President's Message — Nazila Amighi, LMFT

The Halfway Point

I can't believe it is July already! I am half way through my position as the President of SFV-CAMFT, and I feel like I just started! As I reflect on this, many thoughts come to mind. First, I remember feeling overwhelmed by taking on this new role and wanting to accomplish so many things. At this halfway point, as I look back, I don't feel so overwhelmed, but I still do want the Board to accomplish the goals we set for ourselves and for our Chapter. Secondly, I look at how much we have learned and grown from our work together. I notice a great bond and connection between all the Board Members this year, in fact we even call ourselves a "family." Our connections and accomplishments have been so rewarding, and yet we are mindful of working towards our commitment to SFV-CAMT and to all its members.

Thirdly, I see how we have supported SFV-CAMFT is similar to how we as therapist show up for our clients. Our clients come to us with goals and expectations for themselves. We as their therapists join them in their journey bringing our skills and desire to help. As we work with our clients on their goals, we can invite them to pause and reflect and remind them to celebrate every mini experience of success. These mini experiences of success encourage them to keep growing and learning about themselves in attaining their ultimate goals.

I am so grateful for this chance to get outside my own comfort zone and take on this privilege of being the President of SFV-CAMFT. It has been a great growth opportunity for me. As I pause and reflect, I still have many goals I want to achieve before I pass the torch to our next President. Nevertheless, I would like to invite the Board Members to pause and reflect on all of our accomplishments so far, while striving for our ultimate goals. I also want us all to celebrate the things the Board Members have accomplished so far or we are still working towards achieving such as changing the membership levels, strengthening our connections with each other, improved visibility in the community by connecting with other professionals, working towards creating reciprocity with more Chapters, working towards inviting more members to join our Chapter, and more. I look forward to experiencing more opportunities of success for our Chapter and to hear about your professional success stories.

I hope to connect with each of you in our monthly networking meetings!

Nazila Amighi is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in Sherman Oaks. She applies her skills in Narrative Therapy, Encounter-centered Couples Therapy, Trauma Resiliency Model, Attachment theory, a certified premarital counselor through Prepare/Enrich, and Clinical Aggression Replacement Training. She also Co-facilitated court-referred anger management groups. Her expertise is working with couples, premarital counseling, and the problems that is common with cultural differences in relationships. Nazila came to the United States 36 years ago from Iran. That experience gives her unique insight into her client's challenges as they assimilate in terms of both language and culture. She is fluent in English and Farsi and provides clinical consultation to other therapists navigating cross-cultural issues. Learn more about Nazila Amighi by visiting her website at www.nazilaamighi.com. She can be reached at 310.927.0194 or email her at nazilaamighi@gmail.com.