President's Message

Akiah Selwa, LMFT, President

It's one of my favorite times of the LA-CAMFT year—Board Nomination season! Our Board Nomination Committee and current board members are talking with LA-CAMFT members who are interested in volunteering as board members.

Why Join the Board?

1. Make a Difference: As a board member, you can shape the future of LA-CAMFT. Your ideas and efforts can directly impact our community and the services we provide.
2. Professional Growth: Serving on the board is a fantastic way to develop leadership skills, expand your professional network, and gain valuable experience in organizational governance. (Word! I have learned several impactful and life-changing lessons as a board member and now as the president.
3. Collaborative Environment: Work alongside passionate and dedicated professionals who share your commitment to the field. Our board's collaborative spirit fosters innovation and growth. (It is a privilege to work alongside your LA-CAMFT board members, who are professional, caring, fun, and committed. As the president, I have been supported and mentored by the most recent past presidents.)
4. Give Back: This is your chance to give back to the community that has supported you. Your contribution can help ensure that LA-CAMFT continues to thrive and support its members. (LA-CAMFT has always been progressive, because we are committed to offering relevant and inclusive events to our membership. Let’s add your voice to the conversation and planning.

How to Get Involved

If you're interested in joining the board, please contact our Board Nomination Committee or any current board member at president@lacamft.org. We would love to discuss how you can contribute to and grow with LA-CAMFT.

Let's work together to make a positive impact!

Akiah T. R. Selwa, LMFT, is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a great sense of humor, a heart full of hope, and twenty-three years of experience as a psychotherapist. Akiah is the owner of Sunrise Therapy Center (STC) a private practice corporation that services all of California via a telehealth platform. Akiah approaches her work with cultural humility and humor that promotes acceptance, empowerment, spirituality, and creativity. Akiah will complete Somatic Experiencing training in 2025 with Somatic Experiencing International, is a certified SoulCollage® Facilitator (2024), and a currently in a two-year Spiritual Direction program with Stillpoint. When Akiah is not working as a therapist, she is a mixed media artist, having fun with my next crochet project, singing, or exploring nature.

Therapists of Color

Mentorship Program

presents

Dishes of Diversity:

Finding Liberation Through Community

Saturday, November 15, 2025

12:00pm-3:00pm

Center Pointe Club at Playa Vista

Sponsored by

We are thrilled to invite past, present, and interested program participants to the transformative Dishes of Diversity: Finding Liberation Through Community, hosted by the Therapists of Color Mentorship Program. This enriching potluck gathering celebrates the power and strength found in community, providing a unique opportunity for therapists of color to feast, connect, share, and grow together. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE AN LA-CAMFT MEMBER TO ATTEND!

"Finding Liberation Through Community" is more than just a theme; it's a movement towards empowerment, understanding, and collective growth. Our theme emphasizes the importance of community in fostering resilience, healing, and liberation for therapists of color and their clients. Through dynamic discussions and interactive social activities, attendees will explore how building strong community bonds can lead to personal and professional liberation.

Dishes of Diversity: Finding Liberation Through Community Potluck will feature:

• Interactive Social Activities designed to deepen our understanding of community dynamics that foster collective healing and growth.
• Networking Opportunities to connect with fellow therapists, sponsors, mentors, and mentees to build lasting relationships and expand our professional network within a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Free Heritage Headshots aimed to create images that are not only professional but authentically reflect our cultural identity. Bring a cultural artifact, traditional garment, ancestral piece of jewelry, or a symbolic item as a prop that will be beautifully integrated into your headshot to uniquely highlight your heritage.
• Dishes of Diversity Culinary Potluck, our highly anticipated grand feast that celebrates the rich cultural tapestry of our communities of color with dishes that guests will bring to share. Bring your favorite dish from your culture.
• Exclusive First Look at our TOC Mentorship Program Merchandise celebrating our vibrant community promoting unity, empowerment, and pride among our mentors and mentees. Items are available for pre-order until Oct. 31, 2025 -5pm (for past and present TOC mentors and mentees only). All proceeds go towards supporting the sustainability of our programs and services offered through the TOC Mentorship Program. Please be on the lookout for the preorder link in your registration confirmation and reminder emails.
• Special Awards & Raffle Prizes that honor and recognize those who have gone above and beyond to foster growth and provide guidance.

There is plenty of FREE parking in the venue lot and on the street.

