San Gabriel Valley CAMFT upcoming events

Asian Therapist Community Group (Sat, September 19, 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Asian Therapist Community Group

In-person Community Group for Asian Therapists

TOPIC

"Outside the Office"

WHEN

Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 9:30 - 11:00am

WHERE

Happy Humble Hub

(117 E Main St Unit A, Alhambra, CA 91801)

COST

Members: Free

Non-members: Free

FACILITATOR

Jessica Lan, LMFT

Who We Are

The Asian Therapist Community Group is designed exclusively to support Asian mental health therapists, licensed and pre-licensed, throughout the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles County. This is your space to connect, recharge, and thrive alongside peers who understand your unique journey.

What to Expect

You can expect to build a supportive network that uplifts each other while engaging in honest conversations about navigating life as an Asian therapist. Together, we'll build meaningful connections, foster personal and professional growth, and collectively uplift Asian mental health in our communities.

When We Meet

The Asian Therapist Community Group meets monthly on a Saturday at different locations throughout the San Gabriel Valley.

About This Meet-Up

Join us for a casual morning of connection, creativity, and getting to know the therapist behind the therapist. As therapists, so much of our time and identity can revolve around our work. This gathering is an opportunity to step outside of the office and connect with fellow therapists around the things that bring us joy, curiosity, creativity, and a sense of self beyond our professional roles. We'll spend some time in small-group conversations exploring hobbies, interests, creative pursuits, and the things we're making space for in our lives. There will also be plenty of time to mingle, browse Happy Humble Hub's makers market, and connect more casually with one another.

This gathering is intentionally free to attend to encourage everyone to take advantage of being at Happy Humble Hub—browse the shop, discover the local makers, and shop if something catches your eye. Supporting the space and its makers is part of what makes this gathering possible. Huge shoutout and thank you to Happy Humble Hub for the collaboration and for inviting our group into their space! You can learn more about them and their work at happyhumblehub.com.

Registration is limited to 20 people, with a waitlist opportunity, so be sure to register early. We look forward to seeing you there! Registration closes the evening before the event.

Questions?

Please email Jessica Lan, LMFT at jessica@lanfamilytherapy.com or via phone at (626) 888-1086 with further inquiries about this group.

Other Details

This is a Special Interest Group (SIG). Read more about SIGs here.

View event policies here.

3000 Club (in-person) Coffee Date (Sun, September 20, 2026)

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 19:00:00 GMT

3000 Club

In-person Support Group for Pre-Licensed Therapists

TOPIC

"Coffee Date"

WHEN

Sunday, September 20, 2026 | 12:00 - 1:30pm

WHERE

Red Car Coffee Shop

at the Huntington Library Art Museum

1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108

COST

Members: Free

Non-members: Free

FACILITATOR

Joe Girillo, LMFT

Who We Are

The 3000 Club is a group designed to support pre-licensed therapists on their journey towards licensure.

What to Expect

At the SGV-CAMFT 3000 club meet-ups you can expect networking opportunities to connect with other pre-licensed therapists, as well as access to a supportive community of licensed therapists who will have the answers to your questions about the licensure process.

When We Meet

SGV-CAMFT is now offering two 3000 Club meetings every month to support pre-licensed therapists on their road to licensure. One monthly meeting is hosted by Joe Girillo, LMFT and is held usually every third weekend of the month in person at varying locations. Our virtual meetings are currently on hold and will resume again soon. Emerald Aueyong will continue her volunteer efforts at LA-CAMFT.

About This Meet-Up

The 3000 Club "Coffee Date" this month will be at the Red Car Coffee Shop within the Huntington Library Art Museum in San Marino.

Be sure to register early for headcount purposes, and we look forward to seeing you there! Registration closes the morning of the event.

Questions?

Please email Joe Girillo, LMFT at jgirillo_57@joegirillo.com or via phone at (951) 206 - 1548 with further inquiries about this group.

Other Details

This is a Special Interest Group (SIG). Read more about SIGs here.

View event policies here.

Scholarship Info Night (Mon, September 21, 2026)

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Scholarship Info Night

Virtual Event

WHEN

Monday, September 21, 2026 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm

WHERE

Online via Google Meet

(link will be sent in confirmation and reminder emails)

COST

Members: Free

Non-members: Free

EVENT ORGANIZER/CONTACT

Lacy Tannous, LMFT, LPCC

About This Event

Did you know SGV CAMFT offers scholarships to support licensure preparation and community engagement? Learn more at a virtual info night hosted by Lacy Tannous, LMFT and LPCC and Chair of the Scholarship Committee for SGV CAMFT. We'll review the scholarship opportunities, elements of the scholarship application, and any questions you may have. If you're interested in reading about our scholarship programs, please click here.

