July’s Featured Member: Audra Potz, LMFT

In my renewed position as CFO, I can write all day about being involved in our chapter. I feel knowing about other members’ journeys is a way for us to see how linked together we are in our compassion in this profession.

From time to time I will occasionally be reaching out to our members to ask about their experiences in attending and becoming involved in our chapter. This month, I asked an LA-CAMFT member, Audra Potz, who attended our May Networking Event, to allow me to let all of you know of her journey. Enjoy reading about one of our newest LA-CAMFT members, Audra Potz.

Audra Potz, LMFT, completed her M.A. in Clinical Psychology, depth specialization, at Antioch University in Los Angeles. She trained at The Maple Counseling Center in Beverly Hills and Counseling West in Sherman Oaks. Audra also supervised groups at Our House Grief Support Center and Teen Line, a joint venture of Cedars Sinai Medical Center and Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services.

Audra is psychodynamically trained. Her specialties include grief, illness (cancer/infertility), blended families, and couples. She maintains a practice in Sherman Oaks and has a position at UCLA.

“I learned about CAMFT back while attending Antioch University and training at The Maple Counseling Center and Counseling West. I wanted to join the organization for continued training opportunities, practice education and most importantly for the support from colleagues. Private practice can be isolating, so it was key to me to build a strong network of peers.”

Audra hails from Connecticut with a background in journalism and film/television. She earned her B.A. in Mass Communications from the University of Florida, with a certificate in writing from the University of Limerick in Ireland, and previously worked for Viacom in New York City and Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles.

For twelve years Audra has held a position with the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, counseling and educating patients and their families in various specialties of care, including oncology, infertility and autoimmune diseases. She participates in programs for the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC), Simms-Mann UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology and was a research assistant with Dr. Lobsang Rapgay for two mindfulness studies through UCLA's Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at their Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, in association with the Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital.

Combining her background and interests, Audra continues her empathic work with individuals, couples, families and groups in her private practice in Sherman Oaks. From adolescents to seniors, Audra works with clients struggling through bereavement, chronic illness or the caregiving of a loved one; patients searching for an advocate through their medical journey; singles navigating dating and healthy coupling; and blended/step families seeking support.

Most important to Audra is her ability to provide a safe, holding environment for clients to process their experiences, explore connections to their early attachment, gain insight into their behavioral patterns and develop their inner strength. She sits with her clients in the grief. She strives to model authenticity and acceptance for her clients, in hope they may enjoy a more mindful, meaningful way of life. Audra also utilizes CBT crisis support, Existential theory and Humanistic approach, meditative techniques, sand tray therapy, dream analysis and Family Systems structure. Her passion includes collaboration in wellness retreats in Southern California, in the near future.

Audra is a member of CAMFT, has a pending application as a Lecturer/Adjunct Professor in continuing education and plans to return to school to pursue her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Contact Audra Potz by email at audrapotzlmft@gmail.com.

Valerie "Billie" Klayman, M.A., LMFT, an integrative Meaning Centered Therapist, became a supervisor at Antioch University Counseling Center in 2014. Billie initiated a partnership between AUCC and the Culver City Senior Center offering pro-bono therapy and group therapy to members of CCSC. December 2016, Culver City hired Billie to help residents of the community at the Culver City Senior Center. She’s presented on Substance Abuse and Addiction. Billie can be reached at  cfo@lacamft.org.