Hello Sacramento Valley CAMFT Chapter and Community, and welcome to our Membership Spotlight! Throughout the year we highlight one of our many outstanding members and their connection to our chapter. This month, we’d like to introduce our featured member:Darlene Davis, LMFT, LPCCDarlene Davis, LMFT, LPCC is the founder and CEO of HOPE Counseling Center and a CAMFT Certified Supervisor. HOPE Counseling, is a non-profit organization that offers low-cost therapy to the community. The center serves couples, individuals, families, and children with an office in Roseville. Telehealth sessions are also available.
Darlene has been a longstanding and active member of Sacramento Valley CAMFT since 2007. Her largest role was as our chapter president for two terms, 2008 thru 2010, helping to grow us into the strong chapter we are today!
Darlene’s biggest professional accomplishment was opening HOPE Counseling Center in 2007. And she’s quick to recognize the contribution of her team at the center by commenting that, “Its good reputation is because of the excellent therapists that offer the highest level of professional services.”
While most of Darlene’s time is running the counseling center which brings her much satisfaction, on her off time she loves to hike and go to the beach, and finds nature to be very healing. She also has a private practice working with adults and couples. She is trained in Brainspotting, EMDR, Gottman, and EFT therapy. For more information about HOPE Counseling, please contact the center via the website at www.hope-counselingcenter.org or by calling 916-757-3030. HOPE would love to help those clients that cannot afford full fee clinicians.The Membership Spotlight is open to all SVC-CAMFT members. If you’d like more information, would like to join your colleagues as a member of SVC-CAMFT or may be interested in being featured in a future spotlight, please contact:Suzanne Quijano, LMFT, SVC-CAMFT Membership Committee Member at membershipchair@svccamft.org.
Embarking on the journey to become a licensed marriage and family therapist is both rewarding and demanding. As an associate balancing coursework, practicum hours, and preparing for exams, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. However, with effective time management and study strategies, you can navigate this juggling act successfully.
1. Create a Realistic Study Schedule:
With a packed schedule of coursework and clinical hours, it's crucial to create a realistic study schedule that fits into your existing commitments. Allocate specific blocks of time each week dedicated to studying for exams, and stick to your schedule diligently. Prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance, and be realistic about how much you can accomplish within the time available.
2. Utilize Active Learning Techniques:
Instead of passively reviewing course materials, engage in active learning techniques to enhance retention and comprehension. Practice applying theoretical concepts to real-life clinical scenarios, participate in study groups such as the one offered by our 3000 club. Actively engaging with the material will deepen your understanding and better prepare you for exams.
3. Integrate Study Time Into Clinical Hours:
Since much of your learning occurs through hands-on experience during clinical hours, integrate study time into your practicum experience whenever possible. Reflect on client cases, review relevant theories or interventions between sessions, and seek guidance from supervisors on challenging topics. By integrating study time into your clinical practice, you can reinforce theoretical knowledge and enhance your clinical skills simultaneously.
4. Break Down Study Sessions:
Studying for exams can feel less daunting when you break down study sessions into smaller, manageable tasks. Rather than attempting to cram large volumes of information at once, focus on mastering one concept or topic area at a time. Set specific learning objectives for each study session and track your progress to ensure you're staying on track with your exam preparation goals.
5. Prioritize Self-Care:
Amidst the demands of life, clinical hours, and exam preparation, it's essential to prioritize self-care to prevent burnout and maintain your overall well-being. Schedule regular breaks during study sessions, engage in activities that promote relaxation and stress relief, and make time for hobbies or activities you enjoy. Taking care of your physical and emotional health will ultimately enhance your ability to focus and retain information during study sessions.
Balancing the demands of completing 3000 hours of clinical experience with studying for exams requires careful planning and prioritization. By creating a realistic study schedule, utilizing active learning techniques, integrating study time into clinical practice, breaking down study sessions, and prioritizing self-care, you can effectively navigate this challenging period and emerge as a competent and confident therapist. Remember, success is not measured solely by exam scores but by the growth and learning you experience throughout your journey.
