Beyond the Therapy Room: Protest Safety and Preparedness for Mental Health Professionals
Friday, October 23, 2026
1:00pm-3:00pm
Pacific Oaks College
Join LA-CAMFT for "Beyond the Therapy Room: Protest Safety and Preparedness for Mental Health Professionals", a members-only training developed specifically for our community on Friday, October 23rd from 1:00pm-3:00pm, at Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena.
As mental health professionals, we understand that the wellbeing of the people and communities we serve is shaped by larger social systems. Advocacy can take many forms, from helping an individual client navigate an inequitable system to legislative efforts, community involvement, public education, organizing, and protest.
For those who choose to participate in demonstrations, however, knowing why you want to show up is different from knowing how to prepare. What should you bring?
What should you expect? How can you recognize when crowd dynamics are changing? What should you know about interactions with law enforcement? And how can you make thoughtful decisions when a situation begins to escalate?
Few mental health professionals receive practical training in how to prepare for and safely navigate protest environments.
Developed specifically for LA-CAMFT, Beyond the Therapy Room: Protest Safety and Preparedness for Mental Health Professionals is designed to help change that.
Led by an experienced trainer and longtime member of CAT-911 Collective (LA, Riverside), this program will provide practical strategies for approaching demonstrations with greater awareness and preparedness.
Participants will explore:
- Preparing before a protest, including what to bring and what to consider before arriving
- Situational awareness and understanding your surroundings
- Crowd dynamics and recognizing signs of escalating risk
- Practical approaches to de-escalation
- Considerations when interacting with law enforcement
- Personal safety and responding when circumstances change
- Making informed decisions about when to stay, move, disengage, or leave
Whether you have participated in protests for years, are considering attending one for the first time, or simply want a better understanding of protest environments, you are welcome.
Our goal is to help you leave feeling more informed, prepared, and empowered to make your own choices about civic engagement. If protest is one of the ways you feel called to advocate, uncertainty about how to participate more safely does not have to make that choice for you.
Disclaimer: This training focuses on practical safety and preparedness and does not promote participation in any particular protest, political party, candidate, organization, or cause. The presenter will share information about CAT-911 Collective as part of the program. The presenter’s views and organizational affiliations do not necessarily represent the views of or constitute endorsement by LA-CAMFT or Pacific Oaks College.
Space is limited to 90 attendees, so secure your spot now!
We are excited to bring this unique training to our community and hope to see you there!
Jessica Idoine, LMFT, CST LA-CAMFT
LA-CAMFT President-Elect
presidentelect@lacamft.org
Event Details:
For: This event is in collaboration with Pacific Oaks College and is exclusively for current LA-CAMFT members and students at Pacific Oaks College.
When: Friday, October 23, 2026 from 1:00pm-3:00pm (12:45pm check-in)
Where: Pacific Oaks College (45 W Eureka St. Pasadena, CA 91103 ; 45 Eureka Building, Classrooms 7-10)
Parking: Free unlimited on-campus and free street parking with time limits.
Cost:
FREE for LA-CAMFT Members & Prelicensed Members
FREE for Prelicensed Non-Members (students, code needed)
*Registration closes Wednesday, October 21 at 10pm.*
