About

Violet Solomon Oaklander 1927-2021

Violet Oaklander was the author of the books Windows to Our Children: A Gestalt Therapy Approach to Children and Adolescents (now published in 16 languages) and Hidden Treasure: A Map to the Child’s Inner Self (now published in 8 languages) as well as several journal articles, book chapters, and audio and video recordings on psychotherapeutic work with children. She earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, a Master of Arts in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling, a Master of Science in Special Education with emotionally disturbed children, and was a certified Gestalt therapist.

Violet by pond in violet and pink clothesViolet’s unique approach to working with children, which combines Gestalt Therapy theory, philosophy, and practice with a variety of expressive techniques, has won international recognition. She earned a lifetime achievement award from the Association of Play Therapy, U.S., and received numerous other awards for her contribution to the mental health field.

About Violet Solomon Oaklander Foundation

The Violet Solomon Oaklander Foundation (VSOF) is a non-profit corporation created to further the work of Dr. Violet Oaklander, eminent child and adolescent psychotherapist, trainer, and author. The Foundation brings together dedicated mental health professionals who are preserving, extending and supporting Dr. Oaklander’s Gestalt-based therapeutic work with children and adolescents, as well as continuing her training work with adults.

The Birth of a Foundation

In October 2003 approximately 20 of Violet’s family members and long-time colleagues began meeting in Santa Barbara, California to discuss various ways of carrying on Violet’s work after she retired. These founding members, current contributing members, and the VSOF Board members have been deeply touched by Violet’s work and are dedicated to ensuring its longevity.

 

19 Members of the Foundation with violet

Our Vision

Since its inception, VSOF founding members worked with Violet to launch the VSOF website and store, develop training materials and programs, publish an electronic newsletter for Friends of the Foundation members and for the wider community of health professionals, create an archive library, network with scholars and professionals around the world, and develop a scholarship program to provide training in the Oaklander Model for those in need of assistance. They also created the first Violet Solomon Oaklander Foundation conference, which took place in November 2011 in Malibu, California, and continues to meet bi-annually  regarding the application and further development of the Oaklander Model.

The Violet Solomon Oaklander Foundation Board

Mha Atma Khalsa, Board Member

Mha Atma Khalsa is Violet’s son. He lives in Los Angeles and has been in practice as a doctor of chiropractic for many years. He also spent many years as Violet Oaklander’s personal chiropractor. He is a founding member of VSOF and serves on the Board as a representative of Violet’s family. He can be contacted at mhaatma@earthlink.net.

Martha Oaklander, Board Member

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Martha Oaklander is Violet’s daughter-in-law. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband Mha Atma Khalsa. Martha has served the foundation since its founding in 2003 doing administrative work. She is a founding member of VSOF. Martha worked closely with Dr. Violet Oaklander for many years, helping her with five intensive summer training programs. She can be contacted at martyoaklander@gmail.com

Peter Mortola, Board President

Avatar photo

Peter Mortola, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of School and Counseling Psychology at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, where he coordinated the School Psychology Program. Peter worked closely with Dr. Violet Oaklander attending ten of her intensive summer trainings, and is the author of “Windowframes: Learning the Art of Gestalt Play Therapy the Oaklander Way.” Peter can be contacted at: pmortola@lclark.edu.

Karen Fried, Board Member and Past President

Karen Fried, Psy.D., M.F.T. is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an Educational Therapist in Santa Monica, California. She has a private practice in Psychotherapy and trains child and adolescent therapists in this model in the US and internationally. Trainings, online tools, and many resources can be found at oaklandertraining.org. Karen can be reached at karen@karenfried.com.

Chris McKenna, Board Member

Chris McKenna is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in Santa Monica, California. She uses the Oaklander Model in her private practice and in her work in schools. She is the co-author of the book, Healing Through Play: A Guidebook for Therapists and Counselors for Effective Therapeutic Interventions Working with Children, Adolescents and Their Families.

Tzveta Misheva-Aleksova, Board Member

Tzveta Mischeva-Aleksova is a therapist in private practice as well as a trainer in the Oaklander approach to Gestalt Play Therapy. She lives in Sofia, Bulgaria and is the founder of Gestalt Play Therapy Bulgaria. She can be reached at: tzvetaaleksova@gmail.com

 

Cassiana Castro, Board Member

Cassiana Castro is a therapist in private practice as well as a trainer in the Oaklander approach to Gestalt Play Therapy. She lives in Curitiba, Brazil and is the founder of Gestalt Workshops Brazil. She can be reached at: gestalt@cassianacastro.com.br

Liz Cervantes, Board Member

Liz Cervantes is a bilingual therapist in private practice as well as a trainer in the Oaklander approach to Gestalt Play Therapy. She lives in Portland, Oregon. She can be reached at: lizzetcervantes@gmail.com

Susan Dorn, Board Member

Susan Dorn is a therapist in private practice as well as a trainer in the Oaklander approach to Gestalt Play Therapy. She lives in Seattle, Washington. She can be reached at: susandorntherapy@gmail.com

 

 

 

Camille Jarmie Harris, Past Board Member

Camille Jarmie Harris, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in private practice, and Core Faculty in the Clinical Psychology Program at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Camille can be reached at: cjarmieharris@gmail.com

Lynn Stadler, Past Board Member

Lynn Stadler headshot

Lynn Stadler, MA, MFT is a Gestalt psychotherapist and licensed Marriage Family Therapist working in private practice in Santa Barbara, California with children, adolescents, adults, and families. Lynn provides workshops, seminars, and Gestalt training for social service agencies, universities and other teaching organizations worldwide. Lynn is also a member of the International Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy (IAAGT). For training and related questions, please contact lynnstadler@verizon.net.

Patric White, Past Board Member

Patric White, PhD and MSW, is in private practice in Hermosa Beach, California, specializing in child and adolescent and family therapy. He also consults for various school districts on the treatment of emotionally disturbed children. Patric conducts individual supervision for Interns in various clinical disciplines focusing on Child/Adolescent issues. As a founding member of VSOF, Patric is passionate about issues involving children’s welfare in our cultural context. He can be reached by email at dr.patric.white@gmail.com.

Founding Members

  • Felicia Carroll, M.Ed, MA.
  • Christiane Elsbree, LCSW, ACSW, BCD
  • Karen Fried, Psy.D., M.F.T.
  • Doug Honeyman, Psy.D.
  • Mha Atma Khalsa
  • André Kuenzli, Dipl. Psych
  • Fabienne Kuenzli, Ph.D., LMFT
  • Marjorie Mapes. LISW, RPT-S
  • Claire Mercurio, Ph.D.
  • Peter Mortola, Ph.D.
  • Nancy Murdock, MFT
  • Violet Oaklander, PhD.
  • Martha Oaklander
  • Sara Oaklander
  • Christine Orpen, MA. MFT
  • Michael Petracca, MFT
  • Helen M. Sherry, Ph.D.
  • Lynn Stadler, MA, MFT
  • Sue Ellen Talley, M.A., LMFT (Founding Board President)
  • Sandy Volk, M.A., LMFT
  • Lee Weiser, Ph.D.
  • Patric White, Ph.D.
  • Judith Yeager, MFT, A.T.R.

Contributing Members

  • Jon Blend – Trainer
  • Felicia Carroll- Trainer
  • Mha Atma Khalsa – Scholarship fund
  • Sara Oaklander – Publication of Dr. Oaklander’s Books and Store
  • Max Solomon – Store
  • Giandomenico Bagatin