Therapy in the Custody Storm: What Every Clinician Needs to
Know

Presented by

Dené Carroll, LCSW & Elizabeth Crenshaw, LMFT

Friday, November 6th, 2026

9:00 am - 12:30 pm PT

3 Law & Ethics CEs

On Zoom

Update on Continuing Education Credits

Our presenters have informed us that the entirety of this training qualifies as law and ethics content. Previously, we had understood that a portion was clinical in nature. RECAMFT is excited to post this update that participants will be eligible to earn 3 law and ethics continuing education hours.

Course Description

Custody cases bring some of the highest-stakes, most ethically complicated work a therapist will ever do. One misstep in role clarity, consent, or documentation can affect not just your client's healing, but the outcome of their case. Sooner or later, this case lands on your caseload, whether you sought it out or not. This training meets you wherever you are, from seasoned clinicians to those just beginning, and whether this is your first custody case or your fiftieth. This 3-hour orientation gives you the nuts and bolts to handle it with confidence: the difference between clinical and forensic roles, why dual parent consent matters so much in child therapy cases, how to collaborate across disciplines without crossing ethical lines, and why the old IPV vs. alienation debate is giving way to a more accurate, multifactorial understanding of parent-child contact problems. You'll walk away knowing exactly where your lane is, how to stay in it, and who to call when a case gets complicated — protecting your clients, your license, and your peace of mind. One hour of the three-CE training qualifies as Law & Ethics Continuing Education.

Educational Goals

By the end of this training, participants will be able to identify the key roles, ethical boundaries, and clinical considerations involved in court-involved therapy across child, individual adult, and family modalities, and know where to turn for further consultation and support when navigating these cases.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Identify at least 3 ethical distinctions between clinical and forensic roles in court-involved therapy practice.
2. Describe at least 2 reasons dual parent consent and involvement are important when initiating child therapy in a court-involved case.
3. Identify at least 3 ethical limits governing multidisciplinary collaboration among clinicians, forensic evaluators, and legal professionals in court-involved cases.
4. Explain at least 3 factors comprising a multifactorial framework for assessing parent-child contact problems, as an alternative to the traditional two-factor (IPV vs. alienation) model.
5. Apply cultural humility principles to at least 2 case considerations when working with court-involved families from diverse racial, cultural, or family-structure backgrounds, including those with histories of abuse, neglect, or trauma.
   
   
   

About Our Speakers

Dené Carroll, LCSW

Dené Carroll, LCSW, brings sharp clinical skills, research-informed practice, and a deeply caring presence to her work with families navigating the mental health and legal systems. A former Sonoma County CPS social worker and court investigator, she specializes in co-parenting counseling, family systems therapy, and court-involved cases in her Santa Rosa private practice. Alongside colleague Elizabeth Crenshaw, she developed training and consultation for therapists working with complex court-involved families, grounding the work in current research while keeping ethics and the law at the forefront. As a parent of two neurodivergent children, she pairs expertise with lived understanding and heart.

Elizabeth Crenshaw, LMFT

Elizabeth Crenshaw, MA, LMFT, has been a licensed clinician for over 30 years, specializing in court-involved therapy, co-parenting counseling, reunification therapy, and high-conflict divorce. Based in Santa Rosa, she brings a rare combination of clinical depth, intuition, and calm to some of family law's most complex cases. Elizabeth has held leadership roles across domestic violence, residential, and youth services programs and has provided yearly court-involved therapy training through the Sonoma County Bar Association and AFCC. She has served as Chair of the Mental Health Liaison Committee and is known among colleagues and clients alike as a steady, grounding presence in the storm.

Location 

Zoom Meeting. Requires pre-registration with Zoom using the instructions provided in your RECAMFT confirmation email in order to get your personal Zoom Join Link.

Registration

RSVP here.  Please note that once you have RSVP'd for this event, you will receive a link to register for the Zoom Meeting. You must complete this second Zoom-registration step to gain access to the event link.

