The
Law and Ethics training was a great success. Darlene Davis, the
facilitator, did a phenomenal presentation with the most current
information, stories to bring the subject matter to life, and humor.
Her ability to hold a safe place where everyone was respected and
honored is extraordinary.
The
BBS will be presenting the latest information on the licensing process
to our 3000 Club on September 16th. This will be held at Sierra Health
Foundation. It is a free event for everyone. Space is limited so click here to register.
Also, coming up on November 18th, we will be celebrating our 45th anniversary of Sacrament Valley Chapter.
This is will be held at 2:00pm at Sierra Health Foundation. We have
invited all past chapter presidents to honor their service to our
organization. There will be simple snacks, coffee and soft drinks.
This event is free.
A
nominating committee to select and vet possible nominees for the 2017
SVC board has been developed. If you are interested in joining this
committee or being on the board, please contact Patricia Saint James at 916-709-0868.
Welcome to the section of the SVC-CAMFT newsletter, Legal Beagle written by Darlene Davis, LMFT. The chapter thought it would be helpful to keep you updated on new laws, legislative pursuits or actions, as well as ongoing legaland ethical dilemmas we all face in our career as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Interns, and Trainees. Please feel free to ask questions that you have and I will do my best to investigate and post your answer in the newsletter. Please note that articles are based on information from CAMFT and/or the BBS and have been researched to the best of my ability. This is not meant to be legal advice. Please contact CAMFT or Board of Behavioral Sciences for any legal matters you need assistance for.
I recently facilitated a law and ethics training and we discussed the current law that states when we must report child sexual abuse:
The Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act [CANRA] requires a mandated reporter, as defined, to make a report to a specified agency whenever the mandated reporter, in his or her professional capacity or within the scope of his or her employment, has knowledge of or observes a child whom the mandated reporter knows or reasonably suspects has been the victim of child abuse or neglect. Existing law provides that “child abuse or neglect” for these purposes includes “sexual assault,” that includes, among other things, the crimes of sodomy, oral copulation, and sexual penetration.
Ok so we already knew all that. Recently concerns that sodomy (oral or anal copulation) when consensual between, for example, two 16 year olds would be reportable whereas vaginal intercourse would not be reportable as the law stands. To change this AB832 was introduced in February 2015. The bill wanted to provide that “sexual assault” for these purposes would not include voluntary sodomy, oral copulation, or sexual penetration, if there are no indicators of abuse, unless that conduct is between a person who is 21 years of age or older and a minor who is under 16 years of age. This bill died in February 2016. This prompted a question from a participant stating that “sexual penetration” as she understood included vaginal penetration, oral copulation, and sodomy and therefore why wasn’t vaginal penetration reportable or why weren’t both treated equally? This caused me to research the CANRA laws that allow us not to report voluntary vaginal penetration between minors of certain ages. To explain this we need to first look at the definition of sodomy and oral copulation according to Penal Code 286 and 288a:
“Sodomy is sexual conduct consisting of contact between the penis of one person and the anus of another person. Any sexual penetration, however slight, is sufficient to complete the crime of sodomy.” “(a) Oral copulation is the act of copulating the mouth of one person with the sexual organ or anus of another person.”
The definition of sexual penetration that CANRA was speaking of is connected to sodomy and oral copulation not consensual intercourse. First lets look at Penal Code 11165.1 which defines “sexual abuse”:
11165.1. As used in this article, "sexual abuse" means sexual assault or sexual exploitation as defined by the following: (a) "Sexual assault" means conduct in violation of one or more of the following sections: Section 261 (rape), subdivision (d) of Section 261.5 (statutory rape), Section 264.1 (rape in concert), Section 285 (incest), Section 286 (sodomy), subdivision (a) or (b), or paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 288 (lewd or lascivious acts upon a child), Section 288a (oral copulation), Section 289 (sexual penetration), or Section 647.6 (child molestation).
Then lets look at what they meant by (sexual penetration) as listed in the above definition citing Section 289 of the Penal Code:
289. (a) (1) (A) Any person who commits an act of sexual penetration when the act is accomplished against the victim's will by means of force, violence, duress, menace, or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for three, six, or eight years.
The laws are focusing on non-consensual sexual penetration.
Below is a chart used to guide clinicians in determining whether to report consensual sexual intercourse which would not include sodomy or any type of non-consensual sexual activity.
