San Diego CAMFT upcoming events

Understanding the Kink Community: A Culturally Sensitive Overview for Mental Health Professionals (Part 1: Foundations - Understanding Kink, BDSM & Community) (05 Oct 2026)

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT

CE Event - Part 1

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This continuing education course is part 1 of 2 in understanding the kink and BDSM community.

The first session provides an introduction to kink and BDSM for mental health professionals. Attendees will develop a shared vocabulary and framework for understanding the diversity of kink practices, relationships, communities, and identities. Topics will include common terminology, relationship and power-exchange dynamics, community norms, consent and negotiation, safety and vetting practices, and some of the many reasons people may participate in kink.

Part 1 is designed as the “101” portion of the workshop, establishing the cultural knowledge and vocabulary that frame the more clinically focused material in Part 2.

Overall Approach

Throughout both sessions, the workshop uses sexual-health and culturally responsive frameworks to support a nonjudgmental, non-pathologizing approach to kink. These frameworks are woven throughout the material, with attention to understanding clients’ experiences in context, asking informed and respectful questions, and considering their boundaries, relationships, goals, and individual circumstances.

The course also emphasizes ongoing therapist self-awareness and recognizing when consultation, supervision, or referral may be appropriate, particularly when clinicians encounter areas of uncertainty or notice that their own reactions or assumptions may affect their ability to provide kink-informed care.

Why Attend Both Parts?

The two sessions are designed as a progression, with Part 1 establishing a foundation that allows clinicians to engage more fully with the material in Part 2.

Part 1 establishes the terminology, cultural context, relationship frameworks, and community practices that provide a foundation for the clinical material explored in Part 2.
Part 2 builds on that foundation by providing additional context and frameworks clinicians can draw on when conceptualizing their own clients’ experiences.

Clinicians who already have significant familiarity with kink and BDSM may find that they can engage directly with many of the topics in Part 2. At the same time, kink is a diverse and evolving community, and even those with substantial personal or professional experience may encounter perspectives, practices, or subcommunities that are unfamiliar to them.

Attending both sessions provides the fullest learning experience and an opportunity to deepen and expand existing knowledge.

Presenter Jennifer Rehor, LMFT, CST, CST-S will be joined by a team of licensed psychotherapists from ATC, including Sandra Koellmann, LCSW, CST (AASECT Certified Sex Therapist); Skyler “Skye” White, LMFT, PATC (Certified Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Provider); and Kelly Goldsteinholm, LMFT. Together, they bring diverse clinical perspectives and offer an engaging, evidence-informed training grounded in real-world practice, supervision, and applied clinical experience.

EDUCATIONAL GOAL

This course is designed to introduce mental health professionals to the foundational concepts needed to better understand and support clients who engage in or identify with kink and BDSM practices and relationships.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Attendees will be able to:

Define and describe key terminology, practices, relationship structures, and concepts within kink and BDSM, including common community norms related to consent, negotiation, safety, and vetting.
Describe the diversity of kink communities, relationships, and motivations for participation, including ways kink may intersect with other identities, communities, and relationship structures.
Explain foundational principles of consent, communication, safety, and risk awareness within kink and BDSM, including factors that may support clients’ informed, self-directed decision-making.

OUTLINE/OTHER DETAILS

Title: Understanding the Kink Community: A Culturally Sensitive Overview for Mental Health Professionals (Part 1: Foundations - Understanding Kink, BDSM & Community)

When: Monday, October 5, 2026

Location: Virtual Zoom Meeting (link will be sent in registration confirmation and reminder emails)

Time Breakdown:

11:00am-1:00pm: CE Presentation

TARGET AUDIENCE

This event is for mental health professionals.

COST

$30 for Chapter Members

$50 for Non-Members

$10 for Pre-Licensed and Students

Guests allowed! If a member or interested in becoming a member, please register independently.

Refund/Cancellation Policy

ACCOMODATIONS & GRIEVANCES

Please email the Education Chair and visit our website for policies.

CERTIFICATES

Course Completion certificates will be awarded electronically in exchange for a completed evaluation form. Please make sure the Program Administrator has your correct email.

Course meets the qualifications for 2 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Partial credit will not be awarded.

Participants must be present for the entire length of the workshop to be awarded credit. Participants will not be given CE credit if they are more than 15 minutes late and/or do not stay for the entire length of the workshop.

This course is provided by the San Diego Chapter of the California association of marriage and family therapists (Provider #57330) is approved by the California association of marriage and family therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs. San Diego chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists maintains responsibility for the program and all its content.

Please email the CE Chair.

