About Us.

What is the Learning Collaborative?

Supported by the Trauma and Grief (TAG) Center at the Hackett Center for Mental Health, the Learning Collaborative provides high-quality, no-cost virtual and/or in-person training which allows clinicians to become proficient in implementing an evidence-based intervention for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma and/or bereavement. Participants receive ongoing support in their efforts to implement TGCTA or MGT at their site in a sustainable manner. Participants also receive the TGCTA or MGT manual as part of the Learning Collaborative materials, as well as access to the treatment and assessment resources on this site.
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What is TGCTA?

GCTA is an evidence-based, manualized intervention that addresses the complex needs of older children and adolescents contending with trauma, bereavement, or traumatic bereavement. TGCTA’s modularized, flexible design allows clinicians to customize their intervention according to the specific needs, strengths, and life circumstances of specific youth and the time available. TGCTA combines state-of-the-art assessment and treatment of trauma exposure, bereavement, and the interplay between posttraumatic stress and grief reactions that can arise following traumatic bereavement.​
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What is MGT?

MGT is an evidence-based, theoretically derived intervention designed to reduce unhelpful grief reactions, promote adaptive grief reactions, and help bereaved children and adolescents (aged 7 to 18) lead healthy, happy, productive lives. MGT's assessment-driven, multi-tiered approach allows clinicians to provide a continuum of care, spanning the needs of children who may be experiencing normative struggles after a death to those who are experiencing debilitating grief reactions that make it difficult to function. MGT is the first intervention that directly addresses the three domains of grief according to Multidimensional Grief Theory. 

Our Team

Dr. Julie Kaplow, PhD, ABPP
​Executive Vice President, Trauma and Grief Programs and Policy

Dr. Julie Kaplow is a licensed clinical psychologist, board certified in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. In her role as Executive vice President for Trauma and Grief Programs and policy, she develops, evaluates, and disseminates trauma- and bereavement-informed “best practices” to community providers nationwide. 

Marisa B. Nowitz, MSW, LCSW-S
Senior Director of School and Community Engagement

Marisa B. Nowitz, MSW, LCSW-S is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Supervisor with nearly two decades of clinical experience, as well as expertise in program planning, training, and education for mental health clinicians, health care providers, educators, caregivers, and other professionals.

Priscilla Mendez, PsyD
Senior Clinical Implementation Specialist

Priscilla Mendez is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Clinical Psychologist with experience working with and adapting evidence-based treatments for ethnically diverse youth and families with histories of trauma and loss. Priscilla provides training and consultation in the implementation of trauma- and grief-informed mental health services to at-risk youth and families.

Oscar Widales-Benitez, PhD 
​Senior Clinical Implementation Specialist

Oscar is a bilingual (English/Spanish) licensed psychologist and a Nationally Certified School Psychologist who has specialized in providing culturally responsive, evidence-based services for traumatized and bereaved youth. Oscar provides training and consultation in the implementation of trauma- and grief-informed mental health services to at-risk youth and families. ​
Stacey Brittain, LCSW-S, RPT 
​​Assistant Director of Training 
​Stacey is a Licensed Clinical Social Work Supervisor and Registered Play Therapist with over fourteen years of experience providing trauma-informed therapy to people of all ages. Stacey assists in providing trainings and consultation to community-based organizations, schools, and clinicians in trauma- and grief-focused topics as well as suicide prevention among youth.
Tamara Johns​, LMSW
Clinical Implementation Specialist
​Tamara is a licensed master social worker with experience working in inpatient psychiatric facilities, community integration programs, and clinical outpatient services. Tamara provides consultation in the implementation of trauma- and grief-informed treatment for youth.