We also had our annual membership meeting during which, the board shared details about the chapter’s operations and progress as well as the plans for the new year. I want to thank all the attendees for their participation and feedback during the annual meeting, which will allow us to continue to provide you all with quality services. Members can view our 2018 Membership Meeting Notes, 2017 Financial year in review and our 2018 Budget here.
In the annual membership’s meeting, members were introduced to the new board of 2018. Each committee chair shared with the membership some of the plans and new projects scheduled for 2018. One of the new projects that was unveiled was the First Annual Mental Health Job Fair, which will take place on March 24th, 2018.
The job fair was designed to provide new and seasoned clinicians with an opportunity to access a wide range of reputable and local employers. We are aiming to have a varied representation of agencies and organizations who work with different populations at various levels of care. Please help us make this event successful by attending and sharing the information about the job fair with colleagues and employers interested in being part of the job fair.
We are still looking for a President Elect if you are interested please email info@svccamft.org
We still are looking for a President-Elect, Volunteer Chair and Program Co-Chair and also committee members for several committees including the Sponsorship Committee, Programs Committee, Bylaws Committee, Membership Committee, Nomination Committee, Finance Committee, and Ethics Committee. We also need volunteers for short term projects or workshops
The following bills become effective January 1, 2018, unless otherwise noted. Below is a brief summary of the changes that affect Board of Behavioral Sciences (Board) licensees and registrants. The full text of these bills can be found on the California Legislative Information webpage, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/.
Assembly Bill 191 (Wood), Chapter 184, Statutes of 2017—This bill amends Welfare and Institutions Code sections 5251, 5261, and 5270.20 to add licensed marriage and family therapists and licensed professional clinical counselors to the list of professionals who are authorized to sign a notice of certification for a patient under certain circumstances.
AB 508 (Santiago), Chapter 195, Statutes of 2017—This bill repeals Business and Professions Code section 685. The repeal of this section removes a healing art board’s ability to issue a citation and fine or deny an application for a license or renewal of a license due to the licensee or applicant being in default on a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services education loan.
AB 1188 (Nazarian) Chapter 557, Statutes of 2017— The bill affects Business and Professions Code sections 4984.75, 4996.65, 4999.121, and Health and Safety Code section 128454. It increases the Mental Health Practitioner Education Fund fee that licensed marriage and family therapists and licensed clinical social workers pay upon license renewal, from $10 to $20. It also requires licensed professional clinical counselors to pay a $20 fee into the fund upon renewal, and adds licensed professional clinical counselors and associate professional clinical counselors to the list of licensed mental health service providers who may apply for the loan repayment grant if they provide direct patient care in a publicly funded facility or a mental health professional shortage area. All provisions of this bill become effective on July 1, 2018.
SB 374 (Newman) Chapter 162, Statutes of 2017—This bill adds section 10144.4 to the Insurance Code. It grants the Department of Insurance the authority to require large group health insurance policies and individual or small group health insurance policies provide all covered mental health and substance use disorder benefits in compliance with federal law. This is parallel to current authority already given to the Department of Managed Health Care for its regulation of large, individual or small group health care service plans.
Senate Bill 800 (Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee) Chapter 573, Statutes of 2017—This legislation makes numerous minor, technical, or non-substantive changes to the law for various boards under the Department of Consumer Affairs. Changes that relate to the Board of Behavioral Sciences include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Title Change for Marriage and Family Therapist and Professional Clinical Counselor Registrants. The bill makes clean-up amendments in several code sections to change the term “intern” to “associate,” in compliance with the title change that becomes effective on January 1, 2018.
2. Name Change Requirements. The bill makes an amendment to require a licensee or registrant to provide a copy of a government-issued photo ID when requesting a name change.
For 2018, in each newsletter we will be featuring different CAMFT ethics codes and looking deeper at how to implement them into your clinical practice.
“CAMFT Code of Ethics - Section 1.12 ADVOCATE WITH THIRD PARTY PAYERS: When appropriate, marriage and family therapists advocate for mental health care they will believe will benefit from their patients. In appropriate circumstances, they challenge denials of care, or denials of payment of care, by managed care organizations, insurers, or other payers.”
