From Kathryn Bikle, President

The slow lazy days of summer are drawing to a close and with the onset of Fall challenges and opportunities both new and familiar, arise to greet us. Who would’ve thought back in March 2020 that we’d still be navigating shutdown procedures and safety precautions to keep us safe from the Covid-19 virus? And yet, we continue to adapt and seek to find creative ways to do the important work we do serving the mental and behavioral health needs of our community. In these stressful times it is essential that we practice healthy self-care and take the time we need to re-charge and refresh ourselves in whatever ways feel most nourishing. Having the energy to dream creates hope. And hope creates an environment for positive things to happen! 

Let’s take a look at some of the positive things that are happening in our SGV-CAMFT community!

Are you eager to grow your leadership muscles? SGV-CAMFT is always eager to involve future community leaders as volunteers on our Board of Directors. Currently, we have openings for participation in Membership Outreach, Programs, Social Media Communications, 3000 Club (in support of pre-licensed members) and SIG Infrastructure planning. If you have any interest in volunteering on our Chapter’s board in any capacity large or small, please contact me at president@sgvcamft.org.

SIG Program Planning Kickoff Events in September:

SGV-CAMFT is forming a Special Interest Group Program for professionals to come together around topics and interests related to our field. A Special Interest Group (SIG) is an opportunity to make connections, dig deeper into specialty areas, and form relationships around common interests. We are currently looking for participants and facilitators to help us launch this program! 

Do you have a passion for working with couples, trauma, or a specific diagnosis, and would like to share that with your colleagues? 

Do you work with a specific population and could use some support? 

Would you enjoy co-hosting educational or social programs for Marriage and Family Therapists? 

We are open to your ideas for SIGs. What group would you like to see form? What group could you imagine being a part of?

Imagine….

• Therapists who knit, crochet, embroider, or needlepoint

• Guerilla Garden MFTs

• Therapists who work with Polyamory and Open Relationships

• Happy Hiker MFTs

• BIPOC Therapists in Private Practice

• Somatic Therapists

• Cinematherapy for MFTs

• Ecopsychology

• Therapists for Social Justice Action

• Growing a Sustainable Private Practice

• Vegan Therapists 

• LGBTQ therapists who brunch

• Therapists who write together

• Art Therapists of the SGV

• (your ideal group here)

Join us for one of our virtual kick-off events to understand how to launch a group, how the chapter can help, imagine ways of forming community, and finding out what comes next.

Saturday, September 25^th  10-11am

Register to attend: https://www.sgvcamft.org/event-4487870

Monday, September 27^th  7-8pm

Register to attend: https://www.sgvcamft.org/event-4487891 

PROGRAMS

Here are some exciting programs and events coming up this fall! Register on our website at sgvcamft.org

Sunday, September 12th, 7 – 8:30 pm join our monthly Book Club meeting! Attendance is free but you need to make a reservation in order to attend this online Zoom event. See the Home page of our website at sgvcamft.org to Register. Email Natasha at pastpresident@sgvcamft.org for more information.

Thursday, September 16^th 6 - 7:30 pm Register to attend Connect ‘n Learn Online Program “Using the Body to Regulate Emotion: Perspectives from DBT” with Suzette Bray, founder and Executive Director of Village Counseling and Wellness. Register on our website at sgvcamft.org for Online Zoom event.  $20 – Licensed SGV CAMFT members and licensed members of other CAMFT Chapters, $5 – Pre-licensed SGV CAMFT members, $10 – Pre-licensed non-members. Deadline to Register Tuesday, September 14^th 8 pm. This program does not offer CE credit. Register at https://www.sgvcamft.org/event-4428683