The Redwood Empire Therapist
RECAMFT's Online Newsletter
September 2026
Featured memberDid you miss the BBS-MANDATED 3 CE Telehealth course?
Telehealth: Law & Ethics, Technology, and Best Practices for Connecting with Your Clients with Dr. Lisa Wenninger, PhD, LPCC, BC-TMH Catch it on video here, and get your mandated 3 Telehealth CEs. Return to top
RECAMFT's Mission Statement The purpose of RECAMFT is to promote and maintain professional competence and integrity with knowledge, innovation, compassion, humor and respect for human dignity and diversity. We do this by providing opportunities for networking, education and community outreach for our members. (Note: "For our members" was added to the Mission Statement by the Bylaws Task Force on May 19, 2025).
Sept. CARE Circle (Compassion, Acknowledgement, Recharge, Empower - formerly Compassion Fatigue) Support Group Meeting
Are you creative? Please join us for our Makers Guild (formerly Crafting Group)! Bring any craft you like, get on Zoom with us and visit with your colleagues while we knit, sew, paint, draw, cook, create, etc. Join us at our next meeting:
| Dear RECAMFT Community: Welcome back to RECAMFT after our summer break. I hope you have been able to relax and enjoy the weather and the fruits of summer! While your RECAMFT board tried to take a break in July and August, we’ve actually been busy with several important events. On August 8th the Board had its annual retreat where we looked at the initiatives we set out for 2026 and evaluated our progress. (See our group photo below.) Through our evaluation we continued to grapple with the questions around engagement:
We are still in discussion on these questions along with the practical side of where to put our limited resources (time, energy, money) for the rest of 2026 and into 2027. We welcome your thoughts - email me at info@recamft.org.
One key point raised in the discussion around engagement was about how easy it can be to work on something when we are passionate about it. We pointed to the Racial and Social Justice Committee under the leadership of Past President, Emily Larkin, as an example of an energized group who rallies around our involvement in PRIDE and Lez-A-Palooza and is now discussing education around working with the marginalized who are incarcerated. This summer, Elle Saunders, Director at Large, volunteered to organize and chair the launch of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) because she has a passion around working with spirituality. She and fellow board member, Jenny Patterson-Kerr who also shares the same passion will be co-chairing the Spirituality SIG that will be launching this fall. I am excited about two activities that I am personally working on that I have deep care and passion about. I’ve been involved with Prelicensed support since joining Marin CAMFT in 2011 and RECAMFT in 2014 when I became the Prelicensed Chairperson. I’ve been passionate about financially supporting our Prelicensed and newly licensed members through our Scholarship program from its inception. I love interacting with Prelicensed members, finding out about their journey, what they are interested / passionate about and answering their questions. I am currently part of a team creating a workshop for Prelicensed and Newly licensed members called, "Where do I start?" Launching and Sustaining a Private Practice that will be offered on October 24th ( see https://www.recamft.org/event-6791226). I also have a passion for couple therapy work, one of my specializations, so I have volunteered to partner with member Chaela Stewart to co-chair a SIG on Couple Therapy, also launching this fall. I can’t wait for our first in-person meeting and to engage with other therapists passionate about this topic. If you are passionate about something – an idea, an event, a SIG and are willing to do the work to bring this into fruition, please email me or Info@RECAMFT.org. “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” – Oprah Winfrey With gratitude and passion, Pat Hromalik, LMFT 2026 RECAMFT President
Pat Hromalik, LMFT is the President of RECAMFT's Board of Directors. She has a private practice in Petaluma, CA. Please note: our new email address is info@recamft.org. How to edit your Short Description which appears in our Therapist Directory in 4 easy steps!
Questions? info@recamft.org |
The Scholarship and Awards Committee is delighted to introduce the recipients of our 2026 Joe and Pamela Ward Memorial Scholarships for prelicensed and newly licensed RECAMFT members! With funds raised throughout the year by our wonderful therapist community, we are able to support emerging clinicians with scholarships of $1,000. Each year we aim to provide this significant gesture of support to two prelicensed clinicians and one newly licensed clinician. We could not do this without the incredible support of members like you. Thank you for helping us invest in the next generation of local clinicians. Let me introduce you to our award winners! Winner of the Newly Licensed Scholarship
Her clinical focus is on AAPI, multiracial, mixed-heritage, multicultural, and third-culture adults, particularly those experiencing anxiety, burnout, and the challenges of navigating multiple cultural identities. She hopes to complete formal IFS Level 1 training to deepen her IFS-informed clinical work. Beyond private practice, she facilitates an AAPI Caregiver Support Group and hopes to expand community-based, culturally responsive mental health services for underserved populations. Winners of the Prelicensed Scholarships
His professional interests have been shaped by extensive experience with serious mental illness, suicidality, community mental health, and somatic approaches to therapy, as well as personal experience navigating financial hardship and barriers to accessing effective care. He is committed to making therapy financially accessible and hopes to remain rooted in collaborative, community-based practice. His long-term goals include becoming licensed, supervising future trainees, and eventually helping operate an integrated community mental health clinic modeled after his positive training experience at Lomi Clinic in Santa Rosa.