What is the difference between children’s “normal” sex play and sexual abuse? The lack of contemporary normative data regarding sexual activity among young children makes differentiating between normal sex play and sexual abuse difficult. It is clear, however, that very young children without exposure or experience do not usually have substantial or detailed knowledge about sexual activity and that the child who exhibits developmentally inappropriate behaviors has probably either been exposed to that behavior or has experienced it. Exposure may have occurred directly (by observing people engaged in sexual activities) or indirectly (through media such as television or movies). Factors to be considered in addition to developmental appropriateness include the dynamics of the situation. Was coercion, threat, intimidation or force involved? Were age and size of the children involved similar? Even in cases involving children of similar age and size it is possible that the activity is abusive if threats, force, or coercion is present. Differences in emotional maturity and status must also be evaluated. For example, a child who has been delegated the authority of “babysitter” by parents has a distinct status or power advantage over other children, even if the age differential is not large. Many assessment questions must be considered when professionals are presented with situations in which children are engaging in sexual activity. It is important to understand not only the child’s knowledge base but also the sources of that knowledge. In most cases of this type, consultation is very helpful. When is sexual activity between minors reportable? Guidelines for determining when a report should be made can be found in the Penal Code as well as in case law. In the case of Planned Parenthood Affiliates v. Van de Kamp 181 Cal. App.3d 245 (1986), the court found that if, in the judgment of the reporting professionals, there are no indications of sexual or other abuse (see previous question), then voluntary and consensual sexual behavior between minors under the age of 14 who are of similar age need not be reported. However, in the case of People v. John L. 209 Cal. App. 3d 1137 (1989), the court determined that Penal Code Section 288(a) prohibits all sexual contact with persons under the age of 14 if the offender is over age 14, regardless of the young person’s consent. Finally, if a minor over the age of 14 engages in sexual intercourse, a report may be required based on the age difference between the partner and minor or when there is additional information to indicate that the sexual activity was not consensual. So for now under the current law oral copulation and sodomy is reportable no matter the age. Knowing that is not the intent of CANRA laws you have to decide what you will do if and when oral copulation or sodomy is reported to you. I hope this helps dissect a very complicated law!
I also want to invite you to my In-person and Online Exam prep classes that I hope will help your success in passing the Law and Ethics Examination! Go to www.darlenedavismft.com and www.hope-counselingcenter.org for more information. You can also contact me at dardav2@gmail.com.
Darlene Davis, LMFT Executive Director HOPE; Healthy Outcomes for Personal Enrichment MFT Stipend Coordinator for Greater Sacramento Instructor of University of Phoenix www.darlenedavismft.comwww.hope-counselingcenter.org
Diversity & Emerging Issues in the LGBTQ Community(2 CEs)
Presenters: Reggie Caldwell, MSW, LCSW Gem Embrey, CSUS Pride Center Rachael Hudson, The Gender Center, Sacramento Arden Tucker, MFT Intern
Training on this day had come a week after the tragic massacre in Orlando, Florida where members of the LGBTQ community were violently gunned down in a night club, known as Pulse.
SVC-CAMFT President Elect David Clark, began the training by addressing the incident and giving his condolences to the lost lives. In addition, he shared his thoughts and feelings in regards to the massacre and expressed the issues of internalize homophobia. He closed his speech by citing how one should recognize that homophobic individuals are also traumatized individuals.
First panelist, Reggie Caldwell focused on racism and its different levels in society – institutionalized (discrimination based on policies & practices), personally mediated (acute stressor), and internalized racism (acceptance of negative messages regarding one’s own group). He examined these levels and addressed its existence within the LGBTQ community. Further, he examined the relation of racism and health outcomes through presenting a socio – ecological model in which attendees were able to see the “dynamic interrelations amidst different personal and environmental factors”.
Finally, to tap into one’s level of resiliency, Caldwell suggested attendees to adopt a more optimistic view in life as well as having areal sense of curiosity. And when helping others, “unpacking one’s baggage first and listen as if one might be wrong” will surely allow for optimal quality of intervention when working with clients.
Gem Embrey of CSUS Pride center presented after Caldwell.His presentation focused on gender binary. Embrey talked about defying the binary. He elaborated on the existence of third genders and explored gender neutral pronouns. Further, he stressed the importance of understanding the difference of genders in addition to the importance of understanding clients as individuals without placing them into gender categories. Embrey closed his presentation by talking about the importance of intersectionality and shared his personal story of gaining permission to be his authentic-self.
Rachael Hudson of the gender center in Sacramento, Ca.followed Embrey’s presentation. Hudson spoke about the differences between sexual orientation and gender identity whilst providing updated statistics on documented reports on LGBTQ individuals in California. Such statistics included the percentage of reported sexually assaulted victims, employment and housing discrimination, homicides, loss of employment and refusal of medical care due to being transgender. In addition, Hudson addressed common questions and views pertaining to various stances on transgender using gender assigned bathrooms.
