What happens when an entire city feels the aftershock of a disaster and the news cycle moves on?
In this powerful and timely episode of the ANEW Insight Podcast, Dr. Supatra Tovar welcomes back Dr. Cris Scaglione, neuropsychologist and President of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association (LACPA), for part two of their interview. Together, they unpack the long-term mental health impacts of the January 2025 California wildfires one of the most catastrophic events in the state’s history and explore how clinicians, organizations, and communities can step into deeper, more sustained healing.
This episode goes far beyond trauma response. It’s about what it means to be human in the aftermath of a crisis.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Wildfire recovery is not a moment, it’s a multi-year process.
Dr. Scaglione and Dr. Tovar discuss the immense challenges facing survivors, from toxic home environments and insurance battles to ongoing displacement and stress. And while the headlines may have faded, the trauma hasn’t. These communities need long-term mental health support, and LACPA is working to deliver that one partnership, one training, one act of compassion at a time. - Real mental health work goes beyond therapy sessions.
Both doctors challenge traditional notions of what it means to “help.” Mental health support isn’t always about sitting across from a therapist; it can look like equine therapy, access to food and hygiene supplies, or simply showing up. “If someone needs a sandwich,” Dr. Scaglione says, “we give them a sandwich not a lecture on what it means to go without one.” - Psychologists need to break out of silos.
Many therapists operate in private practice bubbles, which can unintentionally create disconnection both from one another and the communities they serve. Dr. Scaglione shares her vision of a more visible, community-rooted profession, where psychologists are found not just in offices but also at festivals, shelters, soup kitchens, and healing events. - Vulnerability breaks stigma.
The conversation turns deeply personal when Dr. Tovar reflects on how people shut down when she answers “How are you?” with honesty. But both experts agree: mental health stigma thrives in silence. Reducing it starts with everyday truth-telling and creating spaces where people feel safe enough to admit they’re not okay. - Leadership means legacy and joy.
As LACPA celebrates its 80th year, Dr. Scaglione is steering the organization toward more diversity, activism, and joy. That means more community events, greater collaboration with groups like the Iranian and Asian American Psychological Associations, and a commitment to DEI that’s student-led and proudly public. - Healing must include everyone, especially those not traditionally reached.
LACPA is known for being a hub for Westside private practitioners, but Dr. Scaglione hopes to shift that reputation by inviting psychologists from diverse backgrounds and sectors, including agency work, organizational psychology, and culturally specific practices. Her message: there’s room for everyone at the table. - Joy is a clinical tool.
What makes a great therapist? According to Dr. Scaglione, it’s not just knowledge it’s joy. “I know I’m doing good therapy when we’re laughing,” she says. Joy doesn’t minimize the pain, it strengthens the resilience. That same energy is what she wants to infuse into professional development, conferences, and community outreach.
Why this episode matters:
This conversation is a rallying cry. It calls on us whether we’re mental health professionals, survivors, or simply compassionate citizens to redefine care, presence, and psychological leadership. In a world still reeling from crisis, we need more than resilience. We need community. We need the truth. And yes, we need joy.
Here are her social media channels : 
/ cris-scaglione-a0606a40 , https://www.lacpa.org/board-of-directors, dr.cris@triskelion1.com
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