Santa Cruz Chapter of California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists upcoming events

Fireside Connections: Nurturing Bonds through the Neurobiology of Community (06/09/2026)

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT

presents

Fireside Connections: Nurturing Bonds through the Neurobiology of Community

Tuesday, June 9, 2026
6:00pm-8:30pm

Twin Lakes State Beach
(2875 E Cliff Dr Santa Cruz, CA 95062)

Description

Join us for an unforgettable evening on the beach as we explore the neurobiological foundations of connection and community among mental health professionals. Surrounded by the tranquil sounds of the ocean and the warmth of a campfire, this unique networking event invites you to forge meaningful relationships, share insights, and embrace the power of gathering—just as our ancestors did. Fireside Connections” aims to deepen professional relationships among mental health practitioners, promote emotional bonds, and cultivate a sense of community—honoring our ancestry tradition of gathering around the fire to share, learn, and grow together.

Food and light beverages will be served.

What to Bring:

A beach chair or blanket
A journal and pen for notes and reflections
Comfortable attire suitable for the beach

Cost

SC-CAMFT Member (Clinical and Affiliate): FREE
SC-CAMFT Member (Associate and Student): FREE

Non-Member: FREE
Non-Member (Associate/Student): FREE

*Registration closes Monday, June 8.*

Questions

Contact event organizer Tea Beradze via email.

Supporting Clients in Managing Oppression: A Trauma-Informed, Systems-Aware Approach for Therapists (06/26/2026)

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT
presents

Supporting Clients in Managing Oppression: A Trauma-Informed, Systems-Aware Approach for Therapists

with Nia Meadors, LCSW, PPSC

Friday, June 26, 2026
9:00am-12:00pm

The Camp Recover Center
(3600 Glen Canyon Rd Scotts Valley, CA 95066)

2 CE Credits

Description

Supporting Clients in Managing Oppression is clinical training designed for therapists who want to move beyond textbook approaches and provide care that is truly trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and grounded in real-world systems. This training explores how various forms of oppression show up in the therapy room as anxiety, depression, anger, dissociation, burnout, and how clinicians can respond without pathologizing survival.

Participants will deepen their understanding of systemic and internalized oppression, intersectionality, nervous system impact, and culturally responsive interventions. The training emphasizes flexibility, self-reflection, and practical tools therapists can immediately apply in session. Ideal for clinicians seeking to expand their clinical lens, strengthen ethical care, and support marginalized clients with greater clarity and confidence.

Educational Goals/Learning Objectives

In successfully completing and attending this workshop, participants will be able to:

Identify major forms of oppression.
Understand how oppression presents as “symptoms.”
Recognize personal bias and blind spots.
Implement culturally responsive interventions.
Challenge rigid, outdated clinical frameworks Practice greater flexibility in treatment planning.

Presenter

Nia Meadors, LCSW, PPSC is a trauma informed therapist, educator, and founder of Mood & Mind Therapy. She is DBT certified, EMDR and brainspotting trained, IFS informed, and integrates somatic experiencing into her work. Nia specializes in supporting individuals navigating complex trauma, systemic oppression, family system disruption, and diagnoses that are often misunderstood or stigmatized, including OCD, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and passive suicidal ideation. With experience across inpatient, residential, PHP/IOP, and outpatient settings, Nia’s work is grounded not only in clinical training but also in advocacy, education, and community care. Through speaking engagements, workshops, and accessible mental health resources, she challenges mainstream narratives in psychology and creates space for healing that honors culture, identity, and collective liberation.

Schedule

9:00am: Check-in/Networking & Breakfast *

9:30am-11:30am: CE Session

11:30am-12:00pm: Q&A & Networking *

* = non CE portion of day

Advanced registration is required for this event and must be completed at least one day before the event. Each individual seeking CE credits must register separately, attend the event, and submit the post-session evaluation to receive CE certificate within one week. The evaluation with attached CE certificate will be sent out to confirmed attendees by 48 hours after the event.

Cost

SC-CAMFT Member (Clinical and Affiliate): $45
SC-CAMFT Member (Associate and Student): $35

Non-Member: $55
Non-Member (Associate/Student): $45

If you are not logged in yet and are a member of our chapter, please me sure to log in here.

Continuing Education Provider #62284: This training meets the qualifications for 2 hours continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Course completion certificates will be available to attendees after completion of the session evaluation and sent by email no later than three weeks after the session. The Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. The Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.

Cancellation/Refund Policy: Due to this program being managed by volunteers, there are no cancellation refunds for this program.

Special Accommodations: The Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT is committed to providing a presentation that is accessible to all who wish to attend. If you have a special need and plan to attend, please notify us at president@santacruztherapist.org. Requests must be made one week in advance.