Scholarship Info Night is for any therapist interested in applying for scholarship opportunities through the San Gabriel Valley chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Scholarships are open for all therapist levels-trainee, associate, and licensed professionals are encouraged to apply. Membership is not required to attend.

We look forward to seeing you there! Registration closes the morning of the event.

Questions?

Please email Lacy Tannous, LMFT, LPCC at lacy@lifecyclefamilytherapy.com with further inquiries about this event.

Other Details

View event policies here.

"Anti-Social" Therapist Networking #1 (Fri, September 25, 2026)

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

"Anti-Social" Therapist Networking

Virtual Event for Therapists

TOPIC

"Focused, online networking for therapists"

WHEN

Friday, September 25, 2026 | 10:00 - 11:00am

WHERE

Virtual via Zoom

Link will be sent in confirmation and reminder emails.

COST

Members: Free

Non-members: Free

FACILITATOR

Jonna Tamases, LMFT

Who We Are

This networking event is for therapists who would like to know more therapists, to really understand their strengths and style in order to develop a referral base and professional will. It's for those of us who may get overwhelmed at the free-form, large-group socializing/networking events, or find it difficult to "feel" who other therapists are (as therapists) in that context, or have difficulty attending in-person events for any reason. The "Anti-social" is meant to be a tongue in cheek way of highlighting that these meetups really focus on networking and sharing ourselves as therapists.

What to Expect

This will be a structured, smaller-group meetup for us to share our offerings and strengths as therapists. Each meeting is one hour long, on Zoom. There's no pressure to socialize, and you can attend multiple events, as you desire.

When We Meet

We have this event 2 times every month at various times. Jonna's intention is to schedule various times, making it available to more people. If you have a particular time that you haven't seen scheduled yet, please let Jonna know, and we can make a future meeting to fit your schedule!

About This Meet-Up

Jonna endeavors to create a warm, welcoming space where we can share about ourselves to the group and really get a sense of each other's vibe as therapists. In addition to sharing things like your therapy focus, strengths, style, ideal client, etc., you can share things like what you like about being a therapist, how you see yourself in the client-therapist relationship, or a moment from a session where you really liked how you showed up. Or anything else you'd like us to know about you!

Registration is limited to 9 people, so be sure to register early. Registration closes the morning of the event. If you've registered but can't make it, please let Jonna know (even the morning of the event!). We often have a wait list, and your cancellation frees up a spot for someone else to attend.

Questions?

Please email Jonna Tamases, LMFT at jonna.tamases@gmail.com with further inquiries about this group.

Other Details

This is a Special Interest Group (SIG). Read more about SIGs here.

View event policies here.

Summer Social (Sat, September 26, 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Summer Social

In-person Social Networking Event

WHEN

Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 11:00am - 1:00pm

WHERE

Garfield Park

100 Park Avenue, South Pasadena

(Mission Street Side, to the right of the path)

COST

Members: Free

Non-members: $10

EVENT ORGANIZER/CONTACT

Micheal Mann, LMFT

Jessica Lan, LMFT

About This Event

Join us for a relaxed summer gathering to connect with fellow therapists in the community. This casual, bring-your-own-everything picnic is a chance to unwind, enjoy the outdoors, and build relationships with colleagues outside of the usual professional setting.

Pack your own food, drinks, blanket or chair, and anything else that will make you comfortable. Whether you're a longtime member or new to the community, all are welcome to stop by, say hello, and enjoy some sunshine together.

We will be on the Mission Street side, to the right of the path. Approximate location of where we will be:

We look forward to seeing you there! Registration closes the event before the event.

Questions?

Please email Jessica Lan, LMFT at jessica@lanfamilytherapy.com or Michael Mann, LMFT at president@sgvcamft.org with further inquiries about this event.

Other Details

View event policies here.

Curious Clinician (Pasadena) (Sun, September 27, 2026)

Sun, 27 Sep 2026 20:45:00 GMT

Curious Clinician

In-person Discussion Group for Therapists

TOPIC

"Treatment Efficacy"

WHEN

Sunday, September 27, 2026 | 1:45 - 3:30pm

1:45pm check-in, discussion starts 2pm

WHERE

Old Town Pasadena

The address will be sent in follow-up emails.

COST

Members: Free

Non-members: $15

FACILITATOR

Michael Mann, LMFT

Who We Are

Curious Clinician is an in-depth discussion group for associate and licensed therapists to explore topics that we in encounter in our work together.

What to Expect

At the SGV-CAMFT Curious Clinician Groups you can expect a casual, interesting conversation with other therapists about topics that we encounter in our work together. When you leave a Curious Clinician group, we hope you have felt inspired and have made a friend.

