NOVEMBER 2022 E-NEWSLETTER

Dear Members,

The month of November brings with it shorter days, cooler temperatures, and a season for giving thanks. As I reflect, I personally have so very much to be thankful for, and I wish to share just a few things I treasure with you.

I appreciate the trust and support CAMFT members have provided when welcoming me to this esteemed association. Countless Board members, volunteers, and others have taken a great deal of their time to share thoughts and aspirations with me about CAMFT. Ideas shared include the promise of what we can achieve if we could increase the MFT pipeline and convert more eligible members to join CAMFT – two distinct opportunities to increase our ranks and, with the spirit of diversity, equity and inclusion, broaden our impact and cultural competence.  I’ve had conversations about how to build back our Political Action Committee (CAMFT PAC).  Members share an understanding about the role we play towards educating legislators and other policymakers while also reducing barriers to practice and access to care. There were also discussions about the value of the CAMFT community, a powerful member network that provides invaluable support to MFTs whether on their journey to licensure, opening up a practice, or simply needing the camaraderie of sharing best practices. The through-line in all of these conversations is a passion for the work you do, and a love for the ideals upon which CAMFT can deliver.  I am immensely thankful for all of our members, however you choose to engage, in expanding our association’s relevance.

I am also grateful to our staff, truly one of the finest I’ve ever encountered. Their dedication and loyalty in delivering high quality programs and services is key to achieving our mission. I have had the pleasure to get to know the team through one-on-one chats, team building retreats and department meetings. Their commitment not only to CAMFT members but also to supporting one another makes the work we do that much better. How fortunate I am to have inherited such a stellar staff! We’re looking forward to growing the team in the coming months and adding even more talent to the work we do. 

More broadly, I am thankful for the rise in awareness of the importance of mental health.  We are seeing stigmas start to erode.  Mental health discussions are becoming more commonplace.  Conversations are happening at the workplace, schools, and in both traditional and social media. Many young people are learning tools to understand and manage their feelings, navigating challenging experiences in healthier and more self-affirming ways. This awareness gives me hope.   

With fantastic members, committed staff, and a population that values therapists, we can achieve higher heights.  And we’re doing just that!  CAMFT recently reached a new milestone of over 35,000 members!  This is exciting particularly as the Board finalizes CAMFT’s 2023-24 strategic plan.  Where will we go in the next couple of years?  Look for messaging in late November when we’ll share CAMFT’s updated strategic plan.  As we collectively build towards our strategic vision, I thank you for your membership, your engagement, and your contributions to providing mental health care. 

With care,

Joy Alafia, MBA, CAE
Executive Director