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New Board Members for 2010

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FEATURE ARTICLE
New Board Members For 2010

Deborah McHann
President Elect

Joining the board of SB CAMFT! This is exciting stuff! Exciting because this is a real working board with well established goals and accomplishments. It will truly be my honor and pleasure to step into the President's seat and work alongside the new board members while leaning on the experience of those thankfully staying on with us this year.
I so look forward to meeting many of you, the SB CAMFT community, at our monthly luncheons. Please do come say hello and let me in on your thoughts on our organization. A bit on me: I am at UCSB treating students suffering from eating disorders. I also counsel students on stress management and am fortunate to have as part of my job description to lead meditation groups for students.
Of course, specializing in eating disorders has led me to a narrow if deep integration with the therapy community. I am pleased to have been part of the formation of a local chapter of professionals serving this specialty (IAEDP). Transitioning to the wider therapy community via SB CAMFT is of course as I said, exciting! Again, I look forward to meeting many of you.

Paul R. Kroekel, M.A., LMFT
Treasurer
I am very happy to be serving as your chapter Treasurer for the upcoming year. As a member of the Santa Barbara Chapter of CAMFT I have appreciated the learning and networking opportunities the chapter has provided.
I know that these opportunities have only been possible because of the work of the Board of Directors and I would like to make my contribution to maintaining these opportunities. In taking on this position I want to acknowledge the hard work and by the past Treasurer, Jennifer Larsen. Jennifer has established systems and procedures that will make for a very smooth transition.
As I look into the New Year I hope to deliver the same high quality service that Jennifer has delivered to both the individual chapter members and the Board of Directors. If you, the chapter members, see any areas where I can improve the service provided by the Treasurer please contact me with your ideas.

Tonya Meeks
Newsletter Co-Editor
I am MFTI in private practice in Westlake Village, Encino, and Santa Monica. The focus of my work has been with drug and alcohol addiction, trauma, and grief. I love working with at risk teens struggling with drug and alcohol addiction and their families.
I have a special ability of combining my MA in Counseling in depth psychotherapy from Pacifica Graduate Institute and my BA in Performance to facilitate groups for individuals, families, and couples providing therapy and creativity to enhance healing.
I created a one-woman show, Open Eyes, about my relationship with my mother. I have a passion for writing, performing, facilitating groups, and combining psychotherapy with creative expression, expressive arts, storytelling, and drama.
I would like to thank Jennifer Wohl, last year's editor, who set a high standard for me. I look forward to taking on the role of Santa Barbara CAMFT Newsletter editor.
I look forward to contributing to the Santa Barbara CAMFT and please feel free to contact me if you have any suggestions

Patricia Bisch, MA, MFT
Newsletter Co-Editor
I have been in private practice for over 30 year, specializing in EMDR.I'm the author of Freedom From Food: A quantum weight loss approach which is based on my past in which I lived the painful life of an overeater.
Freedom From Food presents a revolutionary program designed to help people discover the secret to regaining their power over food without deprivation. Built on the solid foundation of quantum physics, which substantiates how the mind and emotions affect the body, it provides practical applications of principles that guide you to making your consciousness strong enough to transform your body.
Outside of my traditional practice, which has included 15 years working with special needs college students, teaching classes at Brooks Institute, etc., I lecture, conduct media appearances, and lead classes and tele-seminars on weight loss.

Alicia J. James, MFT
Attorney/Mediator
I am an attorney with 30 years experience in various areas including government criminal and civil law, general practice, and family law. In 1997 I sought and received training as a mediator in family law and in general civil law.
In 2003 I enrolled in the Counseling Psychology Program at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Carpinteria, California. While pursuing my Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology I trained at Community Counseling and Education Center in Santa Barbara from 2004 until my recent licensing as a Marriage and Family Therapist. I have a private psychotherapy practice in Santa Barbara that serves individuals, couples, children, families, and groups.

Kandace Mortensen, M.A., IMF
CEU Chair
I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join the CAMFT Board of Directors for the upcoming term. As the CEU Chair, I will be responsible for facilitating administration of CAMFT events and seminars in an efficient and effective manner. I will be responsible for providing CEU's and recording evaluation information of each event. If you have any concerns regarding events or any thoughts on how I can better serve the MFT community, please do not hesitate to contact me via email or by phone.
I am a graduate of Antioch University currently I am a MFT Intern providing services for Family Service Agency and working in private practice. In private practice, I encourage girls and women to love the skin they are in. I provide treatment specialization of anxiety issues, low self-esteem, body image issues, eating disorders, stress, and much more. Please visit my website at www.therapeuticbenefits. com for more information or to contact me.
Lastly, I would like to send my gratitude to Sue Ford, outgoing CEU chair, for her hard work and commitment to this position and am grateful for her help in the successful transition.

Lisa Jackson
Pre-Licensed Rep Co-Chair
2009 was a great year for me, as my husband and I relocated to beautiful Santa Barbara. Not only is it an idyllic location; the community of residents here is unique as well. As an MFTI with Full Spectrum Recovery and Counseling Services, I have enjoyed immense opportunity for professional growth and networking. Serving as the Pre-Licensed Rep. co- chair with Isabel will provide me with the chance to meet even more professionals in our expansive therapist community. I look forward to working with Isabel to expand our reach and refine the process of enrolling interns, hopefully making it more seamless for all involved. The Board has been so welcoming, and I am excited about representing and promoting such a professional and compassionate organization throughout the community. Please feel free to touch base anytime by emailing me at lisa.fsr@gmail.com, or calling 805.705.3777. Lisa Jackson, Pre-Licensed Rep Co-Chair with Isabel Oliveira

Anne Parkford, LMFT
I'm Anne Parkford, LMFT, and I am happy to be a new board member-atlarge with the SB CAMFT group. This past year I have recently moved back to Santa Barbara, where I was originally born and raised. Most of my family is still local, so this move was a very sentimental and meaningful one for me. Once my last of 3 children was launched, I felt it was time to return to my roots, and it has been an incredibly rich experience. I have been building my practice here for the past year, while slowly paring down my private practice down in Long Beach, CA. I am truly betwixt and between, and trying to shift my full focus and practice to one location.
It's been so nice moving back to my roots, but a challenge nonetheless, especially with the back and forth commute to the L.A. area every week. Coming home is always a bit strange, and the city has changed quite a bit since my days as a child and UCSB college grad back in the 70's. I have been so pleasantly warmed by the heartfelt welcome I received at my first SB CAMFT luncheon over a year ago, and began to make close friends from my first meeting here. I've been a CAMFT member in another area for over 15 years, and have found the SB CAMFT is unusually unique, vibrant and friendly.and has made coming home to Santa Barbara that much sweeter.
I currently have a private practice office near downtown Santa Barbara, where I see adults and older adolescents, and focus on depressive disorders and anxiety. I love working with couples, especially in the area of communication training and helping them build their empathy levels with each other. I integrate EMDR and Mindfulness practice into my work with clients, and have found this second focus especially rewarding. I am also currently an ABD with The Chicago School, and hope to complete my dissertation in the near future.

Dre Reginster, IMF

My name is Andrea Reginster, but more commonly known by Dre. I am a Marriage and Family Intern who works with Community Action Commission, a non-profit organization that serves the Santa Barbara County clients. I work with children from 5 to 21 with a wide variety of diagnoses and life issues.
At my internship, I focus mainly on community rehabilitation skills and currently have a focus with foster kids. I graduated Antioch University in 2009 with my Master's in Clinical Psychology. I have been a resident in Santa Barbara for 7 years and looking to network and continue to build my experience prior to licensure. I am a motivated, passionate, young soul, dedicated to my field and am thrilled to be a part of SB CAMFT's board.