National Radio Show Host Dr. Heidi Horsley Named Executive Director of Open to Hope Foundation

Dec. 8, 2008 - PRLog -- San Francisco, California  – Dr. Gloria Horsley, international grief expert, bereaved parent, and Founder and President of the new Open to Hope Foundation describes the Foundation as a comprehensive online Internet community, whose mission is helping those who have suffered a loss to cope with their pain and find hope for the future.    The Foundation honors this mission by providing nearly 100 contributing authors and 15 blogs that address a variety of topics dealing with grief, loss, hope and healing.  In addition the Foundation is affiliated with the radio show “Healing the Grieving Heart” and offers numerous links to bereavement organizations and grief resources throughout the world.  As Dr. Gloria Horsley explains, “We don’t want others to feel alone, we’ve been there and made it and so can you.  We look forward to having Heidi onboard to help us expand our organization and spread our message of hope to all those who have suffered a loss”

One of the biggest challenges Dr. Heidi Horsley addresses in both private counseling and with listeners on her radio show is how to help individuals heal and find hope again after a profound loss.  “I have seen both personally and professionally the power that online support communities play in helping people cope, heal and find hope again despite great loss and adversity.  I am honored to be a part of this organization because I know that the Open to Hope Foundation (http://www.opentohope.com) will change individual’s lives in profound ways and have a lasting impact on their futures.”

Dr. Heidi Horsley is herself a bereaved sibling who feels that she would have benefited from a virtual online community, such as the Open to Hope Foundation, after her 17 year old brother Scott and cousin Matthew died together in an automobile accident.  Since then she has gone onto work in the field of grief and loss. Currently she is an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University School of Social Work.  Since 2002 she has worked in a research and clinical capacity for the FDNY/Columbia University Family Guidance Program; providing ongoing intervention to families of firefighters killed in the World Trade Center. She has also conducted workshops for 9/11 bereaved siblings.  Dr. Horsley has appeared on ABC’s 20/20, been quoted in the Washington Post & the New York Daily News, and has been interviewed on numerous radio shows.  She has written numerous articles and is co-author of Real Men Do Cry: A Quarterback’s Inspiring Story of Tackling Depression and Surviving Suicide Loss (Quality of Life Publishing, 2008), and Teen Grief Relief: Parenting with Understanding Support and Guidance (Rainbow Books, 2007).  

Dr. Heidi Horsley gives presentations and workshops throughout the country, and teaches continuing education workshops for health care professionals on the psychological treatment of loss.

To learn more about this organization or how you can become involved in the Open to Hope Foundation, go to http://www.opentohope.com

188 Minna Street
San Francisco, CA  94105
415-994-8263
http://www.opentohope.com