Take a look at the flyer attached for more details about the event.

If interested in learning more about the program, please contact Keonna Robinson at tocmentorshipprogram@lacamft.org or visit our website page.

We look forward to seeing you there!

TOC Mentorship Program Committee

Event Details:

For: All past and present TOC mentors and mentees, members of the Diversity Committee, Therapists of Color in the 3000 Club, any interested Therapist of Color (students, associates, licensed, related professionals)

When: Saturday, November 15, 2025 from 12:00pm-3:00pm

Where: Center Pointe Club at Playa Vista (6200 Playa Vista Dr., Playa Vista, CA 90094)

Cost: FREE for anyone who identifies as a past and present TOC mentor and mentee, member of the Diversity Committee, Therapist of Color in the 3000 Club, any interested Therapist of Color

https://lacamft.org/event-6295377

Editor's Note

Getting Paid: Encouragement and Support for Rest and Renewal During This Holiday Season—Taking Time Off From Your Practice

Lynne Azpeitia, LMFT, Voices Editor

‘Tis the season to be giving thanks and to be giving for the holidays, so my gift to you, is 5 articles of encouragement and support—and practical ideas--for taking time off from your practice this holiday season.

Each of these articles is a short and easy read — and every single one of them is chock full of the best tips and information that therapists can quickly and easily use to make the most of their time off from their practice during the holidays.

Reading any one of them will definitely give you help you minimize the stress of taking time off from your practice.

1. Therapists Need a Break Too! – The Therapeutic Benefits of a Vacation

Rest as a Clinical Responsibility

The quality of our clinical work depends on our emotional, mental and physical resources. Taking time to replenish those resources is not a luxury; it is an ethical imperative that protects both clinicians and clients from potential harm. When we prioritize rest, we preserve the capacity for empathy, deep listening, and creative problem-solving.

So if you’re hesitating to take that vacation, know that the science supports it! And more importantly, your work will be stronger because of it. On that note, I wish you all a most restful, enjoyable, and replenishing vacation.

2. Therapists' Holiday Self-Care: Balancing Client Needs and Personal Wellness 

Not all superheroes wear capes. Some superheroes, like therapists, have couches from which clients arise feeling lighter and more balanced, with a greater sense of their own innate resilience.

While the work that therapists do is incredible and transformative, even they need time off. The holidays are a common time to take time away from work, not only leading to a reduced risk for burnout, but also for therapists to maintain their sense of fulfillment and joy in the work that they do.

3. How Much Time Off Is Enough for a Sensitive Therapist?

After needing a 5-week sabbatical last year to replenish my therapist battery, I decided to do something different at the beginning of this year.  I mapped out ALL the days I wanted to take off for the full calendar year and put the dates into Simple Practice.  My goal was to have enough space for holidays, birthdays, family gatherings, staycations, and travel while also giving my clients a snapshot of the year ahead.  All in all, the grand total was nine full weeks of vacation time which was the same as the previous year just spread out from May to December.

4. Speaking of Psychology: Why you should take a vacation—and how to get the most out of it

de Bloom: We also asked people that in our study how much time they spend on work-related activities during their holidays. We had interviews, phone interviews, with them during the holiday, and we did find that quite a share of people did engage with some clients, with colleagues and so on. But they all said that this was their own choice and they could also decide the amount of time they would spend on it. And in this scenario then we didn’t see the negative effects. It was on average, I think, half an hour that people spent during the holiday on work-related activities. And then we don’t see the negative effects.

5. Taking a Vacation: Time Off as a Solo Practice Owner

Running a solo therapy practice is incredibly rewarding—but let's be real, it can also be incredibly demanding. The idea of taking time off often brings worries about stepping away from your clients, missing potential income, and admin tasks that are sure to pile up. Still, taking regular breaks isn't just nice; it's essential for your own well-being and helps you stay effective as a therapist.

6. 4 Types of Vacations Every Sensitive Therapist Needs

When planning for time away from your practice, it’s important to consider all the different reasons you may be taking vacations - true vacations, staycations, workations and trainings.

True Vacation: Taking time away from home can be very restorative because we get to leave behind our daily responsibilities and just focus on leisure.

