Light snacks and drinks provided.

Join us for a nourishing and educational day with CAMFT Executive Director, Joy Alafia, presenting "State of the Profession" (for 1 CE credit) and Saskia Lucas presenting "Nature Restore and Reset," three nature connection practices. This event includes a breakfast burrito bar with fruit and pastries including coffee and tea. 

Agenda:

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Breakfast Burritos: vegetarian, bacon, or sausage, with seasonal fresh berries & fruit and assorted muffins & pastries 
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM: State of the Profession w/ Joy Alafia
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM: Break with food and coffee/tea
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM: Nature Restore and Reset for Therapists w/Saskia Lucas

State of the Profession

Presented by Joy Alafia, CAMFT Executive Director

Includes 1 CE credits for LMFTs, LPCCs, LEPs and LCSWs. 

Join CAMFT Executive Director, Joy Alafia, CAE, to understand events, legislation, and internal association processes currently impacting CAMFT members.

Learning Objectives

Participants will

• Identify at least one recent/pending legislation and how MFTs may be impacted by the bills
• Describe one way your role affects the governing structure of the profession
• Name two ways to obtain CEs via the new digital offering of The Therapist
  
  

About the Presenter

Joy Alafia joined CAMFT as the Executive Director in June of 2022.   She has over 20 years of association experience, specializing in transformational leadership, organizational management, governance, marketing, and partnership development. She has led the organization through historic milestones including record membership and reserves, the passage of legislation allowing MFT’s to become eligible Medicare providers, increased MFT brand awareness, greater license portability, and providing valuable financial and training resources to members. Her passion includes elevating the MFT profession while destigmatizing the role of therapy and advocating for equitable access to mental health.  She believes in the power of association and its unique ability to make a significant positive social impact.

Joy presently serves on the Board for the United Way Bay Area and previously served on the Board for the non-profit Building Diversity in Science. She has a BS in Physics from Spelman College and an MBA from Pepperdine University. Joy is also a Certified Association Executive.

Nature Restore and Reset 

Presented by Saskia Lucas, LMFT

No CE credit for this portion of the event 

Join in community and take self-care time to connect, ground and nourish, with the support of nature. Participants will be guided in three nature connection practices to take with them to support wellbeing in a profession that requires holding a lot with clients.

Feel your body exhale and your nervous system calm as you connect with the natural world. Connect with nature’s wisdom, and with fellow colleagues, in a mini-retreat that will leave you with greater peace and perspective.

A Cultural Field Guides Offering

Read Saskia's article about why nature is important to her.

Objectives

Cultivate mindfulness
Engage in inner reflection
Gain insights
Receive inspiration
Feel nourished
Feel connected to self, greater world and community

About the Presenter

Our guide, Saskia Lucas, LMFT, is a lifelong a nature lover, and trained ecotherapist. “My first love is nature,” she said. “Nature time is my reset to calm, return to myself and feel joy. I am delighted to share my love of nature and nourishing practices with my community of colleagues." Saskia’s best childhood memories were moments spent outdoors, be it exploring rivers with girlfriends or sailing with her grandpa on lakes in the Midwest. For Saskia, the land feels part of her body and spirit, and is the ground of her spirituality.

Saskia works in private practice in South Bay, with an office in Campbell. She is a mindfulness based and somatically oriented therapist who utilizes somatic Internal Family Systems as a primary model. Saskia also offers Brainspotting and is currently training in Psychodrama at the Moreno Institute.

This is an introductory level course.
TARGET AUDIENCE: LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, LEPs

If you miss any of the "State of the Profession" presentation, you will not be eligible for the CE credits. This course meets the qualifications for 1 hour of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. SCV-CAMFT is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs (CEPA 052466). SCV-CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.

The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speaker and not, necessarily, of SCV-CAMFT. SCV-CAMFT can not be held liable for any damages arising from recommendations or advice given by our speakers or any actions or decisions arising out of the content of this presentation. Presentations at SCV-CAMFT events do not constitute an endorsement of the vendor or speaker's views, products or services.

Event Policy Information

Presented by Kristin Roscoe, JD, CAMFT Staff Attorney

Includes 3 CE credits for LMFTs, LPCCs, LEPs and LCSWs. A recording will be made available to all registrants for 3 months. For those who can't attend live, CE credit is available by watching the recording and passing a test. 

Discount for Chapter Members
Members of a local chapter will receive a $5 discount. Be sure to be logged in when you register. 