PRESENTER(S)

Jennifer Rehor, LMFT, CST, CST-S is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (94564), an AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist, and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist Supervisor. She is the clinical director of Affirming Therapy Center in San Diego. She is a published author in the field and her passion is helping people to live more fulfilling lives across the domains of kink, polyamory, and sexuality.

Sandra Koellmann, LCSW, CST is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (107435) and an AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist. She is a Gender Sexuality Relationship Diversity (GSRD)-affirming therapist who specializes in kink, fetish, BDSM, D/s relationships, age play, pet play, and ABDL lifestyles.

Skyler “Skye” White, LMFT, PATC is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (139620) and a Certified Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Provider. Her primary focus is helping people build secure relationships, specializing in sexuality, gender, CNM, BDSM, lifestyle, and Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy.

Kelly Goldsteinholm, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (155291). She works with the LGBTQ+ and kink community, helping to explore their identity and past trauma, plus those experiencing disordered eating. She specializes in trauma/PTSD, eating disorders and kink awareness.

BIPOC Networking Meeting (09 Oct 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 01:00:00 GMT

BIPOC Networking Meeting

SD-CAMFT is excited to offer this new quarterly BIPOC Networking Meeting.

Join us this month as we celebrate the vibrant BIPOC Hispanic community, held at the iconic Cafe Coyote. This gathering offers a unique opportunity to connect with other professionals, and allies who share a passion for honoring and uplifting the BIPOC Hispanic heritage.

Enjoy a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere where meaningful conversations, relationship-building, and cultural appreciation come together. Whether you’re looking to expand your network, share experiences, or simply celebrate the diverse voices within the BIPOC community with like-minded individuals, this event is the perfect space to foster connections and community.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Event Details

When: Friday, October 9, 2026 (registration closes evening before event)

Time: 6pm-9pm

Location: Cafe Coyote (2461 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110)

Cost: FREE

For: Members and Non-Members (All SD-CAMFT members and prospective members who are interested in supporting and celebrating BIPOC clinicians are welcome to attend.)

Questions: Contact event organizer and Board President, Alex Briceno via email or by phone 858-432-3245.

Psych Hike/Walk Group - October 2026 (11 Oct 2026)

Sun, 11 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Psych Hike/Walk Group

Join us for a group outing and a great way to start your morning! Enjoy beautiful views and a chance to connect with your peers. Bring water, good walking shoes, snacks and smiles.

This group typically meets first Sunday of every month at varying locations.

See below details for this month.

Event Details

When: Sunday, October 11, 2026 (registration closes morning of event)

Time: 10am-12pm (we will wait 15 minutes for any late arrivals)

Location: Cowles Mountain (front side)

Cost: FREE

For: Members and Non-Members (family and friends are welcome to join)

Questions: Contact event organizer for this month and President Alex Briceno or Secretary Sophie Penix via email.

We may take pictures during hike. If you would not like these pictures posted, please contact or let us know during hike.

Here is an image from our last hike:

Understanding the Kink Community: A Culturally Sensitive Overview for Mental Health Professionals (Part 2: Clinical Considerations) (12 Oct 2026)

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT

CE Event - Part 2

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This continuing education course is part 1 of 2 in understanding the kink and BDSM community.

The second session builds on the foundation established in Part 1 and moves into the clinical, psychological, and ethical considerations involved in working with kink-identified clients. Attendees will explore the historical pathologization of kink and the evolution of DSM distinctions between atypical sexual interests and paraphilic disorders, as well as altered states, trauma, healing versus reenactment, and relationship repair.

The session will also examine both the potential risks and benefits of kink, including how clinicians can recognize when BDSM may be retraumatizing or contributing to distress, dissociation, impaired consent, or relational harm. Clinicians will also explore how kink may support connection, empowerment, personal growth, communication, and meaningful relationships. Part 2 is designed as the “201” portion of the workshop, moving beyond foundational knowledge toward clinical application, critical thinking, and more nuanced understanding.

Overall Approach

Why Attend Both Parts?

The two sessions are designed as a progression, with Part 1 establishing a foundation that allows clinicians to engage more fully with the material in Part 2.

Part 1 establishes the terminology, cultural context, relationship frameworks, and community practices that provide a foundation for the clinical material explored in Part 2.
Part 2 builds on that foundation by providing additional context and frameworks clinicians can draw on when conceptualizing their own clients’ experiences.

Attending both sessions provides the fullest learning experience and an opportunity to deepen and expand existing knowledge.

