General Mentorship Program

Attention: Looking for Interested Volunteers - LA-CAMFT General Mentorship Program (GMP) Committee

Jenni J.V. Wilson, LMFT, LA-CAMFT President 2021 & 2026

Under guidance from the respected leaders of the celebrated Therapists of Color Mentorship Program (TOCMP) and founding members of the White Therapists Fighting Racism (WTFR) group, LA-CAMFT is looking for interested and enthusiastic volunteers to help plan, build, manage, and champion a General Mentorship Program that would be open to all eligible LA-CAMFT members by the end of 2027. 

Like the TOCMP, the GMP would be… 

“…intended to help bridge the gap by identifying and creating opportunities for growth and advancement in the field, guide clinicians across various stages of professional development, increase accessibility and sustainability in the field, and assist therapists… to confidently provide services from their culturally authentic self.”  https://lacamft.org/Therapist-of-Color-Mentorship-Program

LA-CAMFT recognizes the need for professional mentorship that considers the unique needs of the individual, understanding and honoring the importance of LA-CAMFT’s commitment to Diversity, Community, and Inclusion.  The formation of a GMP Committee and creation of a larger mentorship program are not efforts intended to come at the expense of the TOCMP, but rather to fortify and expand opportunities within the chapter to more fully “address inequities experienced by professional mental health therapists of color and intersects with other historically marginalized groups.“ https://lacamft.org/TOC-Mentorship-Committee

The hope is for any larger program to uphold LA-CAMFT’s commitment “to ensuring quality mentorship for therapists of color by therapists of color”, while cultivating and connecting potential mentors and mentees from the broader LA-CAMFT membership, including those from non-TOC-identified marginalized groups.

Leadership always welcomes volunteer leadership inquiries from committed members who embrace and align with the purpose of LA-CAMFT’s Declaration of Inclusion, Diversity, and Anti-Racism:

“We in LA-CAMFT leadership hereby affirm our solidarity with those individuals and groups most at risk and further declare that embracing diversity and fostering inclusivity are central to the mission of our organization…

…We hope to inspire empathy, advocate for social and environmental justice, and provide an ethical framework for our clients, our community, and ourselves…

“…We are committed to doing our part to help remedy that which we have the position, privilege, and/or resources to do so.

“… all members are welcome regardless of race/ethnicity, gender identities, gender expressions, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, disabilities, religion, regional background, Veteran status, citizenship, status, nationality and other diverse identities that we each bring to our professions…

“…In a diverse community, the goal of inclusiveness encourages and appreciates expressions of different ideas, opinions, and beliefs, so that potentially divisive conversations and interactions become opportunities for intellectual and personal growth. LA-CAMFT leadership wants to embrace this opportunity to create and maintain inclusive and safe spaces for all of our members, free of bias, discrimination, and harassment, where people will be treated with respect and dignity and where all individuals are provided equitable opportunity to participate, contribute, and succeed.” https://lacamft.org/LA-CAMFT-Declaration-of-Inclusion-Diversity-and-Anti-Racism/

In March’s President’s Message, I spoke of mentorship as an Act of Joyful Resistance, and I still believe that to be the case.  This is another opportunity for members to heed the call to action and stand up to any divisive forces by demonstrating how developing connections between us reduces the chances of destruction between us.  With that in mind, I encourage you to consider how your participation as a member of the GMP formation committee, or as a mentor next year, might strengthen the community and our profession for years to come.

If your interest is piqued you can reach out to Randi Gottlieb at rgottliebmft@gmail.com or Keonna Robinson at TOCmentorshipProgram@lacamft.org for more information.

Paz y Amor.

JJVW - Jenni June Villegas Wilson

Jenni J.V. Wilson, LMFT (she/her): As a collaborative conversationalist passionate about empowering and advocating for marginalized groups and underrepresented voices, Jenni uses an integrative approach based on post-modern principles to provide culturally-mindful and trauma-informed therapeutic services and clinical supervision. She works with creative, anxious, mixed race/culture, and co-dependent clients on improving and eliminating toxic relationships, while increasing authentic expression. She has a BA in theatre from Occidental College, an MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University LA, and is trained in EMDR, Brainspotting, and certified in Narrative Therapy. She is an accomplished writer, has produced/co-hosted multiple podcasts, worked in addiction treatment for nearly a decade, and sees the “worried well” in her private practice in Sherman Oaks. Website: www.JenniJVWilson.com