Viewpoint - October 2024
IN THIS ISSUE
Community Clinic Announcement
TPI Calendar & Upcoming Events
Presidential Address
The Executive Perspective
Clinically Speaking
Committee Updates
Community Clinic Announcement
TPI’s Community Clinic is currently accepting adult individuals and couples as clients.
Please direct referrals to the clinic intake form on our website or to our intake phone line at:
510-548-2250
TPI Calendar
Save the date for these upcoming events
Soulful Sunday: Outing to the Indigenous Red Market
Sunday, October 6 at 1pm
1443 Derby Street, Oakland
Come celebrate Indigenous Culture with the DEI Committee’s first Soulful Sunday. Meet DEI committee member hosts behind the chairs at the festival’s main stage. Wander the festival with folx from TPI and enjoy the celebration of Native American music, arts, food, and culture. The Indigenous Red Market is a program of the Native American Health Center.
Cheers to Change: An Evening of Wine Tasting and Networking
Friday, October 18th at 6:30 – 8:30pm
at the Institute
Join the TPI Board of Directors for a celebration of our TPI Community. Meet new training program members; gather with your Institute friends and colleagues. Taste some world-class table wines and enjoy the first event in the newly remodeled TPI Staff Lounge. This is a perfect opportunity to introduce your family, friends, and colleagues to the Institute!
Institute Strategy Session: Thinking about our Public Programs
Wednesday, October 23rd 7:00 – 8:15pm
Virtual Zoom Meeting
For many years, TPI’s Symposia and CE Classes have served our members and the greater community by providing opportunities for life-long learning and continuing education. Institute programs traditionally held in person, were switched to virtual experiences during the pandemic. Today, our programs are hybrid and many attendees attend virtually. How does this new model affect learning and community? What sort of classes and learning experiences are our colleagues seeking? How can we invigorate our public programs and respond to the changing landscape? Join us as we address these questions in this open discussion and brainstorming session.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87625279603?pwd=MhAEpSUlm61iUtZqCYmMblbH7d5S9v.1
Meeting ID: 876 2527 9603
Passcode: 221811
Save the Date
Election 2024: Charting Through a Fateful Moment for our Nation
Saturday, November 9th 9:30 – 11:30am
at the Institute
Join your fellow TPI members for reflections on the impact of the upcoming presidential election and get support from your TPI community to chart through the election results. Watch your email for an invite with more information. Please note this is a TPI members-only program.
Upcoming CE Courses
When Words Fail and Bodies Speak: Psychoanalytic Treatment of Eating Disorders
Fridays October 4, 11, 18 & 25 1:00 - 3:00 pm PDT
Tom Wooldridge, PsyD, ABPP, FIPA, CEDS-S
Another Way of Knowing: Art Interventions for Client Empowerment and Therapist Insight
Saturday November 23rd from 9:00 - 12:00 pm PST
Kay Guyer, LPCC, ATR
Working with Donor-Conceived Clients and Other DNA Surprises
Saturday December 7th from 9:00 - 12:00 pm PST
Jennifer Williams, LMFT
Presidential Address
From Kyra Peyton, TPI President
Welcoming New Board Members at a Retreat in the Country
Last Spring, I made a call for new Institute leadership. I was enthused by the response. Our Board and Leadership Development Chair, Coecilla Zazove and the nomination committee reached out to our membership. As we launched our 2024/25 program year, your TPI Board and Committees are invigorated with new members and new leadership. There is a new spirit and a new excitement at the Institute. It is a testament to the resiliency of the Institute and the dedication of our membership. You can feel it in our new training cohorts, on our committees, and in the boardroom.
This spirit was apparent at our recent, inspiring Board Retreat held at the Reichek Ranch in the countryside outside Petaluma. Again, Coecillia stepped forward to design a day of intentional building community. As she remarked, board members participated and took up the "challenge by choice", pushing themselves to embrace that “uncomfortable space where growth happens.” Throughout the day, the vulnerable spaces that board members inhabited enabled reflection, dynamic conversation, and trust building. By the retreat’s conclusion, it was clear to all that your TPI board had come together and was poised to tackle the challenges and celebrate the accomplishments of the year ahead.
