Dear East Bay CAMFT Members,
As we move through Spring 2026, I wanted to take a moment to reconnect with our chapter community and reflect on the year so far.
At the beginning of this year, Peter Carpentieri stepped into the role of President after serving as President-Elect. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, Peter had to step down from office last month. As the previous President since 2023, I resumed the presidency at the end of April 2026 to help support continuity and stability for our chapter during this transition.
I also want to acknowledge and thank Peter for his leadership, care, and contributions to East Bay CAMFT during his time serving our chapter.
This January, several of our board members attended the CAMFT Chapter Leadership Conference in San Diego, where chapters from across California came together to collaborate, learn, and strengthen leadership within our professional community. We also held our January Board Retreat in Oakland, where we spent time planning and visioning for the future of East Bay CAMFT and mapping out our goals for 2026.
Current 2026 Board of Directors
Our current board continues to work hard behind the scenes to create meaningful programming, networking opportunities, advocacy efforts, and community spaces for therapists across Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. View our current board members
We also want to take a moment to thank Laura Friedeberg, LMFT for her service to our board over the past year. We appreciate all of the time, care, and energy she contributed to East Bay CAMFT and she will truly be missed.
We are excited to welcome our new DEI Director, Ashanti Taylor. If you are interested in becoming involved with our DEI initiatives and advocacy efforts, please contact Ashanti at ashanti@ebcamft.org.
For membership information, questions about joining, or membership benefits, please contact our Co-Membership Directors at Nazmeih@ebcamft.org or Selena@ebcamft.org.
If you are interested in our developing mentorship program, please contact Tanya at tanya@ebcamft.org.
We are also currently seeking members interested in stepping into leadership roles. Our current openings include:
- President-Elect
- Programs Co-Director
- Events Director
- Continuing Education Director
- Hospitality Director
If you have ever considered becoming more involved, this is a wonderful time to join us. Board service is an opportunity to build community, grow professionally, develop leadership skills, and shape the future of our chapter.
A New Vision for DEI
As we recognize both Mental Health Awareness Month and AAPI Heritage Month, I also want to personally acknowledge the importance of representation and visibility within our profession and communities. As a biracial Black and Filipina therapist and leader, these moments hold deep personal meaning for me. My mother immigrated from the Philippines, and I carry immense pride in my heritage, my family’s journey, and the resilience that so many immigrant families embody. Our communities continue to navigate grief, racism, systemic inequities, and increasing uncertainty, while therapists are simultaneously holding space for others through it all. This work reminds us how critical culturally responsive care, advocacy, and solidarity continue to be.
This year, we welcomed a new DEI Director and began building a renewed vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and solidarity within East Bay CAMFT. We are currently developing both a new DEI Mission Statement and a chapter Solidarity Statement — work that feels long overdue.
With the weight of the world, ongoing political division, and an administration that continues to target vulnerable communities, many therapists are carrying an immense emotional burden alongside our clients. As healers, advocates, and witnesses to pain and resilience every day, this work can feel incredibly heavy and daunting.
Our hope is that East Bay CAMFT can continue to be a space where therapists feel supported, connected, and grounded in community during these difficult times.
What’s Ahead for 2026
We have many exciting things in the works for the remainder of the year, including:
Discount for New Members! We are also excited to offer new members who join our chapter by July 15th a 50% discount on a future CE training. (Excludes 4+ hour and all-day trainings.) Please share this opportunity with colleagues, associates, trainees, and fellow clinicians who may benefit from being part of our community.
Community Outreach & Volunteering
East Bay CAMFT will once again be participating in Juneteenth (June 20th Saturday) in Richmond, and we are looking for volunteers to table with us. This is a wonderful opportunity to promote East Bay CAMFT, connect with the local community, network with fellow therapists, and share information about your practice. Sign up to Volunteer!
If you are interested in volunteering with our chapter at events or community outreach opportunities, please sign up through our events page or contact Tanya at tanya@ebcamft.org.
We Want to Hear From You
As we continue planning for 2026 and beyond, we want member feedback to guide our direction. Please take time to complete our member survey and let us know what types of trainings, networking events, support spaces, advocacy efforts, and programming you would like to see from East Bay CAMFT in the future:
https://forms.gle/5d9MRxFpbRPasPVh8
Thank you all for continuing to show up for your clients, your communities, and one another. The work therapists are doing right now matters deeply.
Wishing you continued connection, support, resilience, and moments of rest as we move through the rest of the year together.
Warmly,
Mary Ann Dawkins-Padigela
President, East Bay CAMFT
