Jo Christner, Psy.D.
Executive Director
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
(818) 674-2502

Leads: Widow/Widower Support Groups in WLA and Encino

Jo Christner, Psy.D was elected as the Executive Director of HOPE Unit Foundation in November 2012. She is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (California PSY15532 and Washington PY 2971) and also a Licensed Marriage, Family Therapist (California MFC2960 and Pennsylvania MF381). With over 20 years of experience in private practice, Dr. Christner has extensive experience working with a variety of individuals and businesses with problems of adult life including: issues of bereavement and loss, trauma, time management/stress related issues, geriatrics, depression and anxiety. She utilizes an eclectic approach with an emphasis on cognitive behavioral and body psychotherapy as a way to holistically treat each individual's needs. As a long-time member of the H.O.P.E. Unit Foundation therapeutic staff, Dr. Christner has facilitated a variety of groups, and specializes in loss. She is the Past President of the Group Psychotherapy Association, is currently an active member of various professional associations and is committed to staying abreast of the most current changes in the field of psychotherapy and psychology.

For additional information:
http://www.drjochristner.com

Dr. Nancy Katlin Willinger, Psy.D., LMFT
Licensed Marriage, Family Therapist
(818) 771-7442

• Leads Widow/Widower Support Groups

Dr. Nancy Katlin Willinger has a private practice in Studio City, California.

Her areas of expertise include;

Addiction/Recovery
Grief Recovery
Marital/relationship therapy
Parenting

Dr. Willinger has received post doctoral training at The Grief recovery Institute and at The Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis.  She is a certified S.T.E.P. Parenting trainer and teacher.  She a clinical member of The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

Beth Segel, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
(818) 886-0381

• Leads Widow/Widower Support Groups

Beth Segel, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who helps adults who want to recover and thrive after going through life transitions. These include but are not limited to:

bereavement
other losses, such as layoff, divorce, illness
disasters and accidents
fertility/infertility events
other stresses, such as work stress, family stress, life events stress

She specializes in helping clients prevent and manage stress, release tension, grieve and heal, and resolve sadness and unfinished worries. With discouraged people, she helps them to find new hope and meaning in their lives. She also works with creative clients who want to free up their creativity when it is blocked.

Her education includes UCLA, Case Western Reserve University, and other specialized programs. She has been in the field of psychology since 1983. In the past, she also served as the Clinical Director of a multi-service Crisis Center, among her other professional activities.

She has a private office in Northridge, California, and is licensed in California as a psychologist (CA PSY8904) .

Kamala White, MA,
Marriage, Family Therapist, MFT #40325
(424)298-0009
http://www.kamalawhite.com/

Leads: Spousal Loss Support Group WLA, Parent Loss Support Group WLA

Kamala White, MA, MFT is a therapist in private practice in West Los Angeles, working primarily with individuals and couples. She has extensive group experience and has facilitated groups for adults and teens for many years.

Kamala’s focus is on helping people bounce back from trauma and negative events with strength and new hope. She helps people let go of unhealthy coping such as shame and addictions, and replace them with healthy coping skills such as increased self-esteem, good self-care, assertive communication, and humor. Kamala’s approach to therapy is evidence-based and holistic. It is individually tailored to the needs of each client, as she understands each person is unique and can benefit from different tools gathered from various therapeutic disciplines. She enjoys helping people make a positive difference in their own lives and in the world.
She has worked in clinics which focused on domestic violence, LGBTQ issues, and addictions. She has also assisted hundreds of clients with challenges such as job changes, couples communication, and issues with spirituality. Her education includes a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. She believes her clients have taught her more than her degrees ever did.

Sylvia Brown, MA, MFT
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist
(818) 762-5511

• Leads Widow/Widower support groups

Sylvia has been in private practice since l982, is a retired high school counselor, a motivational speaker and is bilingual Spanish.

She is currently in private practice with experience in issues of loss, marital problems, depression, anxiety, life transitions, aging, teenagers, parenting, adult children and parents.

Susan Rowen, M.A., MFT #18567
Licensed Marriage, Family Therapist
818-914-4434 Cell: 818-317-0315

• Leads a Parent Loss Group in Encino

Susan Rowen received her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in 1974 and was was licensed to practice in 1975. Her orientation is Cognitive Behavior with an emphasis on individuals experiencing major life changes, life transitions, and stress management associated with personal crises such as death or divorce.

Sue has had training in working with grief and loss support issues and has a special interest in losses associated with adoption, including the birth parent(s), the adoptive parents, and the adopted child.

She specializes in the treatment of Anxiety Disorders , Agoraphobia, and Panic Attacks. Additionally, she served as staff therapist for Cali-Camp Summer Day Camp from 1975-2008.

Ms. Rowen has a private practice office in Encino, California and offers individual, as well as group therapy.

Marilyn Stolzman, Ph.D., L.M.F.T.
Licensed Marriage, Family Therapist
(818) 591-2706
FAX: (818) 591-2706*51

• Leads a Family Loss Group

Marilyn Stolzman is a licensed therapist, a Somatic Experiencing practitioner, and a National Board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. Dr. Stolzman has a private practice in Woodland HIlls, CA. She has conducted bereavement support and cancer support groups since 1982 and was Executive Director from 1997-2012. Among the institutions at which Dr. Stolzman has taught Psychology classes are: Ryokan College, Phillips Graduate Institute, University of Judaism, and California State University - Northridge. She has presented at the American Institute of Medical Education Conferences in Europe, Asia and the United States.

Books:
The Healing Power of Grief: The Journey through Loss to Life and Laughter by Gloria Lintermans and Marilyn Stolzman, Ph.D., L.M.F.T.(Champion Press, March 2006).
If you'd like to order this book, please click here.

The Healing Power of Love: Transcending the Loss of a Spouse to New Love by Gloria Lintermans and Marilyn Stolzman, Ph.D., L.M.F.T. (Champion Press, March 2006).
If you'd like to order this book, please click here

Natalie Taback, M.A., M.F.T.
Licensed Marriage, Family Therapist
(310) 275-1424

Natalie Taback received her Master of Arts degree in Educational Psychology and support and Guidance from California State University in 1970. She received her Marriage and Family Therapist license in 1981. She had been in private practice specializing in couple support. Currently she is facilitating bereavement groups for the H.O.P.E. Foundation.