Message from the Prez: SGV-CAMFT October 2021 

From Kathryn Bikle, President

Fall is here! Heat wave notwithstanding, at least a few trees are starting to change color and the sun is rising and setting noticeably earlier. Despite the falling of leaves, the change of season hints at new beginnings!

SGVCAMFT has some very exciting things in store for you and some important updates that as healthcare workers we all need to be aware of!

IMPORTANT UPDATE! THE DEADLINE FOR ALL HEALTHCARE WORKERS WHO SEE CLIENTS INDOORS WAS SEPTEMBER 30^TH! ARE YOU IN COMPLIANCE?

On August 5th, the State of California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a Public Health Order that requires all MFTs and their workers (both paid and unpaid) who see patients in-person indoors or work in a health care facility where they may come into indirect exposure to patients to be fully-vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 30th. The Public Health Order broadly applies to workers in health care facilities, including MFT private practices.

The Public Health Order requires that by September 30th, all applicable workers must have received either:

1. their first dose of a one-dose regimen of COVID-19 vaccine (Johnson & Johnson); or

2. their second dose of a two-dose regiment of COVID-19 vaccine (either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna or a vaccine authorized by the World Health Organization).

The August 5th Public Health Order provides very limited exemptions that must be documented by the unvaccinated worker in a declination form due to either: 1) religious beliefs; or 2) Qualifying Medical Reasons. If such a documented exemption applies, when entering the health care facility, the worker must:

1. Test for COVID-19 on a regular basis, the frequency of which is dependent on the type of health care facility; and

2. Wear a surgical mask or higher-level respirator mask approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) at all times while in the facility.

Additionally, beginning August 9th, the CDPH will require all public and private health care facilities to comply with its July 26th Public Health Order. The CDPH Public Health Order requires: 1) verification that health care providers (who see patients in person and non-clinical staff who could be exposed to COVID-19 while working in a health care setting) are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or regular diagnostic screening testing for those who are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated; and 2) required masking for all individuals in health care settings regardless of vaccination status.

CAMFT has reviewed the recent public health orders and has consulted with other psychotherapy associations, and are of the joint opinion that these orders apply to all MFTs as falling under Section (I)(c)(13) "clinics...including behavioral health." Therapists who see patients in person will have until August 23, 2021, to be in full compliance with the July 26th Public Health Order. To review this order in its entirety, click here.  

To find a COVID-19 vaccine site near you click here.

To find a COVID-19 diagnostic testing site near you click here.

Putting out a call for Mentors!

Have you been secretly longing to share your professional wisdom with a less experienced colleague? Here’s your opportunity! SGVCAMFT Mentor-Mentee Chair Jessica Ruiz is currently seeking additional Mentors for our popular Mentor-Mentee program. Being a Mentor does not take a huge amount of time, just a willingness to share your expertise and offer support to a Mentee for an hour a month, or whatever feels right to you! Requested areas of expertise include: Supporting a Shift to Private Practice, Developing your Treatment Modality, Exam Prep Support, TeleHealth Technology Support, and Your Expertise Here! Contact Jessica if you would like to become a SGVCAMFT Mentor or are interested in the Mentor-Mentee program: Jessicaruizmft@gmail.com or secretary@sgvcamft.org. Information about our Mentor-Mentee program can be found on our website at https://www.sgvcamft.org/Mentor-Mentee-Program  

The day in January is approaching when we vote in new SGVCAMFT Board Members! Currently, we have openings for Chair positions and volunteer participation in Social Media Communications, 3000 Club (in support of pre-licensed members) and SIG Infrastructure planning. We can also use support in Membership Outreach, Programs, and Program Sponsorship Outreach. If you would like to join us as a volunteer on our Chapter’s board in any capacity large or small, please contact Kathryn Bikle at president@sgvcamft.org. We look forward to welcoming you on board!

