Jennifer Stonefield, LMFT
President, LA-CAMFT

Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health Awareness Month collectively emphasizes the importance of holistic well-being, recognizing that true strength encompasses both physical and mental resilience. Mental Health Awareness Month sheds light on the significance of addressing mental health challenges openly, reducing stigma, and promoting access to resources and support. Meanwhile, one’s own strength encourages us to celebrate physical prowess, but also underscores the inner fortitude required to confront life's obstacles, including mental health struggles. 

The convergence of these observances encourages individuals to adopt a balanced approach to health, acknowledging that mental wellness is as crucial as drinking water or physical fitness. Mental wellness fosters a culture of empowerment, where seeking help for mental health concerns is viewed as a sign of strength rather than weakness. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, Mental Health Awareness Month and one’s own strength promote a more inclusive understanding of strength-one that encompasses resilience in both body and mind. 

By intertwining mental health awareness with the celebration of strength, these observances underscore the interconnectedness of physical and mental well-being. They inspire individuals to prioritize self-care, cultivate resilience, and support one another in navigating life's challenges. Ultimately, this intersection highlights the transformative power of embracing vulnerability, seeking support, and fostering a culture of compassion and understanding around mental health.

Warmly, 

Jennifer Stonefield, LMFT

Jennifer Stonefield, LMFT, is Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. She’s always had a passion for psychology and going on the therapeutic journey with her clients reminds her of this every day. She has a wide array of clinical experience ranging from working with children in an educational setting to those suffering from dementia to individual work in several group, private practices where age holds no boundaries. She has an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. Jennifer applies a person-centered approach when working with clients, as she believes that a “one size fits all” approach simply won’t cut it.

Welcomes You to

Spring Fling 2024

Sunday, May 18, 2024

1:00 pm-4:00 pm

Cheviot Hills Recreation Center

LA-CAMFT's Spring Fling 2024

Come join us at LA-CAMFT's 2024 Spring Fling for a fun- and food-filled great time to welcome the summer, make new friends, and get to know your fellow Los Angeles Therapists.

For more information, contact Suzy Herbert, LMFT.

For:
LA-CAMFT Members, Prelicensed Associates and Students, Trainees, Associates, Interns and Non-Members.

Event Details: Sunday, May 18, 2024, 1:00-4:00 pm

Where: Cheviot Hills Recreation Center, Picnic Area #1
2551 Motor Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90064

Cost:
LA-CAMFT Member: $10
LA-CAMFT Prelicensed Member: $5
Non-Member: $15

(To be sure you receive any information we send prior to the event, please add specialeventschair@lacamft.org to your known contacts or safe list and check your bulk, junk or promotions mailboxes for any emails from us about this event.)

Registration closes on May 17, 2024, at 12:00 Noon

Getting Paid: Using Your Website
to Get New Clients to Contact You

Your website represents your therapy practice. The best client friendly websites make it as easy as possible to find out about you and your therapy services and to contact you to schedule their first session. Here are some things to remember and questions to consider to make sure your website does that!

1. Your website is one of the first places new clients look to decide whether or not you’re the therapist for them—even when they’re referred to you by a friend or one of your colleagues. 

• Does each page on your website help your potential clients better understand who you are, what you do, and how you can help them? People want to know about you and your practice before they contact you or do anything with you. 
• As you put together the pages on your website, focus on your ideal clients and talk directly to them, addressing their wants, needs, concerns and issues. 
• Is your website easy to use? Is the information your ideal clients need included and easy to find? Does what’s on your website make your potential clients feel confident that you know what you’re doing?

2. Potential clients visiting your website want to know if you can help them—and they want to know it quickly. 

• They want to know if you have answers to their questions and if you can help them solve their problems.
• Do you have answers to their questions? Show them with examples or information, quotes and photos that tell them that. 
• Can you help them solve their problems? Share that information. 
• When someone is in pain, struggling or feeling stuck, all they’re focusing on is, “Can this person help me?” Help them answer this question with the information you provide about who you work with, the solutions and expertise you can contribute, your credentials, your community participation, and more—but don’t make it too wordy or long. 

