December brings to mind a story from my past. While it's not a traditional holiday story (and includes Santa Claus) it has value for me today. The story begins in 1949. I was a cute five year-old child, first born to a 26 year-old father and an 20 year-old mother. It was a simpler time, one without TV. Did we even have a radio or a telephone? I'm not sure.. My Dad was recently home from World War II and trying to earn enough driving a taxi to care for his family which also included my then 2 year-old sister. I remember vaguely that we lived in a small (rat infested) apartment, and at night my bed was a cot that served as kitchen table seating during the day. Coming and going from the apartment, I used a back staircase that we shared with the grocery store on the ground floor. It was while using this staircase that I saw the Boogie Man! I ran upstairs to warn my mother, breathlessly reporting that the Boogie Man was clad in red and white and bristled with cat whiskers. Naturally, she didn't believe me. Years passed and my Chicago public school education exposed me to stories about Santa Claus, his reindeer, and Christmas. I understood now that the Boogie Man on the stairs was just Santa Claus. As I got older and better understood the brain and the power of words, I understood that I had attached the image of cat whiskers to St. Nick, and that my Boogie Man was merely a figure created in the mind of a little boy who at that time had only been exposed to Jewish holiday traditions.

And so it is today: When we observe with our senses something in our world, we interpret its meaning using the knowledge we have. And like 5 year-old me, we may sometimes get it wrong due to limited information. That's why our CEU opportunities and ON DEMAND library is so important. They supply me with more information amid a richer context, presenting an opportunity to interpret my world better the first time, and a tool to re-evaluate what I interpreted perhaps wrongly in the past.

ON DEMAND are presentations/CEU opportunities at ie-camft.org. And, peruse our ON DEMAND Library; more offerings will be available soon. But don't delay, while these opportunities are currently free of charge for members, this may change soon. Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out at iecamft@gmail.com.

I love being part of IE-CAMFT. It makes me feel that I'm part of a bigger picture, and that keeps me hopeful!

Warmly,
Paul

Working with clients, I can't help but notice how personal plans are both helped, and sometimes, hindered, by cultural artifacts (norms, folkways, values, beliefs).

Moving closer to the holidays, we will find ourselves with family, friends, and others, all eagerly sharing what's gone on in the months leading to these year-end festivities. Also shared sometimes, one’s take on the choices, and actual life trajectory, of the celebrants.

If one's behavior up to now has been a satisfying blend of culturally accepted features/artifacts, and presented in an accurate, internally consistent way, this relational interaction is safe and satisfying. But if such a blend is not possible and one's sense of self is sacrificed to meet real or imagined cultural expectations, safe connection may be sabotaged, making this a year-end round-up strictly for the strong-hearted.

The choice of acceptable compromise has been made easier for me since being on the board of IE-CAMFT. Being a part of IE-CAMFT has helped me to value who I am and how best to show myself to others who matter to me. And the CEU opportunities offered by IE-CAMFT leave me with the courage to openly reveal myself to others, allowing me to feel both present and seen.

Looking for a little more courage of your own? Check out the support available from other professionals in our field by reaching out to the ON DEMAND opportunities for training on the IE-CAMFT website.

You'll find presentations/CEU opportunities available ON DEMAND on our website. Peruse our ON DEMAND LIBRARY; more offerings will be available soon. But, don't delay in checking these out; while all available presentations are free of charge for members currently, that will change soon!! Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out at iecamft@gmail.com.

And a special Winter Party invitation too!

I love being part of IE-CAMFT. It makes me feel that I'm part of the big picture, and that keeps me hopeful!

Warmly,
Paul Velen, MS, LMFT

Nothing done for another is wasted.

A client reported experiencing a numbness she said relieved anxiety. While working to address this numbness she questioned the need to " ... touch the numbness." Although the numbness felt to her like a solution, it also left her feeling alone. Numbness is a distraction; what the observing ego yearns for is someone — or some community of generative others — to soothe the observing ego's pain.

Information can be soothing as it fills holes in our understanding of how we can become more part of the whole, more a force for generativity, and less stagnation avoidant.

Check out the support available from other professionals in our field by reaching out to the ON DEMAND opportunities for information and training on the IE-CAMFT website.