Staycation: Sometimes vacations can become overwhelming or depleting for many reasons. We don’t have the energy to manage the logistics and planning of being away from home, have to endure long flights, noisy airports and travel delays or we don’t have buffer day scheduled between vacationing and returning to work. This is where the magic of the staycation comes in - we can turn everything off without leaving the house!

Workation: Taking time off of your practice to work may seem counterintuitive since you aren’t relaxing or making money, but the workation is actually the best move for a Highly Sensitive Therapist who has a propensity to get overwhelmed when multitasking. By taking a few days off of seeing clients we can deep dive into our administrative and business planning responsibilities. The workation can be used for catching up on notes, organizing files, revamping the copy on your website to bring in new clients, or strategizing the next phase of your business. My favorite times to take workations are in the new year when I’m feeling inspired to start fresh or during the slow summer months.

Trainings: We also have to take into account time away for professional trainings and certification courses that we may be pursuing to satisfy continuing education requirements. These should not count towards vacation as they are often overstimulating instead of restorative.

So, when you can, make a little time during this season to reflect on yourself, your needs, and your practice and how to include time off for your own rest and renewal during the coming season and the upcoming year.

I hope you find encouragement and support—and practical tips—for taking some time off from your practice for your own rest and renewal.

Enjoy your reading! 

Happy Holiday Time Off!

Lynne Azpeitia, LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor, is in private practice virtually, and in Santa Monica where she works with Couples and Gifted, Talented & Creative Adults across the lifespan. Lynne’s been doing business and clinical coaching with mental health professionals for more than 15 years, helping therapists create even more successful careers and practices. She offers in-person & online services, workshops, presentations, & monthly no-cost Online Networking & Practice Development Lunches. Website: www.Gifted-Adults.com or www.LAPracticeDevelopment.com

LA-CAMFT Diversity Committee

presents

Black Therapist Support Group

Second Monday of Every Month

Next Meeting:
Monday, November 10, 2025
6:00 pm-7:30 pm (PT)

Online Via Zoom

A safe place for healing, connection, support and building community. In this group, licensed clinicians, associates and students can come together and process experiences of racism (systemic, social, and internalized), discrimination, implicit bias, and micro-aggressions, along with additional experiences that therapists of African descent encounter in the field of mental health. As the late great Maya Angelou once said, “As soon as healing takes place, go out and heal someone else.” May this space, be the support needed to facilitate that journey.

Open to LA-CAMFT Members and Non-Members

For more information, contact the Diversity Committee.

Event Details:

For: Licensed Therapists, Associates, and Students

When: Monday, November 10, 2025, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm (PT)
Time of Check-In: 5:50 pm

Where: Online Via Zoom (Upon registration for the presentation, you will receive a confirmation email that includes a link to our Zoom meeting.)

Cost: No charge

*Registration is open and available until the group begins.*

https://lacamft.org/event-5999261

Member Article

Getting More Referrals by Connecting with Your Ideal Client

Frances Barry, LMFT

Having an ideal client isn’t about narrowing yourself into one tiny box.

It isn’t about forcing you to pick just one type of client forever.

You can have multiple ideal clients (I have three), and your focus can evolve over time.

When seeking guidance on marketing your therapy practice, it’s likely you’ve received the advice to “niche down” or “focus on your ideal client”. I agree this is great advice. However, I resisted it for several years. Every time I heard the phrase “speak directly to your ideal client” a slew of objections came to mind:

• I don’t know my ideal client.
• I work with different populations and a range of symptoms. I can’t just pick one.
• If I focus on my ideal client, I’ll miss out on referrals and struggle to fill my practice.
• It’s hard to describe what I do without using technical psychotherapy terms.

When I was told for what felt like the hundredth time to rewrite my Psychology Today profile to focus on my ideal client, I decided to conquer my first objection by identifying my ideal client. This began my exploration of the concept of the “ideal client”.

When you pair the word “ideal” with the word “client” there is an immediate stress response as your brain tries to find exactly the right words to describe your “perfect” client.

I recommend a shift in your focus.

Instead of searching for your nebulous “best” client, reframe the concept to focus on the clients you feel most compelled to help

• clients whose emotional journeys you’re most inspired to support
• clients with therapy sessions that are deeply satisfying, even when challenging
• clients where you lean into the work a little (or a lot) more than usual.

Your ideal client is who you are meant to help in this world.

When you are asked about your ideal client, use words that describe a real person, not a clinical population.