When We Meet

SGV-CAMFT offers two Curious Clinician discussion groups every month. One meeting is held every second Sunday of the month on the East Side, either in Glendora with facilitator Joe Hovemeyer, LMFT or Covina with facilitator Joanne Guzman, LMFT. The second monthly meeting is hosted by Michael Mann, LMFT and gathers every fourth Sunday in Pasadena, CA.

About This Meet-Up

Our topic this month will be "Treatment Efficacy." How do we determine if therapy is helping? What metrics do we use? How might that vary clinician to clinician or client to client? How do our treatment modalities shape our understanding of this? Let's explore this together!

Registration is limited to 13 people, with a waitlist opportunity, so be sure to register early. We look forward to seeing you there! Registration closes the morning before the event.

Questions?

Please email Michael Mann, LMFT at president@sgvcamft.org with further inquiries about this group.

Other Details

This is a Special Interest Group (SIG). Read more about SIGs here.

View event policies here.

"Anti-Social" Therapist Networking #2 (Mon, September 28, 2026)

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 02:30:00 GMT

"Anti-Social" Therapist Networking

Virtual Event for Therapists

TOPIC

"Focused, online networking for therapists"

WHEN

Monday, September 28, 2026 | 7:30 - 8:30pm

WHERE

Virtual via Zoom

Link will be sent in confirmation and reminder emails.

COST

Members: Free

Non-members: Free

FACILITATOR

Jonna Tamases, LMFT

Who We Are

What to Expect

When We Meet

About This Meet-Up

Questions?

Please email Jonna Tamases, LMFT at jonna.tamases@gmail.com with further inquiries about this group.

Other Details

This is a Special Interest Group (SIG). Read more about SIGs here.

View event policies here.

Dream Circle (Sat, October 10, 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Dream Circle

In-person Community Group for Therapists

TOPIC

"Exploration of dreams for personal and professional growth"

WHEN

Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 9:30am - 12:00pm

WHERE

The Place Within

211 S Primrose Ave. Room 1. Monrovia, CA 91016

COST

Members: Free

Non-members: $10

FACILITATOR

Kathryn Bikle, LMFT

Who We Are

The SGV-CAMFT Dream Circle is a focused and intimate gathering designed for therapists to explore the significance of dreams. Led by experienced facilitator Kathryn Bikle, this recurring group offers a space to learn practical techniques for understanding dream imagery and applying those insights to navigate personal and professional challenges.

As a part of the SGV-CAMFT community offerings, the Dream Circle provides a unique opportunity for members and non-members alike to delve into the subconscious in a supportive environment, fostering self-discovery and a deeper understanding of the psyche. With its limited size, the group encourages connection and a more personalized experience in unraveling the mysteries held within our dreams.

What to Expect

You can expect an insightful exploration into the realm of dreams with the San Gabriel Valley CAMFT Dream Circle. Led by Kathryn Bikle, a seasoned Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Dream Circle groups offer a deep dive into how dream work can enrich your therapeutic approach or personal understanding of your inner landscape.

Kathryn also brings valuable expertise as a Somatic Experiencing® Trauma Practitioner, Certified Labyrinth Facilitator and BodyDreaming® Practitioner. She is sensitive to the body's role in processing experiences and has a holistic and symbolic approach to inner exploration, and she brings this sensitive, holistic, and symbolic approach to her work as facilitator of the SGV-CAMFT Dream Circle.

When We Meet

The Dream Circle usually meets on the third Saturday of the month in Monrovia.

About This Meet-Up

Curious about how to work with dreams in your therapy practice? Or maybe you’re just interested in working with dreams for your own personal growth and enjoyment?

Join BodyDreaming Facilitator Kathryn Bikle, LMFT to explore how dreams enhance our understanding of what is going on in the psyche and how to work with these images to derive meaning from them in a way that helps you navigate issues from your past and current life!

Registration is limited to 10 people, with a waitlist opportunity, so be sure to register early. We look forward to seeing you there! Registration closes the evening before the event.

Questions?

Please email Kathryn Bikle, LMFT at kathryn.bikle@gmail.com or via phone at (626) 755-6437 with further inquiries about this group.

Other Details

This is a Special Interest Group (SIG). Read more about SIGs here.

View event policies here.

Professional Will Writing Workshop (Fri, October 16, 2026)

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Professional Will Writing Workshop

with Natasha Morisawa, LMFT & Vanessa Fierstadt, LMFT

In-Person CE Event for Therapists

WHEN

Friday, October 16, 2026 | 9:00am - 2:00pm

9:00am check-in, presentation starts 9:30am

See specific timeframe breakdown below.

A catered lunch will be served. Vegan and gluten free will be accomodated.

