After the L.A. Fires: Understanding and Coping with Grief and Emotional Recovery
In the aftermath of the devastating LA fires, many are struggling with feelings of loss, uncertainty, and overwhelming grief. Join us for a compassionate virtual event dedicated to understanding the emotional impact of such disasters and exploring paths toward healing and recovery.
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 @ 4:00pm
Virtual Event via Zoom (details sent after registration)
Cost: No charge
Contact: Madeleine Mejia, Madeleine_Mejia@post.harvard.edu; Kimia Grigoriev, kimiagrigoriev@gmail.com
This event features a panel of distinguished experts who will provide valuable insights into the nature of grief and how it can evolve, how to recognize when grief turns into clinical depression and practical strategies for emotional recovery. You’ll hear from:
- Dr. David Mischoulon Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, will discuss “When Grief Turns Into Depression,” offering guidance on recognizing signs and seeking professional support.
- Dr. Cynthia Meyersburg Clinical Psychologist and Harvard Lecturer, presenting “Making Sense of Grief and Emotional Aftershocks,” helping normalize the emotional responses following trauma and guiding listeners toward healing.
- Rev. Mel Kawakami, experienced clergy and counselor who has supported communities through disasters such as 9/11, Katrina, and Sandy Hook, bringing a unique perspective on spiritual and emotional resilience.
- Kimia Grigoriev, a Clinical Psychology doctoral candidate, studies grief and feelings of loss, especially in kids who think and learn differently, and shares helpful and caring ways to understand and cope.
This session is open to all community members seeking support, understanding, or a safe space to reflect on their own grief journeys. While primarily a listening and learning opportunity, attendees will be invited to reflect and engage with the material in a supportive environment.
No pre-reading is necessary, and resources will be shared to support ongoing emotional recovery.
Whether you are personally experiencing loss or supporting loved ones through grief, this event offers essential insights and compassionate guidance to help navigate these challenging times.
About Our Speakers:
Dr. David Mischoulon, MD, PHD
Dr. Mischoulon is the Joyce Root Tedlow Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Depression Clinical and Research Program (DCRP) at MGH. He graduated in 1994 from the MD-PhD program at Boston University School of Medicine and completed his residency in adult psychiatry at MGH in 1998, serving as Chief Resident in Psychopharmacology.
Dr. Mischoulon’s research focuses on various areas of depression, including psychopharmacology and complementary and alternative medicine. His research on omega-3 fatty acids has been funded by NARSAD, NCCAM/NCCIH, and the NIH. He mentors researchers from all over the world. He has published more than 300 articles, a textbook on natural medications, and a guide to treatments of depression. He has been an invited speaker at various sites around the country and internationally and is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.
In addition to his research activities, Dr. Mischoulon teaches and supervises MGH/McLean psychiatry residents and Harvard medical students and also lectures in various MGH/Harvard continuing medical education programs. He serves as Director of Training in the MGH Clinical Trials Network and Institute (CTNI), where he educates research clinicians on the proper administration of diagnostic instruments in clinical trials. He also cares for patients through the DCRP clinical practice and is regularly sought out for consultation regarding the management of treatment-resistant depression and the use of complementary therapies for psychiatric disorders.
Dr. Cynthia Meyersburg PhD ’10
Dr. Cynthia Meyersburg is a distinguished psychologist and educator whose work bridges rigorous scientific inquiry with compassionate mentorship. She currently serves as a Lecturer in Extension at Harvard University’s Division of Continuing Education, where she teaches courses such as Pseudoscience and Mental Health, Schizophrenia, Motivation, Grief, and Applied Clinical Psychology.
Dr. Meyersburg earned her Ph.D. in psychology from Harvard University in 2010, conducting her doctoral research in Professor Richard McNally’s lab. Her dissertation focused on false memory phenomena, particularly why some individuals believe they have memories of past lives. Prior to her doctoral studies, she completed a terminal M.S. in developmental psychology at Johns Hopkins University and graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in English from Emory University.
Beyond academia, Dr. Meyersburg has contributed to public discourse on psychological topics. She has been featured on programs such as the Discovery Channel's Curiosity series and Big Picture Science, discussing subjects like brainwashing and unusual belief systems. Her research interests also encompass the impact of trigger warnings, first-generation college student experiences, and student satisfaction.
Dr. Meyersburg's commitment to education is reflected in her numerous teaching accolades. She has received multiple awards from Harvard's Department of Psychology and was honored with the Harvard Extension Students Association's Spirit Award for Best Mentor in both 2022 and 2023. In 2024, she was recognized by the Harvard Extension School Psychology Student Society for inspiring and empowering students.
Mel Kawakami M.Div ’74; Th.M. ’87
The Rev. Mel Kawakami, Harvard Divinity, M.Div. 1974, Th.M. 1987 is a retired United Methodist Clergy person and retired Licensed Professional Counselor in Connecticut. He served United Methodist Churches throughout Connecticut. Long concerned about Disaster Relief, he was on the first Methodist Clergy Team at Ground Zero after 9/11, on the Gulf Coast post-Katrina, and served on Early Response Teams to Florida, Haiti, New York, Texas, North Carolina and North Georgia.
Nothing, however, could have prepared him for the shootings in Sandy Hook School in December 2012, where, as Senior Pastor, his church lost two of their children and served a host of survivors. Continuing to support Disaster Response, Mel trains Early Response Teams for the Methodist Church. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Harvard Alumni Disaster Preparedness and Response Special Interest Group.
Kimia Grigoriev ALB ’23; ALM ’25
Kimia Grigoriev is a doctoral candidate in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, where her research focuses on grief, loss, crisis, depression, neuropsychology, and mental health policy. Her work centers on the intersection of autism and depression, with a commitment to developing inclusive, evidence-based interventions for neurodivergent individuals navigating complex mental health challenges.
She holds a Bachelor of Liberal Arts (cum laude, 2023) and a Master of Liberal Arts in Psychology (2025) from Harvard Extension School, where she also serves as the founder and president of the Psychology Student Club and has been recognized for outstanding contributions to student leadership and engagement.
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Refund Policy: We do not provide refunds for any of our events.