She is particularly passionate about reducing stigma and supporting people experiencing psychosis and bipolar-related disorders. Her clinical goal is to become a therapist specializing in these populations, bringing both professional knowledge and lived experience to her work. She will soon begin a traineeship at Canyon Manor, working with clients with severe mental health conditions. Please join us in congratulating Caitlin, Rudy, and Monica! We are honored to support these three clinicians as they continue their training, deepen their work, and serve our North Bay community. Our Joe and Pamela Ward Memorial Scholarship application period opens every January. We hope that if you are eligible to apply you will consider submitting your application in 2027. You can find out more about how to apply and read about past winners on our Scholarships page. [https://recamft.org/Scholarship] We also encourage all prelicensed RECAMFT members nearing their exams to enter our monthly scholarship partnership with Therapist Development Center (TDC). The Tzedekah scholarship is issued to one applicant every month, September to June, and provides $250 toward exam prep materials through TDC. Learn more on our Scholarships page. Return to top |
Pride Parade and booth photos from Courthouse Square, June 6, 2026. Various RECAMFT member photographers. We handed out cards at the booth with sayings on the front, and a link to our Therapist Directory on the back. The cards had various sayings, such as "You are enough" and "You are worthy". We had a wheel people could spin to choose a prize giveaway (various Pride swag items). We marched in the parade with Redwood Psychological Association for the third year in a row.
Lez-A-Palooza photos from Courthouse Square, June 21, 2026. Various RECAMFT member photographers. We handed out cards at the booth with sayings on the front, and a link to our Therapist Directory on the back. The cards had various sayings, such as "You are enough" and "You are worthy". We had a wheel people could spin to choose a prize giveaway (various Pride swag items).
Thank you to our Racial and Social Justice Committee for planning this year's two Pride events! Thanks to:
FREE to Members - Visit our On-Demand CE Video Library!
Multiple new ONLINE offerings! Find all the latest here (including 6 CEs Law & Ethics)
Check it out! RECAMFT's On-Demand CE Library link: https://recamft.thinkific.com/
Catch "Mental Wellness in the Digital Age with Julie Frumin, LMFT (on-demand) - FREE to members!
In today's digitally-driven world, technology plays an integral role in our daily lives, often blurring the lines between healthy and unhealthy use. This talk offers therapists a comprehensive understanding of the psychological impact of technology on mental health, particularly in children and adolescents. We will explore evidence-based strategies for promoting intentional and balanced technology use, delve into clinical tools for addressing media addiction, and discuss the importance of fostering digital literacy and critical thinking. Attendees will leave equipped with practical interventions to support clients in developing a healthier relationship with technology, ultimately enhancing their well-being and family dynamics.
Julie Frumin, LMFT has provided mental health support to individuals, couples and families. She holds a Masters degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice. In addition, Julie is the Mental Wellness expert at The Four Seasons Center for Health and Wellbeing in Westlake Village, California, where she creates and provides workshops that help couples, families and organizations connect to their purpose, their goals and each other. Her most recent project is called ‘Healthier-Tech’, which began in 2023 after she could no longer stay quiet about the youth mental health crisis and its connection to compulsive technology use. She currently leads workshops for parents, families and schools, where she encourages intentional, balanced technology use. She leads the Conejo Valley Chapter of MAMA, Moms Against Media Addiction.
To see a preview of this dynamic program... CLICK HERE.
Members - you can access recordings of our zoom events from 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021 in our new on-demand library which has been migrated over to Thinkific (https://recamft.thinkific.com/).