3. Do your best to make sure you have the type of content and answers on your website that your ideal clients are looking for. 

• Does the information you provide make potential clients feel like you are experienced, know what you’re doing or are familiar with what they are experiencing or struggling with? That you understand them and what they need? That you’re equipped to work with them? That you can provide support and answers?
• Do you have the type of content on your website that your ideal clients are seeking?Make sure you include some information about the problem or problems your ideal clients face that cause them to seek therapy. 
• Information and content that addresses the questions that clients have—and that conveys who you are, what you do, and how you can help, assures your potential clients that your therapy services can provide the solutions they’re seeking. 
• When you have the type of information and answers your ideal clients looking for, it helps them feel comfortable and confident in your ability to help them so they can take the next step to call or email or text you to set up a first session. 

4. Get your potential client to the information they’re looking for as easily and quickly as possible. 

• Home, About, Services, and Contact are the basic pages clients find helpful. The About page is usually the most visited page on a website—with the Home page following that. Some websites are now one long page with sections instead of separate pages as this works, too, for some clientele.
• Make sure each of your webpages has a sentence or two about you, your counseling services and what therapy is generally like. Remember people don’t always look at more than one page so if there’s something on each page about how you work, that may be the deciding factor in whether they leave your website for another one or end up contacting you to set up a first session.

5. Remember, the main goal of your website is to get new clients to contact you. 

• Is your contact information easy to find? 
• Does your contact information include your phone number, email address, and location of your private practice? (Yes, you need to include this even if you’re only doing teletherapy.)
• Does your contact information let your clients know the best way to contact you? Phone, email, text or ? 
• Is your contact information consistently placed on every page more than once? Header, footer, sidebar, end or middle of page? 
• Is your contact information conveniently placed on every page? Header, footer, sidebar, end or middle of page? 
• Remember, if potential clients are looking to contact you, always make it as easy as possible. 

Each therapist is unique and brings different experience, training, expertise, and personality to their private practice. Think about the type of client you want to work with and their specific needs then offer useful information to your potential clients, information that assures them your therapy services can provide the change they’re seeking. Let your website help your ideal clients feel comfortable and confident enough to contact you for their first session.

Lynne Azpeitia, LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor, is in private practice in Santa Monica where she works with Couples and Gifted, Talented, and Creative Adults across the lifespan. Lynne’s been doing business and clinical coaching with mental health professionals for more than 15 years, helping professionals develop even more successful careers and practices. To learn more about her in-person and online services, workshops or monthly no-cost Online Networking & Practice Development Lunch visit www.Gifted-Adults.com or www.LAPracticeDevelopment.com.

Creating More Sustainable Community for Us All!

Hey LA-CAMFT family! 

As the new Diversity Committee Chairwoman for 2024-2025, I wanted you to be aware of some of the many changes in the air . . .

Therapist of Color Support Group (TOC-SG): In January, we decided to switch the 6+ years and running FREE support group from monthly to quarterly—starting in 2024! We have already had two meetings (in Jan and Apr); the remaining two TOC Support Group dates for the year are July 14th and October 13th (still on the 2nd Sundays of the month from 11am-1pm). So, please mark your calendars (and register on the LA-CAMFT website) if you’d like to attend again . . . OR check it out if you’ve never been!  

Other TOC Support Groups with changes:
• Black Therapists Support Group (BTSG) now meets on the 2nd Monday of the month, 6-7:30pm
• Asian-American Pacific Islanders (AAPI+) Circle is (sadly) *canceled*—for now (due to a lack of facilitators),
• Middle Easterners and North Africans (MENA) is on break / hopes to return soon, maybe with a new name (in an effort to decolonize it): Southwest Asians and North Africans (SWANA).

