Desert–CAMFT

presents

A System for Attracting Self-Pay Clients: Ethical and Effective Use of Reflective Listening & Language in Marketing Materials

with Sam Garanzini, MFT

Friday, September 11, 2026
12:00pm-1:00pm

In-Person @ All Desert Wellness

(73726 Alessandro Dr, Ste. 203 Palm Desert, CA 92260)

1 CE Credits

Description

Choosing a therapist has changed. Prospective clients often compare multiple websites before ever making contact, making clear, authentic communication more important than ever.

In this practical and interactive workshop, Sam Garanzini, MFT, LPCC, demonstrates how clinicians can apply the principles of reflective listening to their marketing materials, helping prospective clients feel understood before the first session. Participants will learn how to identify the language clients naturally use to describe their struggles, translate clinical concepts into client-centered messaging, and create a clear "client roadmap" that accurately communicates the therapeutic process and potential outcomes.

Grounded in person-centered and motivational interviewing principles, this presentation emphasizes ethical, truthful, and non-misleading communication while providing practical tools clinicians can immediately apply to their websites, profiles, and other practice materials.

*Note: Please bring your lap top or a device you can work on to this interactive session.*

Educational Goals

• Develop a more sophisticated understanding of how client-centered communication principles apply to written practice materials.
• Build lasting skill in translating clinical work into language clients recognize and respond to.
• Strengthen ethical practice around truthful, non-misleading representation of clinical services.

Learning Objectives

In successfully completing and attending this presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Identify three linguistic markers of client pain points in unstructured text (such as forum posts or intake notes).
2. Apply reflective language techniques to translate clinical concepts into client-centered copy.
3. Construct a written "client roadmap" mapping presenting problems to therapeutic outcomes.
4. Evaluate their own practice materials against truthful, nonmisleading advertising standards.

Presenter

Sam Garanzini, MFT is the Executive Director of the Couples Therapy Training Academy and creator of the Practice Magnet Program & Software, which helps therapists build thriving private practices through ethical, client-centered marketing. A licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Sam specializes in translating the principles of reflective listening into clear, authentic communication that helps prospective clients feel understood before they ever walk through the therapy room door.He is the author of Practice Magnet and has published peer-reviewed research on Gottman Method couples therapy outcomes. Sam regularly trains clinicians on developing effective, ethical practice materials that accurately reflect their clinical work while supporting informed client choice. His presentations combine practical marketing strategies with person-centered and motivational interviewing principles, giving therapists immediately applicable tools for communicating the value of their services with clarity and integrity.

Cost

$25 for Desert CAMFT members

$15 for Pre-Licensed Desert CAMFT members

$35 for Non-Members

*Registration closes evening before event.*

Questions

Please email Chaundra Prehara, Director of Events at chaundraprehara@yahoo.com.

Desert–CAMFT

presents

in collaboration with the Central Coast chapter

Overcoming Sexual Shame and Anxiety: A Sex Therapy Toolkit for Connection

with David F. Khalili, LMFT

Friday, September 25, 2026
9:30am-11:30am

Online Via Zoom

(link will be provided in confirmation and reminder emails)

2 CE Credits

Description

This workshop delves into the intricate dynamics of shame and anxiety and their influence on sex therapy practices across diverse genders, with a special focus on working with men, including trans men. By addressing these critical issues, therapists can empower their clients to tackle sexual and relational challenges more effectively. Guided by David F. Khalili, LMFT, from Rouse Relational Wellness and Rouse Academy, and author of The Mental Health Workbook for Men, this session promises engaging discussions, vivid vignettes, and practical tools for addressing sexual shame and anxiety in men. Whether you are an experienced sex therapist or don’t know how to talk about sex with clients, this training offers valuable insights and strategies to enhance your practice.

Education Goals

The program focuses on helping clients reduce anxiety and shame related to sex. Participants will acquire skills in utilizing practical assessment tools and techniques to effectively understand the impact of shame and anxiety on sexual concerns, leading to increased comfort discussing sex in therapy. Participants will also learn techniques to help clients address sexual anxiety and shame, and improve confidence in their sexual selves. This course is designed to appeal to clinicians at all levels of experience.