Topic List
Addiction
Anxiety & Depression
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Evidence-Based Treatment Strategies That Work! 3 CEs with Dr. Robin Zasio, PsyD, LCSW
Couples
Culture
Eating Disorders
LGBTQ+
Neuro-Biological
Sleep
Members can watch the video, pass the test, fill out the evaluation, and download your certificate. It's that easy! You can earn CEs for any recorded event if you didn't already earn CEs from the live event. And our RECAMFT Thinkific platform keeps track of all your CEs and Certificates! Return to top
Exciting Prelicensed events planned for Fall 2026! Hello RECAMFT Pre Licensed members, we have some exciting events planned for the fall! We will be hosting an informal meet and greet and networking gathering Sat., Sept. 12th at Brew Coffee and Beer, 555 Healdsburg Ave, Santa Rosa. This is an opportunity to connect with other pre-licensed members, to network, and share community. The gathering is open to any pre-licensed folk- students, trainees, and associates whether or not you are a member of RECAMFT. Additionally, the pre-licensed committee is sponsoring a workshop about starting a private practice titled “Where Do I Start? Launching and Sustaining a Private Practice.” This event is an opportunity to get an overview of the various aspects of starting a private practice and will include local clinicians who have launched thriving practices themselves, sharing their expertise. It is a free workshop for RECAMFT members. Additional info can be found here: https://www.recamft.org/event-6791226 If you have any questions or concerns about the road to licensure, and how RECAMFT can help, or want to connect with Brian, please email info@recamft.org.
Chair, Prelicensed Committee RECAMFT Director at Large Scholarships for Pre-Licensed andNewly Licensed Members | Hello RECAMFT community! We are so excited to share some of the upcoming monthly CE events. First of all, a big thank you to Brooke Ransom-Burr who has joined our Programs Committee as its Co-chair! Thank you so much, Brooke!! RECAMFT Zoom presentations
Are you interested in seeing what we have coming up? Consider microvolunteering with the Programs & Conferences Committee! Microvolunteering opportunities: providing support at in person CE events; driving outreach to potential speakers for CE events; writing up a short article about each presentation for the newsletter ("What You Missed"), and more! Reach out to info@recamft.org if you have ideas of how you'd like to help out. With gratitude,
Gwendolyn Watson, LMFT, she/her Programs Co-chair Programs CommitteeRECAMFT Director at Large RECAMFT's Racial and Social Justice Pledge
We strive to advocate, educate, collaborate, and strategize for positive racial and social justice change within our membership and our community. Check out RECAMFT's Library page for books authored by our members! Have you written a book? Be sure to let us know so we can include it on our Library page. Email info@recamft.org. |
Upcoming events
| Featured member
If you are not currently enrolled in the listserv, please email therapy@recamft.org and ask to be added. You have the option of setting up your account to be
After you have been added to the listserv, you can change the way you receive the emails to any of the above choices. In Gmail the emails will appear under your Forums tab. To send an email to the listserv, simply address your email to recamft@groups.io If you do not want to be on our listserv, you can delete your account or write to info@recamft.org and ask to not be a part of the listserv. But we urge you to give it a try. You are missing out on a ton of meaningful collaboration with your colleagues. We hope you will enjoy being part of our online community! Please note: our new email address is info@recamft.org. |
Highlights from RECAMFT's Board of Directors June 12th, 2026 Board Meeting on Zoom
Photo of the June 2026 Zoom Board meeting by Laura Strom.
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August 8th Day-long Annual Board Retreat
On August 8th, the Board held its annual Board Retreat at the home of President Pat Hromalik in Petaluma. The day included creating collages, analyzing our progress on the goals of the Strategic Plan the Board adopted in 2025, lunch and a sound healing ceremony with Michelle Minero, LMFT. There will be more on this in the future. In the meantime, here are some photos of the event.
2026 Board (missing Elle Saunders)
Board discussion
| More discussion
Michelle Minero, LMFT sound healing
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Find out more about advertising with RECAMFT here. |
Featured member |
Can you help? Jobs for Awesome Volunteers PROGRAMS Committee needs
· Work with the Programs committee to promote events · One hour per month.
Programs Non CE event Coordinator · One hour per month plus time at the events one or two times per year.
Programs Committee Member · One hour per month plus – support the committee and its members
RACIAL and SOCIAL JUSTICE Committee needs
RSJC Members (Openings for 2+) · One hour per month and a little more when we are involved in community events or launching a project.
MEMBERSHIP Committee needs Social Media Volunteer · Post monthly events to LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram accounts. · One hour per month Membership Committee Members (Openings for 6+) · Participate in committee meetings · One hour per month Please send an email to info@recamft.org if you can help. This month we'd like to thank the following awesome volunteers who, in addition to our Board of Directors, are helping us plan future events! Members Meeting Committee - thank you to all these wonderful volunteers are planning our next networking event!
Prelicensed PREP Committee
Thank you to our volunteers who help make RECAMFT great! |
Not consultation, just a great way to get some ideas about how to handle your sticky case. Friendly and open group. Learn more here.