During the SVC-CAMFT January 2018 workshop, Barbara Griswold presented on “What Every Therapist Needs to Know about Insurance”. One of the benefits of learning about managed care health insurance is that you are better able to advocate and support your clients in navigating the insurance industry, which is part of our ethical code.
Many times, our clients come to us while struggling with a mental health challenge. Typically, this is not a time where the client is in a position to be self-advocating or (as in some cases) going to battle with an insurance company. The client may need more support to obtain an authorization, get a single case agreement with you as a provider, navigate how to submit a superbill, or facilitate obtaining resources for additional services that would benefit their mental health.
What EVERY Therapist Should Know About Insurance -- Even if You Want Nothing to Do With It (6CEs)
Presenter: Barbara Griswold, LMFT
Barbara Griswold, was a wizard of humor (she used a Wizard of Oz theme), while helping us understand the ins and the outs of insurance. The thought of 6 hours of insurance talk, seemed boring to me, but somehow Barbara brought it to life. I learned so much about forms, types of insurance, what different terms mean such as co-insurance vs co-payment. From finding out we can ask for raises, to how to get on an insurance panel, I came away understanding so much more than I thought I would.
She also gave us important tips such as having a biller and checking on insurance benefits before you start seeing client, and what insurance companies would be looking for in your notes such as medical necessity and reducing clinical symptoms. She has a lot more information on her website http://navigatingtheinsurancemaze.com/.
February & March Events
FEBRUARY FREE 3000 CLUB WORKSHOP
Topic: Treating Veterans - The Soldier's Project Presenter: Shing Long, Director of the Sacramento Chapter of The Solider’s Project Date: Friday, February 2. 2018 Time: 8:30am to 9:30am
Location: Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 (map) Free Coffee and Donuts Space is limited so please register here
Workshop Information:
An Introduction to the Soldiers Project will goes over who they serve, what their policies are, responsibilities involve, requirement, etc). Will also discuss a bit of Military Culture so everyone will have a better idea what they may be working with as well.
Presenter Bio:
Shing Long is the Sacramento Chapter Director of The Soldiers Project, a nonprofit that provides free, confidential, ongoing mental health services regardless of discharge status to veterans and their loved ones. She manages all outreach, recruiting, and training for northern California. As a United States Navy spouse and advocate for various military base programs for over a decade, she possesses direct knowledge of how to work most effectively with these families. In 2017, she received a “Spirit of Veteran’s Day” Congressional Award for the work she does with service members and their loved ones. In her spare time, Shing enjoys volunteering at the local elementary school, traveling with her family, and photography.
** Please be courteous and send us an email at info@svccamft.org if you are unable to attend after you have registered. **
MARCH FREE 3000 CLUB WORKSHOP
Topic: Recovery and Attachment Presenter: Amy Rose with Recovery Happens Date: Friday, March 2. 2018 Time: 8:30am to 9:30am
Location: Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 (map) Free Coffee and Donuts Space is limited so please register here
Workshop Information:
Come join us for free coffee and doughnuts while Amy Rose discusses how early attachment directly affects addiction and how to recover from addiction by learning “earned secure attachment” in relationships.
Presenter Bio:
Amy Rose has been in the field of chemical dependency for the past 13 years. She graduated from American River College with a CADC II certification, the highest standard in the field of addiction. She is currently attending Sacramento State to obtain her MFT license. Amy is passionate about helping individuals remove shame, learn to live in authenticity and vulnerability, and aiding entire family systems into health and wholeness. She considers it a privilege to walk others through their struggles with chemical dependency.
Amy has experience both in outpatient and intensive outpatient levels of care. She is active in the 12- step community and has been sober since 2002. Amy specializes in individual counseling, family counseling, facilitating parent support groups, and gender specific recovery groups revolving around wellness from chemical dependency and co-dependency. She also focuses on educating individuals and families on self-care tools, healthy boundaries, building self-esteem, and obtaining long-term healing.
** Please be courteous and send us an email at info@svccamft.org if you are unable to attend after you have registered. **
MARCH WORKSHOP
Topic:Hoarding Disorder: Dispelling the Myths and Increasing Awareness of Treatment Strategies Presenter: Dr. Robin Zasio, Psy.D., LCSW Date: Friday, March 2, 2018 Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00PM Location: Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 (map)
Doors Open at 9:00AM Networking starts at 9:00 AM
This program will benefit LMFT, LPCC, LEP and LCSW licensees and pre licensees by giving information on evidence-based treatment modalities; including CBT and ERP presented by an expert in the treatment of Hoarding Disorder and Owner and Director of The Anxiety Treatment Center of Sacramento, Roseville, and El Dorado Hills.
