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- 2022-12 Newsletter
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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. | Can a condition which can be cured by surgery be a mental disorder? My friend asked me to seriously think about this question. If surgery cures something, is it a mental disorder? When the person has surgery, and their entire outlook changes for the better, was it a mental disorder? Or did they just need corrective surgery? Doesn't it seem strange that we, as LMFTs, be the gatekeeper on whether or not a person could have a medical / surgical procedure? What do we know about our clients' bodies that makes us the authority on whether or not they can receive a medical intervention, such as hormone therapy or surgery? And yet, that is exactly the dilemma trans clients face when needing a letter from us verifying the diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria Disorder so they can start hormone therapy, or have a surgery to make their body congruent with whom they know themselves to be. RECAMFT has decided to take on a year-long project for our members to help all of us learn how to be better LGBTQ+ affirmative care clinicians. The Justice Project - LGBTQ+ Affirming Care officially launches on January 1st, 2023, but you can start now, by attending this December speaker event with trans therapist Melle Browning, LMFT, as he teaches us about providing affirmative care. Register here.
Please look for your election ballot coming soon by email, around the beginning of December, and vote. We have a number of survey questions for you in addition to electing your next year's Board of Directors. We need your answers to help guide the new Board along the way, under Gina Culver's careful eyes as the 2023 President. Thanks, Gina, for your leadership! It has been an honor to have served as your President for three years (2014, 2021, 2022), and your state CAMFT President (2015-2016). This is my very last President's message. I want to thank you for providing me with one of the most transformative decades of my life.
Laura Strom President, RECAMFT
The Nominating Committee has created a slate of candidates and will provide an Election page on our website so you can read about each one. These are the candidates, and the position for which each is running.
There are two Director at Large seats currently available. Once the members vote on the increased number of seats, the 2023 Board will have the opportunity to appoint some Directors at Large in the coming year.
Read up on all the candidates, their statements, and the election here. https://www.recamft.org/elections/ The Board sincerely thanks Gail Van Buuren who is retiring after serving the Board since 2007 when she was asked to be the president at her first meeting, and she took over the newsletter. We also thank Vicky Rohrer who is retiring as Secretary, and is currently serving on the state CAMFT Board. Annette Seibel is retiring off the board, but promises to drop into board meetings when she can; Annette served as our Conferences Co-Chair for a number of years, in addition to being a DAL.If Tara D'Orazio thought she would retire after her year as Past President, we were ready for her with our lassos! More on Tara to come... |
To celebrate this year long Justice Project - LGBTQ+ Affirming Care, RECAMFT decided to have a special new logo designed - the one you see here with rings in the colors of the Pride flag. We are very excited about this year's social justice focus on LGBTQ+ affirming care. I was so excited that I read all the books, and watched the videos, too! Wow, was there some great stuff. Check it out 
Last Chance!! Don't miss these Law & Ethics recordings! They will no longer be available after 12/31/22.
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Thoughts from the Racial & Social Justice Committee (RSJC) "Justice Project 2.0 coming in 2023" Being An Informed Ally: What You Should Know About the Respect for Marriage Act By Emily Larkin, LMFT
The Respect for Marriage Act would federally require states to recognize all legal marriages, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. While this is a move in the right direction for marriage equality, this legislation has limitations. Most notably, the Respect for Marriage Act does not codify the right of same-sex marriage into law. Furthermore, while the bill offers some protections, it does not prohibit non-profit religious institutions from refusing services or goods to couples intending to marry on the basis of religious freedom. Despite its constraints, the Respect for Marriage Act is crucial for solidifying marriage protections. If Obergefell v. Hodges were to be overturned by the Supreme Court without this measure in place, states could not only ban same-sex marriage, but deny legally married LGBTQ+ couples rights. Our LGBTQ+ clients, the LGBTQ+ community, and its members continue to experience prejudice, discrimination, and violence. Measures that restrict the access of non-binary and transgender folks to healthcare, and bills that inhibit LGBTQ+ representation and participation continue to be introduced by legislators and policymakers, impacting the health and safety of this community. As mental health providers it is important that we understand the implications and limitations of this historic legislation. The Respect for Marriage Act remains a marked step forward, but our LGBTQ+ community members deserve unrelenting allyship. Our duty as clinicians spans beyond the therapy office and calls for us to advocate for the health of our clients. We do this by staying informed about relevant issues within the larger context of our society and supporting actions that advance the wellbeing of those we serve to improve our community and the lives of its members. Sources https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/8404 https://time.com/6234542/same-sex-marriage-senate-bill-advances/ https://www.aclu.org/legislation-affecting-lgbtq-rights-across-country
Emily Larkin, LMFT is a RECAMFT Director at Large. She is running to be elected 2023 Secretary. She has a private practice in Sebastopol. SAVE THE DATE!
Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD) and Psychosis: A Biopsychosocial Perspective Presented by: Anish Shah, MD, Psychiatrist Friday, Jan. 6, 2023 9:00 am - 12:15 pm Zoom, 3.0 CEs Register here | 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.
Got a sticky problem? Come discuss it confidentially with your colleagues at our next Ethics Roundtable
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Meet RECAMFT's Prelicensed Chair and Director at Large, 
Participate in the Justice Project : Antiracism by 12/31/22 and receive a lovely Certificate of Achievement for your wall! Click 
Not consultation, just a great way to get some ideas about how to handle your sticky case. Friendly and open group. Learn more 
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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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.
North Marin Community Services is hiring a full- time Clinical Director job for school and community based mental health programs. To apply visit https://www.northmarincs.org/careers-internships/ or email hr@northmarincs.org. | 
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! |
In November, RECAMFT had the honor of hosting Dr. Shipra Maurya, PsyD. Dr. Maurya presented her research on therapy with South Asian American (SAA) women. She spoke with compassion, sharing stories of the women she interviewed in their own words. Learning of the challenges they faced because of their gender, and the color of their skin, not only within their communities, but also within their own families was eye-opening.
