Participants attending our programs make better decisions, positively manage stress, develop new coping skills, learn relaxation techniques and gain better control over their health."
UCLA Group
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Newport Beach Group
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Weekend Workshops
April, June, July, Sept, Oct, Nov
DEBRA ST.LAWRENCE SUSSMAN, MA., EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Debra is an experienced group facilitator and researcher in the emerging medical field of psycho-neuro-immunology. Debra is a graduate of Pacifica Graduate Institute, with a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology and Advanced education at Harvard Medical School in stress physiology and mind body medicine.
Debra has led support groups for over 10 years specializing in the treatment of infertility, couples/marital issues in fertility, and pre/post natal issues. Her current work involves fostering an establishment of stress management and wellness programs in institutions that provide healthcare and quantifying the benefits of mind body programs for women's reproductive health. Debra has personal and professional experience working in the fertility community with has held memberships in Resolve, American Fertility Association, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, California Marriage and Family Association.
DR. LAUREL KLINE, PhD., CO-FOUNDER
Dr. Kline is a licensed clinical psychologist, a graduate of the California School of Professional Psychology and trained in Mind Body techniques to reduce stress and increase pregnancy rates. She specializes in the treatment of infertility, couples/marital issues, sex therapy, depression, sexual abuse, and eating disorders. She also works at the Female Sexual Medicine Center at UCLA specializing in the treatment of women's sexual dysfunction.
Dr. Kline conducts psychological screenings of surrogates, ovum donors, and sperm donors. Her work has been featured on ABC and NBC news, VH1, The Berman and Berman show, and several national magazines.
KATE BOLAND GIANOPULOS, M.A.
Kate is the original Founding Director of the Mind Body Institute in Los Angeles.
She holds a Masters Degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica.
Kate is the author of "I Got Pregnant, You Can Too! How Healing Yourself Physically, Mentally & Spiritually Leads to Fertility," (Underwood Books 1998).
She is currently at work on her second book.
Katebolandgianopulos@gmail.com
BRENDA STRONG, YOGA INSTRUCTOR
Brenda Strong is a certified Yoga teacher who has taught at the Mind Body Institute as well as being the owner of Yoga Villa in Los Angeles. She is the creator/producer of a line of Yoga DVD’s supporting the journey toward parenthood; Yoga4Fetility, Yoga4Partners and Yoga4Pregnancy.
Brenda was The American Fertility Association’s National Spokesperson and held a position on the Board of Directors. She was presented with the Beacon of Light Award in 2007 for her work with The AFA. Brenda has been published in Alternative Medicine Magazine, Shape Magazine for Pregnancy and Conceive. She has been seen on The View and Good Morning America among others, regarding her groundbreaking work in Yoga for Fertility.
Brenda is well known for her many acting roles as Mary Alice Young on ABC ’s smash hit Desperate Housewives and many others and has been an award winning actress for over 20 years.
http://www.yoga4fertility.com/
Dr. SAROSH MOTIVALA, PH.D
Dr. Motivala is an Assistant Professor in Residence Cousins Center for
Psycho-neuro-immunology, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences
at UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.
His work focuses on stress, sleep disorders and health outcomes and the
underlying physiological pathways that link these phenomena together.
Stress impacts the immune system in ways that are just beginning to be
identified. Immune processes, has a bidirectional relationship and is
important for overall health as it plays a role in chronic low grade
inflammatory processes and a number of autoimmune disorders. Dr. Motivala
conducts educational sessions at the Mind Body Institute and currently
researches Insomnia and Energy Balance with the National Institutes of
Health.
AMY SCHETTINI
Amy Schettini's work as a women's health advocate, peer support group leader
and helpline specialist has lead her to be a constant resource in the
fertility community among doctors and patients since 2001. Amy has been
involved personally and professionally in the fertility community as a
marketing representative, promoting the educational programs at The Mind
Body Institute. Her commitment and resourcefulness lead her to take control
over her own health while she and her husband struggled through infertility
and conceived a beautiful and healthy son in 2002.
Amy has also assisted many non-profit performing arts organizations
throughout California with management in marketing, fundraising and sales
through her company, Schettini Management and Consulting (SMC) for over 8
years.
GARY S. BRUSS PhD, GROUP LEADER FOR MALE PARTICIPANTS
Dr. Bruss is a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with individuals and couples undergoing fertility treatments. Dr. Bruss has had extensive experience both clinically and research wise in the psychological aspects of infertility medicine. He has presented his research findings at national scientific conferences. Dr. Bruss is also an associate professor of psychology and program chair of the masters and doctoral programs in clinical psychology at Argosy University, Orange County Campus in Santa Ana, CA.
NENA NIESSEN, Certified in Nutritional Microscopy
Natural Health and founder of Nena’s Nutritional Cooking Programs where her mission is to help achieve good health and aid in prevention of disease. Nena is more than an organic chef, she’s an educator on Nutrition for over 20 years utilizing food as a tool to improve the conditions of cancer patients, infertility, allergy sufferers, anti aging and cardiac wellness.
I would recommend Mrs. Nena Niessen's food preparation and cooking to anyone. Her skill in preparing food using the alkalarian approach is perfect and her meals not only taste great but are good for you."- Robert O. Young, MS, DSc, PhD, clinician and bestselling author of "The PH Miracle"
You will love Nena's approach with practical, easy-to-prepare, nutritious recipes."- Jacob Swilling, PhD, consulting research scientist and founder of Know Your Options Wellness Center. Call for private or group workshops: 949-742-4184 or email at nena.niessen@gmail.com
www.curesfromthekitchenrecipesforhealthyliving.com
ALISON BROWN
Alison became a student of yoga and meditation as a young teen. She
continued her practice, and received her teaching credentials in 2003 (Yoga
Alliance E-RYT 200). Prior to that, she worked as a massage therapist
specializing in Bodywork for the Childbearing Years. Her business, "the
Pregnant Pause" offered massage and visualization for pregnancy and
postpartum.
Since the birth of her own son, Alison continues to teach yoga, specializing in the nurture and care of the feminine soul. She also offers the Elements meditation series, a body-based meditation class, designed to stimulate vitality, stability and inner peace. Alison is available for bodywork, yoga and meditation; individual and group instruction. The Mind Body Institute in Newport Beach, CA is proud to have her as part of our team. Alison can be reached at (949) 509-6181 or oneheartdancing2@aol.com
