From the Editor by Shawn LaRé Brinkley, M.S., MFTI

"March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb; April showers bring May flowers." Still in the beginning of a new year, the spring is a welcoming season. As we welcome in the March winds and anticipate the calm transition into the season's blossoms brought about by the April showers; it's a great time to think about our chapter as a community, our collective and individual accomplishments, as well as our respective goals. We may be in different places in our careers; some, interns just beginning the journey, others at the end; some licensed, seeking private practice; others well-established; some teaching; others learning; yet all intertwined, professionally and socially, held together by a positive, supportive, and strong thread.

This month, President, Barbara Calvi will share about the amazing way our board pulled together to fix a small problem that was a huge annoyance and inconvenience to our members; not to mention ruffling the smooth operating system that should be the process of registering for meetings.

I am so grateful for our member contribution which demonstrates the environment of community that is SFV-CAMFT. If you recall in a previous issue, our very own, adventurous Mim Collins published an article entitled, "And God was Crying." Well, I am happy to announce she will give an accounting of her most recent travel exploits with the Travel Diva, Leslie Brown of Mind, Body Passport, across the continent to South Africa in the Part I excerpt of "And God Still Cries." Stay tuned next issue for the conclusion of this story of experiences that date back to childhood and examine how some things haven't changed all that much.

Dr. Charlyne Gelt will let us in on thought provoking underpinnings of a complex film about an even more complex man as she gives us the psychological "skinny" on Papa Hemingway in Cuba. I always love the way Charlyne is committed to looking at the "what and why" of the cinema as it relates to our profession.

Raceal McWhorter, frequent contributor will once again joyfully give us a recap of the informative February presentation skillfully given by Sara Vicendese, LMFT; and graciously sponsored by Steven Unruh our resident Divorce Mediator. We will include our January presenter, Dr. Terry Marks-Tarlow, in our May/June edition, due to unforeseen circumstances.

Our special interest groups will make a showing as one new member, Carly Reifman, writes an article on her work using art to work with aging dementia patients in her internship. The work she does is stunning and you can feel her compassion as it is fueled by her caring heart and her passion for the arts; as she shares her observations of the effects of art-making with her elder patients and their families, with heartfelt creativity. I will be representing the "still-forming" diversity committee with an article about the importance of cultural competence, the need for diversity, and how it often is overlooked with all the best intentions.

Jaimi Brooks, our Pre-licensed Rep., will provide some interesting updates for our pre-licensed members, who will soon enjoy a much anticipated name change. In addition, a reminder to those soon to be "formerly known as interns," to take a look at the pre-licensed job listings provided by Robin Anderson from her company, recently renamed also, Prelicensed.

We have a new and informative addition this month, a recurring column, "Best Practices;" in which, Natalie Jambazian will provide content to help us make certain we are in compliance as we provide services, advertise, uphold our commitment so we don't forget to dot our "i's" and cross our "t's" with respect to proper procedure. In this issue she will remind us of the protocol associated with advertising and referrals.

As we move into the next season let's practice one of my favorite take away's from last year, "Take someone to lunch." So as we "Spring Ahead" on March 12th, let's try to get to know someone and break bread with someone you would like to get to know, and please, do not hesitate to have some fun. Best reading, my fellow "helpers."

Shawn LaRé Brinkley, MS, MFTI, recently began working as the Outpatient Services Program Manager for a non-profit Treatment center working with teenagers with mental health, substance abuse and trauma issues. She will be developing the organization's outpatient programing; overseeing outpatient substance abuse, mental health, and field capable clinical service programs. Shawn LaRé specializes in trauma, complicated grief and loss, and is continues to explore mindfulness as she prepares for licensure. She can be reached at 818.359.6921 or mftgurl@gmail.com.