Today we’d like to introduce you to Iman “Dr. Iman” Williams Christians, Ph.D..
Hi Dr. Iman, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my career as a clinical psychologist specializing in trauma and grief, working primarily with veterans. It was meaningful work, but over time I noticed a significant gap. Grief was present in nearly every story I heard, yet it was rarely being addressed directly or with the depth it deserved.
That realization shaped everything that came after. I moved into a Chief Clinical Officer role at Lost and Found Grief Center, where I could focus specifically on building grief support at a clinical level. From there I was drawn to Kansas City Hospice and Solace House, where I now serve as Director. I’ve been here for four and a half years, and it continues to be the most purposeful work of my career because I have the honor of working families and children in some of the hardest moments of their lives and making sure they don’t have to navigate that alone.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I came into this role right in the middle of COVID, which meant hitting the ground running in ways no one could have fully prepared for. We had to quickly pivot to telehealth and virtual groups, which, in grief work, presents its own unique challenges. So much of what we do depends on human connection, on being present with someone in a room, and suddenly we were trying to hold that space through a screen.
But honestly, the harder adjustment came after. Transitioning people back to in-person programming took far longer than anyone anticipated, and required a level of flexibility from our entire team and the wonderful families we have been able to work with.
What I can say now, on the other side of it, is that we made it use and we were able to use that period to grow. Our programming is stronger and more expansive than it was before, and I think navigating that difficulty together gave our team a resilience we carry into everything we do now.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As the Director of Grief Programs at Kansas City Hospice, I oversee what I genuinely believe is the most comprehensive grief program in the region and I don’t say that lightly. Through Solace House, we offer dozens of support groups, camps/retreats, and individual grief sessions every year, serving adults, children, and entire families who are navigating some of the most painful seasons of their lives.
What sets us apart is both the breadth and the accessibility of what we offer. As a nonprofit, the vast majority of our programming is provided at no cost to the people we serve. That matters enormously to me. No one should have to weigh whether they can afford to receive services for their grief.
What I’m most proud of is the scope of who we’re able to reach. From young children who’ve lost a parent, to adults carrying losses they’ve never had space to process, to families trying to find their footing together. We meet people where they are. The fact that we can do that at the scale we do, and largely for free, is something I don’t take for granted for a single day.
Any big plans?
There is a lot to look forward to, and honestly that energy keeps our team motivated and moving. In the near term, we are gearing up for our Circle of Lights memorial event, which is always a deeply meaningful moment for our community where people are able to come together and honor the ones they’ve lost in a way that feels both personal and collective.
Looking ahead into the year, we have our grief camps in June and September, which remain some of the most transformative programming we offer. There is something that happens for children at camp especially that you simply cannot replicate in a clinical setting. Watching people find each other in their grief, and realize they are not alone in it, never gets old.
We are also preparing for our fall group programming. Fall brings out families that are navigating holidays and family events for the first time and we want to meet them where they are and offer the support they need..
Each of these touchpoints represents a community that keeps showing up for one another, and a team that makes it possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kansascityhospice.org