As part of the day, the board worked together to write a beautiful, collaborative community poem we wrote together. I offer it here, on behalf of your TPI Board, as a way to share just a bit of who we are:
"We are from the TPI Board of Directors”
We are from an arranged marriage between a city boy and a country girl.
We are from where we all get together around the table for sharing tea and delicious food and share love and pain.
We are from Aztec, Mayan, bicultural, bilingual.
We are from being happy seeing my son hop on the yellow school bus knowing he is going to be embarking on an adventure.
We are from fine foods that speak to distant lands.
We are from an artistic soul, a builder, a gardner and a sculptor looking for expression of self.
We are from the Oakland Y and a gym rat in my retirement. Who would have thought!
We are from the Hindi Malanta, which means "never fade."
We are from, "that will never be me" to the joy of "how did we make it here."
We are from a world of writers and dreamers, authors and poets, welcome to the table.
We are from the realization that no one is like me, but so what."
Looking forward to greeting you at our Institute events in the coming month and throughout the year…
Best wishes,
Kyra
The TPI 2024/25 Board of Directors at the Board retreat, September 2024
The Executive Perspective
From James Brandt, Executive Director
Staffing Update
Lena Amirriazi
As many of you know, when Sierra Wilson took time off for maternity leave, Lena Amirriazi, stepped in as TPI’s Administrative Coordinator. When Sierra returned to the office with reduced hours, she continued on a part time basis, assisting Sierra and moving critical administrative tasks forward. Lena has proved to be an invaluable member of the TPI professional team. Lena has informed us that she will be leaving TPI to accept a full-time position. We thank Lena for her service to the Institute and wish her the very best in the future.
Sierra Wilson
I am pleased to inform our membership that Sierra Wilson has been promoted to the position of Administrative Director. This advancement recognizes the additional responsibilities that Sierra has taken on in last year's staffing transition. I know that you will join me in taking this opportunity to thank Sierra for her amazing contributions to TPI and her five years of service to the Institute. Congratulations, Sierra!!
Thank You, Beth Pasqualina
For over a decade, Beth Pasqualina has led TPI’s Education Committee. Her passion for life-long learning, creativity, inspirational leadership, and outreach abilities have all served TPI well. Beth’s tenure as Chair and Education Committee member concluded this September. As Beth turns her attention to other professional interests, we wish her the very best. We are grateful for her leadership and will continue to turn to her for advice and guidance. Thank you, Beth!!
Supporting Each Other Though the Presidential Election
Many of us at TPI are concerned about the possible outcome of the upcoming presidential election, the on-going divisions in our country, and possible repercussions for immigrants, women’s health, and the overall wellbeing of our nation. The election and its aftermath will certainly affect us all, our families and communities. In addition, the affect on our clients and community mental health may be considerable. To support our membership through this fateful moment, TPI will be holding space for us to reflect on how we can support our clients and each other. This members-only, in-person gathering will be held on Saturday morning, November 9th. Watch your email for an upcoming invitation. If you have thoughts to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Clinically Speaking
From Sandra Gaspar, Associate Director
Congratulations to our PTP Graduates
I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the 2024 graduates of our Psychotherapy Training Program, Naomi Schiesel, Julie Stroud, and Cara Toomey. We celebrated our graduates at a lovely ceremony last month at Westbrae Community Church. The graduates each spoke, the classes exchanged gifts, and TPI Supervisor, Whitney van Nouhuys shared words of congratulations on behalf of the Institute. While Cara and Julie will continue as third year Staff Therapists, we wish all our graduates best of luck in the future.
The TPI 2023/24 PTP Graduation, September 2024
New Class of Staff Therapists
Our 2024 first-year Staff Therapist cohort have completed orientation, have been assigned supervisors, and are now taking their first clients at TPI. I want to thank Shira Luft, the Supervisors Committee, our PTP faculty, and all of our TPI volunteers who have help to orient and support our new cohort.
