Support Groups

Dr. O’Leary, holds a B.E.S. and a Masters in Maternal-Child Health from the University of MN. She also has a Masters in Psychology through research from Queens University in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Her Ph.D. is in Work, Community and Family Education and from the University of Minnesota. Her dissertation was The Meaning of Parenting During Pregnancy, After the Loss of a Baby: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study of Parenting a Subsequent Baby Following a Perinatal Loss. She became certified as Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale examiner during her MPH course and moved into a hospital setting working within a High Risk Perinatal Center. Dr. O’Leary’s Ph.D. research was funded by the Bush Foundation. She does research and writing on prenatal parenting; pregnancy and parenting after the loss of a baby, including its impact on fathers and siblings, including adults who were the child in their family born after the loss of a baby. Joann formerly taught CEED online courses: Pregnancy and Birth: An Emerging Perspective on Children’s Development and Pregnancy’s Unexpected Outcomes: Death, Disabilities, and the Impact on Parents and Children–A Guide for Practitioners. Joann lives in Minneapolis, MN with her husband, John.

Dr. Terjesen has been active with Star Legacy Foundation for several years since the stillbirth of their daughter Savannah.  In 2022 Dr. Terjesen joined our Family Support team as our Men’s Grief Discussion Group facilitator.

Mark D. Terjesen, PhD, is Professor of Psychology and the Assistant Chairperson of the Psychology Department at St. John’s University in Queens, NY. Dr. Terjesen has studied, conducted research, published books and articles, and presented at a number of national and international conferences on topics related to assessment and clinical work with children, adolescents, and families. Dr. Terjesen has served as President of the School Division of the New York State Psychological Association, the President of the Trainers of School Psychologists, and as the President of Division 52 of the American Psychological Association (International Psychology division).  Dr. Terjesen is a Fellow of the Albert Ellis Institute in New York City, where he is also an approved supervisor. He is also the Clinical Director at North Coast Psychological Services in Syosset, NY, where he maintains a clinical practice. Dr. Terjesen and his wife, Dr. Carolyn Waldecker, lost their first daughter, Savannah, to stillbirth in April 2018. They have been involved in the NY Metro Chapter of the Star Legacy Foundation since May 2018. They celebrated the birth of their second daughter, Amelia, in 2019. They remember Savannah every day and honor her memory through their work with the Star Legacy Foundation.

Alise is a doctor of clinical psychology and works as a licensed psychologist where she specializes in reproductive and perinatal mental health. She is co-founder of a group private practice in the Twin Cities, MN serving individuals and families, many of whom are impacted by infertility, pregnancy and infant loss, birth trauma, and perinatal anxiety, depression, trauma, and related maternal mental health concerns (Vayda Mental Health Collaborative PLLC www.vaydamentalhealth.com). Alise’s work in reproductive psychology is a way in which she blends her professional expertise and makes meaning of her personal reproductive journey. For her, the journey has included many years of infertility and treatments (medicated cycles, IUIs, IVF, etc.), early pregnancy losses, birth trauma, and postpartum anxiety. Alise is a professional member of the Association for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the National Infertility Association (Resolve). She also serves on the board of directors for Postpartum Support International-MN Chapter (PPSM). As a psychologist, Alise provides individual and family therapy to those impacted by reproductive mental health challenges and uses her skills as a trauma-informed provider to support her patients as they navigate towards healing. She also integrates her unique expertise in psychological evaluation/testing and specialties in infant/child development, parenting and attachment, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)/+ related neurodivergence. She also serves as a systemic advocate for her clients as she collaborates with other providers (e.g., OB/GYN, RE, PCPs, Midwifery, Doulas, etc.) to provide comprehensive mental health care. She is a fierce feminist, ally for LGBTQ+, and works to be anti-racist in the facets of her professional and personal life. In her spare time she enjoys the fought-for and sacred moments with her two sons + spouse + dog (Brutus). She works to set the intention to be present, playful, and authentic in the world. She enjoys true crime documentaries, coffee, being outdoors, re-watching the Office many times over, and gushing over cute and cuddly critters of all types (dreams of someday having a small hobby farm…. just needs to convince her partner of such an endeavor ; )).