Includes: Breakfast and meets the qualifications for 2 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Sacramento Valley Chapter of California Marriage and Family Therapist CAMFT CEPA CE Provider #62279 CE Credit will be awarded after the completion of the course via email.
No CEs will be awarded to persons arriving late or leaving early. Partial CE credit will not be awarded.
Workshop Information:
Hoarding Disorder affects over 4 million US Americans and has a devastating impact on not only the person suffering from this condition, but also family, friends, and the community at large. A disorder that often times remains untreated due to a persons shame and fear, individuals struggling will experience devastating consequences as their personal lives and home environment are destroyed. This presentation will discuss the criteria, treatment, and stages of assessment in Hoarding Disorder. How to help family members and where to access resources will also be discussed, in addition to Q&A.
Participants will be able to identify how CBT is used in the treatment of Hoarding Disorder
Participants will be able to identify how ERP is used in the treatment of Hoarding Disorder.
Participants will be able to identify the 5 Assessment strategies of Hoarding Disorder.
Presenter Bio: Dr. Robin Zasio, Psy. D., LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has been specializing in treating anxiety and related disorders for the past 18 years utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure and Response Prevention techniques. After developing a thriving private practice, she developed The Anxiety Treatment Center of Sacramento in 2005, and more recently, The Anxiety Treatment Center of Roseville, and The Anxiety Treatment Center of El Dorado Hills. These programs offer Partial Hospitalization, Intensive Outpatient Treatment, Equine Therapy, Hoarding Disorder Track, Perfectionism Track, and Child and Adult Track. Dr. Zasio also serves on the Scientific Advisory Board, Clinical Advisory Board, and the Speakers Bureau for the International OCD Foundation, and travels the Country teaching providers about proper treatment for anxiety disorders and works to reduce stigma.. She is a member of the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation, American Psychological Association, Trichotillomania Learning Center, and Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. Dr. Zasio is also a featured doctor on the Emmy Nominated hit series Hoarders and Host of My Extreme Animal Phobia.
Early registration ends Thursday, February 22, 2018 Early registration rates:
2018 Licensed, Associate or Affiliate Member of SVC-CAMFT or a local chapter of CAMFT: $20
2018 Pre-Licensed Member of SVC-CAMFT or a local chapter of CAMFT: $15
Non-Member: $30
Starting Friday, February 23, 2018 rates:
2018 Licensed, Associate or Affiliate Member of SVC-CAMFT or a local chapter of CAMFT: $25
2018 Pre-Licensed Member of SVC-CAMFT or a local chapter of CAMFT: $20
Non-Member: $35
Registration Ends Thursday, March 1, 2018Walk-in Registration on the day of the event is an additional $5 and is not guaranteed and is based upon availability.
Registration Policy Effective January 1, 2018 SVC-CAMFT event registration must be paid online except with prior approval. Registration dates and fees may vary and are subject to change without notice. Event discounts prices and discount periods may or may not be offered. Event registration is deemed complete during the registration period in which registration payment is received. Incomplete or unpaid registration will be cancelled and removed at the end of each registration period.
Refund Policy Cancellations received more than 7 days prior to an event may be subject to an administrative fee to cover costs of the initial transaction. No shows, failure to attend, and cancellations 7 or fewer days prior to an event for any reason are non-refundable, including registrations received fewer than 7 days prior to an event. No credit, refunds, or price adjustments will be given for typographical advertisement errors. A $25 fee in addition to the registration fee will be charged for insufficient funds, denied credit cards, or charge-backs. By registering for the event you agree to the terms of the Refund Policy.