Chapter members:  $55
CAMFT members:  $60
Non-members:  $85

REGISTER

Presentation Description

Children are cute, but the issues you often face in their treatment can be complex. In this three-hour CE course, CAMFT attorney Kristin Roscoe will use the story of 13-year-old “Jack” to guide attendees through common legal and ethical issues a therapist might reasonably encounter when working with a child. From consent to treatment, mandated reporting, writing letters, to court involvement, attendees will learn how to spot areas of liability and best proceed to support the treatment of minors. 

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this workshop, attendees will be able to:

1. Identify who may consent to the treatment of a minor and understand the particulars of a minor being able to consent to their own treatment. 
2. Distinguish when some common mandated reporting scenarios may be permissive rather than mandatory. 
3. Understand the legal and ethical risks associated with writing letters, particularly when there is court involvement. 
4. Understand the psychotherapist-patient privilege and how best to support minor patients during custody or guardianship legal proceedings. 

Event Support

infocenter@camft.org
(888) 892-2638
(858) 292-2638
Business Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30AM to 4:30PM PT; Tuesday and Thursday 8:30AM to 4:00PM PT 

TARGET AUDIENCE: LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, LEPs

Presented by Yulia A. Abramova, MA, AMFT, APCC

Free for SCV-CAMFT Members
No CE credit

Clients may present with fear, mistrust, and other avoidant patterns while intensely seeking connection and support, leading to conflicting behaviors in the therapeutic space. Using the Generative Attachment Model (GAM), Yulia Abramova, AMFT, APCC, will explore how to engage clients who actively resist connection and support.
GAM is a 7-Step process for creating a baseline for secure attachment through embodied and relational being.

This workshop is designed for clinicians to explore complex-PTSD (C-PTSD) through an attachment-based lens while employing process-oriented approaches.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify common relational dynamics that clients with C-PTSD and disorganized attachment may present with
2. Explore transference and counter-transference in the therapeutic relationship
3. Incorporate embodied enactments to support clients with attachment trauma

About the Presenter

Yulia Abramova, MA, AMFT, APCC entered the psychological field being 13 years old, when her school teacher offered her books of Boulby, Winnicot and Kernberg. Something clicked, as her own trauma history started to make sense. By 21 Yulia completed her MA in clinical psychology from Moscow State University as well as became an international trainer of Neuro-linguistic programming. Eager to connect her love for movement and body exploration with the history of developmental trauma and clinical knowledge, Yulia made a deep dive into somatic approaches of working with developmental trauma. Holding her own individual practice, as well as training emerging clinicians in the Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy (Moscow, RF), Yulia together with 2 colleagues have developed and taught "Healing trauma program". Yulia have recently completed MA in Somatic Psychotherapy from California Institute of Integral studies, where she presented her Generative Attachment Model.  Having her own experience living with C-PTSD, Yulia continues to find ways to support people out of experience of isolation towards capacity to receive connection.

The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speaker and not, necessarily, of SCV-CAMFT. SCV-CAMFT can not be held liable for any damages arising from recommendations or advice given by our speakers or any actions or decisions arising out of the content of this presentation. Presentations at SCV-CAMFT events do not constitute an endorsement of the vendor or speaker's views, products or services.

Event Policies and Agreements

Presentations by Stephanie Brooks and Katherine Nice

This session features two expert presentations on the topic of eating disorders, designed to expand your knowledge and strengthen your clinical practice. We hope you find today's training both informative and inspiring!

Agenda:

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM: presentation by Katherine Nice, Diet Culture and Disordered Eating: What Every Mental Health Professional Needs to Know

11:00 AM - 11:15 AM:  BREAK
11:15 AM - 12:45 PM:  presentation by Stephanie Brooks, ARFID: 101 for Therapists

9:30 AM
Diet Culture and Disordered Eating: What Every Mental Health Professional Needs to Know

Presented by Katherine Nice, LMFT

No CE credit

This training helps mental health professionals understand how diet culture and weight-centric health messaging impact mental health, eating behaviors and body image. Participants will examine the cultural, historical, and biological factors that shape clients' relationships with food and weight, and learn how disordered eating often presents in general mental health settings. The training emphasizes practical, weight-inclusive, and trauma-informed approaches to assessment and intervention, with a focus on identifying subclinical disordered eating, reducing shame and supporting body-respectful care. 

About the Presenter

Katherine Nice is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in California with over 12 years of experience. She specializes in working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families, with a focus on parent-child relationships, emotional regulation, anxiety, behavioral challenges, and disordered eating.