Grievances/Other Questions: Contact SC-CAMFT at president@santacruztherapist.org.

Collective Reset: Networking with Group Acupuncture (07/29/2026)

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:30:00 GMT

Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT

presents

Collective Reset: Networking with Group Acupuncture

Wednesday, July 29, 2026
5:30pm-8:00pm

The Camp Recovery Center Outpatient Office
(3600 Glen Canyon Rd. Scotts Valley, CA 95066)

Description

Join us for an evening that blends professional connection with a restorative mind–body experience. This month, we’re delighted to welcome Cally Haber, L.Ac., a licensed acupuncturist with 36 years of experience in both private practice and public health. Experiential Acupuncture Session As part of the event, participants will have the opportunity to take part in a group acupuncture experience using a standardized protocol widely used in recovery settings. This gentle, grounding treatment supports stress reduction and helps bring the body, mind, and spirit into a calm, balanced state.

What You’ll Learn

Cally will share how acupuncture can meaningfully support the work of mental health professionals:

Enhancing your own well‑being.
Explore how acupuncture can reduce stress, support emotional regulation, and help prevent burnout.
Strengthening client outcomes.
Learn how acupuncture can complement therapeutic work, helping clients regulate more effectively and deepen their healing process.
Supporting addiction and trauma treatment.
Understand why acupuncture is a powerful tool in recovery programs and how it helps calm the nervous system and restore balance.

We’ll begin at 5:30 PM with food and networking, followed by a collective reset through a group acupuncture experience.

Presenter Bio

Cally Haber, L.Ac., a licensed acupuncturist with 36 years of experience in both private practice and public health. Cally specializes in supporting individuals navigating addiction and recovery, mental and emotional health challenges, and trauma. Her work integrates deep clinical expertise with a compassionate, whole person approach.

Cost

SC-CAMFT Member (Clinical and Affiliate): FREE
SC-CAMFT Member (Associate and Student): FREE

Non-Member: FREE
Non-Member (Associate/Student): FREE

*Registration closes Tuesday, July 28.*

Questions

Contact event organizer Tea Beradze via email.

FOCUS on Women with ADHD: Screening, Assessment and Interventions for Psychotherapists (08/21/2026)

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT
presents

FOCUS on Women with ADHD: Screening, Assessment and Interventions for Psychotherapists

with Kara Cruz, LMFT, PMH-C

Friday, August 21, 2026
9:00am-12:00pm

Paradox Hotel
(611 Ocean St. Santa Cruz, CA 95060)

2 CE Credits

Sponsored by

Description

Women with ADHD are diagnosed an average of 5 years later than men and are twice as likely to be misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression, leading to years of untreated symptoms and increased mental health symptoms. Join this 3 hour live training to increase knowledge and enhance skills in screening, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of adolescent females and women who may be experiencing symptoms and/or impairment in functioning due to ADHD.

Educational Goals/Learning Objectives

In successfully completing and attending this workshop, participants will be able to:

Discuss the symptoms (DSM-5 TR criteria), characteristics/traits and behaviors associated with ADHD.
Differentiate between the symptoms of each subtype of ADHD (inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, combined type) according to the DSM-5 TR.
Compare and Describe how ADHD Symptoms (characteristics/traits/behavioral manifestations) can be unique to girls and women versus boys and men.
Identify appropriate interventions and resources for women with ADHD.

Presenter

Kara Cruz is an Neurodivergent (ADHD) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional (PMH-C), EMDRIA Certified Therapist™ and Continuing Education (CE) trainer. She is a private practice owner, educator, and clinical supervisor with over a decade of experience serving women navigating complex trauma, ADHD, and reproductive mental health; including perinatal, postpartum, and perimenopause transitions. Kara specializes in working with individuals and facilitating groups for women who are impacted by trauma, mood and anxiety conditions, and hormonal mental health conditions. In addition to her clinical work, she provides continuing education and professional training on topics such as Women and ADHD, Perinatal Mental Health, Perimenopause, and (complex) Trauma-Informed Care. She is the founder of Kara Cruz Psychotherapy & Wellness, where she provides individual and group psychotherapy and supports therapists and helping professionals through consultation, training, courses, and speaking engagements. She created Therapist Group Bootcamp Membership, a community guiding professionals through the steps of designing, planning and launching impactful signature therapy and wellness groups. She created and leads support and wellness groups for women, therapists and healing professionals.

