Ariel McGrew, PhD, LPC (CO), LPCC (NM), NCC, NPT-C
Dr. Ariel McGrew, PhD, LPC, LPCC, NCC, NPT-C, is a distinguished business psychologist, licensed mental health clinician, and founder of Tactful Disruption®. With a PhD in Business Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and advanced certifications in neuropsychotherapy and personality disorders, she bridges the worlds of mental health, business strategy, and organizational leadership. Drawing on 15 years of experience in Army Psychological Operations, Dr. McGrew offers executives and high-performing professionals trauma-informed coaching and psychological guidance to enhance leadership effectiveness, resilience, and overall well-being.
As an entrepreneur and clinical innovator, Dr. McGrew has developed proprietary programs including Off·Script™ and Heal the Ages™, providing clients with tools to navigate identity, emotional healing, and workplace challenges. Her approach integrates evidence-based practices with culturally responsive, holistic methods, allowing individuals, teams, and organizations to confront root psychological barriers and thrive. Through Tactful Disruption®, she advocates for diversity, inclusion, and mental health equity, with a focus on military personnel, veterans, and underrepresented communities.
In addition to her clinical and entrepreneurial work, Dr. McGrew serves as an online adjunct professor at Pepperdine University and as a member of the Forbes Coaches Council. She is an accomplished author and thought leader, recognized for her contributions to gender equity, veteran advocacy, and innovative mental health solutions. Through her unique blend of clinical expertise, strategic insight, and lived experience, Dr. McGrew continues to impact individuals and organizations worldwide, helping them unlock potential and lead with confidence.
• The Chicago School - PhD
• National Certified Counselor (NCC) - 1738603
• Strategic Thinking
• Workforce Trends and Equity e-Certificate
• High Impact Presenter
• GrowthWheel Advisor
• Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP)
• 2019 Woman Veteran of the Year
• Miss Veteran America 2017 Semi-Finalist
• Miss Black Utah 2010
• United States Army Reserves
• Universal Peace Federation and Youth Federation for World Peace
• FBI Chicago Citizens Academy Alumni Association
• Universal Peace Federation
• Delta Omicron Alpha
Brainz Magazine: Redefining Entrepreneurial Identity Without Losing Your Soul
Brainz Magazine: How I Turned Childhood Trauma Into A Life Of Purpose
Brainz Magazine: Navigating Compassion For Limited Self-Awareness In A World Of Healing
Brainz Magazine: How Psychological Flexibility Helped Me Bounce Back – And How It Can Change Your Life Too
Areas of Specialization/Expertise
- Trauma-Informed Counseling
- Anxiety, Stress, and PTSD Management
- Family, Teen, and Adolescent Counseling
What do you enjoy most about practicing medicine?
While I don’t practice medicine in the traditional sense, I do practice mental health care — and what I enjoy most is helping people disrupt patterns that no longer serve them. I love guiding clients toward clarity, emotional regulation, and self-leadership. Watching someone reclaim their voice, rewrite their narrative, and build a life that reflects their values is deeply rewarding. My work is about transformation, not symptom management — and that’s what keeps me committed.