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Our hearts are with all those who have been impacted by the wildfires in the Los Angeles area. For those of you who have been displaced and/or know people who have been displaced, injured, or lost their lives in this tragedy, we send our deepest condolences.
We know that MFTs are helpers by nature and are checking in with friends, colleagues, family members, and clients and offering support wherever they can. We extend deep gratitude for all of you and deep gratitude for all of the first responders and helpers on the ground. Here are a few resources for anyone struggling with the fires and the aftermath:
EMERGENCY SERVICES AND SHELTER RESOURCES:
DONATE
In these times of crisis, CAMFT members often ask how they can best help. The most efficient way to help those impacted is by donating to the organizations that have boots-on-the-ground aid already in place. Here is a list of organizations offering aid and accepting donations:
MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY RESOURCES
Los Angeles Wildfires: Impact and Recovery, an interview with Dr. Gary Brown, LMFT, originally published in The Therapist magazine, contains helpful information about the impacts of wildfire crisis on clients and how to help.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTRN) has developed resources to help children, families, and communities navigate what they are seeing and hearing, acknowledge their feelings, and find ways to cope together. Resources, many also in Spanish, are below:
The NCTSN also has resources for responders on Psychological First Aid (En Español), an early intervention to support children, adolescents, adults, and families impacted by these types of events. The PFA Wallet Card (En Español) provides a quick reminder of the core actions.
PROVIDING THERAPY TO THOSE IMPACTED
CAMFT is aware that several CAMFT chapters and other psychological networking groups are pulling lists together of therapists who are willing to provide services to those impacted at reduced or no cost. Please check in with your CAMFT chapter and look to your colleague-run social media groups for these resources.
Additionally, CAMFT’s Affinity Partner, Simple Practice, has created a way for Simple Practice users to let folks know they are available to provide therapeutic services to those impacted at reduced or no cost. Log on to Simple Practice and set up your Monarch directory profile if you haven’t already. On your Monarch profile, indicate that you are accepting clients impacted by the disaster. If you are offering flexible fees for those impacted, such as providing services at a reduced fee or no cost, you can also indicate this on your profile. (Please note that these changes must be made on a desktop and are only available to CA licensed clinicians.)
ESSENTIAL SERVICES RECOVERY RESOURCES
As our communities begin to rebound and rebuild, another resource that can be very helpful for those impacted is the 2024 Wildfire Incidents | California Statewide Wildfire Recovery Resources webpage, which contains many links to local essential services, legal assistance, records replacement and more.
FOR FUTURE CRISES, BECOME A CRISIS COUNSELOR
Many CAMFT members have asked how to become certified Crisis Counselors who can serve during times like these. Valuable programs that train crisis counselors include:
You can find more information about crisis response by visiting CAMFT’s Crisis Response webpage.