Finally, the last speaker was MFT intern, Arden Tucker.Tucker shared her personal story and life experiences as a member of the LGBTQ community. She offered her insights to trainees and fellow interns and provided lists of resources of different centers and services in the Sacramento Region which specializes in helping the LGBTQ community.
After all speakers had presented, Q&A sessions were held until the end of training.
Date: Friday, September 16, 2016 Time: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Topic: 4 BBS Representatives to answer your questions This is a take two from our June BBS meeting which had logistical issues.Bring your questions and the BBS will work to answer them and get you on the right path. Presenter: 4 Representatives from the BBS Location: Sierra Health Foundation 1321 Garden Hwy, Sacramento, CA 95833 (Map) Continental Breakfast Included
Monthly Training
Networking starts at 9:30 AM and Training starts at 10:00 AM
Topic: "The Daring Way" as it relates to Eating Disorders - Rising Strong In Life After an Eating Disorder Presenter: Jennifer Lombardi Sponsored by: Western Seminary Sacramento Campus Date: Friday, September 23, 2016 Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00PM Location: Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 (map)
Networking starts at 9:30 AM
This program will benefit MFT and LCSW licensees and pre licensees. 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 on site and to participants at completion of the course. No CEs will be awarded to persons arriving late or leaving early. Partial CE credit will not be awarded.
Workshop Information: In the U.S., 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from an eating disorder – and an immeasurable number of loved ones suffer alongside them, uncertain of how to help or cope. Those in recovery often feel shame about having struggled, even when they experience the freedom of recovery. We struggle to own our story and often end up suffering in a new way as we try to manage life after the eating disorder. As author Brenè Brown, Ph.D, LMSW, noted, “the irony is that we attempt to disown our difficult stories to appear more whole or more acceptable, but our wholeness actually depends on the integration of all of our experiences, including the falls.” Discover what it means to fall into an eating disorder – and how to be brave, embrace vulnerability, and rise strong in life after. Experiential activities based on the work of Dr. Brown will be provided.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify 5 truths about how the eating disorder shows up. 2. Describe what shame is and how it relates to the ED story. 3. Describe 2 steps that can help turn process into practice.
Presenter Bio: Jennifer Lombardi, MFT, CEDS, Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator-Candidate, is a therapist in private practice with certifications in Family Based Therapy (FBT), and serves as Recovery Ambassador for Eating Recovery Center. She is a former co-owner and served most recently as Executive Director for Eating Recovery Center of California. Prior to her work in the field of eating disorders, Jennifer worked for nearly ten years in the field of public relations. She has extensive experience in crisis communications and media relations, and has served on numerous boards and committees for both private and public agencies.
Jennifer attended California State University, Sacramento, where she received her undergraduate degree in Journalism and her Master’s in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling. Recovered herself from anorexia for more than 20 years, Jennifer lectures extensively on the topics of eating disorders, exercise compulsion, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and is a trained facilitator in The Daring Way™, a highly experiential methodology based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown.
2016 Licensed Member of SVC-CAMFT or a local chapter of CAMFT: $20
2016 Pre-Licensed Member of SVC-CAMFT or a local chapter of CAMFT: $15
Non-Member: $30
*Add $5 for late or "at-door" registration
For information on joining SVC-CAMFT or renewing your membership for 2016 please email: info@svccamft.org
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.
Sierra Health Foundation - 1321 Garden Hwy, Sacramento, CA 95833 (map)
Upcoming Board Meetings
Board Meetings are FREE for anyone to attend BUT you MUST register so we have an accurate headcount. To Register click on the board meeting(s) you wish to attend.
Sunday, September 11, 2016 - 11:00am to 1:00pm - Register Here
Sunday, December 4, 2016 - 11:00am to 1:00pm - Register Here
Special Feature
Cultural Beliefs and How We Filter Them Through Our Own Beliefs
By Heather Blessing, LMFT
We walk into a restaurant. My husband pulls out my seat and then pushes it in. We sit down. We look at the menus and chat. The waiter comes up and asks what we would like to drink. My husband orders us drinks. The waiter looks at me as I smile and nod and he leaves. When he brings our drinks back, he then turns to me to take our meal order. My husband starts talking "She'll have.......". The waiter looks confused - takes our order and then turns to me and says, "You are allowed to order anything you want you know." I smiled and replied, "I know, he ordered exactly what I wanted." Later that night, as we were leaving, the waiter handed me a piece of paper with a number to a hotline for battered women.
