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The Redwood Empire Therapist

RECAMFT's Online Newsletter

September 2022


  • Please join us on Friday, Sept. 9th for an in-person day-long event - the CAMFT Fall Symposium!
  • Take advantage of our RECAMFT discount (FS2022) which saves $20. 
  • RECAMFT's Board Meeting will be held from 9-11 at this event, and our members are welcome to attend just our meeting for free.
  • No-cost Networking Reception from 4:30 - 5:30 pm with your colleagues and the CAMFT Board - fun! Click here to register now!!
  • Don't have time to attend all day? You can attend just the networking reception at 4:30 pm for free! Be sure to RSVP to CAMFT. Look for your August 26th email from CAMFT with your personalized invitation. 


*Note: the Networking Reception time has been changed to 4:30 to 5:30 pm. 


RECAMFT logo

TABLE of CONTENTS

Click any section to jump to the article.

Featured member

President's Message: It's Not Too Late to Earn Your Justice Project Certificate!

By Laura Strom, LMFT

Ann Clark and her certificate of achievement for completing the Justice Project. A Big Congratulations to Ann Clark!!! 

I'd like to begin by offering a hearty congrats to Ann Clark who was the first person to finish the Justice Project reading / media watching, and to attest. She and nine other members earned free Law & Ethics this June. Ann said after watching "13th" and reading Queer (in)Justice, she finds herself wanting to work with prison populations and having a whole new awareness about America's prison systems. She said, "Thank you for creating this project. I'm so glad that I participated." We're glad you did, too, Ann!!

Even though the offer of free Law & Ethics has passed, you can still earn this lovely wall certificate for completing the Justice Project this year as long as you attest by 12/31/22Ann Clark's actual Justice Project Certificate of Achievement.On August 12th the Board got together for an in-person day-long retreat at the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center. It was so nice to see each other in the flesh after not having done so since March 2020.  Because of how wonderful this was, we're very thrilled about the in-person events at the CAMFT Fall Symposium, including a reception from 4:30-5:3:0 pm on Sept. 9th at the DoubleTree in Rohnert Park. Learn more here

We have an exciting full line up of speakers just about ready to announce.  Be looking for that in your email soon. Hope to see all of you at CAMFT's Fall Symposium on Friday, Sept. 9th! 

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Thoughts from the Racial & Social Justice Committee (RSJC)

"What Your Colleagues Said About The Justice Project"

By Linda Block, LMFT, Chair, RSJC

The Racial and Social Justice Committee has offered the first year of The Justice Project: Anti-Racism. RECAMFT has always provided exceptional speakers and opportunities for therapist members to expand their knowledge to keep becoming the best therapists they can be. It is no surprise that therapists took on the The Justice Project: Anti-Racism challenge to do self-education, participate in workshops, and consolidate their learning in discussion groups with other therapists.

One of the many privileges of being a Marriage and Family Therapist is how many lives our work touches and impacts. Each and every therapist that participated in the first year of The Justice Project has learned about the effects of racism on clients’ lives and will have that inform their work. Congratulations to all the therapists who did the work to complete and attest to The Justice Project.

Here are some quotes from therapists about how participating in The Justice Project will impact their work:

“This was profoundly valuable as a professional and, more importantly, as a human. Thank you so much for the encouragement and the platform you've provided to do this vitally important work. It will continue... “

“Crash course in racism. I appreciate the support and encouragement from RECAMFT. I was motivated. “

“Poor people and people of color have been oppressed by white supremacy and institutionalized racism in every single aspect of their lives… In my practice, it is important to remember that clients don't just bring their person to the room, they also bring the system in which they live. “

“I acknowledge the weight of this, the fact that white society by and large is still looking the other way while people of color are brutalized, is part of the root cause of depression, anxiety and despair.”

“This project… in a more comprehensive way…inform[ed] me about the myriad ways black people have had to adjust to survive, and continue to do so. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this project, for the knowledge it gave me and for the language I've acquired to address it constructively. Thank you for putting together this comprehensive training. I look forward to continuing the conversation.”

“It has made me much more conscious of the impact of racial trauma and injustice on human developmental trajectory…”

“I appreciated RECAMFT for putting this package of suggestions together. This work will be ongoing and, though I started reading some of these books in 2020, I probably would not have made a point to continue reading and reflecting further in such an extensive way. I no longer choose to let white silence and fear of "doing the wrong thing" keep me from taking actions when I have the opportunity to express the beliefs I have in my heart. I feel better equipped to do that because of this project.”

