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The Redwood Empire Therapist
RECAMFT's Online Newsletter
January 2025
Coming IN-PERSON Jan. 3rd! From the popular Emmy-nominated A&E show "Hoarders" Robin Zasio, PhD, LCSW
| Save the Date! Fri., Jan. 3rd, 2025 RECAMFT's Golden Jubilee 50th Birthday Celebration!
Join us and your colleagues for a Friday filled with fun enjoying the time together with friends, celebrating our wonderful community! Save the date!!
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| Special Guest on Jan. 3rd! CAMFT Executive Director Joy Alafia, MBA, CAE Joy says she is very excited to attend RECAMFT's 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee Celebration!
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Featured member
Did you miss the BBS-MANDATED 3 CE Telehealth course?
Telehealth: Law & Ethics, Technology, and Best Practices for Connecting with Your Clients with Lisa Wenninger, 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.
Are you creative? Join us for our 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.
RECAMFT's Racial and Social Justice Pledge RECAMFT is committed to equity including addressing structural racism and systemic injustice. We endeavor to be inclusive and value individuals from all ethnicities, ages, races, sexual orientations, genders, languages, abilities, religions, citizenship statuses, and socioeconomic backgrounds into our chapter and into treatment. We strive to advocate, educate, collaborate, and strategize for positive racial and social justice change within our membership and our community.
| Dear Colleagues: As we step into RECAMFT’s 51st year as an organization, I am delighted to be following in the footsteps of Dr. Bob Casanova and joining the long list of inspiring and dedicated leaders who have come before me. My time serving on RECAMFT’s Board of Directors and numerous committees has shown me how much of a difference can truly be made when one is passionate and part of a team. I feel honored to have the opportunity to serve you as your president and I hope that my term is one defined by connectivity and growth. As we enter into a new year, our Board of Directors has been preparing these past months to bring you more dynamic trainings and events. We start the year with a bang as we celebrate 50 years of RECAMFT with our Golden Jubilee on January 3rd at Odd Fellows Hall in Santa Rosa, 10 am to 2 pm. Dr. Robin Zasio, from A&E's program "Hoarders" will speak on the treatment of hoarding and we are delighted to be joined by CAMFT's Executive Director Joy Alafia. Special thanks to our Golden Jubilee committee for their hard work and to our scholarship committee for their efforts in gathering spectacular raffle prizes that will fund our scholarship program. On February 7th, we welcome Stevon Lewis, LMFT who will be speaking on “Identifying and Treating Imposter Syndrome.” Our chapter will also be tabling at two separate events in February to offer our support to prelicensed folks as they navigate associateships and licensure. Additionally, several of our board members will be representing RECAMFT at the 2025 CAMFT Leadership Conference. Stay tuned for information about our future events, including details about our March 7th Law and Ethics training! As the incoming president of RECAMFT, I am excited to guide our chapter forward and to help us succeed for another fifty years. I look forward to strengthening our chapter’s sense of community and improving inclusivity by offering more opportunities for open dialogue so we may better respond to the diverse experiences of all of our members. I am also devoted to attracting new members, ensuring our continued sustainability, and supporting the next generation of therapists with the resources, knowledge, and networks they need to thrive. With warmth, Emily Larkin, LMFT 2025 RECAMFT President
Save the date! Fri. Feb. 7th, 2025 Coming Fri., Feb. 7th!
Imposter Syndrome"
Call for Submissions for the Feb. 2025 Issue of The RECAMFT Therapist! February is Black History Month, National Cancer Prevention Month, and Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. See more here. We especially welcome submissions where awareness themes intersect with mental health. Please send your submission (500 word max) to therapy@recamft.org by the 15th. Questions? therapy@recamft.org.
FREE to Members - Check out our Multiple new ONLINE offerings! Find all the latest here (including 6 CEs Law & Ethics) Featured On-Demand CE Video of the Month - FREE to RECAMFT members!
With Dr. Jenn Kennedy, PhD, LMFT Sexuality is layered and complex. It is also often all but ignored in the clinical sphere. In this highly interactive presentation, Jenn Kennedy, PhD, LMFT discussed the most common issues that arise in the sexual realm and offered insight about how to discuss sex and intimacy with female clients. Using the Biopsychorelational model, Dr. Kennedy described how various factors influence client's confidence, performance and interpersonal strategies to get their sexual needs met. She addressed unique diversity issues that arise for LGBT women around their sexuality. Jenn Kennedy, PhD, LMFT earned a PhD in Clinical Sexology and is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She is also a Certified Sex Therapist and Sex Addiction Therapist based in Santa Barbara, CA. In her private practice, Jenn sees couples and individuals in the areas of relationships, sex, addiction and LGBT. She currently teaches in the graduate school at Antioch University Santa Barbara. Jenn's practice is called Riviera Therapy and under this umbrella, she supervises up-and-coming clinicians.
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"How Sexuality Influences the Clinical Picture for Female Clients" (on-demand video), 2 CEs
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/).
NEW! RECAMFT On-Demand Programs: https://recamft.thinkific.com
NEW! RECAMFT discount codes are posted for members only here: https://www.recamft.org/member-discount-codes (requires sign-in using your RECAMFT member email/password)
NEW! How Sexuality Influences the Clinical Picture for Female Clients, 2 CEs with Dr. Jenn Kennedy, PhD, LMFT https://recamft.thinkific.com/courses/2024-09-06-sexuality-female-clients
NEW! Law & Ethics: How to Write a 10-Minute Treatment Plan, 3 CEs, with Barbara Griswold, LMFT. https://recamft.thinkific.com/courses/2022-law-and-ethics-treatment-plan
NEW! Law & Ethics: What Should be in Your Notes, But Probably Isn't, 3 CEs, with Barbara Griswold, LMFT. https://recamft.thinkific.com/courses/2022-06-15-law-ethics-progress-notes
NEW! Three Underlying Beliefs That Cause Anxiety and How to Change Them, a CBT Approach, 2 CEs, with Jennifer Shannon, LMFT https://recamft.thinkific.com/courses/2024-06-3-Beliefs-Cause-Anxiety
NEW! Attachment Infused Addiction Treatment Theory, 2 CEs, with Mary Crocker Cook, PhD, LMFT https://recamft.thinkific.com/courses/attachment-addiction-2024-01
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.
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Featured On-Demand CE Video - FREE to RECAMFT members!
"Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Evidence-Based Treatment Strategies That Work!" (on-demand video), 3 CEs
With
Dr. Robin Zasio, PsyD
"Dr. Zasio is a featured doctor on the Emmy Nominated A&E hit series "HOARDERS", Host of "My Extreme Animal Phobia" on Animal Planet, and author of THE HOARDER IN YOU: How to Live a Happier, Healthier, Uncluttered Life. Dr. Zasio is well-known for her work in the community, in addition to traveling across the country providing education regarding proper treatment for OCD and anxiety disorders, and helping to reduce stigma surrounding mental health conditions." (excerpt from Dr. Zasio's website)
- This 3 hour, 3-CE training with Dr. Robin Zasio covers evidence-based treatments for OCD.
- RECAMFT Members can access this video FREE here:
- https://recamft.thinkific.com/
- RECAMFT discount codes are posted for members only here: https://www.recamft.org/member-discount-codes (requires sign-in using your RECAMFT member email/password)
- See Dr. Zasio IN-PERSON on Jan. 3rd, Santa Rosa. Register here!