Pricing

1) Registration for All RECAMFT Members - no charge

2) Reciprocal registration for members of Marin CAMFT (CODE REQUIRED) - no charge

3) Other CAMFT Members - Licensed - $45

4) Other CAMFT Members - Pre-Licensed - $23

5) Non-CAMFT Members (therapists who are not members of CAMFT) - $55

Training Schedule and Attendance Requirements

Please note, this is a 3 Law & Ethics CE training, comprised of three hours of training plus time for RECAMFT announcements and a break. You must be logged on at the beginning of the training, be present during the event (including responding to attendance checks by coming on camera, verbally replying, and/or replying in the chat), and stay logged on for the full duration, to end at 12:30pm, in order to earn the CEs. If your camera is off the entire time, and RECAMFT cannot verify you were physically present at your computer throughout the training, then RECAMFT cannot issue a CE certificate, as we would not be able to show that the BBS requirements for your participation were met.

No Recording Available

RECAMFT will not be recording this event. We hope you will be able to join us at the scheduled time to engage in this training.

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Redwood Empire Chapter CAMFT  (Provider #57173) is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. Redwood Empire Chapter CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. 

• Disability Accommodation: To request an accommodation for a disability, please email info@recamft.org.
• Refunds: Refunds may be requested up to 7 days before the event by contacting info@recamft.org. No refunds are given beginning 7 days prior to the event. If a registrant cannot attend the event due to a mandatory evacuation or Public Safety Power Shut-off the day of the event, they can request and receive a refund with verification of address.
• CE Certificate: You must be physically present at your computer and watching and/or listening to the training while logged onto the zoom meeting for the entire presentation, and complete a post test and an evaluation to receive your CE credit certificate. Within a week after the conclusion of this educational event, once RECAMFT has processed attendance, an email with a link to the test and evaluation form will be sent to all participants whose physical presence during the online meeting is verified. Once you complete and submit your evaluation, you will have immediate access and be able to print or save your CE Certificate. This course meets the qualifications for 3 hrs of law and ethics continuing education (CE) credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. 
• Notice of Recording: Whenever possible, our CE events are recorded or filmed and may appear on our website. Your participation in this event by registering and attending indicates your approval for your likeness to appear in the recording, if any.
  
• Grievances: Direct grievances to info@recamft.org, and/or the chapter president at president@recamft.org

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto.

RECAMFT Membership Committee invites you to Game Night! Bring a friend!

When: November 7th, 4 to 6 pm
Where: Rancho Grande Mobile Home Park at 5099 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Parking: On site at the Community Center or across the street at Lawrence Jones Middle School

Join us for a casual evening of games, laughs, and good company. Extroverts, introverts, and people who only get loud when someone steals their sheep in Catan, all are welcome! When you register, you can include the name of a guest to bring along if you want.

Are you here to win, make friends, or join a co-op game so we all win or lose together? Come find your people! We'll have coffee, tea, and snacks to fuel your victories (or soften the blow of defeat.) Leave with new friends or a completely unnecessary rivalry over a small cardboard game piece. 

We'll have a few games but PLEASE bring your own, whatever you want to play!

Open to all RECAMFT members and their guests, must register.

CE NOTICE: There are no CEs for this event.

photo credit Pavil Danilyuk at Pexels 

RECAMFT Special Interest Group: Working with Couples

Monthly meetings for four months

First meeting: Mon., Nov. 9th, 2026

9:00 to 10:30 AM

Space limited to six participants

Please join RECAMFT members Chaela Stewart and Pat Hromalik for a monthly in person Special Interest Group: Working with Couples.  This group is for therapists actively working with couples and interested in discussing a variety of couple therapy methods and interventions. 

The group will be limited to 6 members plus the co-leaders due to meeting space accommodation, and may be able to expand in the future. We will maintain a waitlist if registration fills up on this initial meeting. We are asking for a 4 month commitment so the group can deepen its connection and build on our sharing. 

Meetings will be Mondays from 9 to 10:30am on Nov 9, Dec 7, Jan 11, Feb 1 at Chaela Stewart's office: 3775 Brickway Blvd Suite 100, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

This group is open to RECAMFT members. No CEs are available for Special Interest Group meetings.  Please register here.

No CEs are available for Special Interest Group meetings at this time. 