Latinxers: We’d still love to launch a support group for you—but, we need passionate, committed facilitators to do this! [Hint; Could this be YOU???] Actually, we are . . . 

***LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS*** who understand the urgent need to create and maintain these safe spaces for therapists of color (in today’s political climate, etc. AND)—especially those with intersectional (multiple, marginalized) identities and backgrounds—i.e. POC / BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Neurodivergent, and other underserved populations. [NOTE: Our D.C. support groups will continue to increase inclusivity by highlighting the “diversity within diversity” or what we in the D.C fondly call “Race AND . . .”] 

Part of the reason we had to cut back on some of the D.C. support groups this year was: we didn’t have enough therapists of color to keep them happening on a regular basis! So, if these groups are important to you, please consider lending a hand!  

And, as I mentioned in my January article, I’m still very focused on nurturing our TOC leaders more—to create more sustainable community for all of us! (which leads me to our most exciting announcement . . .) 

This year, we’re working on hosting an amazing NEW event called a “Rest Retreat”—an attempt to nurture therapists of color facilitators of our various Diversity Committee TOC Support Groups who’ve volunteered their time and energy to maintain safe places for therapists of color to attend, share our struggles and successes, and feel supported on the often arduous path of becoming licensed and the difficulties often faced by therapists of color in this field. We have to work harder than our white counterparts…so, it’s time to rest, y’all! Please, come join us! 

Curious? Wanna get involved with the Diversity Committee? Come check out a meeting (4th Sundays, 10am-12pm) or contact me at: diversitycommittee@lacamft.org. I look forward to hearing from you! ☺.

Stara Shakti, LMFT is a psychotherapist and lightworker with a private practice in Los Angeles. Stara helps young adults—(in their 20s / 30s) who are LGBTQ+, POC/BIPOC, 1st-gen Americans, neurodivergents, and adult children of narcissistic / emotionally immature parents—heal from past trauma so they can love themselves, fully express who they are, and attract healthier adult relationships. Stara also has a new YouTube channel on “all things healing from trauma.” www.StaraShaktiLMFT.com.

Threshold Crossings: Vital in Personal Growth

Threshold issues are a huge force in your life, whether you are aware of them or not. The issue of threshold is around us every day, perhaps even every moment.

What exactly is a threshold? This seemingly simple word encompasses various meanings and implications, each shedding light on different aspects of our lives

and experiences.

1. A Physical Boundary:
   A threshold can be a physical entity. It's the piece of wood or stone placed beneath a door, often referred to as a doorsill. This unassuming element serves as both support for the entry and a foundation for your feet or vehicle as you cross into a space. 
   
   
2. Symbolic Entryway:
   Beyond the physical, a threshold can also be metaphorical. It represents an entrance or doorway, not confined to the material world. In this sense, a threshold embodies the idea of transition and change, extending its reach beyond mere physical territory. 
   
   
3. Starting Point:
   Another facet of the threshold is its role as a starting point or outset. When you step across a threshold, you leave behind what's established and embark on something new. This transition doesn't necessarily imply a linear path or a known destination. It's about venturing into uncharted territory, where the familiar gives way to the unknown. 
   
   
4. A Trigger for Change:
   In a different context, a threshold can also be the point at which a specific effect, result, or response is triggered. For example, a low threshold of pain means that a minimal amount of discomfort can induce a reaction. This concept extends beyond physical pain; it can encompass mental, emotional, and spiritual experiences that challenge our existing boundaries and perspectives.

As we navigate our lives, we encounter thresholds regularly. Consider the simple act of walking to the curb of a sidewalk. You are about to cross a threshold into the street, where moving cars pose new challenges.

To do so safely, you must possess awareness, physical balance, and an understanding of traffic dynamics. Meeting these criteria enables you to cross this threshold successfully.