Special Feature (If you would like your article published in our newsletter please email info@svccamft.org)
Transitioning while Black
by Heather Cassandra Blessing, LMFT
28 Transpersons were murdered in 2017 - 25 of them were transpersons of color - most of those were black transwomen.
26 Transpersons were murdered in 2016 - 22 of them were transpersons of color - most of those were black transwomen.
Before I get further into this discussion, I want to say a few things. One, I am a white, cisgendered, female from middle class. Two, the title of my article, transitioning while black was taken from a conversation with a black, 17 year old transman client who used this phrase during sessions. And three, I only am speaking on my observations my clients have had as I am not qualified (since I am not black, nor transgender) to speak to what it is actually like to be black and transition.
In the 2017 Summer Streams Newsletter Feature Article, I had written about privilege and heard from several people they had not thought about how transitioning can be harder when dealing with race. So let me start there:
"The thoughts and lessons kept coming on day two of the conference. I had one client similar, a black person assigned female at birth, now transitioning to a black male. I had just had to have a conversation with my client before I left for the conference that the sassy attitude he had previously, would no longer work as a black man and could get him shot. As a black woman, "she" was invisible and often ignored, as a black man he will be feared even if he hasn't been aggressive. We discussed privilege going the other way, a person of color of the male persuasion is usually considered dangerous, of the female persuasion is often a target. If a transgender woman of color looks at all as if she is transgender, she is even more likely to be murdered. Most of the transgender people murdered in this country are transgender women of color.
When someone transitions, they often look at role models in their culture and gender to shape their ideas of who they want to be. The most common way to find role models is in the media. Media doesn't portray many positive role models in people of color. We see the loud black woman, the aggressive black man, a black athlete, a single black mom in a low level job or very well off people of color. Often white people are the heroes, for example the white teacher that goes into the inner city school and works with the poor black kids, with no hope of going to college before the white teacher inspires them to achieve great things.
I have had several clients complain of the lack of positive role models in the media that look like them. Many of these clients struggle because those closest to them that they may have wanted to use as role models, don't accept their transition and therefore make it nearly impossible to consider them role models. Many cultures are not as accepting of being transgender as the mainstream white culture. Having to learn to navigate "being a man" when not growing up "being a boy growing into a man" is tough. Learning how to hold yourself and to try to not look as intimidating as a black man, is hard for someone who was socialized and brought up as a black woman, in a world that sees black women as invisible. Just as learning how to hold yourself and to try to look strong, is hard for someone who is socialized and brought up as a black man that had to look small and less intimidating so as to not "scare" people.
For trans women learning how to do makeup, hair and other feminizing things, is tough. Add to the fact that many of the products that people of color use are under lock and key at many places such as Walmart and Target. They are often more expensive than those for the white population.
There seems to be a much more dramatic transition of privilege between between a black woman and a black man compared to the privilege between a white woman and a white man. White men in general are considered just a regular person. Women of all races are a bit wary of men in general because women as a gender have been victimized whether outwardly or or with microaggressions. Black men though are feared by both genders. With an open mind sit in a mall and people watch. It is very obvious the space everyone gives a black man as he walks through the mall. Black women though are nearly invisible. Sit in a mall and watch how often black women are bumped into and even touched inappropriately. If you are black and you are transitioning from one gender to another, there is not just the basic transition issues, there are also cultural norms and for black transmen actual safety issues that have to be addressed.
I always have to really look through the lens of my clients and try to understand what I as a white, cisgendered women does not see. With a majority (approximately 84% of therapists) being caucasian and only a small minority (2.3%) being black, most of us therapists need to constantly work on constantly expanding our multicultural outlook so we really can help our clients navigate the world we live in.
----------------------------
The views expressed in the Special Feature Articles do not necessarily reflect the Sacramento Valley Chapter of CAMFT or CAMFT. They should be understood as the personal opinions of the author. No information in this article will be understood as official. Other views and commentary are welcome and will be published as long as they are respectful and stick to the topic.
Letters to the Editor
Welcome to the Letters to the editor Section. We want to hear what you want to say about SVC-CAMFT, CAMFT, current events and issues. Please see below guidelines on submitting a letter.
We Have No Letters to the Editor! Let your voice be heard! Write a letter to the editor!
__________________________________
Letters to the Editor Guidelines
You must be a current SVC-CAMFT member.
You cannot be a SVC-CAMFT board member or employee.
It must be no more than 250 words.
You must send in your full name so I can verify that you are a member.
If you wish your name not to be published please indicate.
