Dr. Heidi Horsley is an international grief expert, licensed psychologist and social worker. She is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Open to Hope Foundation, one of the largest internet grief resources, with over 7 million yearly visitors.  She co-hosts the award winning Open to Hope cable television show and podcast, Open to Hope www.opentohope.com. Dr. Heidi is an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University.  She serves on the National Advisory Board for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors of Military Loss (TAPS), The National Advisory Board for the Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation, and Peace of Mind Afghanistan (POMA). She is the Founding Member for Tuesdays Children Survivors Tragedy Outreach Program (STOP), a coalition offering peer support to individuals impacted by acts of terrorism, mass violence, and military conflict.  Dr. Heidi is on the VIP section of Marquis Whose Who in America, Madison Whose Who, and Whose Who of American Women.

Dr. Heidi has co-authored eight books, including; Spouse Loss; Fresh Grief; Inspirational Stories for Handling the Holidays After Loss; Inspirational Stories of Healing After Loss; Real Men Do Cry; A Quarterbacks Inspiring Story of Tackling Depression & Surviving Suicide; Teen Grief Relief: Parenting with Understanding Support and Guidance; and Signs and Hope From Heaven. She has appeared on the ABC television show 20/20, has been interviewed by numerous media outlets, and has been a guest on hundreds of radio shows as well as quoted in dozens of media publications, including: the Metro World News, Washington Post, Time Magazine, Newsday, Money Magazine, and New York Daily News. Dr. Heidi is also the author of numerous articles and academic book chapters.

 

Dr. Heidi gives keynotes, presentations and workshops throughout the country, and teaches continuing education workshops for health care professionals on support following trauma and tragedy.

 

For 8 years Dr. Heidi served on the National Board of Directors, for The Compassionate Friends.  In addition, for 10 yrs., Dr. Heidi worked as a co-investigator for the FDNY-Columbia University Family Guidance Program; a study which looked at traumatic loss in families of firefighters killed in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. Through this 9/11 study, Dr. Heidi provided ongoing intervention and follow-up to firefighter widows and their children, and facilitated groups for bereaved siblings.  In addition, Dr. Heidi supervised the school social work staff at Harlem Democracy Charter Schools in NYC for four years.

Dr. Heidi's early career included work in a variety of clinical settings, including; Manhattan Psychiatric Center, California Pacific Medical Center Psychiatry Dept., University of San Francisco Mental Health Clinic, St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital Psychiatry Dept., and Hope Haven Residential Treatment Center in New Orleans. Her psychology doctoral dissertation was on the sudden death of a sibling.

Her academic credentials include a doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) from the University of San Francisco; a Masters degree in social work (LMSW) from Columbia University, and a Masters degree in mental health counseling (MS) from Loyola University, in New Orleans.  Dr. Heidi splits her time between New York City and Tucson Arizona.