President's Message — Shawn LaRe’ Brinkley, MS, LMFT

New Year, New Adventures 

Happy New Year! At the top of each new year, we all use that phrase. I have often wondered what it would be like if we each took a moment to really reflect on the outgoing year and tailor our greeting to honor what we look forward to in the upcoming 364 days. For this year, my greeting would be Grateful New Year. Looking back on 2023, I realize that its end left me in a place of gratitude. Not because everything was so great and wonderful during the year but because I realize that despite challenges, set-backs, victories, and triumphs I made it through mostly unscathed. So, as I begin 2024, I am grateful to have the opportunity to take on the challenge and victory of leading this Chapter as President. For me and for people who look like me or walk in the “melanin”, BIPOC individuals it is especially a triumph. In the history of San Fernando Valley CAMFT, we have had one Latinx president, the first woman of color in the position and now as I serve, I am honored to be the first Black woman to serve the chapter in this capacity.

I know some may ask why it is necessary to point this out as we strive toward diversity, equity, and inclusion and to them I answer because it is a truth. I was asked once why it is necessary to emphasize our differences and I explained it is not that we need to emphasize our differences, but instead I hope we will learn to celebrate our differences. But even still, the most important part of this move toward DEI in our profession is the oath we take to do no harm. I believe this organization is the perfect playing field to educate one another on what it is to practice and embrace cultural humility. That is to accept and honor that we cannot be the expert in someone else’s story, but we can hold space for their experiences with empathy and curiosity. Such a practice is as important for us as colleagues as it is for us and therapists.

We began last year with some changes as we began meeting at the Encino Banquet and Golf space. This shift was not flawless, yet we ended the year with more good than bad things to look back on and as we enter 2024, I hope we focus on the good that we must look forward to. We have an influx of new board members and with that comes new ideas, new practices, new adventures, new goals, and even new ways to implement previous goals. My hope is that the quantum shifts we take as a chapter this year bring excited new members, diverse members, member volunteers, member gatherings, and the creation of greater member connections. There are many opportunities to serve the chapter, and I encourage you all to consider where you might be best suited to lend your talents.

San Fernando Valley CAMFT is a strong chapter built on a foundation of great leadership, solid membership, and consistent engagement. During my presidency I look forward to the further development of all the good that has made this chapter what it is today as we grow into what it will become in the future.

Shawn LaRe’ Brinkley, MS, LMFTis a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, owner, and Executive Clinical Director of Living Loved Pathways to Holistic Healing, a group practice in Encino, CA. She is a Trauma Recovery Specialist, Certified Mindfulness Practitioner, Certified Laughter Yoga Instructor, and enjoys using nontraditional methods in her therapy practice including art as a healing tool along with music, poetry, and movement. She looks forward to a productive, fun-filled year for chapter members as president.