back to Fall 2025 newsletter
by Ursula Jorgensen, ATR-BC, LMFT

As an Art therapist, color, line, texture, and context are all foundational. That said, I have always been drawn to quotes. A good quote is like a bite sized philosophical truth that can keep us afloat or help us tell our story. One such quote by Jacques Delille says, “Fate chooses our relatives, we choose our friends.” If this is true, I have been blessed twice! My relatives are a bunch of silly goofballs, but most of us share a love of learning and a passion for helping. For some of my relatives, that has taken them into law enforcement (correction: Special Investigator, ATF) and others to the classroom or higher education. For me, who had a string of odd jobs not even remotely connected, it landed me in a graduate school psychology program learning about dream analysis, archetypes, mythology of the wounded hero, and the beauty that can come from loss or trauma like a kintsugi broken bowl. But this reminds me of another quote I love by Edgar Allen Poe, “We are all broken, that is how the light gets in”. As a therapist I don’t believe we are broken but we sure can feel that way. Bend, broken or cracked down to our core. This is where my second blessing comes in – my chosen community. You are my chosen friends, my colleagues, my inspiration, and my safe harbor. I want to spend this, my last President’s Message, saying “Thank You” to each board member. 

To Liliana, our Past President, thank you for always lighting the way for me so I can be the best me possible for the chapter. 

To Amanda, our tireless Treasurer and Incoming President, thank you for your boundless energy and introducing me to so many new friends. 

To Erin, our amazing secretary, thank you for your consistent positive attitude, smiles, and oversight on all things chapter related. 

To Kusum, our amazing DEI, there is nothing you can’t do and thank you for inspiring me to do more and be better – but always with love not shame. 

To Alex, our superstar Director of Support Groups, you have done the impossible and gotten Mentorship on its feet again for the first time in a long time and grown the groups considerably. 

To Marte, the Marvel of Programs, you have created a haven and island of community for all of us. 

To Rosario, our Director of Sponsorship, you have made this year a Party that other people have paid for!! 

To Liz, our Director of Membership, thank you for hosting the LGBTQ+ support group that I have not been able to attend since my presidency. I look forward to being an active participant again!

To Brandon, our Director of Tech Support, you are just the biggest hearted person I ever met! 

To Gia, thank you for keeping me on track with deadlines and beautiful newsletters that make my lines sing!

To Kassie, our Social Media Director, you have been the best co-presenter, co-explorer, and I could not be luckier to have you in my pack!

To Nancy, our Administrator, you will always be the first person I met in our chapter and the best welcome to my new chosen family/friends back in 2016!!  

Fate brought me to SCV-CAMFT and SCV-CAMFT turned into my new chosen family of friends. I love you all and if we haven’t met yet, I look forward to meeting you soon!