In loving memory

Toni Bernay, PhD

President & Co-founder

Nationally known Beverly Hills psychologist, Dr. Toni Bernay died on April 30, 2007, after a brief but valiant battle with a recurrence of lymphoma, according to her son, Mitchell Bernay. In 1976, she was among the first graduates of the California School of Professional Psychology and she immediately became one of the leaders among psychologists, including serving as a board member of the school from which she graduated. She was actively involved with the Los Angeles County Psychological Association and the California Psychological Association, and ultimately served on the Board of Directors of the American Psychological Association. She was a co-founder of Women in Psychology for Legislative Action, a political action committee. She appeared frequently as an expert on local and national television and radio shows.

Dr. Bernay made significant contributions to the field of psychology in three areas; the emergence of women in the work world, and the psychological impact of cancer. With Dorothy Cantor, she wrote the groundbreaking book, Women in Power- The Secrets of Leadership, which studied the psychological development of women in high elected office throughout the United States. The book led to the opening of the Leadership Equation Institute, which was dedicated to developing visionary and effective transformational leaders.

When he late husband, Saar Porrath, MD, was diagnosed with cancer, Dr. Bernay returned to the field of her early research concerning coping with cancer. Together, they developed a program to help patients advocate for themselves in the healthcare system. Their book, “When it’s Cancer: Ten Essential Steps to Follow” was published last year by Rodale Press. The Porrath Foundation, which she founded after his death, will continue the important work that they launched together.

Finally, Dr. Bernay was one of the named plaintiffs in the federal anti-trust lawsuit that opened up the doors of analytic training to nonmedically trained psychological professionals in the United States.

Dr. Bernay was born and raised in New York City 70 years ago. Although admitted to the New York High School of Performing Arts, she attended Evander High School in the Bronx and graduated with a B.A. from Hunter College. In 1957, she headed to California where she received her MSW from U.S.C. before earning her Ph.D. from the California School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Bernay is survived by her son, Mitchell Bernay of Blair, NE, daughters Ellen Porrath Lord of Lewiston, NY and Laura Porrath Chalfin of Las Vegas, NV, sons-in-law, Matthew Lord and Randy Chalfin, and five grandchildren: Evan, Mia, Tessa, Henry and the eagerly awaited Bodhi. She is loved and remembered by the countless many whose lives she touched everyday.

Funeral Services will be held at noon on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary in Culver City, California. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Porrath Foundation for Cancer Patient Advocacy.

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