Two therapists may advertise they work with the same clinical population but when they explore their client’s characteristics, challenges and goals, they may have very different ideal clients.

For example, within the clinical population of “women with anxiety” ideal clients could be described as

• Female community college students, living with parents, working part-time, weekly panic attacks
• Female empty-nester, divorced, significant anxiety about socializing and retirement
• Women, ages 25 to 40, college educated, working in management positions, exploring their sexual identity, anxious about familial and professional relationships 
• Female veterans, deployed in combat zones, struggling with romantic relationships and parenting

As you can see, having an ideal client isn’t about narrowing yourself into one tiny box. It isn’t about forcing you to pick just one type of client forever.

You can have multiple ideal clients (I have three), and your focus can evolve over time. 

But, when you know who your ideal client is, marketing becomes less of a guessing game and more of a magnet--I’ll be addressing  this, and more--in greater detail in my series of Voices articles on “Connecting with Your Ideal Client.”

Identifying your ideal client may not be easy or quick. You may need to do several iterations until you arrive at ideal client descriptions that feel right for you. But I promise it will be worth the time and effort.

Frances Barry, LMFT is in private practice in West Los Angeles where she works with Elementary School Children struggling with Anger and Anxiety. She also supports minors who have lost a parent to cancer. As a statistician-turned-therapist, Frances’s data-driven insights and recommendations, empower therapists to optimize their Psychology Today profile one step (or one statistic) at a time. Website: www.francesbarry.net

LA-CAMFT Diversity Committee

presents

Therapists of Color Support Group

Meets Every Quarter

Next Meeting:
Sunday, January 2026
11:00 am-1:00 pm (PT)

Online Via Zoom

A safe place to receive peer support and process experiences of racism (systemic, social, and internalized), discrimination, implicit bias, racist injury, aggression, and micro-aggressions, along with additional experiences that therapists of color encounter in the field of mental health.

Open to LA-CAMFT Members and Non-Members.

For more information, contact the Diversity Committee.

Event Details:

For: Licensed Therapists, Associates, and Students

Event Details: Sunday, January 2025 from 11:00 am-1:00 pm (PT)
Time of Check-In: 10:50 am

Where:  Online Via Zoom (Upon registration for the presentation, you will receive a confirmation email that includes a link to our Zoom meeting.)

Cost: No charge

*Registration is open and available until the group begins.*

In diversity there is beauty
and there is strength.

Maya Angelou

Stay tuned!

https://lacamft.org/Diversity-Committee

Guest Article

Supporting Clients Through Political Polarization and Uncertainty

Kim Scott, LMFT

Over the past decade, our political climate has become increasingly polarized. Many people—especially those whose views differ from those in power—are left feeling anxious, uncertain, and even fearful about the future. When I use the term political climate, I’m referring to the overall attitudes, cooperation, and conflict that shape our political and social lives. In other words, it’s how politics feel in our everyday experience.

Right now, that experience often feels tense and divided. Clients report noticing more anger, mistrust, and a growing sense of disconnection. Families are fractured over differences in values, neighbors eye each other with suspicion, and confidence in our institutions feels shaky. Add to this the rapid changes brought about by technology and Artificial Intelligence, and it’s no wonder so many of our clients feel unsettled.

As therapists, we can offer grounding, perspective, and practical tools. Below are strategies and interventions I often share with clients when the political climate feels overwhelming.

Acknowledge and Manage Stress

1. Normalize Feelings

Remind clients that stress in times of uncertainty and change is a normal response. Simply naming this can reduce shame and help them feel less alone.

2. Identify Triggers

Support clients in exploring what stirs up their anxiety or frustration. Is it constant exposure to social media? Endless scrolling through TV news? Difficult conversations with family? Or perhaps their own repetitive, racing thoughts?

3. Set Healthy Boundaries
Once triggers are identified, help clients experiment with limits:

• If social media leaves them angry or hopeless, encourage reducing online time—especially first thing in the morning or before bed. Algorithms are designed to keep us engaged, often by amplifying anxiety or misinformation.
• If the news is overwhelming, suggest sticking with reputable sources and setting time limits. Reducing exposure to visual news can also lessen emotional overload.

In my own home, my husband and I limit political discussion to 15 minutes a day. After that, we shift gears—toward action, or toward the people and activities we value. This can be a useful model for clients: rather than staying stuck in rumination, move into action or connection.

