Meet Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin | President & CEO at Parents Anonymous

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Dr. Lisa, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The critical factor behind our success is that we are committed to keeping our promise to be there for parents and youth, no matter what. Through our 24/7 National Parent and Youth Helpline™ and through the Evidence-Based Weekly Parents Anonymous® groups and all our different programs offered, we are here to support. We make a promise not to blame or shame people, but instead offer to help in their personal empowerment journey.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What sets Parents Anonymous apart most is our new grant that allows us to run our nationwide helpline, 24/7. We started with a helpline in 1969 to serve as a safe place for parents who were struggling to ask for help. From the Helpline’s start, we emphasized we were not the government and not here to accuse or criticize, but instead were solely there to provide vital emotional support in any way we could.
Because of our legacy, expertise and commitment to justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, research and more, we were awarded a 5-year grant to offer our national helpline to parents and youth across the nation. While we still offer a helpline directly to California parents and youth, our national line helps to support millions more.
What also makes us unique in California is that our Helpline can take support a step further by linking parents and their children to Free, Weekly Online Evidence-Based Parents Anonymous Groups.
Personally, I am a very passionate person, especially when it comes to parenting. I am a mother myself to two adult children, and through my experiences I know how large a role parents have in shaping the future. My immigrant parents modeled love and support and honored my journey always. My father always said, “you need to have fire in your belly,” and it has something that has stuck with me throughout my personal and professional life. You need to be driven, think of how to help others, and continuously advocate for what is right.
As for the lessons I’ve learned along the way, I’ve learned countless valuable lessons, but some of my favorites include are:
1. Never Give Up –The most important thing is not just getting up when you get knocked down but moving through the fear and pushing forward.
2. Be an Advocate – Constantly advocate on behalf of yourself, your children and others that you love and care about.
3. Put Yourself First – You are the best person to know what will work for you. Trust yourself.
4. Life is not a Bowl of Cherries – Life has its ups and downs. Have a back-up plan for your back-up plan, find a true support system and people you can connect with.
5. Asking for Help is a Sign of Strength® – Parents Anonymous® has service-marked this phrase for a reason – it lies at the heart of our mission and is a truth I have personally experienced. If you need help and you don’t quickly find it – I implore you to be tenacious. If you are struggling as a parent, caregiver or youth, you can always reach out for help by calling the National Parent & Youth Helpline™ at 855-427-2736.
I am committed to helping diverse parents, children and youth focus on their personal and community-level of advocacy no matter their skin tone, gender or economic class. So many parents are shamed and blamed for every issue their family faces instead of tearing them down. We need to support the parents who are struggling and who have children who are struggling. Often, systems focus on the child with the “problem,” which is needed but cannot be successful without supporting the parents and the entire family.
The biggest challenges we face at Parents Anonymous are funding and getting our message out. While we may not be a fit for everyone, we always try to help whoever we can, and the earlier parents and youth reach out the more opportunities we have to be there with a listening ear, helping them address underlying emotional issues and crafting a direction to enhance well-being.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The city has many amazing places I would suggest, and one of my favorites is the beach. I love going with family and friends to ride bikes, play paddleball and just walk along the beach. After getting all sandy, go for some delectable food – which is so easy because LA has so many incredible places to choose from! I would recommend finding an off-the-beat ethnic place for something delicious, or even checking out one of the many food trucks. If you start in Santa Monica and head down to Venice, you will find some of the best restaurants.
I am also a huge fan of shopping, and the exceptional thing about LA is how many small boutiques and vintage shops you can find. LA is home to so many talented local designers that I love to support. Finally, check out the museums. From LACMA to the Getty Museum, there are so many amazing places. One of my favorites at any time of year is the Japanese Garden at the Huntington Library.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This shout out is dedicated to all parents, children and youth who seek help – they are the actual heroes of the story. The future depends on parents, because without them we don’t have children. People parent in a variety of ways – through birth, adoption, fostering, step-parenting and even grand-parenting. It takes a village, which is why it’s vital to honor all the parents who have stepped up.
Website: https://parentsanonymous.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parentsanonymousca/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lisa-pion-berlin-01057465/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Standwfamilies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParentsAnonymousCA
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@parentsanonymous
Image Credits
Parents Anonymous