You'll find presentations/CEU opportunities available ON DEMAND on our website at ie-camft.org. Peruse our ON DEMAND LIBRARY; more offerings will be available soon. Don't delay in checking these out; while all available presentations are free of charge for members currently that will change soon!!

Questions? Reach out at iecamft@gmail.com.

I love being part of IE-CAMFT. It makes me feel that I'm part of the big picture, and that keeps me hopeful!

Warmly,
Paul Velen, MS, LMFT

In my practice I've noticed clients may value what I think over what I feel about a particular subject. Understandable, since they may not know my feelings on that subject. And, after all, it's both my thoughts and feelings that comprise my being.

The same is true when clients share both their thoughts and feelings with me. Like receiving a gift, or being present at the unveiling of a work of art, my very being is enriched. I feel as though my mind is expanded and I can now honor them with a fuller understanding of their situation.

Looking for a way to honor your being? The IE-CAMFT website offers support from other professionals in our field in the form of ON DEMAND training opportunities. But don't delay, while these opportunities are currently free of charge for members, this may change soon. Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out at iecamft@gmail.com.

I love being part of IE-CAMFT. It makes me feel that I'm part of a bigger picture, and that keeps me hopeful!

Warmly,
Paul Velen, MS, LMFT

A number of my clients are themselves mental health professionals; people who begin each day equipped with the requisite skills needed to be caring and empathetic toward others. Surprisingly, I've discovered that these same folks may not be as tuned in to their own feelings, leaving them at a loss regarding and respecting them.

Also surprising is my own response to this situation. It has been an ongoing journey of allowing myself to take my own feelings into account without judgement, and to respect and even honor them without hubris. In the past I've thought of my feelings as beside the point, and that as a public servant the point should be my client's perspective. But not knowing how I feel is like not knowing what I don’t know and that can lead me down a path away from where I want to go.

That’s why I loved that our IE-CAMFT program chair, Lynn Flewelling, MFT, reported how she decided whom to contact to arrange for CEU trainings offered by IE-CAMFT. At a recent board of directors meeting she relayed that before selecting a speaker she ponders first what she would like to know more about and then pursues a speaker to fulfill her need to know. By taking this route she honors not only that need to know but also thereby shares her feelings with us.

Looking for a way to honor your feelings? Check out the support available from other professionals in our field by reaching out to the ON DEMAND opportunities for training on the IE-CAMFT website. You'll find presentations/CEU opportunities available ON DEMAND on our website at ie-camft.org (http://ie-camft.org/). And, peruse our ON DEMAND LIBRARY; more offerings will be available soon. But, don't delay in checking these out; while all available presentations are free of charge for members currently that will change soon!! Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out at iecamft@gmail.com.

I love being part of IE-CAMFT. It makes me feel that I'm part of the big picture, and that keeps me hopeful!

Warmly,
Paul Velen, MS, LMFT

During our last IE-CAMFT board meeting, our Vice President, Omar Gonzalez-Valentino, PHD, LMFT commented that when he first joined IE-CAMFT the thought of being on the board was was an overwhelming idea.  He commented further that it would have been helpful if he could have had a friend/mentor on the board to help him appreciate what great value he could bring to IE-CAMFT by bringing himself, and the skill sets that are quintessentially Dr. Gonzalez-Valentino. The other board members have volunteered to be such a friend/mentor. If you are interested to making such a connection, contact the board member of your choice.

If you are looking for support from other professionals in our field, reach out to the On DEMAND opportunities for training on the IE-CAMFT website.

You'll find presentations/ CEU opportunities available ON DEMAND on our website at ie-camft.org. Look for ON DEMAND LIBRARY and more will be available soon. Don't Delay in checking these out, since all available presentations are free of charge for members (for now)!! Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out to iecamft@gmail.com.
 
I love being part of IE-CAMFT. It makes me feel that I'm part of the big picture, and that keeps me hopeful!

Warmly,
Paul Velen, MS, LMFT

Nothing done for another is wasted.

FEELINGS TRIGGERED, NEW PERSPECTIVE GAINED

I am all about feelings, there I admit it!  Reason and logic are not without merit but they hold a subordinate role in my life. So, it wasn't easy for me to hear from clients that in their world memories had no feelings and current events had feelings that existed only after focused consideration and evaluation.

