Alumnus Chris Gamble (M.A., Counseling and Human Development) has published his second book, Where We Are Free, a gripping thriller that follows a novice therapist who finds himself at odds with a powerful tech company. The novel builds on themes explored in his debut work, Tales of a Black Therapist (2023), further demonstrating his commitment to shifting how people understand mental health and the systems that shape it.
Gamble, a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Washington, D.C., draws on his clinical experience to craft stories that are as psychologically insightful as they are suspenseful.
Where We Are Free centers on Freedom “Dom” Hall, a newly minted therapist determined to serve the community that raised him and honor a long-standing promise to his best friend. His new role at New Horizons, a local clinic, appears to offer the perfect start—until he discovers that the clinic has partnered with a major tech corporation to deliver virtual reality–based therapy. While the cutting-edge approach shows early promise, strange incidents quickly suggest that something deeper and more troubling may be at play.
Dom’s concerns attract the attention of The Village, a covert group with roots in maroon communities and a radical mission. As they enlist his help to uncover the truth behind the partnership, Dom is forced to confront his past, navigate shifting loyalties, and question what true healing really requires. Ultimately, he must decide whether to remain true to himself or risk losing what he values most.
Gamble’s latest work blends psychological tension, cultural history, and timely questions about technology’s role in care—offering readers a fast-paced narrative with real-world resonance.