Learning Objectives

In successfully completing and attending this presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Identify four key principles of the biopsychosocial approach to sex therapy.

2. Name four techniques to help clients address sexual anxiety and shame.

3. State five reasons shame and anxiety impact sexual functioning.

4. Identify four strategies to empower clients to improve confidence in communicating about sex.

Presenter

David F. Khalili, LMFT is a licensed marriage and family therapist, board-certified sexologist, and founder of Rouse Relational Wellness, a boutique couples and sex therapy center in San Francisco, and authored Mental Health Workbook for Men and Sex Worriers: A Mindfully Queer Guide for Men’s Anxiety to Sex and Dating. David pulls from many influences in the world of mental health and sexual wellness, as well as cultural and spiritual influences from his heritage from Iran. David aims to help those in the margins feel less lonely and more connected with their communities. Specializing in couples and sex therapy, David draws from his diverse background, which includes peer sex education, work in adult boutiques, and a Master's degree in Sexuality Studies from San Francisco State University. For more information about David's practice, visit rousetherapy.com.

Cost/Registration

$25 for Desert-CAMFT Members

$15 for Prelicensed Members

$35 for Non-members or Guests

*Registration closes evening before event.*

Questions

Please email Chaundra Prehara, Director of Events at chaundraprehara@yahoo.com.

Desert–CAMFT

presents

Law and Ethics Workshop

with David Jensen, JD

Friday, October 23, 2026
9:00am-4:00pm

(with a 1 hour lunch break)

In-Person @ RAP Foundation Building - Conference Room 103

(41550 Eclectic St. Palm Desert, CA 92260)

6 CE Credits

Description

Desert CAMFT invites you to join us in person for our 2026 Law and Ethics Workshop. Earn all 6 Law and Ethics CEUs in one day while learning live with popular CAMFT presenter David Jensen, JD, known for making even the complexities of law and ethics engaging, practical, and entertaining.

This six-hour course on law and ethics is designed to expose therapists to a wide- variety of laws and regulations concerning issues arising within their practices and to develop their confidence in addressing such issues. Topics will include, but not be limited to, the clinician’s decision-making process, including suicidality and Tarasoff issues; advertising; psychotherapist-patient privilege issues; the “Golden Rule of Confidentiality”; service of subpoenas; responding to subpoenas; handling of suspected child abuse reports; record keeping trends; and, various business structures for psychotherapy practices.

Educational Goals/Learning Objectives

In successfully completing and attending this presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Identify three key principles of sound clinical thinking.
2. Name three different business structures for providing mental health services to consumers.
3. Describe five situations that will likely affect their practices and what to do about them.

Presenter

David Jenson, JD is is an associate at a San Diego based firm’s litigation and psychology practice sections. He was born in Flint, Michigan and remains an ardent Detroit Tigers fan. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and his Juris Doctor degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, California. He also holds a Master’s of Liberal Studies degree from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. Prior to joining CTSC Law, Mr. Jensen worked in-house for the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT), where he assisted CAMFT’s members in understanding and complying with their legal and ethical requirements. A popular and engaging presenter, Mr. Jensen has given numerous workshops throughout the state on compliance issues for psychotherapists. In addition, to providing workshops for local chapters of CAMFT, he also conducted trainings for nonprofit agencies, government agencies, and universities. He has also assisted psychotherapists in forming professional corporations and nonprofit corporations. 

Cost

$95 for Desert CAMFT members

$75 for Pre-Licensed Desert CAMFT members

$145 for Non-Members

*Registration closes Friday, October 9. After October 9, please contact Director of Events to inquire about space availability. Space is limited for this in-person event, and advance registration is strongly encouraged. No requests for cancellation will be honored after October 16. Additionally, a request for cancellation is subject to a $25.00 administration fee.*

Questions

Please email Chaundra Prehara, Director of Events at chaundraprehara@yahoo.com.