FACULTY PROFILE
Maristela
Zell, Ph.D., LCSW, is Professor of Social Work at Governors State University, where
she teaches advanced and holistic social work, and mindfulness-based practice.
She received a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Illinois' Jane
Addams College of Social Work in 2002. Maristela Zell is the developer and
coordinator of the Holistic Social Work Practice concentration at Governors
State University, and the co-developer of the Mindfulness in the Helping
Professions Certificate program. Maristela's research scholarship has focused
on the psychological, non-cognitive experiences of Latinas/os and African
Americans in higher education, social work practice in child welfare settings,
and globalization and social movements.
Maristela has maintained a mindful,
meditative practice for over 38 years, and has helped numerous individuals develop
their own meditation practice. She is also a Reiki practitioner and a iRest Yoga Nidra Level II Teacher-in-Training. A
psychotherapist with over 20 years of practice, Maristela also has extensive
experience supervising students, caseworkers, and clinicians, conducting
training, developing curricula, and providing consultation to public and
private social service organizations.