Check out our 3000 Club for more support and tips!
In our line of work, where empathy and support are paramount, it's easy to get caught up in the daily grind, tirelessly pouring our energy into helping others navigate their struggles. However, amidst the hustle and bustle, we often forget to prioritize our own well-being. The SVC-CAMFT event served as a gentle reminder of the importance of carving out time for ourselves, replenishing our own emotional reserves so that we can continue to be effective agents of change for those we serve.
In the fast-paced world we inhabit, genuine connections can sometimes feel like a rarity. Yet, as I engaged in conversations with fellow therapists, reminiscing about shared experiences and offering support and encouragement, I was reminded of the profound impact that human connection can have on our overall well-being. In a profession centered around fostering meaningful connections, it's essential that we practice what we preach and nurture our own relationships, both personally and professionally.
In a world that often prioritizes productivity over well-being, events like these serve as invaluable reminders to slow down, prioritize self-care, and nurture the connections that enrich our lives. So, here's to embracing self-care, fostering meaningful connections, and finding solace in the company of those who understand the hard work we all do. After all, it's in these moments of togetherness that we find strength, resilience, and the courage to continue making a difference in the lives of others.
Jalena Rusaw, LMFT
SVC-CAMFT Chapter President
Statement by Toni Maita, LMFT:My name is Toni Maita, and I’ve been a LMFT since 1995. I am in private practice in Placerville. I have a passion for my work, and my areas of focus range from psychoanalytic psychotherapy to psychedelic integration and other types of energy healing. If elected to the office of president of SVCAMFT I will bring my years of experience in our field and encourage new ideas with a focus on diversity and inclusivity and equity in mental health care for the community that we serve. I hope that you will consider voting for me.
Statement by Jalena Rusaw, LMFT: Hello! I am Jalena Rusaw, LMFT. As the proud founder of Horizon Counseling Center, I bring a passion for making mental health accessible without compromising fair wages for our employees. Our nonprofit fosters a vibrant learning environment, ensuring growth for both trainees and associates. Beyond the counseling world, you'll find me in Clarksburg—fishing, chasing chickens, and nurturing our garden. I am a proud mother and grandmother; between my husband and I, we have four adult children, and eight grandchildren spanning ages from 6 months to 15 years.
Statement by William Schult, LMFT:I have valuable skills to contribute to the SVC Board, a passion to contribute to the organization and the desire to make a difference for colleagues in our area. I founded the nonprofit counseling organization Couples Resource Collective in 2016 and serve as the Clinical Supervisor, Executive Director and President of the board for the organization. I was the treasurer for AAMFT Sacramento in 2015 and the treasurer for SVC-CAMFT in 2016 and 2017. I would like to re-start my involvement with the SVC Board and look forward to your consideration.
Statement by Christopher Weston, LMFT:I am excited to serve as treasurer for CAMFT’s greater Sacramento affiliate! Ironically, I graduated with an undergraduate degree in finance from U.C.S.B. and began my career in the heart of Silicon Valley as a financial analyst. After relocating to the great Sacramento County, I worked as a civil servant and wrote and secured over 3 million in federal grants for El Dorado County and had the unique opportunity to build and serve as the first project director for El Dorado County’s multi-million-dollar, low-income County health center. As a result of some life-changing events and reflection, I realized I had a different calling, leveraging an opportunity to pursue my true passion as a licensed therapist. I founded and am currently the project director of the El Dorado Community Overdose and Prevention Coalition (COPE), and work for myself, specializing in obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety. With your vote, I can now use my unique skill set to continue to move our chapter forward.
Hello Sacramento Valley CAMFT Chapter and Community, and welcome to our Membership Spotlight! Throughout the year we highlight one of our many outstanding members and their connection to our chapter.
This month, we’d like to introduce our featured member:
Darlene Davis, LMFT, LPCC is the Founder and Executive Director of HOPE Counseling Center and a CAMFT Certified Supervisor. HOPE Counseling, is a non-profit organization that offers low-cost therapy to the community. The center serves couples, individuals, families, and children with offices in Sacramento, Roseville, and Folsom.Darlene has been a longstanding and active member of Sacramento Valley CAMFT since 2007. Her largest role was as our chapter President for two terms, 2008 thru 2010, helping to grow us into the strong chapter we are today!
