JACOB BERELOWITZ, LMSW Co-Founder & Executive Director
Jacob Berelowitz is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Talk Therapy Television. In this role he conceptualized, founded and established Talk Therapy Television as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. He provides leadership on all current and new Talk Therapy TV projects and develops key partnerships and relationships with federal, state, city, and community organizations. Additionally, he hosts the Talk Therapy TV program produced and broadcast weekly by Talk Therapy Television. Mr. Berelowitz holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from New York University and is a New York State Licensed Master Social Worker. Additionally, he received a Post-Masters Certificate in Advanced Clinical Practice from New York University. Previously, Mr. Berelowitz has worked as a psychiatric social worker on several acute care inpatient psychiatric units with a variety of specialty populations. Additionally, he has experience as an individual, group, and family psychotherapist working with the full range of mental illnesses. He has assisted in the conceptualization and development of several non-profit organizations and has authored articles for various newspapers and professional publications on mental health topics. Mr. Berelowitz is an active professional member of the National Association of Social Workers, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Family Caregiver Association, and Geriatric Mental Health Alliance of New York.
RALPH GONZALEZ Co-Founder & Executive Producer
Ralph Gonzalez is the Co-Founder and Executive Producer of Talk Therapy Television. In this role, he assisted in the conceptualization and establishment of Talk Therapy Television as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Additionally, Mr. Gonzalez produces the award winning weekly Talk Therapy TV program. Mr. Gonzalez has extensive experience in non-profit management, coalition building, and social marketing of health causes including HIV/AIDS, substance abuse disorders, and mental illness. He has received numerous awards for his efforts in public education about HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse including a congressional citation from U.S. Congress member Edolphus Towns and community service awards from the AIDS Coalition and the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators. Mr. Gonzalez has broad training and experience with public access television production and is a certified TV producer at Brooklyn Community Access Television and Queens Public Television.
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Too often, individuals with mental illness and their family members and friends do not seek out help because they either don't know that there is a problem, don't understand what kinds of treatments are available for mental illness, or are concerned about stigma and discrimination. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than 45 million Americans experienced a mental disorder last year, yet less than 40 percent of them actually received mental health services. As Kathryn Power, Director of SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services, pointed out during her appearance on Talk Therapy Television, "Treatments for mental illnesses are more effective than treatments for cancer, diabetes and other major illnesses". Talk Therapy Television was created to disseminate information about mental illness and its treatment options to the public through media and thereby promote the treatment of mental illness. Now, all that the public needs to do is: Watch. Learn. Get Psych-ED.
