Dr. Heidi Horsley to be profiled as part of the National Association of Social Workers

USA (SANEPR.com) March 19, 2009 -- The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is an organization with over 150,000 members. In an effort to recruit more social workers to the profession, 50 social workers from around the country were selected to be profiled and show the ways that they are giving back to the community http://50ways.socialworkblog.org/. We at the Open to Hope Foundation, are thrilled to have Dr. Heidi Horsley as one of those profiled on this website, and know she will do an outstanding job representing the social work profession. “I am honored to be profiled on the NASW website because I know that social workers change individuals’ lives in profound ways and have a lasting impact on their futures, commented Dr. Heidi Horsley.”

Dr. Heidi Horsley, has devoted her life to giving back to the community at large, and making a difference in people’s lives. She serves as Executive Director of the Open to Hope Foundation and 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 150 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” which Dr. Heidi Horsley hosts. The radio show offers numerous resources and links to grief resources and bereavement organizations throughout the world.

As Dr. Heidi Horsley explains, “we don’t want others to feel alone, we’ve been there and made it and so can you.” 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. 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.

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, and Teen Grief Relief: Parenting with Understanding Support and Guidance. Dr. Horsley gives presentations and workshops throughout the country, and teaches continuing education workshops for health care professionals on the psychological treatment of loss.

Dr. Heidi Horsley
37 West 72nd Street, Suite 1E
NY NY 10023
(646) 269-1662

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