April Naturale, MSW, Ph.D.

Dr. April Naturale, MSW, Ph.D., is a nationally recognized traumatic stress specialist, licensed clinical social worker, and sought-after consultant with over 30 years of leadership in disaster behavioral health and mass violence response. Renowned for her expertise, April has led recovery efforts across more than 40 states, delivering clinical care, pioneering program development, and strategic consultation to communities impacted by terrorism, natural disasters, and large-scale tragedy.

April served as the Statewide Director of Project Liberty, New York’s groundbreaking crisis counseling and public education program launched after the 9/11 attacks, and was the principal architect of the Boston Marathon Bombing Behavioral Health Response Program. Between 2015 and 2020, she led needs assessments and facilitated forums for victims, families, and providers following nearly every mass violence incident in the United States, while also training hundreds of humanitarian aid workers across Europe and Africa responding to the refugee crisis.

April’s leadership includes serving as Director of Network Development for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Director of the BP Oil Spill Distress Helpline (now the Disaster Distress Helpline), and Director of the 9/11 10th Anniversary Healing and Remembrance Program. Currently, as Associate Vice President for National Crisis and Wellness Programs at Vibrant Emotional Health, she oversees the Disaster Distress Helpline, Veterans Crisis Line, and Lifeline Cares Team, advancing wellness and resilience for crisis responders nationwide.

April earned her MSW from Columbia University and her Ph.D. from New York University, where her doctoral research centered on secondary traumatic stress among responders to the 9/11 disaster. She holds national certification from the ACSW and is licensed to practice in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Texas.