Any letter published without a name will be listed as Anonymous MFT or Anonymous pre-license or Anonymous Associate
All letters must be respectful and without inappropriate words or phrases including name calling.
If you do not get a response back within 2 days that it has been received please email back.
ALL LETTERS RECEIVED WILL RECEIVE A RESPONSE THAT IT HAS BEEN RECEIVED AND WILL BE IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER.
If there is a problem with the letter (language, misspellings, length or appropriateness) you will receive an email back with the reason for the rejection and a chance to fix the problem and send it back in.
Psyched about Books and Movies
Welcome to "Psyched about Books and Movies!" Each month we include a book or movie review by one of our readers. Please see below guidelines on submitting a review.
Title: Still Black: A Portrait of Transmen
Director: Dr. Kortney Ryan Ziegler
Copyright: 2010, Black Star Media Reviewer: Heather Blessing, LMFT
Website: http://www.stillblackfilm.org/about-the-film/ Review: An eye opening film that is 6 different interviews with black transmen. From an attorney to a preacher, each give their views and some of their life story about what it is like to be a black transman and what issues they have faced and still face. Widen your world view. This film is only $5 if you download it online for personal viewing. Just over an hour long and in that time it will give you a new lens to look through.
Book/Movie Review Submission Policy
All reviews are not to exceed 1000 key strokes. Your review should include the title, a short synopsis about why you like or dislike it, and the author’s name & publication date.You can also include a picture of the book and/or movie. After review, we will publish your review in our next newsletter. Reviews submitted that are longer than 1000 characters will be returned for editing. It is best to type your review in a Microsoft Word document to note how many key strokes (characters with spaces), how big your review is, and for your own record keeping. You can then copy and paste it into the online submission form located here (http://www.svccamft.org/Newsletter.html) To learn more about checking your review for key strokes, spelling grammar and size click below: (http://www.svccamft.org/How_to_check_review_in_microsoft_word.doc).
It is your responsibility to check for spelling and grammar errors. Reviews must be received by the 20th of the month in order to appear in the next newsletter.
You can submit your review by: Visiting our webpage: www.svccamft.org
Mailing it in: P.O. Box 163385, Sacramento, CA 95816
Paid Internships Listing Provided by:
Prelicensed is a free resource for MFT registered interns, trainees, and students in California. We offer numerous services that are designed to help you prepare and prevail over the course of your journey to licensure
For more job listings and other free resources, visit Prelicensed!
Advertising and Announcements
REPRESENTING VICTIMS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Law Offices of Joseph C. George, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist (PSY 7480) Attorney at Law (SBN 119231) Free consultation. Website: www.psyclaw.com Telephone: 916.641.7300
Dream analysis supports the emergence of something new and alive in the therapy space.Join us for an interactive conversation exploring the varied ways that we enter and travel through dreams with our patients.John Thor Cornelius, MD and Candence Little, LCSW will facilitate sharing of reactions, associations, and reveries in response to a dream.
Advertising Policy for the Newsletter
All ads and reviews are not to exceed 1000 key strokes. Chapter members advertise at no cost. Non-members can advertise about employment opportunities at no cost. Non-members, non employment-related ads follow these rates:
$10 for 200 key strokes
$20 for 201-600 key strokes
$30 for 601-1000 key strokes
Full page and ½ page ads are not accepted.
All ads contain text only; no graphics will be included.
Ads submitted that are longer than 1000 characters will be returned for editing. It is best to type your ad in a Microsoft Word document to note how many characters, how big your ad is, and for your own record keeping. Please visit our site to find more information on how to use Microsoft word for editing. You can then copy and paste it on our online submission form located here (http://www.svccamft.org/Newsletter.html)
It is your responsibility to check for spelling and grammar errors.
Ads must be received by the 25th of the month in order to appear in the next newsletter. Ads are placed in the order that they are received.
SVC-CAMFT Contact us mail: P.O. Box 163385, Sacramento, CA 95816 Phone: (916) 597-0811 Email: info@svccamft.org We are on the Web! www.svccamft.org To post to the listserve, please email to: info@svccamft.org
You are receiving this newsletter because you are member of Sacramento Valley Chapter of CAMFT.
Newsletter Editor: Heather Blessing, MA, LMFT
