2026 Annual Conference Preview w/Claudia Johnson

2026 Annual Conference Preview w/Claudia Johnson

The 2026 WAMFT Annual Conference is coming and we're getting a sneak peek. I sat down with Claudia Johnson to talk all things Roots of Connection: Deepening Systemic Practice in Changing Times, happening September 25–26 at Great Wolf Lodge and virtually across Washington. From the three conference tracks to what makes this year's gathering especially meaningful, this episode is your inside look at what to expect. And yes, bring the family. Great Wolf Lodge means CE credits AND a water park.

Dispatch from Abroad w/Henry Phillips

WAMFT's own foreign correspondent checks in from Bergen, Norway. In this episode, we send our regards overseas as Henry Phillips brings us a firsthand dispatch from the International Family Therapy Association World Congress in Bergen, Norway. As WAMFT's unofficial correspondent on the ground, Henry sat in the rooms where the global conversation about family therapy is happening, and he's here to tell us what he saw, heard, and brought home. We cover what it looks like when family therapists from around the world gather under one roof — the ideas being debated, the approaches being shared, and the moments that reminded Henry why this work matters across every culture and context. We also explore what Washington State's MFT community can learn from the international stage, and what our global colleagues might learn from us. Think of this one as your postcard from Bergen! It's still all relational, even 5,000 miles from home.

Show Me the (Tax-Exempt) Money: WAMFT is now a 501(c)(3)!

WAMFT is turning 50 — and we're marking this milestone with one of the most significant organizational changes in our history. In this episode, we reflect on half a century of advancing the marriage and family therapy profession in Washington State before turning our attention to the future: our transition from a 501(c)(6) trade association to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. I'm joined by WAMFT Treasurer Rochelle Pope, who walks us through the reasoning behind this change, the process of making it happen, and what members can expect going forward. We discuss how this shift affects membership structure, the implications for charitable giving, and why this transition represents a meaningful step in WAMFT's ongoing commitment to the therapists and communities we serve. Whether you've been part of the WAMFT community for years or are just beginning your journey as a marriage and family therapist in Washington, this conversation offers an important look at how our organization is positioning itself for the next 50 years.

Member Spotlight: Dr. Laura Gambrel

In this Member Spotlight episode, we sit down with Dr. Laura Gambrel, PhD, LMFT, to explore her professional journey and her deep commitment to relational work. Laura began her career working with children, where she developed a strong foundation in understanding family systems and early attachment. That early experience sparked a desire to zoom out and look at the larger relational contexts shaping people’s lives. She went on to earn her PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy, where she discovered a profound passion for working with couples and strengthening intimate partnerships. Over the years, Laura has built a rich and varied career across community mental health, academia, and group practice. She shares what she learned in each setting—from the urgency and accessibility of community-based care, to mentoring and training emerging therapists, to refining her clinical voice in group practice. Throughout it all, one thread has remained constant: her dedication to relational healing. Now, Laura is launching her solo private practice, Relational Mindfulness, in Bellingham, Washington. In this episode, she talks about what inspired the transition to solo work, how mindfulness informs her approach to couples therapy, and why she believes training and supervision are essential to the future of our field. This conversation is a thoughtful look at professional evolution, staying connected to your “why,” and building a career that reflects your deepest clinical values. Whether you’re early in your journey or considering a shift in your own practice, Laura’s story offers insight, encouragement, and inspiration. Learn more about her practice at https://www.relational-mindfulness.org/

Spring Ethics Series Preview

On this episode of It’s All Relational, we’re giving you a preview of the WAMFT Spring Ethics Series: MFT Mythbusters — a five-week exploration of some of the most persistent (and limiting) myths about Marriage and Family Therapists. Ethics chair Katie Jo Glaves joins to discuss what we have on deck this year. Each episode highlights one of the upcoming ethics sessions: 5/1 – What Can an MFT Diagnose and Treat? We clarify scope of practice, breaking down what MFTs are trained and ethically positioned to diagnose and treat in accordance with Washington Rules and Regulations. 5/8 – How MFTs Interface with CPS A grounded conversation about mandated reporting, documentation, and maintaining therapeutic alliance when Child Protective Services enters the system. 5/15 – Ethics and Business Development We challenge the myth that caring about money is unethical. This episode explores how building a sustainable practice aligns with ethical responsibility — and how identifying your personal “North Star” can guide business decisions. 5/22 – Panel: Can I Treat XYZ? From art therapy and play therapy to sex therapy and other niche areas, we unpack what it really means to specialize as an MFT and what you can treat without advanced training. How do you ethically incorporate creative or modality-specific approaches? When does additional training become necessary? And how do you determine competence while staying within scope? 5/29 – AI, Equity, and Clinical Risk We close with a timely dialogue on artificial intelligence in clinical work — documentation tools, bias, confidentiality, access, and how emerging technology intersects with systemic ethics. Whether you’re a student, associate, supervisor, or seasoned clinician, this series invites you to question assumptions, deepen ethical clarity, and practice with greater confidence. Ready to bust some myths? Register now for the Spring Ethics Series on our website and secure your spot.