To the waiter and to many others, they see a woman who is dominated by a man and isn't allowed to make any decisions on her own. But that is because they filter what they see through their own beliefs. What they do not see is my husband and I talking easily and lovingly. That he asks what sounds good to me and asks and LISTENS to how I like everything. He is not listening and nodding but truly paying attention. I know because when the waiter comes, sometimes 10 or 15 minutes after I told him what I want, he orders it perfectly. He even remembers the little things like no ice in my drink and to use a plastic cup and not glass (I cannot hold a heavy glass in my hands). My food comes and he cuts anything I need cut for me. He does it in a way that seems like he is chivalrous but it is also because I no longer can use a knife and cut most things (my hands shake too much.) I wish people could see things through my eyes. I am not abused or controlled - I instead am treated with respect and truly cared about. My husband really listens to what I say and cares about how I feel about struggling to look "normal" in public.
We so often judge other cultural beliefs and ways of life through our own filter and don't stop to see what is being filtered out. I work with many types of cultures and religions in my practice. I always work to see their lives through their eyes. If I am struggling to understand something, I will ask my client to tell me how they see a certain situation they were in. Sometimes I ask what a particular belief or ritual means to them. I don't judge but work within their cultural beliefs. We also have to be careful to not to look at someone's cultural beliefs through a stereotype filter. Within cultures there are subcultures and unique ways of interpreting or expressing certain beliefs. We don't know what someone's history is and how that history has developed and changed their cultural beliefs. I remember one client that I made the mistake to assume certain cultural beliefs and customs. I was seeing the mother and child and the mother is Catholic and Hispanic and had a large extended family of both family and neighbors. They often talked about Mama Jane. I assumed she was an aunt or sister or neighbor who was a mother figure and named Jane. A year into therapy I found out Mama Jane was the mother's girlfriend. I never thought to ask if she was in a relationship with anyone because of own views.
We can never be completely free of our own prejudices and beliefs but we can work to be aware of them and try to be open minded.
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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.
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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.
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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: Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy: The Definitive Manual Author: Arthur Becker-Weidman Published: 2016 LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing Reviewer: Heather Blessing, LMFT
Review: I had the previous book on Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy that he wrote and so I got this one and I was not disappointed. It includes how to do an evaluation and treatment planning. One of the things I like best about it is the transcripts (there are 3) of treatment sessions and analysis. If you do family therapy this can be a great introduction into this style of therapy.
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
HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY SACRAMENTO SPECIALIZES IN INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAMS
HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY Sacramento is small private mental health clinic that specializes in Intensive Outpatient Programs. We treat our patients from a holistic perspective. Our goal is to remove obstacles from healing and help our patients create a life of authenticity and self-management. Our programs are covered by insurance for children, teens and adults with the following conditions: Trauma, including Medical Trauma and Chronic Pain, Mood and Anxiety Problems, Food Dysregulations, Autism Spectrum and Behavior Problems. Patients generally continue to see their primary therapist while attending IOP treatment. Please visit our website at wwww.HealthPsychologySacramento.com
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
ERC CALIFORNIA'S COMPREHENSIVE OVEREATING RECOVER PROGRAM IS ACCEPTING PATIENTS
Eating Recovery Center, California’s Compulsive Overeating Recovery Program is now accepting patients. ERC's Comprehensive Overeating Recovery Program offers intensive multidisciplinary treatment, including medical, psychiatric, behavioral and nutritional care. It is not an obesity treatment program or a weight management program. Unlike traditional weight loss programs, CORE recognizes that both behavioral and biological factors contribute to higher weight. The focus of the program is to normalize eating patterns, stabilize medical comorbidities, improve quality of life issues, address psychological issues, and control weight. For more information about our CORE program and its approach to supporting adults struggling with overeating and weight management, call 916-794-0835 for a free confidential consultation or learn more by visiting us online.
Advertising Policy for the Newsletter
All ads and reviews are not to exceed1000 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:
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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 1000characters 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)
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Ads must be received by the 25thof the month in order to appear in the next newsletter. Ads are placed in theorder 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
Welcome to the section of the SVC-CAMFT newsletter, Legal Beagle written by Darlene Davis, LMFT. The chapter thought it would be helpful to keep you updated on new laws, legislative pursuits or actions, as well as ongoing legaland ethical dilemmas we all face in our career as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Interns, and Trainees. Please feel free to ask questions that you have and I will do my best to investigate and post your answer in the newsletter. Please note that articles are based on information from CAMFT and/or the BBS and have been researched to the best of my ability. This is not meant to be legal advice. Please contact CAMFT or Board of Behavioral Sciences for any legal matters you need assistance for. 