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Book Review: Parenting with Self-Compassion: 12 Ways to Improve your Parenting While Being Kind to Yourself
By Hannah Caratti, LMFT, RECAMFT member
I recently read a wonderful book entitled Parenting with Self-Compassion: 12 Ways to Improve your Parenting While Being Kind to Yourself by my friend and colleague, Dr. Jen Ferris, PhD. Dr. Ferris is a former professor of child development and mother of two teens who lives in Marin County with her family. In the book, she expresses empathy and understanding for parents who feel stretched thin, overwhelmed, guilty or exhausted. She also offers practical tools that can help parents let go of perfectionism, build better relationships with their children and utilize tools for self-acceptance that can translate into healthier lives for parents and their children.
One thing I love about this book is it is relevant for anyone in any relationship--it’s about how to relate well to others, how to understand things from their viewpoint, and how to interact in positive ways even when things are challenging. She explains that when we are mindfully kind and caring to ourselves, even during difficult moments, it can help us be more kind and caring to those around us.
Another part of the book I thoroughly enjoyed was the bonus chapter about meditation. Even though I have studied and practiced meditation for decades and led a weekly Meditation Group for 10 years, I found myself writing down her recommendations of various meditation websites / apps, and specific creators of meditation videos.
Here is a phrase from her own writings:
“In hard times, self-compassion let’s us talk to ourselves with kindness,
be aware of how we’re feeling and why, and know that we aren’t alone."
All in all, I highly recommend this book, especially for parents, whether they be first-time parents of infants or seasoned parents of teens. Even those of us who are not parents can benefit greatly from this book!
Below are recommendations from readers that I found to be right on target:
Here below are recommendations from other professionals:
Link to our Therapy Groups page and a PDF of current offerings - RECAMFT.ORG/Therapy-Groups CLICK HERE to learn more about local group offerings, and payment to advertise your group. |
See all our Past Presidents here.
RECAMFT Summer Updates
by Emily Larkin, LMFT, RECAMFT Racial and Social Justice Committee (RSJC) Chair
2026 RECAMFT Past President
Welcome back RECAMFTers! I hope this message finds you well-rested after some time away during the summer months. While the summer is a time to relax, your Racial & Social Justice Committee (RSJC) has been busy behind the scenes.
June was a busy month for the RSJC! This was RSJC’s 3rd year participating in PRIDE festivities in Santa Rosa, and our first year tabling at Lez-A-Polooza and walking in the Dyke March. I am so proud of the participation and action of our members who showed up to support our LGBTQ+ community. We were able to speak directly with attendees who visited our booths about mental health, including directing those in need to appropriate services and resources. I feel so proud of how we showed up! Our committee is continually discussing additional ways we may be of service to the marginalized and underrepresented. We are hoping to participate in other events in the future and be a reliable referral resource to the broader community.

In late June and July, the RSJC began discussing a new and exciting educational opportunity for therapists both within and outside of RECAMFT. The RSJC is in the process of supporting our programs committee in hosting a CE training on working with incarcerated individuals and their families. This passion project was sparked by in-depth conversations about the importance of understanding the unique experiences of those impacted by the incarceration system, even for those who have never been incarcerated themselves. Keep an eye out for a training on this topic coming in early 2027! If you are interested in helping bring this event to life, please reach out to me at emily@emilylarkintherapy.com.
I am grateful for RECAMFT’s leadership team for their commitment to increasing representation and prioritizing inclusivity. I want to especially thank our Programs Committee for their dedication to featuring more trainers from diverse backgrounds and requiring presentations to address the unique systemic struggles faced by underrepresented communities.
Our organization is always looking for unique, interesting topics for our trainings! If you have an idea for a presentation topic, have a speaker to suggest, or are interested in speaking on a topic yourself, please reach out to our Programs Director at recamftprograms@gmail.com.
RECAMFT and the RSJC are focused on our organization’s ongoing development and on supporting our members in providing affirming mental health care to the community by offering the most up-to-date educational opportunities possible. We welcome ongoing feedback about our efforts to make RECAMFT a safe space for all. If you have any questions, concerns, or shout-outs, please feel free to share your thoughts with us at info@recamft.org. We are here to listen and grow.
Emily Larkin, LMFT
RECAMFT Past President
RECAMFT RSJC Chair
Emily Larkin, LMFT, is RECAMFT's 2026 Past President. She has a private practice in Sebastopol, CA.
Thank you for reading this month's newsletter! RECAMFT is great because of involved members like you!! Please note: our new email address is info@recamft.org. |