Death Cafe

Community Conversations

First Mondays of the Month 

An open, candid, casual discussion on how we stay fully engaged in life while exploring our beliefs and stories surrounding death. First Mondays of the month at 3:00pm-4:00pm.

  • Community Conversations is an informal group directed discussion of death and dying with no agenda–other than to generate meaningful, energetic conversation—free from judgement
  • It is a discussion group rather than a grief support/or counseling for a death of a loved.
  • Topics may include beliefs/attitudes, cultural, medical, spiritual and/or social issues that surround death/dying
  • It is a respectful and confidential space
  • A space for an open discussion on death allowing for personal growth so that one can flourish and lives can be enriched.

Facilitators

Dr. Denise LaRosa, D.O.M., Certified Grief Counselor

Denise LaRosa is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine. She had a family practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico since 1996 and was an Associate Professor and Clinical Supervisor at Southwest Acupuncture College until 2009. She then accepted the position of Academic Dean at the Ayurvedic Institute where she assisted with opening a Community Clinic for the Medicine of Ayurveda and was part of the faculty teaching Death & Dying & Medical Ethics. After moving to San Luis Obispo in 2014 she joined the staff at Wilshire Community Services and currently holds the position as the Bereavement Manager for Wilshire Hospice.

Ercilia Martins, MA, BCBA, Certified Grief Counselor 

Ercilia Martins is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 25 years in the field of Psychology and Education. She trained in trauma-informed care, emotion- focused therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Positive Behavior Intervention Support Therapy. Ercilia joined Wilshire’s Bereavement Department in 2021 where she became certified in grief counseling as well as Certificated Grief Counselor- Child and Adolescents.

They look forward to discussing life, death and dying with you.