Schedule

9:00am: Check-in/Networking & Breakfast *

9:30am-11:30am: CE Session

11:30am-12:00pm: Q&A & Networking *

* = non CE portion of day

Cost

SC-CAMFT Member (Clinical and Affiliate): $50
SC-CAMFT Member (Associate and Student): $35

Non-Member: $60
Non-Member (Associate/Student): $45

*Registration closes Wednesday, August 19.*

If you are not logged in yet and are a member of our chapter, please me sure to log in here.

Cancellation/Refund Policy: Due to this program being managed by volunteers, there are no cancellation refunds for this program.

Grievances/Other Questions: Contact SC-CAMFT at president@santacruztherapist.org.

High-Risk, High-Stakes: Legal & Ethical issues when working with Suicidal, Dangerous and Court-Involved Clients (10/23/2026)

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT
presents

High-Risk, High-Stakes: Legal & Ethical Issues When Working with Suicidal, Dangerous and Court-Involved Clients

with Michael Griffin, Esq., LCSW, CAMFT Staff Attorney

Friday, October 23, 2026
9:00am-4:00pm

Simpkin's "Community Center" Room B
(979 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062)

6 CE Credits

Description

This workshop provides 6 (six) hours of continuing education on the following topics: Legal and ethical issues involved when working with suicidal clients. Content includes, but is not limited to: Standards of care; The relevance of assessment to foreseeability of harm; identifying risk factors for suicide and undertaking “reasonable protective actions.” Information from selected cases and relevant exceptions to confidentiality will also be discussed.

Legal and ethical issues involved when working with dangerous clients. Content includes, but is not limited to: Standards of care; understanding the “duty to protect” based upon Tarasoff and Civil Code §43,92; the meaning of patient communication based upon the Ewing cases; understanding the “duty to report,” based upon Welf. & Inst. Code §8100(b)(1) and §8105(c), and relevant exceptions to confidentiality.

Legal and ethical issues when working with court-Involved clients. Content includes, but is not limited to: Legal and ethical issues which commonly arise when working with clients who are court-involved; Clearly defining the therapist’s role and client expectations at the start of treatment; Writing letters for clients and offering opinions; Impartiality, and the therapist’s responsibility to the legal system.

The workshop incorporates relevant laws and ethical standards, along with examples drawn from the presenter’s experience as a psychotherapist for children, adolescents, and adults across a variety of professional settings. Mr. Griffin has been a staff attorney for CAMFT since 2006 and is a practicing therapist in Laguna Niguel, CA.

Educational Goals/Learning Objectives

In successfully completing and attending this workshop, participants will be able to:

Identify legal and ethical standards of care when working with suicidal or dangerous clients.
Describe key risk factors, assessment responsibilities, and appropriate protective actions.
Explain the duty to protect and duty to report, including major laws such as Tarasoff, Civil Code §43.92, and Welf. & Inst. Code §8100/§8105.
Recognize when confidentiality exceptions apply in cases involving risk of harm.
Define the therapist’s role with court‑involved clients and apply ethical guidelines for documentation, letters, and impartiality.
Integrate legal requirements, ethical standards, and case examples into sound clinical decision‑making.

Presenter

Michael Griffin, Esq., LCSW has been a member of the CAMFT legal team since 2007. A graduate of the USC School of Social Work and Chapman University School of Law, Mr. Griffin earned his LCSW in 1982 and his California license as an Attorney in 2002. He has a broad professional background in various mental health settings (including Western Youth Services in Orange County, California, and Rady Children’s Psychiatry Department in San Diego) as a clinician, administrator, supervisor, clinical case manager, school program coordinator, and outpatient clinic director, and has served as an oral examiner for LCSW candidates. In addition to his work for CAMFT, Mr. Griffin is a practicing psychotherapist with adults, adolescents and children in Laguna Niguel, California.

Schedule

9:00am: Check-in/Networking & Breakfast *

9:30am-12:00pm: CE Session

12:00pm-12:30pm: Lunch *

12:30pm-4:00pm: CE Session

* = non CE portion of day

Cost

SC-CAMFT Member (Clinical and Affiliate): $65
SC-CAMFT Member (Associate and Student): $55

Non-Member: $100
Non-Member (Associate/Student): $90

*Registration closes Thursday, October 22.*

If you are not logged in yet and are a member of our chapter, please me sure to log in here.

Continuing Education Provider #62284: This training meets the qualifications for 6 hours continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Course completion certificates will be available to attendees after completion of the session evaluation and sent by email no later than three weeks after the session. The Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. The Santa Cruz Chapter of CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.

Cancellation/Refund Policy: Due to this program being managed by volunteers, there are no cancellation refunds for this program.

Grievances/Other Questions: Contact SC-CAMFT at president@santacruztherapist.org.