Tamra S. Chávez, Ph.D., LCSW
Regional Director, Santa Clara County
Dr. Tamra S. Chávez has dedicated more than 25 years of her career to specializing in trauma-informed care for various populations. She recently served as the Director of Mental Health at Caminar, a division of Family & Children Services.
At Caminar, her mission was to train and lead staff in implementing inclusive and culturally competent care. Dr. Chávez spearheaded many initiatives, including the Transgender Care Coalition through Santa Clara County’s Behavioral Health Department. Apart from her daily responsibilities, Dr. Chávez serves as an inclusion panelist with NASA’s Astrophysics division.
She is also the CEO of DEW for Change, LLC, which provides training to businesses and corporations. Additionally, she is the board chair for Project Safety Net, a community collaborative dedicated to promoting youth well-being and suicide prevention.
Dr. Chávez has served as both a university professor and mental health trainer. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Social Work from San José State University and achieved clinical licensure in 2008. In 2020, she earned her Ph.D. in social work from Walden University, with a concentration in addiction.
Dr. Chávez is a lifelong San José native who enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with her husband and three daughters.