4. Prioritize Self-Care
Help clients establish grounding routines:

• Sleep
• Nutritious meals
• Movement
• Mindfulness or relaxation practices

Even simple interventions—such as pausing midday to take three or four slow, intentional breaths—can reduce tension and bring them back to the present. For those open to it, apps like Headspace, Calm, or the built-in “Breathe” function on smartphones can be practical tools.

Shift Your Mindset

5. Notice Distorted or Exaggerated Thoughts
Much of our stress comes not from events themselves but from the story we tell ourselves about them. Notice if clients are catastrophizing, “what if-ing,” or falling into all-or-nothing thinking.

I often draw on Byron Katie’s Loving What Is to guide clients in reality-testing their fears. If a client is worried about AI taking over their job, for example, I might ask:

• Is this happening right now?
• Are you absolutely certain your job will disappear?
• How does believing this thought affect you?
• Is there another way to see the situation?

6. Focus on the Positive
This may sound “Pollyanna,” but Positive Psychology research consistently shows that much of our happiness stems from our thoughts and behaviors. Invite clients to experiment with practices such as:

• Reframing news-induced worry by identifying three positive things happening in the world
• Actively seeking humor—through comedies, cartoons, or lighthearted media (avoiding political satire if it fuels distress)
• Setting aside at least 30 minutes a day for joy-filled activity
• Beginning and ending the day with gratitude rather than doom-scrolling

7. Keep Perspective
When the political climate feels overwhelming, clients may believe the world is unraveling. Remind them of history’s resilience. The United States has endured wars, depressions, social upheavals, and cultural transitions. Humanity has shifted from hunter-gatherer life to farming, from the industrial era to the digital age. Each shift brought disruption, yet adaptation followed. History suggests we will adapt and thrive again.

Build Connection and Take Action

8. Take Action
Fear often eases when clients feel empowered to act. Explore together what feels meaningful and accessible. For example:

• Staying informed without becoming consumed
• Voting in every election
• Volunteering to help others engage civically
• Having respectful, bridge-building conversations with people who hold different views
• Supporting causes or organizations they care about
• Participating in marches, rallies, or community forums

9. Connect with Others
Encourage clients to spend time with supportive friends and family. Connection, laughter, and play are powerful antidotes to fear and despair.

It can also help clients to remember that people with different views are still, more often than not, good and reasonable. Social psychologist Keith Payne writes about this in Good Reasonable People: The Psychology Behind America’s Dangerous Divide. When we vilify those who disagree with us, fear grows and division deepens. Families fracture, communities weaken, and collaboration on solutions becomes nearly impossible.

Final Thought

We cannot control the political climate—or the rapid pace of technological and cultural change—but we can help clients choose how they respond. By normalizing stress, encouraging healthy boundaries, and channeling energy into positive action and connection, we equip clients not only to care for themselves but also to contribute to stronger, more resilient communities.

Kim Scott, LMFT is a licensed marriage, family and child therapist. She has a private practice in Granada Hills where she works with couples and individuals, in-person and via Telehealth. Kim has been licensed for 30 years and has expertise in working with older adults and women issues. To learn more about Kim's practice and to read more of her articles visit her website: www.kimscottmft.com.

Member Article

TOC Mentorship Program End of the Year Event: Dishes of Diversity: Finding Liberation through Community

Gabriela Flores, LCSW

Since its inception, the TOC Mentorship Program has been dedicated to cultivating a safe and supportive environment where the unique voices and experiences of therapists of color are not only heard but also deeply valued. At its core, the mentorship program is a community-building initiative, designed to foster recognition, appreciation, and belonging among therapists of color. This cultivates a network of support that extends beyond individual mentorship pairs, creating a community where shared challenges are discussed, successes are celebrated, and professional growth is collectively encouraged. 

Currently, the TOC Mentorship Program is preparing to host its third annual end-of-year event, which will celebrate the conclusion of another successful mentorship cycle. This past year, the program achieved a record for its largest cohort of mentors since its inception, and also saw the second-largest cohort of mentees participate. The TOC Committee is proud of the growth the program has seen over the years, and is committed to continuing to be a space that works to dismantle barriers and inequities that therapists of color often face.