WHERE

Villa Parke Community Center Conference Room

(363 E Villa St #1021 Pasadena, CA 91101)

COST

Licensed Members: $90

Licensed Non-members: $100

Associate Members: $75

Associate Non-members: $80

CE CREDITS

PROGRAMS CHAIR/EVENT ORGANIZER

Kathryn Bikle, LMFT

About This Event

Working on a professional will is challenging in isolation. We may put it off or not update it regularly. SGV-CAMFT is providing an opportunity to do a deeper dive by looking at the reasons why we struggle with this and any end-of-life planning. Then we’ll support each other in taking the next steps to work on our own professional will or update the one we already have.

Therapists in private practice have the ethical responsibility to have plans in place for their clients and practice should they become incapacitated or die suddenly. In addition, if the practice isn’t properly managed in these circumstances, the therapist’s estate could be legally liable for any breaches of privacy or HIPAA violations among other issues.

A recent New York Times article highlighted the struggle clients had getting notified of their therapist’s death and the complicated impact of losing a therapist. An up to date professional will which is effectively communicated and implemented can reduce the gap in continuity of care and tend to the needs of the clients left behind in these instances.

Most of us already know this yet don’t have a professional will in place or haven’t updated it in many years. Drawing on studies parallel in nature to this kind of preparation, most people state the number one reason they don’t do this preparation is because they “haven’t gotten around to it yet.” In addition, we as MFTs understand our society and social systems don’t have a lot of capacity to hold the existential and mortality issues impacting the psyche around death and dying.

This workshop is designed to address these barriers and hold a container together for doing this work. Come join us while we explore some of the underlying issues of death and dying which can show up in our practices. Then we will sit together and work on shoring up our own practices by starting the process of writing our professional wills.

Registration is limited to 30 people, with a waitlist opportunity, so be sure to register early. We look forward to seeing you there! Registration closes evening before event.

Education Goals/Learning Objectives

By the end of this presentation participants will:

Name 3 barriers to end of life planning.
Identify 3 complimentary practices therapists can work with around death and dying.
Understand parts of a professional will through a provided template.
Construct a plan to complete and update a professional will.

Presenter(s)

Natasha Morisawa,LMFT has interest in helping people prepare for and respond to disasters formed over 20+ years in paid and volunteer roles with the American Red Cross. As a Marriage and Family Therapist and Supervisor in private practice, her specialties include working with families and individuals exploring the impact of individual and generational trauma through systems-based, somatic, mindfulness, eco-psychotherapy, and attachment-based lenses. In addition to private practice, she’s the current Executive Director of The Place Within- Southern California, a non-profit community mental health center in Monrovia, CA. She is also a Veriditas Trained Labyrinth Facilitator and co-hosts a passion project podcast called Ponder While We Wander. It is likely that if you cross paths with her in the wild, you may be in a local garden or bookstore, generally walking about, or around a campfire. Feel free to connect with Natasha on Instagram @natashamft_ or visit her at www.MindfulMFT.com or ponderwhilewewander.com/podcast-info.

Vanessa Fierstadt, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Certified Grief Specialist in Pasadena, Ca. For over ten years Vanessa has found meaning specializing in grief work for those in more complex grief. Vanessa leads numerous workshops in addition to lecturing at universities throughout California. Today, she channels her lived experiences and specialized training to create containers for courage, support, and community at the newly opened Kintsugi Grief Center in Pasadena. Kintsugi offers various loss specific in person and virtual grief and loss support groups throughout the year. In addition, Kintsugi Legacy their sister nonprofit is creating more community outreach and connections for grievers. For more information and to learn more you can reach out at www.kintsugigrief.com or vanessa@kintsugigrief.com.

Event Schedule

9:00am Check in and networking

9:30am Welcome and housekeeping with instructions on how to get CEs

9:40am Introductions and outline of day

9:45am Presentation (CE program begins)

11:45am Lunch Break (catered; working lunch, 15 min Non-CE section)

12:00pm Introduction to Professional Will (CE program resumes)

12:45pm Exercise to prepare for writing

1:00pm Go through template

1:30pm Accountability and follow through groups

2:00pm Conclusions, evaluation, CE

Questions?

Please email Kathryn Bikle, LMFT at kathryn.bikle@gmail.com with further inquiries about this event.

Other Details

View event policies here.

This is an introductory, intermediate, and advanced level course. This program will benefit LMFT, LPCC, LEP and LCSW licensees and pre-licensees.

This course meets the qualifications for 4 hours of continuing education law and ethics credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

CE credit will be awarded after completion of this course and a course evaluation, sent via email.

The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (SGV-CAMFT), provider #60957, is approved by CAMFT to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs. SGV-CAMFT maintains the responsibility for the program and all its content.