Please join us for our “Cheers To Change” wine tasting evening on October 18th for an opportunity to meet our new first-year Staff Therapist cohort and welcome them to the Institute.
Office Building For Sale
Charming Craftsman office building for sale on Park Boulevard, near the Montclair/Glenview/Oakmore areas of Oakland. The building includes five offices, a waiting room and two ½ bathrooms, plus therapist parking in the rear for 4 vehicles.
Mary Boyvey and I have been working in this building for 40 plus years and it’s time to pass it on to others who could enjoy it as much as we have.
Interior photos of space available upon request.
Please call Claire Allphin (510-530-0315) for further details.
From the Membership Committee
Renew Your Membership Today
As we are well into the 2024-2025 fiscal year, we want to encourage you to renew your membership today! Members like you have shaped TPI into the respected organization it is today. We would like to continue this journey with you!
At TPI, we are committed to fostering excellence in psychotherapy practice, education, and training. Your membership not only sustains our mission but also provides you with benefits to enhance your professional growth and personal development.
Here are just a few of the benefits of your membership:
Reduced fees for Continuing Education: Gain access to a diverse array of workshops and symposia led by esteemed experts in the field of psychotherapy to enrich your clinical skills and efficacy.
Networking and Collaboration: Forge meaningful connections with fellow mental health professionals within our vibrant community. Exchange insights, resources, and support to cultivate a robust professional network that fosters connection.
Access to Resources: Enjoy exclusive access to TPI’s online Membership Directory; Viewpoint, TPI’s monthly newsletter; invitations to TPI member events and peer consultation groups: and discounted registration for TPI’s classes and symposia.
Take a moment to renew your membership on our new TPI website or contact Sierra Wilson, Administrative Director at admin@tpi-berkeley.org.
From the Development Committee
Launching TPI’s 2024/25 Annual Fund Campaign
This October, the Development Committee is launching the 2024/25 Annual Campaign. Please look for Annual Fund appeal letters in your mailboxes later this month and return your pledge form as soon as possible. As the Institute relies on the support of our donors to serve our community, we thank you in advance for your generous support.
Raffle Prize Winners
The Spring raffle was lots of fun and brought in over $2000 for the TPI. Thank you to all who solicited and donated raffle prizes. Congratulations to our prize winners!!
Raffle Package A: Self-Care
Beverly Burch
Raffle Package B: Fitness
Victoria Melucci
Raffle Package C: Date Night
Judy Margulis
Raffle Package D: Wine & Dine
Esther Lang
Raffle Package E: Music & Meals
Robin Levick
Raffle Package F: Mexican/Jewish Fusion Dinner for 4
Sheila Longerbeam
Raffle Package G: Progressive Dinner for 4
Eileen Brown
Raffle Package H: Redwood Retreat
Gordy Steil
Raffle Package I: Beach Retreat
Jim Greenberg
Thank You to our 2023 Annual Fund Donors
Directors Circle
Claire Allphin ● Sharon Bjornson ● Barbara Cohen ● Amy Glick ● Andrea Lappen ● David Leong ● Marla Lev ● Shira Luft ● Jen Merovick ● Joan Sarnat ● Whitney van Nouhuys ● Leslie Bell ● Peggy Blumberg and Neil Kostick ● Bill Reiss ● Judy Margulis
Sustainer
Mark Bronnenberg ● Beverly Burch ● Debra Gajer ● Judy Greene ● Matthew Kocher and Christie Barringer ● Emily Loeb ● Deb Lyman ● Lisa Tracy Sheila Longerbeam
Builder
Duncan Bennett ● Eric Bottino ● Halle Brown ● K. Sue Duncan ● Mary Ann Kassier ● Cari Kaufman ● Joan Monheit ● Jamie Moran ● Barbara Petterson Rainbow Schwartz ● Ting-Ting Shiue ● Katie VanSpeybroek
Contribute to Viewpoint
We encourage contributions to Viewpoint from the TPI Community.
To submit or plan submissions, contact Executive Director, Jim Brandt jbrandt@tpi-berkeley.org