SGV CAMFT’s Special Interest Groups (SIGs) Program Planning is actively looking for Participants and Facilitators to help launch this program! 

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? Check our website in early October for details on how to apply to become a facilitator. Contact Natasha Morisawa for more information at Pastpresident@sgvcamft.org or Natasha@mindfulmft.com 

SGV CAMFT PROGRAMS

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

Friday, October 22^nd Noon-1:30 pm: “Dia De Los Muertos: Honoring People, Pets, Experiences, and More by Incorporating the Therapeutic Elements of Day of the Dead.” Presenter Tina Cacho Sakai. 

Learn the therapeutic elements of Dia De Los Muertos and how to incorporate them into treatment for grief and loss and life transitions. Dia De Los Muertos provides a framework on how to process, remember and connect to important aspects of a person’s life; such as people, pets, experiences, and more. Leave with an understanding of how to provide clients with the tools to create a personalized altar to assist in their healing journey. Register on our website at sgvcamft.org for this exciting Online Connect ‘n Learn 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. Registration limit is 25. Deadline to Register Thursday October 21^st 8 pm. This program does not offer CE credit. https://www.sgvcamft.org/event-4513838

Sunday, November 7th, 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 and  receive a link to the reading we will all be discussing. See the Home page of our website at sgvcamft.org to Register. Email Natasha at pastpresident@sgvcamft.org for more information.

 

Friday, November 19^th 9:30–4:00 pm 2021 Law & Ethics Workshop “Standard of Care in Mental Health Services: Ethical, Clinical & Boundary Considerations,” Presenter Ofer Zur, Ph.D. 6 CEUs. (30 min lunch break) 

This 6-hour Live CE interactive presentation will review current standards of care that all LMFTs, social workers, counselors, and licensed psychotherapists need to maintain. It will include clinical examples to highlight potential ethical conflicts, along with discussions of best practices and how to resolve conflicts. Time will be allocated to addressing never before considered concerns arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic and this new era of Telemental Health. In addition to the PowerPoint, the presentation will include small group discussions and polls as well as Q &A as time permits. 

Topics to be covered are:

• Different forms or types of consultations

• Ethical, Legal and Clinical aspects of each clinical case

• Common State Licensing Board Complaints: Inappropriate custody recommendations, texting into the night, drunk driving, sex w/ current clients, etc.

• Standard of Care: Myths and facts

• Therapists Googling clients, Digital Boundaries

• Responding to a negative YELP review

• Practicing in the next phase of the COVID-19 epidemic

• Ethical issues in social networking

• Ethical issues in Telemental Health: Crossing state lines, emergencies, fitness, and more.

• Boundaries in Therapy: Gifts, Touch, Dual Relationships, Bartering, Out of Office

Register on our website at sgvcamft.org for this exciting Online CE Law and Ethics Program!  $60 – Licensed SGV CAMFT members and licensed members of other CAMFT Chapters, $20 – Pre-licensed SGV CAMFT members, $25 – Pre-licensed non-members, $75 Licensed non-member. Deadline to Register Thursday November 18^st 10 pm. This program offers 6.0 CE credit. Register on our website at https://www.sgvcamft.org/event-4508190

Outdoor In-Person Membership Appreciation event TBA – Details to come!

If you have any questions, or are interested in speaking at a future event, please send an email to Lynne Azpeitia, LMFT at lynnemazpeitia@yahoo.com.

PRE-LICENSED CORNER

FREE CAMFT Program October 9th 9:00 am – Noon “Pre-licensed Job Symposium: How to Build a Success Career as an MFT.” This half-day symposium will combine three workshops on career tips, deconstructing job ads, resume tips and what your dream employers look for in a potential hire, as well as Q&A opportunities to ask questions and connect with current employers that are hiring Pre-licensed MFTs. We will also be providing exclusive opportunities on how to build your career as an MFT and more information on becoming a member of your local chapter. Visit the CAMFT website to Register at https://www.camft.org/virtual-pls