In our society, entrance requirements and criteria for crossing thresholds are evident in various aspects, such as job applications, school admissions, military positions, and competitive sports. Striving to bypass these criteria can lead to entering unprepared for the challenges that lie ahead.

Confronting barriers before being able to cross a threshold should not be viewed as a personal and forced limitation. It is a safeguard to ensure your ability to adapt and thrive in the new environment on the other side.

However, not all thresholds come with explicit criteria. Events like marriage, parenthood, or leaving home offer less structured transitions. When you experience fear or anxiety in the face of a decision, it may signify that you are approaching a threshold.

These emotions act as signals, urging you to assess your readiness for the changes that await. Are you adequately prepared to survive, adapt, and flourish on the other side of the threshold? Probably not entirely, as crossing a threshold often involves learning as you go.

The minimum requirements for crossing may be all you need initially. The key is to recognize when you're stuck in life, as this might indicate an inability to move through an important threshold. In such cases, you need to find a way to fulfill the necessary criteria.

Recovery work, too, can be seen as a threshold—a point where healing and growth await. When something feels just beyond your grasp, it might be an indication that a threshold is approaching. Knowing its existence and appreciating the criteria for crossing can help you determine if this is the path you want to follow.

Consider whether the criteria for crossing weaken or strengthen you. Do they demand conformity to standards you don't uphold, or do they require you to become more self-assured as you uphold your values?

The concept of thresholds is both profound and omnipresent. It represents the myriad transitions we encounter in our lives, from the physical to the symbolic. Understanding and appreciating these thresholds can empower us to navigate life's changes with confidence and resilience.

Joanna Poppink, LMFT, psychotherapist, speaker, and author of Healing Your Hungry Heart: Recovering from Your Eating Disorder, is in private practice and specializes in Eating Disorder Recovery for adult women and with an emphasis on building a fulfilling life beyond recovery. She is licensed in California, Florida, Oregon, and Utah. All appointments are virtual. Website: EatingDisorderRecovery.net

LA-CAMFT Diversity Committee
Presents:

Black Therapist Support Group

Second Monday of the Month

Next Meeting:
Monday, May 13, 2024
6:00 pm-7:30 pm (PT)

Online Via Zoom

Black Therapist Support Group

A safe place for healing, connection, support and building community. In this group, licensed clinicians, associates and students can come together and process experiences of racism (systemic, social, and internalized), discrimination, implicit bias, and micro-aggressions, along with additional experiences that therapists of African descent encounter in the field of mental health. As the late great Maya Angelou once said, “As soon as healing takes place, go out and heal someone else.” May this space be the support needed to facilitate that journey.

Open to LA-CAMFT Members and Non-Members

First Saturday of Each Month

Location: Zoom Meeting

For more information contact Stara Shakti, LMFT at DiversityCommittee@lacamft.org.

Event Details: 

For:
Licensed Therapists, Associates, and Students

Event Details: 
Monday, May 13, 2024
6:00 pm-7:30 pm (PT)Time of Check-In: 5:50 am

Where: 
Online Via Zoom

Once you have registered for the presentation, we will email you a link to Zoom a few days before the presentation.

Cost:

No Charge

Online Registration CLOSES on the date of the event.

(Registration is open and available until the group ends.)

Questions about Registration? Contact  Diversity Committee, diversitycommittee@lacamft.org.

Register Here

Pronoun(s) Series

When sharing pronouns or listing your pronouns, please only list one in a series. 

It is helpful to only put one pronoun in a series to prevent the erasure of folx who use different pronouns. 

Often when we are reading someone’s pronouns and we see the first pronoun, we may stop there and assume the rest of the series, which prevents us from noticing if someone uses more than one pronoun. 

Example of when to list one pronoun: If your pronoun is she series, we know that it will be she/her/hers/herself. When listing this pronoun, use she only. 

Example of when to list more than one pronoun: If your pronouns are she series, he series and zi series, then you would list your pronouns like this: she | he | zi or she/he/zi. 