Lyssa holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, in Counseling Psychology. Lyssa is a licensed counselor currently practicing at Vayda Mental Health Collaborative in Minnesota, with a primary focus on reproductive mental health. After sixteen-years as a high-school counselor, Lyssa transitioned from supporting the mental health of teenagers to supporting the mental health of women and partners who are experiencing infertility, pregnancy loss, and alternative family building options.

Lyssa was introduced to the Star Legacy Foundation in 2014 after her first child was stillborn at 39 weeks. This experience, followed by other reproductive health challenges, has been the driving force for Lyssa’s passion in supporting others as they navigate the often-complex journey of building their family.  Lyssa believes that no one should suffer alone during a time that can feel so isolating and lonely.

In addition to her work as a counselor, Lyssa enjoys the Minnesota outdoors (in the summer and even in the winter!), spending time with her husband and two young children, gardening, and yoga.

Tricia Rausch is a registered nurse at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Birth Center in Shawnee Mission, KS.  She has worked with families in the Birth Center for over 14 years as the Program Coordinator of the Perinatal Bereavement and Palliative Care Program.  In 2013 she also became the Program Coordinator of the Postpartum Emotional Support Program.  In these roles she supports and advocates for families who have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss as well as assists parents who are struggling with perinatal mood disorders and the daily emotions and anxieties of being a parent. She facilitates weekly groups at the hospital for Pregnancy and Infant Loss, Pregnancy After A Loss and Postpartum Emotional Support.

In March of 2007, Tricia’s fourth child, Andrew, was stillborn at 38 weeks.  In 2009, after experiencing her pregnancy after a loss, she went to work at the hospital where she last held Andrew.  Tricia felt called to be a part of the amazing staff that cared for her and her family on that darkest of day in 2007.  Once part of the Birth Center team, Tricia was asked to build a bereavement program.  The bereavement program at AHSM is the only one like it in the area and supports many of the loss families in the Kansas City area.  Tricia is a SLF peer companion as well as a member of RTS, PLIDA, PSI and AWHONN.  She is also involved with many local organizations focused on perinatal loss and maternal mental health.  In 2021, Tricia joined local loss parents in launching the Greater Kansas City Chapter of Star Legacy Foundation.  In 2022, she assisted AWHONN in creating a Perinatal Bereavement training and resource hub for their members. She has received her certification as a Coordinator of Perinatal Bereavement and Palliative Care from RTS and her certification training in Perinatal Mood Disorders and Treatments from Postpartum Support International.

Tricia is married to Randy and a proud mother to a big, blended family.  She has 6 biological children, Nate 22, Allison 21, Grace 19, (Andrew,15), Drew 14 and Sam 10, and 3 bonus children, Lindsay 25, Garrett and Chloe 22.  She enjoys spending time with her busy family and traveling any chance she gets.

Kathleen Massmann is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Clinical Director of Healing Moments Counseling. She has over 20 years of experience working with a wide range of clients including individuals, c families and groups. Her bachelor’s degree was obtained from The College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University in English and Philosophy and her Master’s of Science in Mental Health Counseling was obtained from Capella University. Kathleen is a Certified Compassionate Bereavement Care Provider and she is certified by Postpartum Support International. Kathleen enjoys working with a wide variety of clients, and utilizes an eclectic therapy approach tailored to meet the needs of her clients. She utilizes Client-Centered, Compassionate Bereavement Care, EMDR and Holistic Therapy to help clients reach their individual goals. Her belief in the personal power that each individual possesses, guides the therapy process. Her areas of specialty include: perinatal bereavement (pregnancy and infant loss), child loss, traumatic bereavement, postpartum depression, postpartum mood disorders, pregnancy after a loss, serious illness/terminal diagnosis and trauma. Kathleen is a member of Pregnancy & Postpartum Support Minnesota, Postpartum Support International, Pregnancy Loss & Infant Death Alliance, International Stillbirth Alliance and The MISS Foundation Compassionate Bereavement Care Provider Network. In her spare time, Kathleen enjoys gardening, canning and spending time with her husband and children.