This is just one of the Special Interest Groups that RECAMFT is launching for our members starting Fall 2026. Please read more about our Special Interest Groups - including information on how to start one with us!

November BOARD MEETING

Join the RECAMFT Board of Directors for our monthly meeting, which is held the SECOND Friday of each month from 9 AM - 11 AM.  

All RECAMFT members are always welcome.

This meeting is held via Zoom. 

To join us, please register here! Registration is required.

The Zoom link for this meeting will be e-mailed to confirmed attendees before the meeting.

Please note, no continuing education credits available for board meetings.

Calling all fiber artists, painters, crafters, quilters, woodworkers: Come one, come all!

• Friday, November 13, 2026
• 11:30 am - 12:30 pm 
• Zoom Meeting

Please join us for this opportunity to socially connect with other RECAMFT members in this virtual crafting circle. Bring any project that you're currently working on to this relaxed atmosphere. We can't wait to meet your creative side!

You should receive a confirmation e-mail after registration that contains the Zoom link to join the Makers Guild. If you do not receive a Zoom link, please e-mail membership@recamft.org.

REGISTER HERE

Hosted by Tara D'Orazio, LMFT, Membership Chair

CE NOTICE: There are no CEs for this event.

RECAMFT Special Interest Group: Working with Disabilities

Mon., Nov. 16th, 2026

1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Please join RECAMFT members Erin Prieskorn, LMFT and Laura Strom, LMFT for a 1 hour Zoom Special Interest Group: Working with Disabilities. The complications of working with disabilities and how they challenge both us and clients is our group's focus. There will be an emphasis on complex medical disabilities, however, the group is open to discussion of any sort of disability.

This group is open to RECAMFT members. Please register here.

No CEs are available for Special Interest Group meetings at this time. 

This is just one of the Special Interest Groups that RECAMFT is launching for our members starting Fall 2026. Please read more about our Special Interest Groups - including information on how to start one with us!

RECAMFT CARE Circle: Compassion, Acknowledgement, Recharge, Empower

We can support each other!

• Wednesday, November 18, 2026
• 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Pacific
  
• Zoom Meeting

    

The RECAMFT CARE (Compassion, Acknowledgement, Recharge and Empower) Circle was created as a safe space for us as a community of therapists who are also human.  

It is a place to come to share challenges and successes, seek support, offer compassion, share wisdom and express gratitude and be uplifted.  We hold much for our clients and in our own lives; this is a brief time to set down our load for a moment and bring in light and lightness.
    
The group is informal, small and relaxed.  We share work and/or personal struggles and triumphs, express gratitude, witness each other and give support; and advice if asked for.  We also share uplifting readings, quotes or any other medium that inspires or comforts. And we often laugh!

Pat Hromalik, 2026 RECAMFT President and CARE Circle Coordinator and Jacob Lapides, our CARE Circle Facilitator
  

This is our final CARE Circle scheduled for 2026. We will announce 2027 CARE Circle dates as soon as possible.

We are hoping to be able to offer the group at different days/times to allow for more access for members. Please check back for more possible dates as they are scheduled.

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RECAMFT members, please register for the November 18 CARE Circle here. Remember to enter the email address associated with your RECAMFT account to sign in and register for this members-only meeting.

Please note, this membership event does not qualify for CEs.

Supporting Clients Through Perimenopause: Approaches and Interventions for Psychotherapists

Presented by

Kara Cruz, LMFT

Friday, December 4th, 2026

9:00 am - 11:15 am PT

2 CEs - On Zoom

Course Description

Research has found that between 20-40% of women may experience depression during menopause. While most are more familiar the physical symptoms, it is important to learn about the emotional and psychological impacts. This is important, as all biological women who live long enough will experience menopause.

In this live, two hour, virtual, interactive training we cover Perimenopause/Menopause and how this phase of life impacts a woman's mental health and overall wellness. This training provides an overview of the psychological, emotional and physical impacts of perimenopause and menopause on women's mental health. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the life stage transitions across perimenopause, menopause and post menopause and how these changes intersect with mood, anxiety, sleep and overall functioning. Participants will have the opportunity to explore appropriate screening questions, interventions, referral strategies and resource connections for clients.