Katherine began her career in community mental health, where she held clinical and leadership roles including Clinical Supervisor, Program Manager, and Associate Director of Family and Children's Programs. This experience gave her a strong foundation in translating complex clinical concepts into practical, accessible tools for providers at all levels.

In her private practice, Katherine integrates DBT, CBT, and play-based interventions. She is known for her warm, down-to-earth style and collaborative approach.
Katherine is also a continuing education provider, offering trainings on diet culture, disordered eating, and weight stigma — designed to be engaging, practical, and immediately applicable.

11:15 AM
ARFID: 101 for Therapists 

Presented by Stephanie Brooks

No CE credit

Avoidant and Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)  is a relatively new diagnosis and can be somewhat confusing to identify and treat. ARFID presents unique clinical challenges that differentiate it from other eating disorders, often involving complex sensory aversions or fears of adverse consequences like choking. In this presentation, we will explore how to identify if a client has typical 'picky eating' or something more. Clinicians will gain an understanding of the physical, mental and nutritional risks associated with ARFID as well as treatment
options and necessary coordination of care.

About the Presenter

Stephanie Brooks, MS, RD, CEDS-C, founded Bay Area Nutrition, a registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) group practice, in 1999 to offer up-to-date, user-friendly nutrition guidance. Practicing since 1991, she holds a B.S. from UC Berkeley and an M.S. from SJSU, and is a certified eating disorder specialist, consultant, and supervisor. A nationally recognized expert in eating disorders and nutrition therapy, she also trains and supervises professionals on eating disorders and business development. Stephanie is passionate about helping clients achieve "ah-ha" moments, improve health, and find balance. She utilizes a "Health at Every Size" philosophy and a non-diet/mindful approach to eating, activity, and life.

The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speaker and not, necessarily, of SCV-CAMFT. SCV-CAMFT can not be held liable for any damages arising from recommendations or advice given by our speakers or any actions or decisions arising out of the content of this presentation. Presentations at SCV-CAMFT events do not constitute an endorsement of the vendor or speaker's views, products or services.

Event Policy Information

Presented by Alain Montgomery, JD, CAMFT Staff Attorney

Includes 3 CE credits for LMFTs, LPCCs, LEPs and LCSWs. A recording will be made available to all registrants for 3 months. For those who can't attend live, CE credit is available by watching the recording and passing a test. 

Discount for Chapter Members
Members of a local chapter will receive a $5 discount. Be sure to be logged in when you register. 

Chapter members:  $55
CAMFT members:  $60
Non-members:  $85

REGISTER

Presentation Details

This 3-hour law and ethics webinar will delve into the more nuanced areas of gift giving and receiving within the context of the therapeutic relationship, explain updates to the BBS advertising regulations, and describe the elements that constitute ethical client termination. Each of these topics is unique and requires a clear and thorough understanding of the legal and ethical implications involved.  This webinar will be informative in a way that helps participants formulate legally and ethically sound courses of action in dealing with each of these areas in their practice. 

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this workshop, attendees will be able to:

1. Interpret the CAMFT ethical standards relevant to gift giving and receiving. 
2. Identify the elements required for the ethical termination and discharge of a client.
3. Apply advertising standards in alignment with all legal and ethical requirements. 
4.  Identify the updated BBS advertising regulations. 
5. Asses when it is appropriate and/or inappropriate to either give and/or receive a gift during the therapeutic relationship.
   
   

Event Support

infocenter@camft.org
(888) 892-2638
(858) 292-2638
Business Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30AM to 4:30PM PT; Tuesday and Thursday 8:30AM to 4:00PM PT 

TARGET AUDIENCE: LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, LEPs

Presented by Alain Montgomery, CAMFT Staff Attorney

Includes 6 CE credits for LMFTs, LPCCs, LEPs and LCSWs. This event will be in-person only - no online options or recording. 

Please join us in person this year, at beautiful Michael's at Shoreline! We will offer a delicious luncheon buffet with drinks, coffee, and dessert, and the beautiful patio for eating and breaks. 

About the Program

This six (6)- hour law and ethics in-person presentation will delve into topics such as letter writing, telehealth, and preparing clients for the unexpected. Each of these topics is unique in and of itself and requires a clear and thorough understanding of the legal and ethical implications involved.  This presentation will be informative, helping participants formulate legally and ethically sound courses of action to successfully address each of these areas.

