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The Redwood Empire Therapist
RECAMFT's Online Newsletter
November 2022
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Featured member
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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This may surprise you (or not), but I actually love RECAMFT. In 2012 when I came to my first RECAMFT meeting, I knew I had found a very special community. I was so warmly welcomed, coming back the following month was a given. In January 2013 Gail Van Buuren invited me, and I attended my first Board meeting. I became RECAMFT's President Elect in 2013, and was Acting President from May - Sept. 2013. During this time our chapter was one of the driving forces protesting CAMFT's new bylaws, which were eventually repealed by the CAMFT Board later that year. Coming to RECAMFT, and those very first smiles that greeted me (Pam Ward, then Cynthia Halliday) propelled me into action which resulted in my becoming CAMFT's 2015-2016 President. My favorite part that year was being quoted in our press release celebrating marriage equality. Through this tumultuous time, Bob Casanova became my rock and mentor, for which I can never possibly express enough gratitude. Gail Van Buuren was also there to listen and help behind the scenes, and was an invaluable loving and listening ear. I recently heard our chapter size now exceeds East Bay CAMFT, which was the largest chapter. Over the decade, I have watched RECAMFT grow into a powerhouse CAMFT chapter. I feel so pleased with all of us for making this happen. I am especially proud of the ways RECAMFT supported our community after the devastating 2017 wildfires. We have all learned so much about how to recover from disaster. So, when the pandemic hit in 2020, we pivoted to offer our meetings online, and now our healing community is able to offer telehealth without blinking an eye. Wow. When George Floyd was murdered in 2020, RECAMFT President Tara D'Orazio (another one of my very favorite people) responded by putting out a call for a diversity, equity and inclusion committee. A lot of folks immediately responded, leading to what is now our Racial and Social Justice Committee (RSJC). They wrote a racial and social justice pledge for our membership, and this year brought us the Justice Project: Antiracism. I'm so proud of RSJC's hard work and their newest rendition of the Justice Project for 2023 focused on LGBTQ+ affirming care. I hope everyone will participate in at least some small part of both versions they have created. RECAMFT's vision is to raise the standard of care our members deliver within our communities to even more exceptional levels of warm-hearted sensitivity. I had no idea when I moved here a decade ago what a brilliant, dedicated, kind and loving group of clinicians would welcome me into this organization. RECAMFT moves mountains. I'm so honored you entrusted me with the presidency of both our chapter and state CAMFT during the last decade.  Three presidencies is a charm, and now let's call for others step forward to steer our faithful and sturdy ship. She's been battered at times, and sailed through wild storms and rough seas, but always finds her way to calmer waters and beautiful shores. All aboard! With my deepest gratitude, Laura Strom, PsyD, LMFT 2014, 2021, 2022 President, RECAMFT.org 2015-2016 President, CAMFT.org
RECAMFT is very proud to announce our member, Dr. Dianna Grayer, Phd, LMFT has written and produced another play! Attending her play will also count towards next year's Justice Project: LGBTQ+ Affirming Care's Certification. We're so proud of you, Dr. Dianna!
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As I close my third year of being RECAMFT's President (2014, 2021, 2022), this time it's really my penultimate President's message. Really! 
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Thoughts from the Racial & Social Justice Committee (RSJC) "Introducing the 2023 Justice Project: LGBTQ+ Affirming Care"
So much has been changing with Gender and Sexuality in the last few years that it seems timely for LMFTs to delve into these topics. As clinicians, we have to be able to navigate this terrain with clients as they understand themselves and their identities. We need to keep up with new language being used, and with the deconstruction of old societal constructs. We also need to separate fact from fiction as there is currently a great deal of politicization around these topics. As with the Anti-Racism Track that we started in 2022, we are curating a series of informational books, TED talks, articles, videos and podcasts for you to choose from. There will also be two discussion groups for which you will be able to earn CEs. When you complete the attestation forms, you will earn a LGBTQ+ Affirming Care Certificate. We have a wealth of expertise in our RECAMFT community, and we are calling in that richness of knowledge and experience for the presentations and discussion groups. There are two of those opportunities coming up at the beginning of November and the beginning of December. We are excited that this new track will be kicked off with a workshop by Melle Browning: Affirmative Therapy with Trans/Gender Expansive Clients, on Friday, December 2nd, 2022, from 10:00am - 12:00 pm. Not only can you earn 2 CEs for it, but it will also count toward obtaining your 2023 Certificate. Register here for Melle's presentation. Dr. Dianna Grayer, PhD, LMFT is presenting a play that you can also use toward certification called "WE ARE HERE TO STAY: OUR FREEDOM, OUR CHOICE!". She describes it as “A compelling production on the intersections of Gender Identity.” It will be followed by community tables for discussion and dialogue. The dates are coming right up: Saturdays, November 5th and 12th at 7pm and Sundays, November 6th and 13th at 3pm in Cotati. Find tickets at olmtco.org. Please look for more details on how to participate in The Justice Project: LGBTQ+ Affirming Care coming soon on the RECAMFT website. We are excited to join with our colleagues to self-educate as well as learn together about these topics that impact all of our lives so we can continually become better therapists. Along with the newly created LGBTQ+ Affirming Care track, we are also offering The Justice Project: Anti-Racism track again. It has been heartwarming to hear participants’ appreciation for their learning and their meaningful engagement with this track. We will continue to look at questions such as:
We look forward to your feedback and participation as RECAMFT strives for a culture that honors the racial and cultural differences in our community of healers and those who seek healing with us. RECAMFT Racial and Social Justice Committee
Click here to find out more. |
Path Mental Health is a trusted partner for thousands of licensed therapists nationwide. Path makes it easy to find a licensed therapist, schedule a session online, and receive mental health services via telehealth. Path is hiring therapists licensed in California to join its network. At Path, we take care of the admin work (new client marketing, verifying insurance, credentialing, billing, support) so you can focus on delivering great care for clients. Compensation Details -- $70 per session. Please apply by emailing your resume to ben.sollenberger@pathccm.com with the subject line [Path CA Provider Application].
