Dr. Maristela Zell
Maristela Zell, Ph.D., LCSW, is Associate Professor at the Department of Social Work at Governors State University, where she teaches advanced social work, holistic, and mindfulness-based practice. She received her Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Illinois' Jane Addams College of Social Work. Maristela Zell is the developer and coordinator of the Holistic Social Work Practice concentration at Governors State University. She is also the lead coordinator of the Mindfulness in the Health Professions Certificate program. Maristela has maintained a mindful, meditative practice for over 30 years, and has helped numerous individuals to develop their own meditation practice. She is also a Reiki practitioner. A psychotherapist with over 20 years of practice, Maristela also has extensive experience supervising caseworkers and clinicians, conducting training, developing curricula, and providing consultation to public and private social service organizations. Maristela Zell's research focuses on the psychological experiences of Latinas/os and African Americans in higher education, social work practice in child welfare settings, and globalization and social movements.