This way, when people read our pronoun(s), the person/people will read all that are listed to know to alternate versus only the first one and assume the rest. 

Oftentimes, people will list a person’s pronouns in the order of usage. An example is if someone’s pronouns are she series and they series, and the person wants people to use they series mostly, and is okay with she series, the person may list the pronouns like this: they | she or they/she. 

Another factor is language; please only include pronouns in the language that you speak and/or use, even if you are in a space where people will need to use your pronoun in a different language. My pronouns in English are they. I speak Spanish, and my pronoun in Spanish is elle. When I list my pronouns, I list my pronouns like this: they | elle. This indicates that these are my pronouns and that I can communicate in Spanish. If I did not speak Spanish but was in a space where I know others speak Spanish, I would share my pronoun as they and inform those who may need to know my pronoun in the language the person uses as elle as to not be misgendered.

Van Ethan Levy, MA, LMFT, LPCC, (they) (elle), a trans and non binary therapist, is a queer, non binary, trans, socialized as female, nBPOC (not Black Person of Color), who is autistic, and has dynamic disabilities amongst many more historically excluded identities. Van provides consultations and trainings on trans and non binary identities, is the organizer of the 2022 Virtual International Do Something: Identity(ies) Conference, authored the interactive book, Exploring My Identity(ies), and produced the Documentary, Do Something: Trans & Non Binary Identities, Website: VanEthanLevy.com.

The City at the Summit — from “The Wealthy Spirit"

"You cannot put the same shoe on every foot.”

 — Publilius Syrus

The white-washed walls of the city of Santorini sparkle atop the steep cliffs that rise majestically from the cerulean blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Ships nestle in the harbor, surrounded by three islands that some say are the remains of the mythical city of Atlantis.

From the boat dock, you can climb the one thousand steps to the summit, or, if you prefer, you can ride a donkey—the local guides take groups up every half hour. Tour busses can take you around the island before dropping you off at the top. 

The fastest way to the city is to take the cable car. Some people find their own precarious way up the mountain, slowly and laboriously climbing over the rocks.

A few visitors go directly to the city. Others take the detour around the island, looking at ancient ruins, and arrive at the summit later in the day. Some play all day on the beach, and still others stay on the ship and just gaze at the stars from below.

Among the visitors, there are sometimes arguments about which is the better way to get to the summit. 

“The cable car is faster!” some claim. 

“But it’s more fun to ride the donkeys!” others retort. 

Those on the tour busses say, “Why go directly to the top? Enjoy the rest of the island first.” 

“Climbing is good for your health!” say the rest. 

But no one says you won’t get to the summit unless you take their route. The cable car riders don’t go to battle with the donkey riders. The rock climbers don’t throw rocks at the people on the stairs. No one ambushes the busses. 

It is clear there are many paths, and all lead to the city.

The citizens of Santorini are happy to greet the visitors, whoever they are and whenever they arrive. It makes no difference to them what mode of transportation the visitors choose or what time they appear. 

They may laugh gently at the slow climbers who choose the most difficult way. And they may wistfully regret that the sun-bathers at the beach or the star-gazers on the ship don’t make it to the summit this trip. Oh, well, they shrug, maybe next year.

You may come when you wish, how you wish. All roads take you to the top. 

Whatever path you choose, when you reach the city, you are welcomed.

Today’s Affirmation: “Whatever path I choose is the perfect path for me.”

Chellie Campbell, Financial Stress Reduction Expert, is the author of bestselling books The Wealthy Spirit, Zero to Zillionaire, and From Worry to Wealthy: A Woman’s Guide to Financial Success Without the Stress. She has been treating Money Disorders like Spending Bulimia and Income Anorexia in her Financial Stress Reduction® Workshops for over 25 years and is still speaking, writing, and teaching workshops—now as Zoom classes and The Wealthy Spirit Group on Facebook—with participants from all over the world. Website: www.chellie.com.