Darlene’s biggest professional accomplishment was opening HOPE Counseling Center in 2007. And she’s quick to recognize the contribution of her team at the center by commenting that, “It’s good reputation is because of the excellent therapists that offer the highest level of professional services”.While most of Darlene’s time is running the counseling center which brings her much satisfaction, on her off time she loves to hike and go to the beach, and finds nature to be very healing.
For more information about HOPE Counseling, please contact the center via the website at www.hope-counselingcenter.org or by calling 916.780.1059. HOPE would love to help those clients that cannot afford full fee clinicians.The Membership Spotlight is open to all SVC-CAMFT members. If you’d like more information, would like to join your colleagues as a member of SVC-CAMFT or may be interested in being featured in a future spotlight, please contact: Suzanne Quijano, LMFT, SVC-CAMFT Membership Committee Member at membershipchair@svccamft.org.
April 10, 2023
Your Sacramento Valley Chapter President, Angel Ortiz, testified before the Senate Business Professions and Economic Development Committee in support of Senate Bill 373, authored by Senator Caroline Menjivar.
"This bill would, with certain exceptions, prohibit the Board of Behavioral Sciences and the Board of Psychology from disclosing on the internet the full address of record of certain licensees and registrants, but would authorize their the disclosure of the city, state, county, and ZIP Code of the address of record of those licensees and registrants." (Current bill text)
SB373 was approved by the Business Professions and Economic Development committee and is headed to the Judiciary committee where it will be put to another vote.
Hello Sacramento Valley CAMFT Chapter and Community, and welcome to our Membership Spotlight! Throughout the year we highlight one of our many outstanding members and their connection to our chapter.This month, we’d like to introduce our featured member: Kristel Roper, LMFT Kristel Roper LMFT, LPCC is a licensed therapist and runs her private practice Dauntless Counseling in Fair Oaks, CA. She specializes in anxiety, OCD, and related disorders and she loves to see the success of the clients that she works with in overcoming their anxiety and taking back their lives.
Kristel has been a valued member of SVC-CAMFT since 2015. She joined the chapter in order to form connections with other therapists in the area, expand her knowledge through the educational opportunities, and support the local interests of MFTs in Sacramento. She especially appreciated the 3000 Club meetings that she attended while working towards her MFT license, as getting your license can be a long and complicated process!
The best piece of advice that she shares with colleague and clients is “Fail as fast as you can.” It’s easy to get caught up in “analysis paralysis” when you’re worried about doing things perfectly or never making a mistake. Taking this viewpoint has freed Kristel to grow and learn both personally and professionally.
In addition to her professional work, Kristel has a wide range of interests! Not many people know that she has been cave diving, paragliding, and hot air ballooning. When she is not working, she enjoys reading, hiking, watching movies, yoga, and anything with chocolate.
More information about Kristel and her practice can be found at DauntlessCounseling.com, and you can reach her at Kristel@DauntlessCounseling.com. The Membership Spotlight is open to all SVC-CAMFT members. If you’d like more information, would like to join your colleagues as a member of SVC-CAMFT, or may be interested in being featured in a future spotlight, please contact:Suzanne Quijano, LMFT, SVC-CAMFT Membership Committee Memberat membershipchair@svccamft.org.
Beyond the Waiting Room Door: Helping a Client with Severe Mental Illness and Their Family Members Find Support and Services
Presented by Patricia Wentzel on Fri, February 10, 2023
Use the below link to view a recording of this presentation.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11vDDsh7tIGQ9A5rLWBz8yyHEr50VctkI/view?usp=sharing
©2021 SVC-CAMFT, All Rights Reserved. Sacramento Valley Chapter of CAMFTPO BOX 163385, Sacramento, CA 95816 | Email: info@svccamft.org SVC-CAMFT Privacy Statement
