Written by Jonathan Flier; LMFT with contributions by Sahaja Douglas, Madeliene Seeley, Natalie Zimm, Karen Aguila, Leona Fallas, Pamela Payton
The Los Angeles Chapter of CAMFT is happy to share with you a very successful in-person event that has been a highlight of our chapter’s directive to feed the hearts as well as the minds of our psychotherapy community.
Since Covid, a majority of our chapter’s members primarily do therapy sessions online. Our Associates are often getting supervision sessions online, and our chapter leaders hold meetings online. The loss of in-person face-to-face contacts exacerbates burnout, leading to feelings of emptiness and depression. Our chapter’s monthly online workshops fulfilled our members’ intellectual needs, but chapter leaders recognized that it was not enough.
That understanding came to fruition throughout California’s CAMFT Chapters. They began to offer a wonderful diversity of fun in-person get-togethers. For examples of their offerings, take a look at the article I wrote in The Therapist July/August 2024.
This year’s LA-CAMFT ANNUAL AUGUST PICNIC enhanced the intention to deepen the sense of intimacy and connection within our community. Sahaja Douglas, Chair of the Meet-Up Committee, noted that the broader intention of the committee is to “foster community by providing an opportunity for mental health and related professionals to gather, connect, play, bond with, and support each other.” For this gathering, Sahaja and her committee decided to put bowls of food directly on the numerous picnic tables in the park to recreate the social closeness of the family table, sharing food while chatting, laughing and heartfelt empathy.
The meet ups were also an opportunity for members to meet and learn more about the chapter and invite them to take on various volunteer and leadership opportunities.
Other fun activities at the picnic were group games and a live jazz guitarist. To encourage deeper connections, discussion cards were scattered at each table to move the conversations to deeper levels of intimacy.
The Chapter board members addressed attendees with short presentations about upcoming LA-CAMFT in-person activities and leadership opportunities. The Event Sponsor also made a brief presentation. This was followed by a “raffle” of nearly a dozen prizes to lucky ticket holders.
An event of this size (nearly 80 participants registered and attended) was accomplished by the 15+ volunteers, who enjoyed the opportunity to provide services to the community by helping set up, keep things flowing, run games, check in attendees, and clean up. Photos of the event were taken by Pamela Payton and Madeliene Seeley.
Here is some of the feedback the meet-up committee received during and after the event.
“Favorite parts were sitting with other therapists going through reflection questions. Food was really good…great to be in community”
“…chill, low-key…hanging out with a bunch of creative down-to-earth folks…exciting games. Being a part of the planning committee was magical.”
“…having meaningful conversations with fellow therapist created a real sense of community.”
“Being on the planning committee made event special…allowed me to connect more deeply with colleagues I respect and appreciate”
It is the Los Angeles Chapter’s hope that all the CAMFT chapters will be inspired to provide many more in-person events while adding activities that move community connections beyond marketing our practices, to a felt sense of professional intimacy and closeness. This kind of emotional resourcing will enable us as therapists to move from burnout to fulfilled heart-centered healers.