Ariel McGrew, PhD, LPC (CO), LPCC (NM), NCC, NPT-C
Dr. Ariel McGrew, PhD, LPC (CO), LPCC (NM), NCC, NPT-C, is a distinguished business psychologist, licensed mental health clinician, and Founder of Tactful Disruption®. Recognized by America’s Best in Medicine, she is known for transforming leadership and mental health through an innovative, trauma informed lens. Dr. McGrew earned her PhD in Business Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and holds advanced certifications in neuropsychotherapy and personality disorders. With 15 years of experience in Army Psychological Operations in the Reserves, she bridges mental health, business strategy, and organizational leadership, providing executives and high performing professionals with psychological guidance that strengthens resilience, well being, and leadership effectiveness.
As an entrepreneur and clinical innovator, Dr. McGrew has developed proprietary programs including Off·Script™ and Heal the Ages™ designed to help clients navigate identity development, emotional healing, and complex workplace dynamics. Her approach integrates evidence based practices with culturally responsive and holistic methods, empowering individuals, teams, and organizations to address root psychological barriers and achieve sustainable growth. Through Tactful Disruption®, she advances trauma informed inclusion and mental health equity, with a particular commitment to supporting neurodivergent personnel, veterans, and underrepresented communities. She emphasizes that while she does not practice medicine in the traditional sense, she practices transformative mental health care by helping clients disrupt patterns that no longer serve them, reclaim their voice, reshape their narrative, and build lives aligned with their values.
In addition to her clinical and entrepreneurial work, Dr. McGrew has served as an online adjunct professor at Pepperdine University and is an active member of ForbesBLK, the Forbes Coaches Council, and the Inc. Leadership Forum. She is an accomplished author and respected thought leader whose contributions advance gender equity, veteran advocacy, and innovative mental health solutions. Through her distinctive blend of clinical expertise, strategic insight, and lived experience, Dr. Ariel McGrew continues to shape the future of leadership and mental health, empowering individuals and organizations worldwide to unlock potential, navigate challenges with clarity, 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
Book Chapter
Shivers‑McGrew, A. (2021). Voice activation and volume control. In B. Delano‑Oriaran, O. Delano‑Oriaran, M. W. Penick‑Parks, S. J. Arki, A. Michael, O. Swindell, & E. Moore Jr. (Eds.), Teaching beautiful, brilliant Black girls (pp. 266‑268). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
White Paper Contribution
Lewis, R., Pillai, S., Roche, B., Spooner, B., Uluyurt, A., & Shivers‑McGrew, A. (2021). Health and well‑being. In Women veterans in STEM: Recommendations to strengthen the pipeline from service to STEM. Education Development Center. Retrieved from https://edc.org
Guide / Co‑Authored Resource
Brancu, M., & Shivers‑McGrew, A. (2019). Achieving gender diversity and inclusivity: A QuickStart guide. [White paper/guide].
Professional Articles (Brainz Magazine) McGrew, A. (2021–2022).
* 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. Brainz Magazine.
Dissertation
McGrew, A. (2024). Dark triad traits and female leadership. Doctoral dissertation, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.
Poster Presentation
Shivers‑McGrew, A. (2018, November 10). Workplace incivility and workforce development for counselor educators [Poster presentation]. Western Association of Counselor Educators Conference, Santa Rosa, CA, United States. https://www.waces.org/2018-conference
Training / Advocacy Publication
Shivers‑McGrew, A. (2019). Sexual assault and domestic violence for victim advocates. Rainbow Ark Shelter, Gary Commission for Women.
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.