“This work engaged me academically as though I was taking a graduate school course on Diversity and Racism. More profoundly I found myself spending time journaling and dialoguing as part of an exploration of self reflection.”

“I realize when I am with BIPOC clients I am now present in a more compassionate way.”

Linda Block, LMFTLinda Block, LMFT is a narrative psychotherapist who specializes in couples. Her private practice is located in Santa Rosa and her website is tuneupyourrelationship.com.

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RECAMFT LogoParticipate in the Justice Project by 12/31/22 and receive a lovely Certificate of Achievement for your wall! Click here to find out more. 

RECAMFT's Mission Statement

The purpose of RECAMFT is to promote and maintain professional competence and integrity with knowledge, innovation, compassion, humor and respect for human dignity and diversity.

We do this by providing opportunities for networking, education and community outreach.

RECAMFT's Racial and Social Justice Pledge

RECAMFT is committed to equity including addressing structural racism and systemic injustice. We endeavor to be inclusive and value individuals from all ethnicities, ages, races, sexual orientations, genders, languages, abilities, religions, citizenship statuses, and socioeconomic backgrounds into our chapter and into treatment.

We strive to advocate, educate, collaborate, and strategize for positive racial and social justice change within our membership and our community.

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Have you written a book? 

Be sure to let us know so we can include it on our Library page. Email therapy@recamft.org



Got a sticky problem? Come discuss it confidentially with your colleagues at our next Ethics Roundtable

Not consultation, just a great way to get some ideas aboutRainbow neon lightbulb how to handle your sticky case. Friendly and open group.  Learn more here.

  • Fri., Oct. 21st
  • 12 to 1:30 pm
  • Zoom
  • Register here.
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Programs Committee Chair seat is available. Is it you? 

The Programs Committee needs a chair. This is a fun one, choosing the speakers for the coming year. Is it you? 

We also need a couple of people to help us review presentation applications. Can you help? Send your interest to therapy@recamft.org

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We Need You! Jobs for Awesome Volunteers

We STILL need help with

  • Tech 2 - Social Media Manager
  • Newsletter Editor

Please send an email to therapy@recamft.org if you can help.       

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More RECAMFT Events! 

Prelicensed, Crafts, Ethics, Board

Check out all the following events!

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What You Missed.... by Gina Culver, LMFT

Dr. Shawan WorsleyOn June 3rd, RECAMFT's Justice Project again hosted Dr. Shawan Worsley, PhD, LMFT of Culture Ally. She facilitated an anti-racism consultation group featuring two of our RECAMFT members presenting cases (thank you Jan Ögren and Emily Linders for participating!).

What I like about Shawan is how she draws one in, as if you’re two old friends catching up on life. Her energy is welcoming, authentic, and accepting. I felt it was easy to think of moments of racism and microaggressions in my life, both experienced and committed unintentionally, and felt comfortable to think about what I could have done differently and to share as needed. It feels important to not only be able to think about the contexts, but to also be able to talk about them. Shawan is very good at sending that message and creating a space for those discussions to happen.

Shawan started off with a meditation then eased into an explanation of and guidance on how to bring antiracism into the therapy room with clients, from the initial assessment forward and throughout treatment. She asked each therapist to share about their case and talked through the points. With each case and therapist, the flow was smooth, engaging, and brought everyone in while addressing the topic of microaggressions and how to be better at antiracism.

The June antiracism consultation group was a wonderfully held ending to the Justice Project’s first year series focusing on antiracism. Shawan was an invaluable guide with this year’s discussion groups (including April’s “13th” movie discussion and May’s “How to be an Anti-Racist” book discussion) and navigating improving ourselves as anti-racist therapists.

For more information or other case consultation opportunities with Dr Worsley or with Culture Ally, please visit their website at https://cultureally.org/ .

If you were unable to attend this or any other CE presentations, please watch the recordings located in the members only section found at recamft.org.

With gratitude from the Programs Committee...

Gina Culver, LMFT is a Program Director at LifeWorks in Santa Rosa. She is the 2022 President Elect of RECAMFT..      Return to top

Don't miss Law & Ethics recordings!

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Prelicensed Support - check out our events just for you!