Educational Goals

1. Letter Writing: To provide participants with a fundamental understanding of the legal and ethical parameters around letter writing; explain guidelines that can help participants write letters that are clear, evidence-based, and clinically defensible; and, help participants understand when it is appropriate to write a letter and when it may not be appropriate.
2. Professional Wills: To provide participants with an understanding of what a professional will is and how it relates to facilitating continuity of care in the event of death, incapacity, or an unintended absence; help participants identify key components of a comprehensive professional will; and address matters of confidentiality using informed consent.
3. Telehealth: To provide participants with an understanding of how telehealth is used as a modality to provide mental health services; review the California specific regulations and guidance from the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and summarize the ethical standards; address jurisdictional issues including practicing across state lines and provider/client location requirements; increase awareness of the legal, ethical, and clinical risks unique to telehealth; and support participants in integrating telehealth into their practice in a compliant and effective manner.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the workshop, participants will be able to:

Letter Writing

1. Identify key legal and ethical standards applicable to letter writing. 
2. Describe guidelines that ensure statements, attestations, or assertions made in a letter align with the MFT scope of practice and scope of competence. 
3. Apply ethical decision-making frameworks to determine when it is clinically appropriate to write a letter.
4. Evaluate potential outcomes associated with letter writing.

 
Professional Will

1. Define a professional will and explain how it can be used to facilitate continuity of care for clients.
2. Identify the ethical standard(s) related to professional wills.
3. List the essential components of a professional will.
4. Demonstrate how to incorporate professional will information into informed consent.

Telehealth

1. Identify California-specific telehealth regulations as prescribed by the California Board of Behavioral Science.
2. Summarize the ethical standards for telehealth practice.
3. Analyze jurisdictional and licensure issues relevant to interstate practice.
4. Describe the concept of license portability, including temporary practice laws and California regulatory developments, and explain how these impact providing telehealth services across state lines.
   
   

About the Presenter

Alain Lance Montgomery, Esq., is a member of the State Bar of California.  Alain received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California at Berkeley and a Juris Doctor degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Prior to joining the CAMFT legal department, Alain worked in public interest law as a legal advisor for the Superior Court of California where he helped self-represented parties navigate the complexities of small claims litigation.  As a member of the CAMFT legal department, Alain has served as part of the support staff for the CAMFT Ethics Committee and has represented the Association at various state regulatory board meetings.  After graduating from college and before attending law school, Alain worked as a ski instructor at Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort

TARGET AUDIENCE: LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, LEPs

If you miss any of the presentation, you will not be eligible for the CEUs. SCV-CAMFT is a CAMFT-approved Continuing Education Provider (CEPA 052466). This course meets the qualifications of 6 continuing education credit for LMFTs, LPCCs, LEPs and/or LCSWs. SCV-CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.

The views expressed in presentations made at SCV-CAMFT membership meetings or other SCV-CAMFT events are those of the speaker and not, necessarily, of SCV-CAMFT. Presentations at SCV-CAMFT events do not constitute an endorsement of the vendor or speaker's views, products or services.

Event Policies and Registrant Agreement

Presented by Sara Jasper, JD, CAMFT Staff Attorney

Includes 3 CE credits for LMFTs, LPCCs, LEPs and LCSWs. A recording will be made available to all registrants for 3 months. For those who can't attend live, CE credit is available by watching the recording and passing a test. 

Discount for Chapter Members
Members of a local chapter will receive a $5 discount. Be sure to be logged in when you register. 

Chapter members:  $55
CAMFT members:  $60
Non-members:  $85

REGISTER

Presentation Details

This law and ethics-focused training is designed for mental health professionals who are paneled with insurance companies, considering becoming in-network, or seeing clients who wish to use out-of-network benefits. While insurance provides increased access to care, it also introduces complex legal and ethical obligations. During the training, Ms. Jasper will discuss how to fully inform patients about insurance issues at the outset of treatment, bill accurately and respond to records requests and audits in a manner that complies with state and federal confidentiality laws. 

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this workshop, attendees will be able to:

1. Identify essential insurance-related disclosures that must be included in the informed consent process at the outset of treatment. 
2. Implement informed consent procedures that fully notify patients about insurance issues and financial responsibilities at the start of treatment. 
3. Execute accurate billing practices to ensure compliance with insurance company requirements and professional standards. 
4. Identify common reasons for insurance record requests and audits. 
5. Respond to records requests and insurance audits effectively while maintaining adherence to state and federal confidentiality laws, such as HIPAA. 
6. Develop a legally sound, step-by-step protocol for responding to insurance audit requests. 

Event Support

infocenter@camft.org
(888) 892-2638
(858) 292-2638
Business Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30AM to 4:30PM PT; Tuesday and Thursday 8:30AM to 4:00PM PT 

TARGET AUDIENCE: LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, LEPs