Dr. Maurya taught us there is generational oppression SAA women often experience, because women are seen as inferior to men. The SAA women experienced racism, both blatant and unintentional, even from well-meaning therapists. Therapy can be an obstacle when they see clinicians who do not understand their culture, and how women are considered “less than” in their homes.
I assisted by reading some of the quotations, a surreal experience. Their pain, sadness, and frustration were palpable. What courage these SAA women showed in giving voice to their experiences with Dr. Maurya! Those attending had many comments about this touching research. One of the most important takeaways was to approach clients from a lens of cultural humility, to do our own research – rather than expect our clients to educate us, and to understand the particular bind SAA women are in due to their gender not being valued. What an enriching presentation!
Wishing all our members a “Happy Holidays!” from the RECAMFT Programs Committee.
Gina Culver, LMFT
Gina Culver, LMFT is a Program Director at LifeWorks and has a private practice in Santa Rosa. She is the 2023 President of RECAMFT. beginning January 1, 2023.
Get the latest Therapy Groups Listings here!
LOTS MORE PAGES AND GROUPS - CLICK HERE FOR THE REST!
Giving Tuesday is coming on November 29th! It is the biggest day of global generosity towards organizations that are doing the work that matters to you. This Giving Tuesday we are hoping for your help to continue a program of financial support for our emerging clinicians who face high expenses and low pay.
The funds that make these awards possible have been generously donated by members of our chapter and are doubled by matching funds authorized by our Board of Directors. Your donations will go twice as far! We have raised $2070 towards our goal of $5250 which funds the scholarship program for 2022, 2023, and 2024. We are $3180 away from our goal! Please visit www.recamft.org/scholarship to give a tax-free donation today!
The all-new Spirit of RECAMFT Award is intended to highlight or showcase our members who are working in the community to support the mental health profession and the well-being of our community at large. It is for those members who may not necessarily be seen but have contributed to unmet needs and or advancements in the mental health profession. At the heart of this award is acknowledging someone who embodies all of the aspects of RECAMFT’s mission, values, vision, and commitment to the profession and mental well-being within the community. Find out more here. Return to top | Upcoming events
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Announcing the 
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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.
Find out more about advertising with RECAMFT here. |
Thank you to M.E.N. for your support!
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Members! Your SHORT DESCRIPTION is the most important thing on your profile. Why? Because that shows in our
Taking Care of Myself/Ourselves By JoAnn Consiglieri, LMFT
The repercussions from the fires in Sonoma County and COVID-19 continue to have their own impact. I, too, the week of that November meeting was finding myself exhausted, out of steam and maybe even a little emotionally down, but not “sick” in the conventional way. As I “take care” of the many responsibilities in my life, I easily forget myself in the mix of my busy 80 year old, semi-retired life. My colleagues, having taken leave of our meeting was just what I needed to hear. It was a wake-up call for me! That very afternoon in November, I attended the monthly Taize Service (chant) and attended to myself as Taize always does for me. As I pen this, I am bringing to mind some of those other things in my life that revive me and are the self-care of me. Here are just a few:
In her beloved book Inviting Silence, Gunilla Norris writes, "Remember to breathe, remember to feel, remember to care. Let us do this for our children and ourselves and our children’s children. Let us practice for life’s sake." When we flew to Colorado to be with family having spent time in selfcare, I was more grounded and prepared to really be with family. The travel there, the visiting and cooking was not a drain on myself as it could have been had I arrived a depleted self. Thanksgiving, I think is my favorite holiday because it is more unobtrusive and less ostentatious, as well as it provides for me a quieter and calmer feeling and calls me to gratitude, a reality that I try to continually make more present in my life. The Celebrations of Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas can come with their own anxieties. I will celebrate Winter Solstice and Christmas more mindfully with my November 18th “wake up call”. I have been doing more selfcare in the weeks leading up to those celebrations. Spending time with the hidden messages that those holidays (holydays) hold for me can make a difference in how I encounter the season as it unfolds. I hope for myself and you that more self-care becomes a very familiar friend. Other Resources for Self-Care
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In mid-November at a RECAMFT Virtual Committee Meeting two of our members were physically not well and smartly did not attend the meeting so that they could care for themselves and more quickly return to health. During late Fall and the Winter Season we sometimes find our clients needing more attention at the very moment that we ourselves are feeling the hustle and bustle in our own personal lives with family and friends making demands on our time and continued social responsibilities to do what we can for the homeless and other marginalized people.
Call for Submissions for the January 2023 Issue of The RECAMFT Therapist!
January is National Mental Wellness Month. We also celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and civil rights awareness. We especially welcome submissions where these themes intersect with mental health. Please send your submission (500 word max) to therapy@recamft.org by the 15th. Questions? therapy@recamft.org.
Gail Van Buuren moved to Sonoma county after being involved with Monterrey CAMFT, and decided to visit RECAMFT. She was greeted enthusiastically and asked to take over as President! It seemed our previous president, Diana Poulson, had been serving for three years, and was ready for a new enthusiastic person to grab the reigns. Gail took over as the Newsletter Editor, too, which she faithfully carried out until this spring when we switched to online newsletters. We owe Gail a huge debt of gratitude for taking that first step to be our 2007 President, and currently being the longest serving member of our Board. We will miss her terribly when she retires from the Board on Dec. 31, 2022. Gail, we love you and you will forever be in the heart of RECAMFT. Want to see all our Past Presidents? Click here. Return to top 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 |