Initially conceived as a gathering for past and present mentors and mentees to share their program experiences, this event has in recent years, evolved into a deeply meaningful and personal experience for attendees. During these events, participants have had the opportunity to contribute and share cuisine from diverse countries, fostering discussions that highlight various cultures and generational traditions. Furthermore, the TOC committee carefully curates and plans special activities that are designed to encourage deep conversation and reflection throughout the event.

The event also presents an opportunity for networking and relationship-building beyond the mentorship program. We encourage attendance from all past participants who are currently inactive, as well as individuals interested in generally learning more about our program and supporting our vision. Furthermore, the event has cultivated an environment where professional goals and aspirations can be realized. Through program participation, therapists have been motivated to establish private practices, assume supervisory roles, and develop additional group spaces dedicated to supporting therapists of color.

Individuals interested in participating in our program as a mentor or mentee are encouraged to visit our TOC Mentorship Program webpage or join us next month for our event, "Dishes of Diversity: Finding Liberation through Community," scheduled for November 15th from 12-3 PM at the Center Point Club in Playa Vista. 

Gabriela Flores, LCSW

TOC Committee Member and Mentor

TOC Mentorship Webpage

TOC Email: Tocmentorshipprogram@lacamft.org 

Email: gflorescast17@gmail.com

Member Article

Workplace Sabotage: Why and How Talented Women Are Undermined

Joanna Poppink, LMFT

Summary

Talented women are often targeted at work by jealous executives and insecure colleagues. This article explores why and how workplace sabotage occurs, the psychology of envy in leadership, the toll this takes women, and how depth psychotherapy facilitates the transformation of betrayal into independence and strength.

A Case Story: When Excellence Threatens Mediocrity

A professional woman in a large, respected organization had built her reputation through years of high-quality work. She consistently met challenges, was given increasing responsibility, and became a trusted leader in her field.

But one senior executive noticed her rise and felt threatened. With a polished smile and a facade of support, this executive quietly worked to undermine her — discrediting her work, seeding doubt in meetings, and subtly adding stress to her workload.

At first, the woman treated each incident as an isolated misunderstanding. She tried harder, believing her performance would protect her. But the pattern only escalated.

Eventually, the executive crossed a line — exposing confidential material to embarrass her publicly. To others, the ploy failed. But for the woman, it confirmed the truth: the attacks were not occasional; they were systemic, and they would not stop. 

Why Talented Women Are Targeted

Sabotage at work often has little to do with performance. Instead, it reflects deeper psychological forces:

• Envy in leadership: Insecure leaders feel diminished by excellence. Rather than grow, they attack.
• Projection: The saboteur disowns their own feelings of inadequacy by projecting them onto the target.
• Fear of disruption: Organizations often prefer the “safe” mediocrity of familiar executives to the brilliance of rising women.
• Control: By undermining talent, a jealous leader maintains centralized power and keeps employees compliant.

This is the psychology of workplace jealousy and sabotage: excellence becomes a threat, and mediocrity is preserved to protect fragile authority.

How Sabotage Manifests

Women may recognize sabotage in patterns such as:

• Being discredited subtly in meetings.
• Confidential information was shared inappropriately.
• Colleagues smiling while sowing doubt behind the scenes.
• Sudden increases in workload are designed to cause failure.
• Being passed over for recognition or promotion despite strong performance.
• A constant atmosphere of “fake support” masking hostility.

Each act may appear small on its own. Together, they form a relentless erosion of confidence and stability.

The Cost of Being Undermined

The toll on women targeted in this way is enormous:

• Emotional: Profound sorrow, indignation, fear, disillusionment.
• Physical: Stress-related ailments, fatigue, headaches, insomnia.
• Professional: Loss of loyalty to the organization, stalled advancement, or the painful choice to leave.

This goes beyond ordinary workplace politics and becomes sabotage. It is betrayal that strikes at the identity, self-worth, and health.

Why Organizations Protect Mediocrity

Organizations often reward mediocrity and punish excellence because:

• Jealous leaders feel threatened by competent subordinates.
• Mediocre employees maintain stability, avoiding disruption.
• Compliance is safer than growth for insecure leadership teams.
• Fear keeps talent contained — workers become too stressed or disillusioned to leave. 

This dynamic exploits talented women under toxic leadership, drains capable employees, and preserves a culture of fear.

The Turning Point: From Betrayal to Independence

With the support of depth psychotherapy, the woman in this story found a way forward. Therapy gave her space to process grief, see the pattern clearly, and recognize that the problem was not her performance, but the organizational choice to protect mediocrity.