Educational Goals

This training will cover a clinically actionable framework for supporting clients  through perimenopause by understanding the interplay of hormonal changes, mood regulation, and nervous system responses. The training will clarify how perimenopausal transitions can maintain or exacerbate anxiety, sleep disturbances, and emotional dysregulation, and will demonstrate how evidence-informed interventions, increased self-advocacy skills, and practical coping strategies can be integrated into therapy to enhance long-term emotional wellness and quality of life.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Differentiate between perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause by describing at least one defining characteristic of each stage.
2. Identify at least four common physical, emotional, and/or psychological symptoms associated with the menopausal transition and menopause.
3. Identify at least two appropriate clinical interventions and one appropriate referral or self-advocacy strategy.
4. Identify at least two clinical considerations for providing affirming care to cisgender, transgender, and gender-diverse clients experiencing the menopausal transition.
   
   

Diversity Focus

While menopause is often framed through the lens of cisgender women’s experiences, this course acknowledges that transgender and gender-diverse individuals, particularly those on hormone therapy or who have undergone medical transition, may also experience menopause-related symptoms. The training highlights the lack of research in this area and emphasizes the need for inclusive, affirming care. Additionally, the course explores how cultural beliefs, systemic disparities, and social determinants of health influence how individuals understand, access, and experience care during the menopausal transition. Clinicians will be encouraged to approach treatment with cultural humility and to adapt interventions to reflect the unique needs, identities, and values of each client.

About Our Speaker

Kara Cruz, LMFT

Kara Cruz, LMFT is an Neurodivergent (ADHD) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional (PMH-C), EMDRIA Certified Therapist™ and Continuing Education (CE) trainer. She is a private practice owner, educator, and clinical supervisor with over a decade of experience serving women navigating complex trauma, ADHD, and reproductive mental health; including perinatal, postpartum, and perimenopause transitions.

Kara specializes in working with individuals and facilitating groups for women who are impacted by trauma, mood and anxiety conditions, and hormonal mental health conditions. In addition to her clinical work, she provides continuing education and professional training on topics such as Women and ADHD, Perinatal Mental Health, Perimenopause, and (complex) Trauma-Informed Care. She is the founder of Kara Cruz Psychotherapy & Wellness, where she provides individual and group psychotherapy and supports therapists and helping professionals through consultation, training, courses, and speaking engagements. She created Group Creators Membership, a community guiding professionals through the steps of designing, planning and launching impactful signature therapy and wellness groups. She created and leads support and wellness groups for women, therapists and healing professionals.

Location 

Zoom Meeting. Requires pre-registration with Zoom using the instructions provided in your RECAMFT confirmation email in order to get your personal Zoom Join Link.

Registration

RSVP here.  Please note that once you have RSVP'd for this event, you will receive a link to register for the Zoom Meeting. You must complete this second Zoom-registration step to gain access to the event link.

Pricing

1) Registration for All RECAMFT Members - no charge

2) Reciprocal registration for members of Marin CAMFT (CODE REQUIRED) - no charge

3) Other CAMFT Members - Licensed - $30

4) Other CAMFT Members - Pre-Licensed - $21

5) Non-CAMFT Members (therapists who are not members of CAMFT) - $36

Training Schedule and Attendance Requirements

Please note, this is a 2-CE training, comprised of 2 hours of training plus time for RECAMFT announcements and a break. You must be logged on at the beginning of the training, be present during the event (including responding to attendance checks by coming on camera, verbally replying, and/or replying in the chat), and stay logged on for the full duration, to end at 11:15am, in order to earn the CEs. If your camera is off the entire time, and RECAMFT cannot verify you were physically present at your computer throughout the training, then RECAMFT cannot issue a CE certificate, as we would not be able to show that the BBS requirements for your participation were met.

Recording 

RECAMFT intends to record this event, and assuming no technical hurdles, will be producing it as an on-demand course to be published at the RECAMFT CE Center, including the ability to earn CEs. RECAMFT members will have access there for free. Non-members and reciprocal chapter members will be able to purchase access. Access to the recording is not included with any registration for this "live" (real-time on Zoom) training. If you know that you will not be able to attend on the event date listed above, please do not register for this training and instead wait until the on-demand version is published. Registrations are managed separately and cannot be transferred.

