Mindfulness Time for Social Workers – 2024 Dates

Brian Stefan (ASW) is a psychotherapist and proud social worker specializing in grief, suicide, romance fraud & financial exploitation, and crisis response. He works with several organizations including Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center and the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office Crisis Response Team/Suicide Response Team. He is an adjunct faculty member at California State University Los Angeles, School of Social Work. Brian was the co-founder and facilitator of InsightLA’s weekly virtual mindfulness group: Deep Suffering H.O.P.E. Affinity & Practice Group (Healing Ourselves through the Present Experience). Brian also leads mindfulness and grief retreats/workshops online and in-person for clinical and non-clinical groups. Along with Dr. Jamie Gamboa, he launched Spotlight on Suicide in 2021 with the mission of educating the general public about suicidal ideation and providing a space for people to listen, learn, and practice how to “Sit With Suicide” within themselves and for others.

Sabri Williams has worked with NASW-CA for over a year. She is a former fellow of the NASW-CA Foster2SocialWork initiative and now works as a Membership Consultant for the organization. Sabri also works as a Clinical Research Coordinator in a healthcare setting. 

Sabri has over 5 years of experience in sectors that include humanitarian aid, refugee resettlement, juvenile justice, homeless intervention and prevention, and disability services. Additionally, she completed an indirect service term with the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC). During her term, Sabri completed projects that included environmental restoration, disaster mitigation and recovery, and emergency response. 

Her commitment to social justice has earned Sabri a Dean’s Service Award (2020) from the University of Kentucky, a Service Coin (2021) from the US Coast Guard, and a Congressional Service Medal (2021). In addition to the above, Sabri serves as an Alumni Mentor at the Univeristy of Kentucky and as an English Tutor for the Kentucky Refugee Ministries. Sabri hopes to continue to champion injustice and ensure vulnerable citizens or groups have a voice.