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.
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The RECAMFT Board and the Racial and Social Justice Committee are excited to announce the next track of our educational Justice Project series: The Justice Project 2023: LGBTQ+ Affirming Care.
Participate in the Justice Project: Antiracism by 12/31/22 and receive a lovely 2022 Certificate of Achievement for your wall! 
Meet RECAMFT's Prelicensed Chair and Director at Large, 
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. | We STILL need help with
Please send an email to therapy@recamft.org if you can help. | Check out all the following events!
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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 about how to handle your sticky case. Friendly and open group. Learn more here.
The RECAMFT Board of Directors (BOD) held our Oct. 13th Board Meeting on Zoom.
Gina Culver, President Elect, ran the meeting to get her feet wet before becoming president in January. Emily Larkin substituted as Secretary during Vicky Rohrer's absence. We are hopeful she may consider this position in the future. It is almost time for elections for the 2023 Board of Directors. Ballots will come out around the first week of December. Do you have something special to bring to our Board? Please take a look at the responsibilities for each position mentioned here, and consider if you could volunteer for the coming Board cycle. Please submit your resume and an email stating your interest to therapy@recamft.org on or before Nov. 15th. | 
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
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! Here's a pic from the August 2022 RECAMFT Board of Directors day-long retreat at Occidental Arts & Ecology Center. We had a tour at the end of the day with organic apple tasting. Consider joining the RECAMFT Board of Directors to find out what all the fun is about!
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Here is a photo of RECAMFT's June Board of Directors meeting.
Expand your resume and your heart!
Would you like to join the RECAMFT Board of Directors and see what the magic's all about? Submit your resume and an email stating your intention, and why you want to join to therapy@recamft.org by November 15th.
The fabulous and talented Lisa Wenninger, APCC and doctoral candidate who also supports RECAMFT as our amazing administrative consultant, presented a dynamic workshop on how to prepare a quality presentation that meets the standards of California’s Board of Behavioral Science. Her presentation nicely walked participants through the all the legal and ethical steps required by CAMFT’s CEPA program. Her examples made it clear how to prepare a CE presentation that fulfills all the requirements, and I finally understood the nuances involved. In my role on the Programs Committee, her information was helpful for screening applications from potential speakers, and I feel I have a better understanding of how to guide clinicians who apply to speak at RECAMFT. Lisa challenged us to think of something we do well, that might be helpful to others. She encouraged us to think about creating a presentation on our topic, tying it into the framework and steps within her presentation. By the end, participants were excited about the possibility of creating their own presentation following her formulas. Lisa’s presentation was both brilliant and helpful, as it connected us to real life possibilities for additional income streams, becoming known for our gifts and talents, while helping our fellow clinicians, leading to touching a much broader range of clients now and in the future. This was a very empowering presentation! I only wish we could have had more time to soak it in. Thank you, Lisa for a wonderful, practical, and exciting presentation.
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Gina Culver, LMFT is a Get the latest Therapy Groups Listings here! LOTS MORE PAGES AND GROUPS - CLICK HERE FOR THE REST! | Upcoming events
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As RECAMFT's President, Tara D'Orazio has the distinction of chairing the last meeting RECAMFT held in person at our March 2020 meeting. Next she developed non-contact systems for RECAMFT to pay its bills, and eventually saw us start to meet in cyberspace later that same year. To say 2020 was a terrifying year is an understatement, and we were very fortunate to have Tara's calm leadership guiding our Board of Directors. Tara also started the Racial and Social Justice Committee to respond to the murder of George Floyd. We are very fortunate Tara was RECAMFT's 2020 President. Thank you, Tara! 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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Redwood Empire Chapter of California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists |
