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MARIN CAMFT

Events are posted on this page once registration is available. Emails go out to our full contact list when registration opens. See our Coming Attractions on the front page of the site for what's in the works!


Upcoming events

    • Fri, December 08, 2023
    • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • online via Zoom
    Register

    Learn clinical applications of Polyvagal Theory to treat trauma, anxiety, depression & more.

    Finding Safety & Connection Using Polyvagal Theory

    Presented by Carly Clifford Bloom, LMFT

    2 CEs available

    Free for Marin CAMFT members and reciprocal chapter members!

    Workshop Description

    This training offers a foundation in Polyvagal Theory, coupled with experiential and practical applications that bring the theory to life within clinical practice. By integrating these principles, clinicians can assist their clients in discovering a new sense of self-regulation and fostering connections with themselves and the world around them.

    Polyvagal theory is a neurobiological theory developed by Dr. Stephen Porges that helps us understand the role of the vagus nerve in regulating our physiological and emotional responses, particularly in the context of stress and social interactions. The theory is based on the idea that the vagus nerve, which is a major component of the autonomic nervous system, plays a central role in our responses to threats and social engagement.

    This training will share the Polyvagal-informed model for therapy as introduced by Deb Dana, LCSW. This model lets therapists work from the level of the nervous system and personalize the approach to each client’s unique adaptive strategies for finding safety. With Polyvagal Theory, therapists have a language of the body that can help the client reshape their story, offering them a toolkit that they can reach for to transform their physical response, and a conceptual model that joins therapists' understanding of attachment and trauma with neurobiological science.

    Educational Goals

    This training will cover a conceptual and practical understanding of Polyvagal Theory that can be integrated into any psychotherapy practice or treatment modality. The course will present interventions that aim to increase the client's sense of safety and connection, which can strengthen the therapeutic relationship and lead to more positive outcomes in therapy.


    Learning Objectives

    Upon completion of this workshop, participants should be able to:

    1. Define the three essential elements and the three organizing principles of Polyvagal theory.

    2. Describe the evolution of the nervous system and the autonomic states.
    3. Navigate themselves and others through the autonomic ladder, which will be utilized as a tool to find increased safety and connection for clients.
    4. Explain the vagal brake and describe an effective intervention for exercising it.
    5. Utilize Polyvagal theory and its concepts to identify how racism and discrimination interferes with adaptive regulation of the nervous system.


      Presenter

      Carly Clifford BloomCarly Clifford Bloom, LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Kentfield, CA. In her initial career as a yoga instructor, Carly developed an appreciation for the therapeutic potential of the breath and its capacity to create stillness and connection in the mind and body. While pursuing a graduate degree in Counseling Psychology, Carly came to realize that the impact of trauma can severely impede an individual's ability to access that inner stillness, and furthermore, it could transform the body into an unsafe space. By acquiring an advanced training in EMDR (Eye-movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Carly was equipped with a powerful tool to help her clients confront their trauma and reduce the physical discomforts that often accompany it.

      Carly's breakthrough came after the Polyvagal Training with Deb Dana, LCSW. The principles of Polyvagal theory became a cornerstone of her practice, reshaping her clinical understanding as well as the lives of many clients. This cutting-edge theory provided her with a solid scientific foundation, enabling her to seamlessly integrate Attachment theory with EMDR and trauma research. This blend of insights has allowed Carly to craft a dynamic and effective approach to treatment that directly targets the root causes of prevalent clinical issues, such as depression, anxiety, substance use, relationship difficulties, and personality disorders.



      PLEASE NOTE: This event will be recorded. By registering for this event you are consenting to a recording being made which may include your voice and/or image. This recording may be available for review and downloading. By registering for this event, you are agreeing for your likeliness to possibly be used by Marin CAMFT.


      The Zoom link and password are provided in the registration confirmation email after sign-up is completed.

      Attendance at the live event in full and completion of the evaluation at the end qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education (2 CEUs).

      Date: Friday, December 8
      Time: 12 noon to 2 pm Pacific
      Cost: Free for Marin CAMFT members and reciprocal members, $20 for non-members.
      Location:  Online via Zoom. Password and link sent upon registration.


      Additional Information about Marin CAMFT CE Programs

      For more information about the Friday Continuing Education Series or about joining the Marin CAMFT Continuing Education Committee, please contact our Director of Programs Norman Hering.

      • Continuing Education: This workshop meets the qualifications for 2 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LEPs and/or LPCCs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. These CEs will be provided by Marin CAMFT (CAMFT Provider # 56895), which is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs. We regret that at this time we are not able to provide CE units for Licensed Psychologists. Participants must attend the full duration of the program (on Zoom, or in person, per event details above) and complete the course evaluation to receive the CE completion certificate. Marin CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program and its contents. Contact our Director of Programs at marincountycamftchapter@gmail.com for more information.

