goyal also has an internship with Broadstreet working on a COVID-19 Data Project. She works for Broadstreet as an Emergency Data Relief Intern. We were glad to have Dr. Goyal on our team. She may write for the organization from time to time.
Rebecca A. Ax, SARC, CVA: Rebecca A. Ax is a graduate of California State University, San Bernardino, earning her Bachelor’s degree in the field of Psychology. Her educational concentrations were, the psychology of women, domestic violence and sexual assault prevention. While finishing her degree, she also earned her undergraduate certificate in Women’s Studies.
Rebecca worked for a brief time in non-profit services aimed at family violence and sexual assault prevention. There she learned some victim services ideologies, advocacy techniques and case management skills. Rebecca left non-profit work and launched her career, as a military civilian service provider. She worked in sexual assault prevention and response, with the United States Army.
As a Victim Advocate, Rebecca excelled at her job. She was integral to many of the changes that the U.S. Army’s Family Advocacy underwent. Her Acting Family Advocacy Program Manager, Christina Chavez stated, “Rebecca embraced the Army culture and is focused on assisting Soldiers and Families in need.” After four years of working with the U.S. Army, Rebecca transferred to the United States Marine Corp.
At the United States Marine Corp, Rebecca became the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program (SAPR). She also earned her status as a Comprehensive Victim Advocate (CVA) with the Department of Defense (DoD) Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP). As one of the two SARCs who run the entire program on base, Rebecca was able to achieve military recognition for excellence in her career. She has worked for the United States Marine Corp for more than seven years. In March of 2020, Rebecca A. Ax, was an Honoree for the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) Exceptional Military Victim Advocacy Award.
Rebecca joined Gray’s Trauma-Informed Care Services in March of 2020. She has been a great resource and helps to expand upon the organizations services. Rebecca has been an amazing help, building curricula for service, military, and care professionals. She excels at everything she does and has been a delight to have at the organization. She is the Sexual Assault Prevention and Intervention Consultant for Gray’s Trauma-Informed Care Services Corp.
Jennifer James, DSP-I, DSP-II, RA is currently attending, West Los Angeles City College, where she is a psychology major. Her concentration is on children with special needs and at-risk youths. Jennifer aspires to continue in her studies to become a psychologist and have a burgeoning career as a mental healthcare professional.
During her training and working years, Jennifer has done services for many organizations. One of these organizations was Easter Seals, where her supervisor awarded her for outstanding work in the field. Jennifer loves working with children. Currently, she works with children who are autistic, hearing impaired, have down syndrome, or are non-verbal. She plans on expanding the populations she services to children in foster care, shelters and group homes. Jennifer is also planning to expand her career skills by learning art therapy modalities, school enrichment techniques like cooking and theater for children in kindergarten through 5th grade.
Jennifer began her Research Assistant Internship with our organization and was on-boarded on August 1st, 2020. Currently, she is the CEO of C.R.A.F.T, a children’s learning and development agency based in Los Angeles County. Jennifer has been a welcomed addition to GTICS family. She will continue to do research for the organization as she moves through her degree programs.
Lily Nguyen Phuong Tu, former Social Media Manager and Content Editor for the organization. She managed the imaging, brand, content narrative and focus for Gray’s Trauma-Informed Care Services Corp. Working out of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, Lily manages several business via the internet. Talented, skilled, and savvy, Lily’s specialty is digital marketing.
She makes use of the internet, social media, marketing research, and other avenues to reach consumers. Using her expertise and skills, Lily works hard to get to know what an organization wants. She creates content and digital marketing techniques to showcase the organization’s talents and skills.
Without digital marketers, like Lily, organizations would have a difficult time maintaining a strong presence. You can find Lily at @belilyne on instagram. Lily officially joined our organization in October of 2021. She has been an amazing addition to our team. Lily provides Media Consultation intermittently.