We are less than a month away from our virtual mental health conference titled From Turmoil to Triumph: "Intimate Partner Violence Effects and Treatment".The conference will be led by mental health experts who have clinical and lived experience with domestic violence. The free virtual conference will take place on Wednesday, May 17, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and will be streamed live on our Facebook and YouTube pages. Advanced registration is required.
Our presenters will inform and empower participants to gain knowledge about the impact and effects of Interpersonal Violence (IPV) on BIPOC families and will learn about inherent layers of trauma and strategies for treatment.
Q&A time will be allocated to each presenter to allow our guests to ask questions. Also, don't miss special appearances and touching messages of support from community leaders and mental health advocates sharing their voices of support to the mental health community.
We're excited for you to read more about our wonderful presenters and their areas of expertise below. Don't miss your chance to hear them speak, register for our free conference today by clicking on the 'Register Now' link below.
Living a full life of intention as the best version of yourself is the only way to live, according to Lorena. Lorena Belcher, CEO of H.E.R. Story Reimagined, is a Resilience Coach and Consultant. As a Certified Personal and Executive Coach, Lorena’s focus is collaborating with clients to reinvent and recreate the life they want to live now, rewrite their narrative, and be the most authentic expression of themselves. Currently, she is in a Certified Transformational Trainer Program. Also, she has developed an online course, “Not My Daughter Too”, embedded with coaching to end generational sexual trauma, for single working professional moms to cope, thrive, and navigate both their own sexual trauma while discovering their teen daughter’s sexual abuse.
In early 2022, Lorena authored “Yes Girl, Yes You Can: Affirmations to Elevate Your Self-Talk.” It is an affirmation book focused on 5 areas to support women in changing their inner self-talk to support who they want to become. The book’s purpose is to empower women to speak life; create their own affirmations with language that leads to actions toward their goals.
With over 25 years as an educator, Lorena worked as an Educational Specialist-Case Manager/ Middle School Math Teacher of students with Special Needs, as well as experience teaching general education students K-8 (multiple subjects, English and History). While consulting on multi-disciplinary teams to meet the needs of her students and families, she integrated best practices of mental health strategies and implementation of social-emotional learning.
As an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Intern at Peace Over Violence, Lorena worked as a Trauma Therapist. She volunteered as a speaker with Voices Over Violence. She spoke throughout the community, including college events such as: “Take Back the Night” speaking to survivors of interpersonal violence/sexual assault, and Trauma Survivor Advocate Trainings at domestic violence and sexual assault resource centers.
She facilitated domestic violence groups and conducted focus groups with young adults and mature women. With a short stint as a Los Angeles Police Officer, she realized working with trauma survivors offered greater service and connection to the core of people.
In 2008, Lorena authored her first book, Fly Girl! A Journey from Darkness to Daybreak, Lulu Press, under the Pen Name: L. Anne Belcher. It is a powerful story that chronicles her story of triumph over intimate partner violence and teen sexual trauma.
She holds a BS in Economics and a Master's degree, in both Education and Psychology.
Tania Fallert-Del Gatto, MA, LMFT, Associate Director
Tania Fallert-Del Gatto has over 25 years of experience in community mental health. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and is fluent in Spanish. She is currently the Associate Director and Head of Service at El Centro de Amistad (ECDA). ECDA is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving at-risk families, youth, and adults who need mental health, social and supportive services. ECDA focuses primarily on providing services for the underserved Latino community in the Greater San Fernando Valley. She has worked at ECDA for over 19 years and has provided direct client services, clinical supervision, and administrative and programmatic oversite. She is currently responsible for the oversite of ECDA’s Department of Mental Health (DMH), Department of Child & Family Services (DCFS), and Substance Abuse Mental Health Administrative Services (SAMHSA) Programs.
In addition, she supervises the Intake and Clinical Programs and has vast experience and knowledge in working with marginalized communities, the HIV/AIDS population, children and families, trauma, grief, and loss. She is trained in several evidence-based and evidence-informed practices and has worked with individuals, couples, and families, and clients referred through Victims of Crime (VOC) in a private practice setting. Furthermore, she is an advocate for community mental health and the Latino population at large.
Maria Williams, MA, LMFT, Moderator
Maria Williams is a bilingual, bicultural, Latina and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Maria obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University Northridge and her Master’s degree in psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from Phillips Graduate University. Since 2011, Maria has served children and adults of the San Fernando Valley providing therapeutic services for children, adults, and families using an integrated approach tailored to the unique needs of each individual. Maria has been trained in Trauma-Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), Positive Parenting Program (Triple P), Managing and Adapting Practices (MAP), Seeking Safety, Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), and Child and Parent Psychotherapy (CPP). Maria utilizes reflective practice and is a domestic violence advocate.
Maria is passionate about working with the Latino community and assisting in supporting their desired change. Maria believes that change happens when people are given the support they need to draw on their own strengths and realize their potential to live fulfilling happy lives. Currently, she is the Program Manager for ECDA’s Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Program.
Alina Gonzalez, MS, AMFT, Child Therapist
Alina Gonzalez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. Currently, Alina serves at ECDA as a Child Therapist for children 0-5 years old and an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant providing support to Early Education Centers across LA County and San Fernando Valley. For the past 5 years, Alina has had the opportunity to work with Latinx children and their caregivers through different therapy modalities such as DIR-Floortime and Child-Parent Psychotherapy.
Her passion is to continue learning how to support caregivers and early education workers in building their skills and confidence to support children’s healthy social and emotional development.
Alexis Saray Cabrera, M.A., AMFT Mental Health Clinician
Alexis Saray Cabrera is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. She is currently serving as a Child Therapist for children 0-5 years old and is training as an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant. Alexis is currently facilitating and supporting Early Education Centers and working with Latinx children and their caregivers through different therapy modalities in Los Angeles County.
Alexis has had the opportunity to work with different cultural backgrounds and families utilizing different modalities such as ABA and Child-Parent Psychotherapy. Alexis enjoys providing a safe, reflective space where she can encourage and help each family build their attachment and connection with each other.
Our mailing address is:
El Centro de Amistad
West Valley Office
7038 Owensmouth Avenue
Canoga Park, CA. 91303
Phone: (818) 347-8565 Fax: (818) 347-0506
East Valley Office
566 South Brand Boulevard
San Fernando, CA. 91340
Phone: (818) 898-0223 Fax: (818) 361-5384