      • Continuing Education Goal: Marin CAMFT is committed to offering continuing education courses to train LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs to treat any client in an ethically and clinically sound manner based upon current accepted standards of practice.

      • Refund Policy: Our refund policy requires a $20 processing fee, therefore refunds are not available for this program, as the maximum purchase price is $20. We also do not provide refunds in case of non-attendance by the registrant.  Please contact our Director of Programs at marincountycamftchapter@gmail.com with any questions.

      • Request for Accommodations: If you need accommodations for this event, please contact the Director of Programs at marincountycamftchapter@gmail.com.
      • Grievance Procedure: Marin CAMFT will respond to complaints in a reasonable, ethical and timely manner, when submitted by program attendees in writing to the Director of Programs.

      • Anti-Discrimination Policy: Marin CAMFT shall not discriminate against any individual or group with respect to any service, program or activity based on gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, creed, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, ability, or other prohibited basis. Marin CAMFT does not require attendees to adhere to any particular religion or creed in order to participate in training. Marin CAMFT will not promote or advocate for a single modality of treatment that is discriminatory or likely to harm clients based on current accepted standards or practice.


      Continuing education credits are available for attendance in the Zoom presentation. You must stay on the Zoom meeting for the entirety of the training and complete the course evaluation afterward in order to receive a completion certificate. Because of the requirement to attend the training in full, if you attempt to log in to the Zoom late, after the training is already underway, you may not be admitted. Please log onto the event promptly at the listed start time.


      • Sat, December 09, 2023
      • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
      • online via Zoom
      Register

      Come join our Pre-Licensed Community!

      3000-Hour Club, Sat., Dec. 9, 2023 10am - 11:30am

      Welcome to all our pre-licensed members.  As you may be aware, the 3000-Hour Club is a social, professional, networking and consulting group for all students, trainees and associates interested in meeting and connecting with others in Marin working toward licensure.  Whether you have yet to gain your first hour or have submitted your 3,000 hours, we'd love for you to join us and share your experiences.

      Please come along & bring any questions you may have - about finding placements, what to look for in supervision, studying for the law and ethics exam, how to set up in private practice, and anything else you're grappling with as a student, trainee, or associate.  

      We meet every 5 to 6 weeks and focus on support and community-building - this upcoming meeting will be on Zoom after our fun gathering in person recently.  This meeting will be my last as Pre-licensed director as I transition to a new role on the Board, and it would be lovely to see as many people as possible.

      woman at laptop with coffee


      The Marin CAMFT 3000-Hour Club will meet on Saturday, December 9 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am on Zoom - bring your own coffee!



      The 3000-Hour Club is open to any pre-licensed member of Marin CAMFT. Not a member yet? Our chapter offers free membership to students and associates - sign up to join Marin CAMFT here!

      Register for the 3,000-Hour Club meeting on December 9 here.
      • Fri, January 12, 2024
      • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
      • online via Zoom
      Register

      Understanding connections between immunology and mental health

      The Impact of Illness, Inflammation and Hormones on Mood Disorders: Brain or Body?

      Presented by Christina Cowger, LMFT

      2 CEs available

      Free for Marin CAMFT members and reciprocal chapter members!

      Workshop Description

      The immune system plays an important role in regulating brain processes. The area of psychoneuroimmunology is rapidly evolving. Autoimmune conditions (lupus, RA, etc.) and many infection-driven illness (Lyme disease) impact many central nervous system functions and can have a direct correlation to mood dysregulation. The brain-immune axis is interacting through molecules such as cytokines from the immune system and neurotransmitters from the central nervous system with the resulting data supporting those individuals with an ongoing immune upregulation and/or autoimmune condition have a higher risk of mood disorders. Additionally, women at various life stages such as menopause experience more mood and sleep disorders. As the hormone system shifts certain neurotransmitters can be impacted. This life stage also correlates with an uptick in reported autoimmune conditions in females.

      One cause of depression can be attributed to a deficiency of the monoamine neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and/or dopamine. Other models that have been proposed besides the monoamine hypothesis including the excitotoxicity, neuroinflammatory, metabolic and hormonal. The impact of long-haul illness (which is on the rise) demands a deeper awareness of the care team because in addition to the vital role’s neurotransmitters play in the brain, they are biosynthesized in the periphery to regulate many biological processes. These functions can be dramatically influenced by illness and inflammation.

      Through a didactic style presentation interwoven with short video vignettes and interactive visuals, participants will learn the foundational body to brain interplay. This will give participants a deeper understanding of how an immune issue (long covid, Lyme, Chronic Fatigue etc.) can, overtime, impact the neurochemicals in the brain. This information will be highlighted by a simple review of the newer more novel approaches to psychopharmacology that target mood. Case studies, videos and current research on inflammation, illness, and hormones as they related to mood will be presented.

