PASADENA – In the wake of the devastating Eaton and Palisades Fires, In the Arms of Grace Hospice is organizing a Community Support Group to provide emotional and psychosocial support for impacted residents.
Hospice specializes in providing support to families dealing with grief and loss, by offering comprehensive bereavement services that include counseling, support groups, and access to community resources. In harmony with that spirit, the Community Support Group endeavors to help a distraught community navigate its loss journey, by creating a safe space for residents to share their experiences, cope with their collective loss, and find solace and healing through a supportive communal experience.
The drop-in, open-format group sessions will be facilitated by Dr. Ani Karayan, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive expertise in trauma-informed care and grief counseling, whose private practice is located in Pasadena, CA. The St. Gregory Church of Pasadena Parish Council is generously providing access to space on its campus for the group to convene.
Details:
When: Tuesday evenings from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM, beginning February 4, 2025.
Where: St. Gregory Church of Pasadena: 2215 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107.
Who: Open to all residents impacted by the Eaton and Palisades Fires, at no cost.
How: Attendees may register at www.inthearmsofgrace.com/community. Objectives:\Create a safe space for residents to share their experiences, feelings, concerns, and fears, by offering guided emotional support and processing.
-Share coping strategies and practical tools and techniques for managing trauma -induced stress, anxiety, and grief.
-Extend the opportunity to connect with other residents affected by the fires and build a community support network.
-Provide access to community resources and available supportive services.
“The fires have caused significant disruption in the lives of many in the community,” said Kevin Tutunjian, President of In the Arms of Grace Hospice. “We wanted to create a safe and supportive space that validates the complex and nuanced emotions this community is going through, a space that empowers residents to find peace, closure, and community in the face of collective loss.”
IAGH is a family-owned and operated boutique hospice founded in 2011, serving the communities of Los Angeles and its surrounding counties. We believe that while hospice may be a difficult time in one’s life, it certainly doesn’t have to be the worst. Our mission is to curate an end-of-life experience that extends the same dignity and grace to patients in their final days as they had in the prime of life. We treat the whole person, not just their illness, and work shoulder-to-shoulder with the families we serve to ease the burden of care. Our team goes above and beyond to help patients and families gain dignity, peace, and resolution in the face of loss.
Dr. Karayan is a highly experienced clinical psychologist who has been serving the Pasadena community for over 20 years. Throughout her career, she has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including Cedars-Sinai, UCLA, and Children’s Hospital, providing compassionate and evidence-based care to individuals from diverse backgrounds. Specializing in trauma, anxiety, and mood disorders, Dr. Karayan integrates research-backed approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based interventions. Her work is rooted in a deep understanding of how cultural and social factors impact mental health, allowing her to provide tailored, culturally sensitive care. Dr. Karayan is also passionate about mentorship and education. She has been involved in training future clinicians, offering workshops, lectures, and supervision to graduate students and early-career therapists. Her ability to connect with clients and professionals alike has made her a sought-after expert in the field. Committed to fostering healing and resilience, Dr. Karayan continues to provide high-quality psychological care while advocating for accessible mental health services in the greater Los Angeles area.
St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church has been the spiritual and cultural center for the Armenian community in Pasadena and surrounding areas for over 60 years. Since the first meeting of the St. Gregory parish council in 1947, the church grounds have burgeoned into a dynamic complex that currently includes our newly built sanctuary, the recently renovated and updated church hall, and the Alfred and Marguerite Hovsepian Day School. The parish – with Archpriest Rev. Fr. Sarkis Petoyan serving as pastor – has more than 170 active members and oversees various organizations which serve to strengthen the spiritual, cultural and educational life of our members. These include the Ladies’ Society, Men’s Forum, Saturday School and Sunday School, ACYO, Choir and Friendship Club. Services of The Divine Liturgy – the spiritual celebration which has been a religious tradition for Armenian Christians for over 1,700 years – are held each Sunday beginning at 10:30am, and are usually followed by a fellowship gathering immediately afterwards.
