President's Message — Natalie Jambazian, LMFT

Blessed and Thankful

Dear SFV-CAMFT Members,

The last month has been an emotional rollercoaster. Although it still feels like summer it’s brought us to the beginning of fall, with a lot of parents having to deal with remote learning for their kids during Covid-19, but also as an Armenian therapist being born and raised in Los Angeles, I’m having to grieve my native homeland being under attack. It has been anxiety-provoking to witness the mass destruction of so many of my people. If you are not yet aware, Armenia has been defending our region of Artsakh against another genocide. I feel it is my responsibility to stand in solidarity with my brothers and sisters to fight for justice of my Armenian people and to share awareness with my community of therapists, as an Armenian, and as president of San Fernando Valley CAMFT.

Once again, we are experiencing the intentional provocation of intergenerational trauma. As therapists, we understand intergenerational trauma and how it can affect people globally. Children, parents, grandparents, and the soldiers of Armenia have been affected greatly. Each day they awake to the immense pain of human loss and mass destruction. I hope we can all stand in solidarity and support one another.

For more information on the Armenian/Azerbaijan conflict, please follow below the links to resources and learn how you can help as an Armenian or non-Armenian member of our organization.

Once again Armenians are in danger of ethnic cleansing

Anca.org

We hear you: Officials gather at L.A. City Hall in solidarity with Armenian community

Nonetheless, I feel so blessed and thankful for our Board and volunteers, and the investment this year of all their hard work and commitment. And as well, for our members, who devote their time on a Sunday to attend our meetings. You have made our accomplishments possible. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Despite so many changes — moving to a virtual meeting environment, re-organizing those meetings, and agendas, we have successfully been meeting our goals. Our membership has increased to almost 300 members, we have our Diversity Committee up and running with our Therapist of Color Support Group, as well as an implicit-bias event coming in November. In addition, we made policy changes to ensure our activities run smoothly, organized our virtual-support group, and viewed the success of our pre-licensed networking events, including our annual pre-licensed event on October 18. Covid-19 definitely put a damper on many of the projects we had planned, however that didn’t stop us from maintaining a unified and productive organization. Even now, we are finalizing the 2021 Board of Directors team, as well as our agenda for next year.

Although as president it has been challenging in so many ways, it has also been a year of self-reflection and a great deal of personal growth. It has not only made me a better leader but an even better team-player. I want to thank Nikki Gabriel, Past President, for being my backbone throughout my presidency and the transitions we made this year. Thank you, Nikki! For your endless support and guidance, and responding graciously to all my emails and text messages, I appreciate you very much. 

This is not a good bye, this is "I’ll see you later!" 

I am thankful for each and every one of you for making my presidency run so smoothly. I’ll be back as Past President next year and will see you soon! 

With peace and solidarity,
Natalie Jambazian 
President  
sfvcamftpre@gmail.com

Natalie Jambazian, LMFT, is the President of SFV-CAMFT. Natalie is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a certified Anger Management 818 facilitator through Anger Management Essentials and NAMA. Anger Management 818 accepts both volunteers and court ordered clients. She facilitates the Teen Anger Management Group in Sherman Oaks on Fridays and the Adult group in Glendale on Thursdays, and is able to see individual clients in Glendale, Sherman Oaks and Woodland Hills locations.