      Educational Goals

      Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the neuro-hormone-immune interplay and its potential impact on mood. Participants will be able to name key stress hormones, neurotransmitters, hormones, and basic immune system impact on the central nervous system and mood disorders. The presentation will review the current data on the impact of poverty, health access and gender on illness outcomes, and will cover racial, socioeconomic and gender variations in access to care and outcomes. The presentation will also review current and novel new drugs being developed for mood that have original application in physiological illness.

      Learning Objectives

      Upon completion of this workshop, participants should be able to:

      1. Identify key brain regions affected by both emotional and biologic stressors.
      2. Assess the statistical data on the emotional impact of long-term illness.
      3. Identify the basic current biomarkers (testing available) for assessment.
      4. Define key hormones and life stages that are affiliated with higher rates of mood disorders.
      5. Create a basic check list of “flags” for referring out to medical care teams.
      6. Identify bias that clients may experience from both visible and non-visible illness.


        Presenter

        Christina Cowger Christina Cowger, LMFT, has worked within the integrative medicine field for over two and a half decades providing both CME and CE education to health providers. Christina is a licensed mental health practitioner who has lectured throughout the West Coast on topics such as mood, anxiety, stress, depression, trauma, and addiction. Her teaching and lecturing venues include Stanford University, Kaiser Permanente, California Pacific Medical Center, Dominican University, Sonoma State University, and groups such as WAAT (Women’s Association for Addiction Treatment), CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders), the Nevada Osteopathic Association, physician groups, and addiction treatment centers.  Christina is in the final stages of her book, which will be published next year.

        PLEASE NOTE: This event will be recorded. By registering for this event you are consenting to a recording being made which may include your voice and/or image. This recording may be available for review and downloading. By registering for this event, you are agreeing for your likeliness to possibly be used by Marin CAMFT.


        The Zoom link and password are provided in the registration confirmation email after sign-up is completed.

        Attendance at the live event in full and completion of the evaluation at the end qualifies for 2 hours of Continuing Education (2 CEUs).

        Date: Friday, January 12
        Time: 12 noon to 2 pm Pacific
        Cost: Free for Marin CAMFT members and reciprocal members, $20 for non-members.
        Location:  Online via Zoom. Password and link sent upon registration.


        Additional Information about Marin CAMFT CE Programs

        For more information about the Friday Continuing Education Series or about joining the Marin CAMFT Continuing Education Committee, please contact our Director of Programs Norman Hering.

        • Continuing Education: This workshop meets the qualifications for 2 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LEPs and/or LPCCs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. These CEs will be provided by Marin CAMFT (CAMFT Provider # 56895), which is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs. We regret that at this time we are not able to provide CE units for Licensed Psychologists. Participants must attend the full duration of the program (on Zoom, or in person, per event details above) and complete the course evaluation to receive the CE completion certificate. Marin CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program and its contents. Contact our Director of Programs at marincountycamftchapter@gmail.com for more information.

        • Continuing Education Goal: Marin CAMFT is committed to offering continuing education courses to train LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs to treat any client in an ethically and clinically sound manner based upon current accepted standards of practice.

        • Refund Policy: Our refund policy requires a $20 processing fee, therefore refunds are not available for this program, as the maximum purchase price is $20. We also do not provide refunds in case of non-attendance by the registrant.  Please contact our Director of Programs at marincountycamftchapter@gmail.com with any questions.

        • Request for Accommodations: If you need accommodations for this event, please contact the Director of Programs at marincountycamftchapter@gmail.com.
        • Grievance Procedure: Marin CAMFT will respond to complaints in a reasonable, ethical and timely manner, when submitted by program attendees in writing to the Director of Programs.

        • Anti-Discrimination Policy: Marin CAMFT shall not discriminate against any individual or group with respect to any service, program or activity based on gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, creed, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, ability, or other prohibited basis. Marin CAMFT does not require attendees to adhere to any particular religion or creed in order to participate in training. Marin CAMFT will not promote or advocate for a single modality of treatment that is discriminatory or likely to harm clients based on current accepted standards or practice.


        Continuing education credits are available for attendance in the Zoom presentation. You must stay on the Zoom meeting for the entirety of the training and complete the course evaluation afterward in order to receive a completion certificate. Because of the requirement to attend the training in full, if you attempt to log in to the Zoom late, after the training is already underway, you may not be admitted. Please log onto the event promptly at the listed start time.


      Marin County Chapter of CAMFT                  

      PO Box 9065 San Rafael, CA 94912-9065     

      (415) 459 3484       www.marincamft.org


      Marin CAMFT is approved by  the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT Provider #56895) to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs

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