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Meet Our SSBS Visiting Experts

Dr. Jamie Franco headshot

Dr. Jamie Franco is an Associate Professor in the JFKSOPSS at National University. She is dedicated to teaching for social justice, developing course content intended to nurture students’ sense of responsibility and encourage advocacy. She is an active member of Division 9 of APA, the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, where she currently serves on the governing council. Franco earned her Bachelor’s from The Ohio State University and her Master’s and Ph.D. from the University of California at Santa Cruz.

Dr. Zvi Bellin headshot

Dr. Zvi Bellin is an Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at National University. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a private psychotherapy practice based in Oakland, CA. Zvi has published research about the intersection of meaning-in-life and mindfulness in peer-reviewed journals and has broadened his research interests to include the decolonization of research methodology. He is currently participating in the first cohort of the East Bay Meditation Center’s leadership program. Zvi leads therapeutically oriented mindfulness trainings and retreats where he integrates spiritual and psychological practices.

Personal Integration of Mindful Living – 2-month open series

Friday, October 14, 2022 10:00 AM PST & Friday, November 4, 2022 10:00 AM PST

Mission Statement

Our mission is to improve the human condition by providing direct health and wellness services while supporting the development of highly competent professionals through innovative academic and clinical research and training opportunities.

About Us

The Whole Person Center serves as a learning center, dedicated to highly competent professionals through innovative academic and clinical trainings. Committed to social justice, diversity, and inclusion, the VCHW offers research and scholarship opportunities along with community health services and interprofessional education.

Dr. Aurélia Bickler headshot

Meet the Director

Dr. Aurélia Bickler is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an AAMFT and State Approved Supervisor. Being born and raised in Paris, France, Aurélia is fluent in French, English and conversational in Spanish and Hebrew. She received her Master (2007) and Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy (2013) from Nova Southeastern University and has been a certified hypnotherapist since 2005.

Aurélia began her career as an intern for S.U.P.E.R.B. (Students United with Parents and Educators to Resolve Bullying) where she eventually became the organization’s Executive Director. Bickler taught and supervised as an adjunct Professor for Nova Southeastern University and as a Full Time Professor for National University. In 2011, Aurélia established her private practice, Changing Forward, LLC and ultimately expanded to a multidisciplinary Family Center where clinicians, attorneys, yoga teachers and nutrition coaches have worked collaboratively to help their clients reach their desired outcomes. In November 2021, Aurélia began her role as the Inaugural Director for the Whole Person Center and is looking forward to bringing exciting opportunities, services and adventures to the community.

In her free time, Aurélia plays the piano and sings. She enjoys traveling, puzzles, and art; especially made by her talented husband, Marcus. Together, they have 3 children, 2 dogs, 1 bird and several fish.

Events Calendar

The Whole Person Center Framework

Click on the circles below to locate resources!

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NU Center for Professional and Continuing Education

APA and NBCC-approved courses for mental health professionals

Podcasts That Empower

Find insightful guidance from NU experts and guests on topics in psychology, marriage and family therapy, wellness, graduate education, and more.

Past Webinars

Cooking Class with Dr. Patty Postanowicz (she/hers/her)

Over the course of an hour, Patty offers a cooking demonstration, featuring one of her delicious recipes; Macadamia Crusted Mahi. Patty has a unique way to combine delightful ingredients and love into her recipes. Additionally, she uses cooking to connect to herself and to others around her.

Click here for ingredient and supply list

Integrating SFT with ACT to Motivate Clients to Engage in Meaningful Change

by Billie Tyler

Nurturing a Healthy YOU: Finding Your Work/Life Balance

by Cynthia Akagi, PhD

Download PowerPoint

Child-Centered Reunification Therapy: A Brief Overview

by Nicole R.H. Baker, PhD, LMFT (she/hers/her)

“Child-centered reunification therapy is designed to give children a voice in the reunification therapy process. Child-centered reunification therapy uses a unique two-therapist approach, which integrates parent education, co-parenting skills, mental health education, filial play therapy, and experiential therapy approaches. This presentation provides a brief overview of the model and discuss when child-centered reunification therapy would be appropriate to use with families.”

Webinar passcode: F.1$*EY*

Making Cents of Your Money

by Marie Bakari, DBA, EdS

Transforming Existential Distress through Mindfulness in Psychotherapy Practice

by Zvi, Bellin, PhD, LPCC

Hosted on Sept 16, 2022

Debunking Diet Myths

Tonya Turner, MPH, RDN, LDN, CSOWM

Hosted on Dec 7, 2022

Webinar passcode: gtWj+#=3

Trauma Informed Care: Supporting Healthy Attachments

Dr. Marsha Chase

Resources

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. We’re committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.

Lifeline (suicidepreventionlifeline.org)

Phone #:1-800-273-(TALK)8255 

Phone #: 1-888-628-9454 (Spanish Speakers)

For TTY, Text *: 838255

The National Domestic Violence Hotline answers the call to support and shift power back to those affected by relationship abuse.

Domestic Violence Support | The National Domestic Violence Hotline (thehotline.org)

Phone #: 1-800-799-7233

For TTY, 1-800-787-3224 or Text *: 88788

211 is the most comprehensive source of information about local resources and services in the country. The 211 Staff members are the boots on the ground and the local experts who make finding help easier. There are more than 200 211 agencies across the United States, each with a team of compassionate, highly trained community specialists who are available to help you access the best local resources and services to address any need.

Call 211 for Essential Community Services | United Way 211

Phone #: 211, (English and Spanish Speakers)

The Trevor Project is building a safer, more-inclusive world. LGBTQ young people are four times more likely to attempt suicide, and suicide remains the second leading cause of death among all young people in the U.S. The Trevor project is devoted to ending suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning young people.

The Trevor Project | For Young LGBTQ Lives

Phone #:212- 695-8650

For those that serve or who have served, crises can be heightened by their experiences during military service. If you’re a veteran or service member and in crisis, these resources can help.

Veterans : Lifeline (suicidepreventionlifeline.org)

Phone #: 1-800-273-8255

Phone #: 1-888-628-9454  (Spanish Speakers)

For TTY, Text *: 838255

The National Human Trafficking Hotline connects victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking with services and supports to get help and stay safe. The Trafficking Hotline also receives tips about potential situations of sex and labor trafficking and facilitates reporting that information to the appropriate authorities in certain cases. 

https://humantraffickinghotline.org/

Phone #: 1-888-373-7888, (services in English and Spanish)

TTY: Text*: 233733 (services in English and Spanish)

StopBullying.org helps identify bullying and stand up to it safely. This program helps children, adolescents and adults respond quickly to bullying and offers options for safe interventions.

https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/get-help-now

Phone #: 1-800-273-8255

For Spanish speakers: 1-888-628-9454

For TTY: 1-800-799-4889

NAMI works to educate, advocate, listen and lead to improve the lives of people with mental illness and their loved ones. What started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into the nation’s leading voice on mental health. Today, we are an alliance of more than 600 local affiliates who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need.

https://www.nami.org/Home

Phone #: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

Email: [email protected]