Editor
Bonnie Jacobs, PhD, ABPP

Working with other psychotherapists in a setting such as LAGPA can be a real learning experience. It confirms the reality that we are a diverse group with such amazing skills, patience, humanity and, above all, support for each other. In the short time that this current board has been working together we have seen each other through relationship problems, licensing successes, family of origin changes and the myriad events that we are all blessed/cursed to live through. We may not have known each other for long but, the kind of support we have shared makes one wish we had indeed known each other for decades before now. I have seen this blessing over my years on the LAGPA board. Having the contrasting experience of serving on other professional boards, the LAGPA Boards support is unique.

All of this is to call to mind that you are being served by such a dynamic group of professionals who bring humanity into something that effects us all everyday--our careers, our families, ourselves. So, please do not just think of LAGPA as that group that offers CEUs or a networking group. Keep in mind that we serve the bigger picture which encompasses the needs and "what ifs" of our lives. Your LAGPA membership is not just to a professional organization, but to a group which, though not attempting to incorporate itself into your family, is trying to help you fulfill the immediate needs of your current family and of a family you may not have yet considered.

Our upcoming conference, our flagship event, will address the subject of what our families are like, how we as psychotherapists are effected by our families, how this effects our work, how we choose our work and how these overlapping realities call for a response from us as we face the growing challenges to the recognition of our families. We need each other more now than before because everything we work for, hope for and live for is being threatened. This is not just a call which may evoke fear or concern but one which also strengthens, with the response, that we are not alone as GLBT psychology professionals. We have each other, a richness of experience and a depth of personal concern, interest and support which makes our daily struggles in this area successful. We then take these out to the rest of the community because we are empowered by this expanded family. Your LAGPA family loves you, needs you and seeks for ways to be of growing help to you in these days and moments. Welcome home!