Who We Are
Lawrence LeShan, Ph.D. is a research and clinical psychologist who has worked with cancer patients for over forty years. His pioneering research in psychological factors in cancer has led him to be called “The father of mind-body medicine”.
He has published sixteen books, including Cancer As A Turning Point and How to Meditate (which have both become classics in their fields), and You Can Fight for Your Life, an early work about psychology and cancer. His books have been translated into fourteen languages. He has also published approximately 100 papers in numerous professional journals including the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Journal of Nervous and Mental Disorders, American Archive of Psychiatry, American Journal of Psychotherapy, Advances in Mind-Body Medicine, and numerous other professional journals
Dr. LeShan has directed several research projects, and received professional awards: the Normal Cousins Award for Development of Human Relations in Psychology and Medicine, the Center for Integrative Cancer Therapies Award for Advancing Patient Participation in Their Own Treatment, the Pathfinder Award from the Association of Humanistic Psychology, and the Gardener Murphy Award. He served for five years as a U.S. army psychologist.
Ruth Bolletino, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, is a psychotherapist in private practice in New York City specializing in work with people dealing with life-threatening illness, loss, trauma and bereavement. She is a diplomate with the American Psychotherapy Association. With two degrees in philosophy, she has taught that subject in two universities. When she turned to mind-body psychology, she trained extensively with Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and then with Lawrence LeShan with whom she has worked as a colleague since 1990. In 1991 she herself was diagnosed with cancer, and since 1991 has been cancer-free. She worked as a mental health volunteer for four months at Ground Zero, the World Trade Center site.
She has published articles in professional journals on such topics as psychotherapy with people with cancer, dealing with grief and loss, ethical considerations in psychotherapy and medicine, and spiritual factors in psychotherapy, and has authored the chapter on cancer in the book Mind-Body Medicine: A Clinician’s Guide to Psychoneuroimmunology. She has presented numerous lectures, seminars and workshops in the U.S., Europe and South America for patients, their family members and health care professionals, and has supervised psychotherapists in their work with clients with life-threatening illnesses.
Mary Bobis, MSW, LCSW, is a psychotherapist in private practice in Charlotte, N.C. where for over twenty-five years she has specialized in work with people dealing with cancer, anxiety and depression and other stress-related issues. She established the first support group in Charlotte for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients in Presbyterian Hospital Cancer Center, and now leads weekly cancer support groups at the Buddy Kemp Community Caring House of Novant Foundation.
Besides training with Lawrence LeShan in psychotherapy with cancer patients and in psychic healing, she completed training in relaxation and visualization with O. Carl Simonton, in the use of guided imagery with Martin Rossman and with Jean Achterberg and Frank Lawless. She has also completed certification programs in hypnosis, EMDR (eye movement desensitization and retraining) , EDXTM, and Seemorg Matrix and Redecision therapy. Besides her psychotherapy services, she presents yearly psychic healing training workshops and leads a weekly healing group which accepts requests from anyone for a healing in person or at a distance.
Stephanie Koraleski, Ph.D., is a psychologist at Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center in Omaha, Nebraska, where she provides therapy for patients and families, facilitates support groups, and consults with the medical staff. A diplomate with the American Board for Clinically Certified Hypnotherapists, she is a certified EMDR practitioner, a reiki master, and a student of healing touch.
Dr. Koraleski has worked as a career counselor and therapist in two university counseling centers, a psychiatric hospital, and an outpatient counseling center. She has published articles in mental health journals, authored a chapter of a behavioral health reference book, and contributed to the books Wise Women Speak and Chicken Soup for the Soul, Healthy Living, Breast Cancer. She has served as president of the Nebraska chapter of the American Liver Foundation, on the community board of the American Cancer Society Nebraska chapter and on the professional advisory council for the Multiple Sclerosis Society Midlands chapter.
She has co-authored and implemented A Time to Heal, a holistic breast cancer rehabilitation program, in which she conducts research with cancer survivors, facilitates groups, and trains and supervises professionals working with clients dealing with illness and bereavement.