Still, I'm thankful for those clients — most of them, actually — because they help me to see the unexpected. I look forward to IE-CAMFT trainings for the same reason: They expose me to new perspectives. They may not make complete sense at first but after my initial visceral reaction, careful consideration will show them to be the gift of a new perspective. New information presented by thoughtful professionals who take joy in sharing is what IE-CAMFT training/CEU opportunities are all about.

And when the presentation is over, several past CEU opportunities are available on our website in our ON DEMAND LIBRARY; more will be available soon. Access these now, while all available presentations are free of charge for members! Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out to iecamft@gmail.com.
 
I love being part of IE-CAMFT. It makes me feel that I'm part of a bigger picture, and that keeps me hopeful!
 
Warmly,
Paul Velen, MS, LMFT
Nothing done for another is wasted

Video Message From Carol

I made a decision to tell you what I am feeling on video, as that is the way that I have chosen these last four years in my own life.

I am so excited about Ben Caldwell’s training on Friday the 25th, with all of these new laws I am trying to get the word out that we all need to understand these news laws and set up new systems whether you are a therapist in private practice or you have a group.

Also for those of you that work in so many different places with the populations you serve, this training will be so vey relevant.   I am so excited that you have a choice now to view live and/or stream when you have the time.  Covid has changed our world in so many ways, and as Ben said in his interview, they are rushing laws to congress to make this much needed changes. 

I am leaving with a fond fairwell, knowing that I had a mission when I came online and for me that mission was served.  One of my missions was to have bigger audience so that we can impact more people.

With the help of so many, (list everyone) we were able to keep up with the times and move to virtual trainings with less difficulty than we thought.  I won’t say it was easy, but it was great in that we created a more simplified system to accommodate much larger audience.  I believe Lisa Larson’s training on Brainspotting was the first training when Covid had us on lockdown.  That first training had somewhere about (210?) registrations.  Her team helped us and we were very grateful for their help. 

In the end I give Paul Velan the baton, I have no doubt that he will do a great job.  He has been around much longer than me.  I am grateful that he has stepped up.  In the meantime as I say in my video, please consider volunteering, it can change your life, it definitely has changed mine.

Carol Rose Adkisson
President of IE-Camft

When I presented at an IE-CAMFT training many years ago, I was excited to share what I hoped would be used to bring about such transformative moments. I felt inspired and hoped the audience felt the same. New information, presented by thoughtful professionals who find joy in soothing those parts of the professional mind that yearn for knowledge, that's what IE-CAMFT training/CEU opportunities are all about.

And when the presentation is over, several past CEU opportunities are available ON DEMAND on our website at ie-camft.org. Look for ON DEMAND LIBRARY and more will be available soon. Don't Delay in checking these out, since all available presentations are free of charge for members (for now)!! Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out to iecamft@gmail.com (mailto:iecamft@gmail.com).

I love being part of IE-CAMFT. It makes me feel that I'm part of the big picture, and that keeps me hopeful!

Warmly,
Paul Velen, MS, LMFT

Nothing done for another is wasted.

Well, It happened again. I was able to hear my clients with a new ear after a training with Lynn Aguilar, LMFT. As a client reported a painful new emotional experience after years of feeling numb, she felt like a failure. But, as I listened I could hear Lynn reminding me that this client had forgotten how to pay attention to how she felt — and was relearning how to do so. So, instead of feeling shame we were able to assess social, cultural norms and folkways that perhaps have no value for her. This allowed my client to champion her own dissonant felt sensations.

This was progress for which my client and I could rejoice!

Presented by thoughtful professionals who find joy in sharing their wisdom, IE-CAMFT training/CEU opportunities are great catalysts for this kind of learning.

We appreciate that you cast your vote/and or nominate yourself for Board of Directors and thanks for all you do for our professional organization, IE-CAMFT.

Good News!!!

Several past CEU opportunities are available ON DEMAND on our website at ie-camft.org. Look for ON DEMAND LIBRARY and more will be available soon. Don't Delay in checking these out, since all available presentations are free of charge for members (for now)!! Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out to iecamft@gmail.com.

I love being part of IE-CAMFT. It makes me feel that I'm part of the big picture, and that keeps me hopeful!

Warmly,
Paul Velen, MS, LMFT

Nothing done for another is wasted.