Eventually, she made the courageous decision to leave. She launched her own practice, free from of  the cycle of workplace jealousy and sabotage.

Through therapy, she learned how to deal with being undermined at work — not by fighting endlessly within the system, but by stepping outside it, as well as acknowledging her competence and value, to reclaim her authority and peace. 

Lessons for Women in Toxic Workplaces

1. Repeated undermining is rarely about you. It is about another person’s insecurity.
2. Don’t explain away the pattern. A single incident may be a misunderstanding; a relentless pattern is sabotage.
3. Disillusionment is painful but necessary. It clears away illusions about loyalty and fairness.
4. Your health is the alarm bell. Chronic stress is not sustainable.
5. Independence may be safer than loyalty. Leaving can be the step that restores authority and purpose.

FAQ

Q: Why do organizations protect mediocre executives instead of talented employees?

A: Because insecure leaders may feel threatened by excellence, and organizations often choose stability over growth.

Q: How can I tell if I’m being sabotaged at work?
A: Watch for consistent patterns — discrediting remarks, broken protocol, information leaks, or added stress designed to make you fail.

Q: What are the signs of workplace sabotage?

A: Subtle discrediting, breaking protocol, leaking confidential material, increasing stress deliberately, or giving “support” laced with hostility.

Q: How does workplace sabotage affect health?

A: It often causes anxiety, stress-related illness, sleep problems, and deep emotional disillusionment. Symptoms can include neck pain, back pain, teeth grinding, headaches, fatigue.

Q: How can psychotherapy help women in toxic workplaces?

A: Therapy provides recognition of harmful patterns, helps women process betrayal, and supports them in building the courage to set boundaries, leave, or create independent paths.

Resources

Books:

• In Sheep’s Clothing: Understanding and Dealing with Manipulative People by George Simon
• The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout
• Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés (on feminine strength and intuition)
• Healing Your Hungry Heart: Recovering from Your Eating Disorder by Joanna Poppink, MFT (on healing deprivation and reclaiming self) Healing Your Hungry Heart

Articles:

• Harvard Business Review:  What to Do When You Have a Bad Boss  by Mary Abbajay
• Midlife Professional Women: Depth Psychotherapy for Hidden Patterns of Compliance  
• Midlife Women: Choosing Your "Inner CEO"
• Knowledge sabotage as an extreme form of counterproductive knowledge behavior: conceptualization, typology, and empirical demonstration by Alexander Serenko

Closing Invitation

This story is anonymized and fictionalized to protect confidentiality, but it represents struggles many professional women face. If you recognize yourself here, you are not alone — and with support, you can move from disillusionment to independence.

Joanna Poppink, LMFT, psychotherapist, speaker, and author of Healing Your Hungry Heart: Recovering from Your Eating Disorder, is in private practice and specializes in Eating Disorder Recovery for adult women and with an emphasis on building a fulfilling life beyond recovery. She is licensed in California, Florida, Oregon, and Utah. All appointments are virtual. Website: EatingDisorderRecovery.net

LA-CAMFT Diversity Committee

presents

White Therapists Fighting Racism (WTFR)

Third Sunday of Every Month

Next Meeting:
Sunday, November 16, 2025
3:00pm-5:00pm (PT)

Online Via Zoom

The goal of White Therapists Fighting Racism (WTFR) is for white-identified therapists to become effective allies in support of decolonization and racial justice in our clinical practice, therapy association, and community. Recognizing that racism is maintained when whiteness is invisible to white people, WTFR provides a forum for white-identified therapists to explore what it means to be white. While this process includes learning about structural racism and deconstructing the false narrative about race, a primary focus in the group is on doing inner work.

How Do I Join? To join this group, please click here to complete our online submission form. Once submitted, a group facilitator will reach out to you for next steps.

Open to LA-CAMFT Members and Non-Members.

For more information or if you have additional questions, please send all inquiries to the facilitators WTFR@lacamft.org.

Event Details:

For: Licensed Therapists, Associates, and Students

When: Sunday, November 16, 2025 from 3:00pm-5:00pm (PT)

Where: Online Via Zoom (Once you complete the online submission process, you will be emailed a monthly Zoom link.)

Cost: No charge

Facilitator(s): Estelle, Randi, and Hazel

https://lacamft.org/event-6041757