Welcome back, RECAMFT community! We are so excited to share some of the upcoming monthly CE events coming this fall. RECAMFT Zoom presentations
Are you interested in seeing what we have coming up? Consider microvolunteering with the Programs & Conferences Committee! Microvolunteering opportunities: screening speaker applications; providing support at in person CE events; monitoring Q&A for speakers during monthly Zoom presentations. We are especially looking for a Programs Committee Chairperson. Programs Chair Director at Large Programs & Conferences Committee
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Hello to all RECAMFT clinicians, and a special welcome to all our Prelicensed members! My name is Nicolette Gottuso. I am an LMFT and a Substance Use Counselor. I have recently joined the Board as a Director at Large and the Prelicensed Chair, and wanted to introduce myself. I have been a substance use counselor since I was in my early 20s. I slowly grew in my education and pursued a B.A. in psychology from Sonoma State University. I went on to get my masters in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. During my undergrad and graduate programs, I worked full time. I worked initially with the houseless population in Marin County for 4 years, and then spent time at Lifeworks of Sonoma County doing in-home therapy. I finally landed at Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services and eventually became the Clinical Director there for the boys facility in Petaluma. I have since left that role to pursue private practice. I have an office in Petaluma one day a week and see clients virtually on all of the other days. I specialize in addiction, adolescents and attachment disorders. I wanted to join the Prelicensed Committee to help prelicensed folks feel that they are not alone in what feels like a heavy, scary time when licensure feels so far away and sometimes unattainable! The one thing graduate school does not teach most of us, unfortunately, is how to be in the world as a therapist, and how to start a private practice. I am excited to help, however I can, in my new role, as a member of the RECAMFT Board, and the Chair of the Prelicensed Committee. You are welcome to contact me with your questions and concerns about the road to licensure. Please send me an email via therapy@recamft.org. I look forward to connecting with you! Nicolette Gottuso, M.A., LMFT, SUDCC IV-CS
Please send an email to therapy@recamft.org if you can help. Return to top |
Members! Your SHORT DESCRIPTION is the most important thing on your profile. Why? Because that shows in our 
We need help withMarch 7th - Save the Date!
Our Annual Law & Ethics will be presented. 6 CEs, IN PERSON. Details will be forthcoming soon. Save the date - March 7th!
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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 therapy@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! |
Our listserv has around 400 members on it, and is active daily with great conversations, resources, offerings, in search of, books, movies, office rentals, jobs, internships, etc. You can view the home page of our listserv at
Contact therapy@recamft.org to advertise a job. Featured member | The Dec. Board meeting
Above pic L-R: Top row: Jessica Heaney; Dr. Laura Strom (Secretary); Cynthia Psaila Second row: Emily Larkin (President Elect); Dr. Jean Hayes; Gwen Watson Third row: Dr. Bob Casanova (2024 President); Reyna Seminara; Gina Culver (Past President) Fourth row: Pat Hromalik; Nicolette Gottuso; Tara D'Orazio (CFO) Photo of the Board meeting by Laura Strom. Scholarship Program seeking donation prizes for raffle
Please contact therapy@recamft.org to let us know about your donation. Cash donations are always appreciated for our Joe and Pam Memorial Scholarship. We have now provided three years of scholarships to seven deserving prelicensed and newly licensed scholarhip winners. Please visit recamft.org/scholarship. to learn more about this worthy program. Your donations to our non-profit are tax deductible. Photo from our last Scholarship Raffle, March 2024. |
Pat Hromalik, LMFT
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Find out more about advertising with RECAMFT here. March 7th - Save the Date!
Our Annual Law & Ethics will be presented. 6 CEs, IN PERSON. Details will be forthcoming soon. Save the date - March 7th! | Got a sticky problem? Come discuss it confidentially with your colleagues at our next Ethics Roundtable
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: EMDR With Complex Trauma by Thomas Zimmerman
By Tara D'Orazio, LMFT
Rarely does a book manage to be both profoundly helpful and free to access, but Thomas Zimmerman’s EMDR With Complex Trauma accomplishes just that. Available online at no cost, this resource offers invaluable insights for EMDR practitioners working with clients navigating the challenges of complex trauma.
When I first trained in EMDR therapy, I was energized by the promise of helping clients process their trauma and find relief from PTSD. However, in practice, I quickly realized that many of my clients didn’t fit the mold of “single-incident trauma” cases. Instead, I worked with adults who had endured childhood abuse and neglect, attachment wounds, addiction, and comorbid mental health challenges—all while grappling with real-world stressors like poverty and housing insecurity. The standard eight-phase protocol often felt insufficient, and my clients’ varied reactions to EMDR left me questioning whether I was applying the method effectively.