Meet RECAMFT's Prelicensed Chair and Director at Large, Jessica Heaney, AMFT. She is a recent graduate of Touro University Worldwide, and is now working for Seneca's Wraparound Program. Jessica is hosting "Walk and Talk" events on the third Saturday monthly. Learn more here. Contact Jessica at therapy@recamft.org.    Return to top

Luke Martin, JDIt's not too late to catch "Navigating the Road to Licensure"!

Starring Luke Matthew Martin, JD, CAMFT Staff attorney. 

Find the recording here, and watch at your leisure.  

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RECAMFT's Listserv For All! Check it out! 


Dog with laptop

Our listserv has over 440 members on it, and is active daily with great conversations, resources, offerings, in search of, books, movies, office rentals, jobs, internships, etc. You can view the home page of our listserv at 

If you are not currently enrolled in the listserv, please email therapy@recamft.org and ask to be added. You have the option of setting up your account to be 

      • Read individual emails
      • Read a digest of 12 emails
      • Or read online only

After you have been added to the listserv, you can change the way you receive the emails to any of the above choices. 

In Gmail the emails will appear under your Forums tab. To send an email to the listserv, simply address your email to 

If you do not want to be on our listserv, you can delete your account or write to therapy@recamft.org and ask to not be a part of the listserv. But we urge you to give it a try. You are missing out on a ton of meaningful collaboration with your colleagues. We hope you will enjoy being part of our online community! 

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Are you creative? Join us for our Crafting Group

Bring any craft you like, get on Zoom with us and visit with your colleagues while

we knit, sew, paint, draw, cook, create, etc. 


Get the latest Therapy Groups Listings here!


LOTS MORE PAGES AND GROUPS - CLICK HERE FOR THE REST!

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Thank you to CasanovaToral.com for your support and partnership with RECAMFT! CasanovaToral.com has been one of RECAMFT's longest time supporters and partners.

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Find out more about advertising with RECAMFT here

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Thank you to CPH for sponsoring our annual Law & Ethics once again. CPH is a good friend to RECAMFT!

Learn more about how to sponsor a RECAMFT event and reach over 1800 mental health professionals here


Thank you to M.E.N. for your support! 

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Warning signMembers! Your SHORT DESCRIPTION is the most important thing on your profile. Why? Because that shows in our online directory. It matters! Please log in and complete yours today! 

Call for Submissions for the October 2022 Issue of The RECAMFT Therapist! 

October is Disability Employment Awareness Month, LGBTQ+ History Month, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and October 10th is Indigenous People's Day. We especially welcome submissions where these themes intersect with mental health. Please send your submission (500 word max) to therapy@recamft.org by Sept 15th. Questions? therapy@recamft.org

Board Highlights

The RECAMFT Board of Directors (BOD) held our Annual Summer Day-long Retreat on August 10th at the Occidental Arts & Ecology Center. The Board hopes lots of our members willl attend CAMFT's  Fall Symposium on Sept. 9th in Rohnert Park at the DoubleTree Hotel! CAMFT invited our Board to hold our monthly meeting at the hotel (time slightly later than usual will be 9 am to 12 pm). CAMFT will offer some continuing education courses in the afternoon, and a reception for attendees, our Board and the CAMFT Board around 5 pm. You can find the BOD meeting agendas and minutes in the Members Only section of our website. 


Denise Safont has retired from her Board Director at Large seat and Programs Chair, and we wish her well. If you are interested in a possible appointment to the Board, please email therapy@recamft.org and let us know. 

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After the retreat, we were treated to a tour which included sampling heirloom apples. 

The group tour was very interesting afterwards. 



Lunch was held on the porch and featured foods grown right at OAEC. 

JJessica, Gina and Jean enjoying the sunshine. 

Emily Larkin appreciating the heirloom fruit. 



Past President Honor Roll - Meet RECAMFT's 2017 President - Reyna Seminara, LMFT

As RECAMFT's President, Reyna saw RECAMFT through one of its most horrific events ever: the 2017 NorCal wildfires which devastated our area, and left 8 members without homes. When her term as Past President was over, she decided to continue her service as a Director at Large (which she also did before becoming President Elect). She has served on numerous committees and events over the years, and RECAMFT is very lucky to have had Reyna helping to steer our ship.  

Thanks, Reyna, for all the love you've given RECAMFT over the years. You have helped mold us into what we are today. 

Want to see all our Past Presidents? Click here

Thank you for reading this month's newsletter! RECAMFT is great because of involved members like you!!

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