Desert–CAMFT
presents
in collaboration with the Central Coast chapter
Beyond Couples Therapy: Polyamory and Systemic Practice
with James Gavin Bridges PhD, LMFT, CFLE
Friday, October 24, 2025 9:30am-11:30am
Online Via Zoom
(link will be provided in confirmation and reminder emails)
2 CE Credits
Description
This presentation provides audience members with helpful concepts related to non-monogamy and systemic practice. It goes over relational terms used by the community, important distinction between commonly used language, and encourages therapists to remain curious about clients’ language even after doing their own homework. The presentation will introduce clinicians to key tasks in therapy when working with non- monogamous client systems.
Clinicians will also learn which relational therapy approaches and interventions can be used with non-monogamous clients as they work on relationship structure formation, agreement making, and recovery from relational ruptures. Audience members can expect to learn skills and strategies for working with clients navigating non-monogamy or wanting to be non-monogamous (i.e., opening up). Throughout the presentation, audience members can also expect to work on self-reflection as they contemplate providing therapeutic help to clients in non-monogamous relationship structures.
Education Goals
Learning Objectives
Identify at least 6 key principles of what presenting problems brings non-monogamous clients into therapy.
Name 3 communication interventions that can be used with agreement making for non- monogamous relationship systems.
Identify 5 different theories of marriage and family therapy that can be used when working with non-monogamous systems.
State the 4 main principles of structuring agreement conversations effectively.
Presenter
James "Jimmy" Gavin Bridges PhD, LMFT, CFLE (he/they) is a licensed couple and family therapist in Massachusetts and Vermont, a certified family life educator through NCFR, an AAMFT approved supervisor and clinical fellow, and part-time faculty at National University in the MFT masters and doctoral programs. He received his doctoral and master’s degrees in Couple and Family Therapy from Kansas State University. He also received two graduate certificates in Gender, Women, & Sexuality Studies and Social Justice Education from Kansas State University. His clinical specialization is working with queer and non-monogamous clients. He has presented in university settings, conferences, regional organizations, and online platforms on non- monogamy and couples therapy models. Jimmy has worked in community mental health, group practice, and currently works in private practice with their nesting partner, who is also a therapist.
Cost/Registration
$25 for Desert-CAMFT Members
$15 for Prelicensed Members
$35 for Non-members or Guests
Closing date for registration is Thursday, October 23, 2025.
Questions
Please email Chaundra Prehara, Director of Events at chaundraprehara@yahoo.com.
30th Anniversary Celebration
with Holli Kenley & Nick Bognar
Friday, November 7, 2025 9:30am-4:00pm
In-Person @ Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce Building
(72559 CA-111, Palm Desert, CA 92260)
No CE Credits
Join us for a special all-day event honoring 30 years of connection, service, and growth within our Desert CAMFT community. This milestone gathering is designed to nourish, inspire, and celebrate the heart of our profession — you.
The day will include:
Registration allows you to join us for part or all of the following schedule (9:30-10am is check-in, 3:45-4pm is closure):
Presenter(s)
Holli Kenley, Author, Educator, Speaker, Mentor, Therapist is a six-time peer presenter at California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists’ Annual State Conferences and TEDx Talk presenter. She will deliver a keynote about courage, transformation and the how to embody joy in your life.
Nick Bognar, therapist, business coach, podcaster is our next presenter. His presentation will help therapists create a concise, authentic elevator pitch that reflects their values and clinical work, especially useful for building referral networks that support private practice growth.
Cost
$25 for Desert CAMFT members
$15 for Pre-Licensed Desert CAMFT members
$35 for Non-Members
Registration closes Friday, October 31, 2025.
Membership!
Desert Chapter — California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (DESERT-CAMFT)
For general info, please email: desertcamft1@gmail.com. For specific departments, please click "Contact" in the menu above.