Bianca Goodrum has a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Bianca’s Dissertation is entitled “Grief Counselors’ Self-Care and Wellness Practices: A Narrative Inquiry.” Bianca is a Licensed Professional Counselor and resides in San Antonio, Texas. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Health from Texas A&M University in College Station and her Master of Arts degree in Counseling & Guidance from Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Bianca’s research interest consists of Counselor Wellness and the importance of Counselors taking care of themselves while doing the hard work of holding space for their clients and their needs. Bianca had the privilege and honor of working collaboratively with grieving children, adolescents and adults for 5 years at The Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas in San Antonio. In addition, she has worked at Clarity Child Guidance Center and The Rape Crisis Center in San Antonio. Bianca currently works at Conceivable Resolutions, PLLC a counseling private practice with her father Kenneth E. Goodrum, LPC-S. Bianca works with clients through grief, depression, trauma, anxiety and familial concerns.

Debbie holds a master of arts in marriage and family therapy from St. Mary’s University of MN. After a 20 year career in human resources, where she worked for Target and Walt Disney World, and most recently as the director of HR for a legacy advertising agency in Minneapolis, she elected to return to school and change careers. The decision was driven by her heartbreaking, yet enlightening journey into parenthood. A bereaved mom, who lost 2 sons to stillbirth, and then struggled with secondary infertility and endured multiple rounds of fertility treatments, she felt called to help others who are faced with reproductive health challenges. A specialist in infertility, pregnancy loss, and alternative family building, Debbie works with couples and individuals who have suffered the devastating heartache, and trauma of pregnancy loss. She prepares straight and gay couples and single women and men who wish to pursue IUIs, IVF, donor eggs, donor sperm, donor embryos, and surrogacy. She works with fertility clinics, OB/GYN clinics, surrogacy agencies, and egg donor agencies around the country. She evaluates gestational carriers and egg donors. She is an active professional member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), and Resolve: the National Infertility Association. She is affiliated with the Center for Reproductive Medicine in Minneapolis where she screens potential egg donors. Debbie is honored to be on the advisory board of Fruitful Fertility. She also facilitates Star Legacy’s virtual support group for bereaved parents, and is a past board member of Faith’s Lodge.

Katherine is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Clinician in private practice working in Maternal Infant Mental Health. She is committed to empowering motherhood after birth trauma and enhancing infant and child attachment in the family. Katherine is a certified Loss Doula (LDI) and Birth and Postpartum Doula (DONA). She received her BS in Public Health and Child Development in 2016, MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2019, and is working towards her Doctorate in Psychology. Katherine facilitates bereaved parents’ support groups and pregnancy after a loss group with Star Legacy Foundation and Postpartum Support International. Katherine and her family buried Helen after she was born still at 38 weeks in 2005.

Anna joined the Star Legacy Foundation in 2021 as our Spanish support group facilitator. She was born and raised in Honduras and came to the United States to pursue a college degree. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL in Pre-medicine, Biology, and Communications Studies. She holds a certificate in Public Health Management from University of Illinois at Chicago, where she is also pursuing a Master’s of Public Health in Health Policy and Administration. The majority of Anna’s career has been in perinatal care. Ever since her first child was stillborn at 40 weeks, she has been dedicated to supporting fellow bereaved parents in their journeys, educating providers on improved perinatal bereavement care, and working to prevent baby loss by sharing best practices with families to keep their babies safe. Anna conducts this work through the organization she founded in memory of her son, Gifts from Liam. Anna also is a Star Legacy Foundation peer companion, co-chair of the Perinatal Alliance of Bereavement Care Providers of Illinois, former bereavement breast milk donor for the Mother’s Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes, and pregnancy and stillbirth researcher and participant. She has presented at numerous workshops and conferences about her experience, raising awareness about pregnancy loss and prevention. Anna lives in Chicagoland area with her super rainbow son and visits Honduras, where her family lives, as much as possible.