Winter 2025, vol. 44, no. 1

President's Message

I have found that in our rapidly changing world where we, as mental health professionals, are concerned for clients, or addressing recent disasters like the LA wildfires, injustices and our own personal issues, the assurance and warmth of the community that we have at the SCV-CAMFT is more important than ever.

Community Focus

Gia Reyes chats with Alex Mackenzie, Director of Support Groups and Mentorship Program, on what factors he has witnessed in his 30+ years of practice that negatively impact mental health professionals’ own mental health and how to mitigate it. He also provides a cheat sheet for therapists’ self-care.

The Hidden Gifts of Mentoring: A National Mentoring Month Reflection

by Kusum Punjabi, AMFT

Kusum Punjabi explores the surprising outcomes that mentors discover as they help and support mentees navigate the field of psychotherapy.

Slice of Humor: Muted

by Edna Wallace, LMFT

When one is eating and smiling, but not talking . . . wondering “Why can’t I talk and laugh and be nice? I usually am.”

The Santa Clara Valley chapter was represented at the 2025 CAMFT Chapter Leadership Conference on February 7-8, 2025, at the Hilton San Jose, CA. L to R: Amanda Cortez, Rosario Puga Dempsey, Marté Matthews, Ursula Jorgensen, Kassie Butterworth, Alex Mackenzie, Liliana Ramos

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Upcoming Events

Presented by Mike Griffin, CAMFT Staff Attorney

Friday, February 21, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

ONLINE

3 CE credits

Presented by Ursula Jorgensen, ATR-BC, LMFT and Kassidy Butterworth, ATR, LMFT

Friday, February 28, 11:15 AM - 2:00 PM

Michael's at Shoreline, 2960 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View, CA

2 CE credits

Presented by Theo Villalobos, LMFT

Friday, March 21, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

ONLINE

2 CE credits

Presented by Valerie Beltrán, LMFT

Saturday, March 29, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Michael's at Shoreline, 2960 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View + ONLINE

2 CE credits

Presented by Rachel Holowicki, LEP

Saturday, April 5, 10:00 AM - 11:30 PM

ONLINE

1.5 CE credits

Presented by Holly LaBarbara, LMFT

Friday, May 9, 11:15 AM - 2:00 PM

Michael's at Shoreline, 2960 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View + ONLINE

2 CE credits

Presented by Amy Isabella Chalker, RDN, CEDS

Friday, May 30,12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Presented by David F. Khalili, LMFT

Saturday, July 19, 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM

ONLINE

Saturday, October 25, 8:30 AM - 12:15 PM

Michael's at Shoreline, 2960 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View + ONLINE
3 CE credits

Online Support Groups

SCV-CAMFT Therapists' Support Group
w/ Nasrin Farr, LMFT and Cindy Gum, LMFT
Third Fridays at 10 AM

Asian and Pacific Islander Therapist Support Group

Pre-Licensed Support Groups

w/ Natasha Kazmi, LMFT

w/ Jim Arjani, LMFT

 First Saturdays at 11 AM

w/ Beth Proudfoot, LMFT and Kim Ives Hicks, LMFT
Fourth Mondays at 9 AM

LGBTQIA+ Therapists' Support Group 

w/ Liz Ojeda, LMFT

Last Fridays at 9:00 AM

Upcoming DEI Dates

● Nirvana Day / Parinirvana Day (Buddhist) - Feb 8/15

● Valentine’s Day - Feb 14

● Presidents' Day - Feb 16

● Lantern Festival (Chinese) - Feb 19

● World Day of Social Justice - Feb 20

● Lunar New Year - Feb 29

MARCH

● Women’s History Month

● Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

● Zero Discrimination Day - Mar 1

● International Women’s Day - Mar 8

● Intl Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - Mar 21

● Nowruz (Persian New Year, Zoroastrian) - Mar 21

● Palm Sunday (Christian) - Mar 25

● Holi (Hindu) - Mar 26

● Purim (Jewish) - Mar 28

● Cesar Chavez Day - Mar 31

● International Transgender Day of Visibility - Mar 31

APRIL

● Arab American Heritage Month

● Autism Awareness Month

● Vaisakhi (Sikh) - Apr 13

● Ramadan (Islam) - Apr 14

● Passover (Jewish) - Apr 15

● Easter Sunday (Christian) - Apr 21

● Arbor Day - Apr 25

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