A native of Bucharest, Romania, Dr. Severin received her DDS degree in Europe where she practiced dental medicine for almost ten years. After immigrating to United States, she received her second graduate degree, an MA in Counseling Psychology from San Francisco State University.
Dr. Severin has an extensive experience in the treatment of addictions, anxiety and depression using ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) both with individuals and with couples or families. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and as a student of Gregory Bateson, Bertalanffy, Niklas Luhmann, and Humberto Maturana, Dr. Severin has a keen interest in Systems Biology and Systems Psychology. Passionate and deeply involved with music - both as a professional violin player and a music therapist- Dr. Severin is fluent in English, French and Romanian, and is a culturally competent expert in acculturation-related mental disorders in middle aged immigrants from Eastern Europe.
Dr. Severin is a member of San Francisco CAMFT, CAMFT, and American Psychological Association (APA). In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Severin is also a college professor, and a health educator for immigrant communities.
Email: Severin@virtis-ptsd.org
Gabriela Mihalache is a psychologist fluent in English, Romanian, and Spanish, whose research interest centers on forgiveness dynamics in the context of trauma, therapeutic processing, and the psycho-spiritual transformative experience that ensues and supports posttraumatic growth.
Her professional expertise in transnational mental health has been molded by living in two diametrically opposite sociopolitical systems and cultures: the oppressive communist of Romania, in the first part of her life, and the democratic US in the second. She holds an MA in counseling from Notre Dame University and a PhD in transpersonal psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (ITP), Palo Alto, CA. Currently, Gabriela serves as Adjunct Faculty in the Global Program at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. In addition to teaching and research, Gabriela has an extensive media experience as a writer, editor, and owner of a journal (Ronews, Curentul International).
A liaison for ITP with the Romanian Association of Transpersonal Psychology, Gabriela offers annually extensive training in transpersonal psychology to Romanian mental health practitioners. The Greater Sacramento Metropolitan area has some 20,000 Romanian immigrants. To support local programs for this underserved population, VIRTIS will engage in transnational, translational action research with the country of origin, Romania.
Email: Mihalache@virtis-ptsd.org
1. Active presence in the N. California Romanian community to provide psychosocial counseling, legal, and educational resources and support.
2. Descriptive studies of Romanian idioms of mental distress and coping with acculturation and trauma.
3. Alleviate suffering due to mental distress and disorders and reduce the risk for domestic violence, child abuse, teen violence, substance abuse, and suicide.
4. Mental health advocacy for Romanian refugees and immigrants with policy makers.
5. Strengthen the overall mental health, sense of confidence, pride, and hope of Romanian immigrants.
6. Transnational (Romania-USA) projects to link databases, conduct studies, and “upstream” early intervention prior to resettlement in California.
7. Strengthen the wellbeing, acculturation, and civic integration of bilingual, bicultural Romanian-Americans.
1. Mapping the Romanian community in Northern California: census data and existing community based organizations (CBOs).
2. Developing collaborative linkages and partnerships with Romanian CBOs in Northern California.
3. Develop linkages and partnerships with universities, agencies, and public health agencies in Romania, Moldova, and world-wide Romanian diaspora.
4. Epidemiological surveys of the Romanian communities to determine the incidence and prevalence rates of posttraumatic stress disorder depression, anxiety, and suicidality.
5. Marriage and family therapy, and individual counseling services provided in Romanian language emphasizing prevention and early intervention for depressive and anxiety disorders, PTSD, domestic violence, anger management, child abuse, parenting, elderly psychological support, labor trafficking, and intergenerational gap and conflict.
6. Open house 2 times/month to offer assistance on different subjects of interest for the Romanian community:
- Professional education: school system in US, educational programs, loans, credits transfer and equivalencies
- Legal issues: immigration, naturalization, divorce, child custody, inheritance, overseas legal interests