May 2023 E-NEWSLETTER

Dear Members,

It’s been one week since our Annual Conference came to a close, and I can still feel the energy of the event that was impressively curated by our amazing volunteers, staff, speakers, and attendees. 

The halls of the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara were buzzing with connections and conversations between talented, caring, and innovative therapists. Dr. Jenn Mann, LMFT, opened the conference with her keynote speech on how connection, conflict, and COVID affect relationships. Dr. Bryant Marks provided one of the many conference highlights with his powerful, educational, and very entertaining presentation on implicit bias for our closing keynote. Throughout the conference, we came together to experience a beautiful combination of networking, learning, inspiring, and creating change.

I had the opportunity to talk with several members about current DEI issues, outlining how we, as an association, are committed to utilizing a DEI consultant for a long-term engagement to review our structures and operations through the lens of DEI. We are committed to doing the work ahead and will communicate with you and others in our community regarding the steps we will be taking to address this important issue.

I’m also happy to share that our PAC Reception Fundraiser raised $3,915! Thanks to our many line-dancing attendees, who were able to hear Congressman Adam Schiff share his appreciation for MFTs helping to serve the mental health needs across California. Assemblymember Schiff outlined the importance of increased federal funding for mental health. If you missed the line-dancing, we would still greatly appreciate if you could donate any amount to our PACs today.

CAMFT has also been busy providing input to the Centers on Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) regarding MFTs and Medicare and advocating for key legislative issues, including the CAMFT-sponsored SB 372, and the Respect for Names Act (Sen. Menjivar). Senate Bill 372 will protect the privacy and ensure the safety of transgender and non-binary Californians by eliminating the use of deadnames at the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) for licensed professionals who have changed their legal names.  

In other exciting news, CAMFT is announcing two new scholarships! The Gerry Grossman Scholarship honors and supports future MFTs who work with children, and the Scott Hamilton and Frank Galassi Scholarship honors and supports future MFTs who participate actively in LGBTQ+ community and/or civic events and plan to work with LGBTQ+ populations. Click here to learn more about CAMFT scholarships and apply!

As we approach the warmer months, the excitement over summer vacations and beautiful weather trickles into everyday life. Whether you’re spending this month traveling the world or enjoying time at home, I hope you stay mentally and physically safe, happy, and healthy.

To everyone in the CAMFT community who made our 2023 conference possible, including our volunteers, staff, speakers, sponsors, and members: Thank you. We are so grateful for your time and insight. We couldn’t have done it without you. 

With care,

Joy Alafia, MBA, CAE
Executive Director