EDUCATIONAL GOAL

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Attendees will be able to:

Describe the historical pathologization of kink and the evolution of clinical perspectives on atypical sexual interests, including the distinction between consensual kink and paraphilic disorders.
Identify clinical factors that may indicate when kink-related experiences are contributing to distress, retraumatization, dissociation, impaired consent, or relational harm, while distinguishing these concerns from consensual kink that is not inherently pathological.
Apply kink-informed, culturally responsive principles to clinical practice, including consideration of trauma, therapist self-awareness, ethics, scope of practice, and the use of consultation, supervision, or referral when appropriate.

OUTLINE/OTHER DETAILS

Title: Understanding the Kink Community: A Culturally Sensitive Overview for Mental Health Professionals (Part 2: Clinical Considerations)

When: Monday, October 12, 2026

Location: Virtual Zoom Meeting (link will be sent in registration confirmation and reminder emails)

Time Breakdown:

11:00am-1:00pm: CE Presentation

TARGET AUDIENCE

This event is for mental health professionals.

COST

$30 for Chapter Members

$50 for Non-Members

$10 for Pre-Licensed and Students

Guests allowed! If a member or interested in becoming a member, please register independently.

Refund/Cancellation Policy

ACCOMODATIONS & GRIEVANCES

Please email the Education Chair and visit our website for policies.

CERTIFICATES

Course Completion certificates will be awarded electronically in exchange for a completed evaluation form. Please make sure the Program Administrator has your correct email.

Please email the CE Chair.

PRESENTER(S)

Therapist Corner - October 2026 (25 Oct 2026)

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Therapist Corner

formerly known as Allied Intersectionality Now

Being a therapist is deeply rewarding, and especially right now deeply demanding. Therapist corner is a moment designed just for us: a place to breathe, connect, and take care of ourselves the way we take care of everyone else.

Here at this monthly gathering we can talk about whatever we need to talk about - the weight of this moment, showing up for our clients while carrying our own emotional load through such a difficult political climate, sharing what’s working…and what isn’t, and reminding ourselves that we are not alone.

This is also a space for genuine community. There is real strength in diversity and here we lean into it together. The spirit of intersectionality we hold that we come to this work from different walks of life – different races, classes, genders, and sexual orientations, and these shape us both professionally and personally.

Therapist Corner will be moderated by members of the Board of Directors of our chapter, CAMFT San Diego, and this is an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and requests.

If you're interested in attending and not a member of our chapter, become a member here!

WHEN

Sunday, October 25, 2026

7pm-8:30pm

Virtual Zoom Meeting

*meets last Sunday of every month, must sign up for each interested separately*

(link will be sent in registration confirmation and reminder emails)

COST

FREE to all San Diego CAMFT chapter members

OTHER INFO

This event is for mental health professionals, to foster membership engagement.

This event is provided by the San Diego Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. SD-CAMFT maintains responsibility for the program and all its content.

Please email the Education Chair at education@camft-sandiego.org for questions, accommodations, or grievances.

Therapist Corner - November 2026 (29 Nov 2026)

Mon, 30 Nov 2026 03:00:00 GMT

Therapist Corner

formerly known as Allied Intersectionality Now

Therapist Corner will be moderated by members of the Board of Directors of our chapter, CAMFT San Diego, and this is an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and requests.

If you're interested in attending and not a member of our chapter, become a member here!

WHEN

Sunday, November 29, 2026

7pm-8:30pm

Virtual Zoom Meeting

*meets last Sunday of every month, must sign up for each interested separately*

(link will be sent in registration confirmation and reminder emails)

COST

FREE to all San Diego CAMFT chapter members

OTHER INFO

This event is for mental health professionals, to foster membership engagement.

This event is provided by the San Diego Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. SD-CAMFT maintains responsibility for the program and all its content.

Please email the Education Chair at education@camft-sandiego.org for questions, accommodations, or grievances.

Therapist Corner - December 2026 (27 Dec 2026)

Mon, 28 Dec 2026 03:00:00 GMT

Therapist Corner

formerly known as Allied Intersectionality Now

Therapist Corner will be moderated by members of the Board of Directors of our chapter, CAMFT San Diego, and this is an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and requests.

If you're interested in attending and not a member of our chapter, become a member here!

WHEN

Sunday, December 27, 2026

7pm-8:30pm

Virtual Zoom Meeting

*meets last Sunday of every month, must sign up for each interested separately*

(link will be sent in registration confirmation and reminder emails)

COST

FREE to all San Diego CAMFT chapter members

OTHER INFO

This event is for mental health professionals, to foster membership engagement.

This event is provided by the San Diego Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. SD-CAMFT maintains responsibility for the program and all its content.

Please email the Education Chair at education@camft-sandiego.org for questions, accommodations, or grievances.