Image by Freddie Addery

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Redwood Empire Chapter CAMFT  (Provider #57173) is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. Redwood Empire Chapter CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. 

• Disability Accommodation: To request an accommodation for a disability, please email info@recamft.org.
• Refunds: Refunds may be requested up to 7 days before the event by contacting info@recamft.org. No refunds are given beginning 7 days prior to the event. If a registrant cannot attend the event due to a mandatory evacuation or Public Safety Power Shut-off the day of the event, they can request and receive a refund with verification of address.
• CE Certificate: You must be physically present at your computer and watching and/or listening to the training while logged onto the zoom meeting for the entire presentation, and complete a post test and an evaluation to receive your CE credit certificate. Within a week after the conclusion of this educational event, once RECAMFT has processed attendance, an email with a link to the test and evaluation form will be sent to all participants whose physical presence during the online meeting is verified. Once you complete and submit your evaluation, you will have immediate access and be able to print or save your CE Certificate. This course meets the qualifications for 2 hrs of continuing education (CE) credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
• Notice of Recording: Whenever possible, our CE events are recorded or filmed and may appear on our website. Your participation in this event by registering and attending indicates your approval for your likeness to appear in the recording, if any.
  
• Grievances: Direct grievances to info@recamft.org, and/or the chapter president at president@recamft.org

December BOARD MEETING

Join the RECAMFT Board of Directors for our monthly meeting, which is held the SECOND Friday of each month from 9 AM - 11 AM.  

All RECAMFT members are always welcome.

This meeting is held via Zoom. 

To join us, please register here! Registration is required.

The Zoom link for this meeting will be e-mailed to confirmed attendees before the meeting.

Please note, no continuing education credits available for board meetings.

Calling all fiber artists, painters, crafters, quilters, woodworkers: Come one, come all!

• Friday, December 11, 2026
• 11:30 am - 12:30 pm 
• Zoom Meeting

Please join us for this opportunity to socially connect with other RECAMFT members in this virtual crafting circle. Bring any project that you're currently working on to this relaxed atmosphere. We can't wait to meet your creative side!

You should receive a confirmation e-mail after registration that contains the Zoom link to join the Makers Guild. If you do not receive a Zoom link, please e-mail membership@recamft.org.

REGISTER HERE

Hosted by Tara D'Orazio, LMFT, Membership Chair

CE NOTICE: There are no CEs for this event.

This event has been rescheduled - it is now being held on Fri. Dec. 11 at 1pm.

We hope you can join us!

Got a case that's bothering you? Have you found yourself pondering an ethical dilemma? Join us for the Ethics Roundtable and explore solutions to sticky cases with other colleagues, which is a totally enriching and mutually supportive experience together.  

If you are a RECAMFT member, come and discuss your ethical situations with colleagues in a confidential setting, and set your mind at ease. You don't have to have a case to discuss, but can just come to gain some knowledge from seasoned colleagues. The Ethics Roundtable will help you feel better and more confident in your clinical work. No CEs, but the 90 minutes will be well spent. 

• Where: Zoom Meeting
• When: Fri., December 11, 2026 
• Time: 1 pm to 2:30 pm Pacific
• You will be sent a Zoom link in your confirmation e-mail.

• 
  

About our facilitator

Gina Culver, LMFT is a past president of RECAMFT.  You can learn more about the Ethics Roundtable, which meets approximately three times each year, here. 

Contact Gina at info@recamft.org.

Dates for the Ethics Roundtable in 2027 are:

• Friday 1/22 12:30-2pm
• Friday 5/28 12:30-2pm
• Friday 10/15 12:30-2pm

Registration for these 2027 dates will be available soon.

Disability Accommodation: To request an accommodation for a disability, please email info@recamft.org.

Grievances: Direct grievances to info@recamft.org, and/or the chapter president at recamftpresident@gmail.com.

Note: CEs are not provided for participating in the Ethics Roundtable.