Zimmerman’s book helped me understand my experiences with C-PTSD clients. Rather than reiterating the basics of EMDR, EMDR With Complex Trauma delves into why the traditional approach may falter with complex trauma clients and how to adapt interventions to meet their needs. Zimmerman is both validating and realistic, offering a roadmap for navigating the intricate dynamics of complex PTSD without abandoning EMDR’s foundational principles.
For instance, he acknowledges that classic tools like safe space visualization don’t always resonate with clients. Instead of rigidly adhering to such techniques or discarding them altogether, Zimmerman suggests creative alternatives, like using external aids such as YouTube videos for guided visualizations.
I immediately tried using the "Dip Your Toe In" scripts. These scripts adapt techniques like body scans, sensory grounding, and safe space imagery to be brief, contained, and non-overwhelming for clients with complex trauma. Because the scripts are available online, I could easily incorporate them into my sessions, pulling them up on my computer screen as needed. These tools have helped me create manageable, trauma-informed interventions that keep clients within their window of tolerance.
Because the book draws heavily from Zimmerman’s original blog posts, some material is repeated across the chapters in different ways. While some readers may find the repetition distracting, I found it helpful. Revisiting key concepts in varying contexts reinforced my understanding and made the information easier to absorb.
Two themes stood out as recurring but essential messages. First, Zimmerman emphasizes the importance of starting at a place that is “productive and tolerable.” Complex trauma clients are unlikely to benefit if they are overactivated, so we must begin with small, manageable steps, building their capacity for containment and self-regulation. At the same time, Zimmerman warns against endlessly delaying EMDR until clients are “ready,” as this can result in never starting at all. His mantra, "start somewhere" and adjust as you go, resonates deeply with the realities of trauma work.
For EMDR practitioners navigating the challenges of complex trauma, Zimmerman’s EMDR With Complex Trauma is an indispensable guide. Its practical strategies and compassionate perspective make it a must-read—and the fact that it’s free is simply wonderful.
You can find the free version online at: https://emdrwithcomplextrauma.com/
Tara D'Orazio, LMFT, has a private practice online called Athena Counseling.. She currently serves as RECAMFT's CFO on its Board of Directors.
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.
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2024 was RECAMFT's 50th Anniversary year. Dr. Casanova pushed us to have a big Law & Ethics event last March, held for the first time in Petaluma (stay tuned, we 're going to do it again on March 7th!). Dr. Casanova was the 2017-18 President of state CAMFT, and through his long stint on the CAMFT Board had the opportunity to meet a number of interesting presenters, some of whom he invited to speak at RECAMFT. For example, he brought us noted Board-Certified Sex Therapist, Dr. Jenn Kennedy, PhD, LMFT. She gave a fascinating talk on women's sexuality. Her video is available here. In honor of our 50th Anniversary, Dr. Casanova contacted Dr. Robin Zasio, from the A&E show, "Hoarders" to be our speaker on Jan. 3rd, 2025 at our Golden Jubilee Celebration. Dr. Casanova has been one of the greatest mentors of my lifetime, and I am very grateful to be call him my friend.
Proud Past President, RECAMFT |
Two Past Presidents - Tara D'Orazio, LMFT and Dr. Bob Casanova, PsyD, LMFT at the Pride Parade in Santa Rosa, June. 2024. Under Dr. Casanova's leadership RECAMFT participated for the very first time in Sonoma County Pride. Past President Kris Spangler was the person who brought the proposal to the RECAMFT Board, and Dr. Casanova was very enthusiastic about our participation, as you can see here. |
Dr. 
Thank you for reading this month's newsletter! RECAMFT is great because of involved members like you!! |
Are you looking for help? Find therapists offering free natural disaster and crisis sessions here. Please check out MySonomaStrong.com. Visit the NAMI Warmline. Take a trauma-informed yoga class. We will recover together! ¿Buscas ayuda? Encuentre terapeutas que ofrezcan sesiones gratuitas de crisis y desastres naturales aquí. Visite MySonomaStrong.com. Visite la NAMI Warmline. Toma una clase de yoga informada sobre el trauma. ¡Nos recuperaremos juntos!
Redwood Empire Chapter of California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists |
