Jenni J.V. Wilson, LMFT
President, LA-CAMFT

For Now, Not Forever

This year is almost over. Soon the streets and our bank accounts will empty out a bit, and our case loads will slow down, or in some cases pick up, as we all join in the dance of reflecting upon where we’ve been and where we hope to go in the coming year.

This inventory-taking started for me in October when, in submitting our Chapter for CAMFT leadership awards, I compiled lists and wrote about the numerous programs, events, initiatives, and groups the LA-CAMFT Board of Directors and Diversity Committee developed and executed this year. It’s astounding how much we’ve undertaken and accomplished–pages and pages too long to list here—and all while other chapters folded, while the world still seems in unprecedented flux. All while it seems much is left undone.

Throughout this year I’ve tried to highlight in these messages those LA-CAMFT Leaders who donate their volunteer time and energy to the endeavors of our chapter. I hope you’ve tracked their names and deeds, as we owe them our gratitude and praise. There will always be more cranes to fold.

Because of Past-President Matt Evan’s and Diversity Committee Co-Chair, Marvin Whistler’s passion and focused efforts, LA-CAMFT awarded its first two Therapist of Color Grant Awards this fall. Moving forward, LA-CAMFT intends to offer this opportunity three times a year to students, trainees, or associates who identify as therapists-of-color. This was a project Matt fiercely championed, and even when the time he had for LA-CAMFT grew limited, he made it happen. We are forever grateful. More information at: LA-CAMFT TOC Grant Award

I also want to acknowledge the hard work the Therapists of Color Mentorship Committee did this year creating the structure and foundation for a mentorship program which will be “ . . . the first of its kind amongst CAMFT chapters. LA-CAMFT is committed to ensuring quality mentorship for therapists of color by therapists of color.” If you or someone you know identifies as a therapist-of-color and might be interested in mentoring or being mentored, you can read more about The Therapists of Color Mentorship Program in the November issue of Voices and in this issue, too. Or reach out to: tocmentorshipprogram@lacamft.org. Applications are being taken now.

I need projects to mark time and create the illusion that some things can be finished. I deeply love client work, but in my experience, in spite of treatment plans and goals reached, people are never finished. Finished for a while, maybe, but never completely done. Projects are important because they’re snapshots in time that fade into the history of one’s life when completed and become markers of “oh, that was the year I/we did that
thing . . .” A mantra of mine has always been: Just for now, not forever. 

I try not to cling, yet come January 1st I expect to wake up facing a lull in my energy and lack-of-purpose that I suffer awhile after any show closes, podcast posts, or holiday season ends. Not found in the DSM, I personally call this: “post-show depression.” I anticipate becoming nostalgic and melancholy for this stressful year, the one that could cause me gut-churning torment, keeping me up at night, and leaving clumps of hair in my shower drain. I’ll miss the adrenaline rush and pride this glorious project gave me, that challenged and confirmed my belief in my abilities to serve and to survive. I’ll mourn all I hoped and failed to do.

I didn’t seek to be LA-CAMFT President, but was offered an opportunity to be a part of the change I wanted to see in a community I cherish—and I took it. (If you don’t act, you can’t bitch.) I’ve had difficulty finishing this last President’s Message, likely due to my resistance towards accepting my time steering this big, beautiful ship of an organization is over. It seems completely bonkers that I wouldn’t be ready for my time as President to run out, because I’ve fantasized a LOT of what I’ll do when it does. Therefore, my next big project now becomes being the best Past-President I can be for the incoming Board of Directors, and for Leanne.

To 2022 LA-CAMFT President Leanne Nettles — I hope I’ve helped more than harmed, leaving the place a little better for you and all who follow. As President-Elect you made me a better leader and I already see how you’ll be an awe-inspiring President. With the determined and steady President-Elect Tina Cacho Sakai by your side, LA-CAMFT will be in the hands of a truly gifted 21st-century power-duo.

Darlene Basch once asked what my mission would be as LA-CAMFT President. And because I despise social echelons, I answered clearly, “Inclusion—everyone’s welcome.” I hope you all know that you are. So it is with an extra twinge of sadness that I report that the Holiday Party is cancelled this year—and due to extensive Zoom-Burnout, we won’t be hosting one online, either.

Our plan is to hold an in-person social event early in 2022. (However, if anyone is interested in an online poker tournament, email me and let’s put one together!) Please know that I miss seeing everyone’s faces, and hearing your unmuted tales.

In these monthly musings, I hoped to inspire your laughter, open your eyes, perk up your internal ears, and say something that made your day better. I wanted to touch your soul and leave you with brilliant words of wisdom.
Yes—I’m that egotistical, at times. I still want to type something this moment that’ll stay with you, that you’ll forget where you heard it, but remember that it really offered a feeling of being understood. But I’m not that powerful, am I?

Instead, I’ll thank you for the privilege of being LA-CAMFT president this year. I hope I used my privilege well.

However you spend them, I wish you the healthiest and happiest of year’s-ends. And remember, this goodbye is just for now—not forever. Paz y Amor. Siempre. 

JJVW — Jenni June Villegas Wilson

Jenni J.V. Wilson, LMFT is a collaborative conversationalist, trained in narrative therapy and EMDR. She works with creative and anxious clients on improving, avoiding, and eliminating co-dependent and toxic relationships, while finding healthy ways to be unapologetically themselves. She is the primary therapist at Conclusions Treatment Center IOP in Mission Hills, and has a private practice in Sherman Oaks.