Central Coast–CAMFT

Presents:

I’m Delighted You’re Here:How Delight Promotes Therapeutic Change in Group Therapy

LMFT, CGP, CA MFT #: 129083

Saturday, October 24th, 2026, 9:30 am-12:45 pm 

Number of CEs: 3 

Overview

An often overlooked but necessary condition for secure attachment is the felt sense that our caregivers genuinely delight in our presence. Depending on how conditional that delight was in our early familial relationships, we learned to adjust our authenticity to stay connected. By tuning into what we easily delight in, and turning toward what is difficult to delight in, group therapists can strengthen feelings of belonging, interrupt scapegoating, and widen the range of authentic participation in a group. This creates a culture of constructive authenticity, where connection increases when members engage more honestly with themselves and one another. In this environment, the group becomes a more productive therapeutic space for taking relational risks, receiving meaningful feedback, and practicing new ways of being.

Goals

This course is designed to help therapists apply attachment theory and interpersonal group theory to strengthen therapeutic rapport and foster constructive alliances among group members. Participants will learn strategies for helping group members identify and discuss positive self perceptions; mapping how insecure attachment shapes authenticity and social communication; and interrupting scapegoating by distributing ownership of difficulty across the group. Together, these practices support greater authenticity, belonging, and group cohesion.

Evan Perlo

Evan Perlo, LMFT, CGP is a psychotherapist and certified group therapist who works with individuals, couples, families, and long-term psychodynamic process groups. He maintains an in-person practice in San Luis Obispo and virtual practice throughout California. He is a clinical supervisor at the Community Counseling Center. He trained at the Southern California Counseling Center and the New Center for Psychoanalysis. Evan continues to train at the Center for Group Studies in Manhattan and the American Group Psychotherapy Association. He is serving on the GPALA Board of Directors for his 4th term, currently as Treasurer. He leads workshops and trainings for group therapists and presents locally and nationally. Evan believes in the power of groups to cultivate belonging and vitality through direct, vulnerable communication.

3 CEs

Certificates will be distributed upon completion of an Evaluation.  Participants will only receive credit for actual attendance. 

Course meets the qualifications for 3 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences

The Central Coast Chapter of CAMFT is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (Provider #62273) to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. The Central Coast Chapter of CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.

While the Central Coast Chapter of CAMFT makes every effort to assure fair treatment for all participants and attempts to anticipate problems, there may be occasional issues with regard to presentations/workshops which will require intervention and/or action on the part of the board. This procedural description serves as a guideline for handling such grievances.

When a participant files a grievance and expects action on the complaint, the following actions will be taken:

1. The participant(s) will be asked to put concerns in writing (this can be in electronic form, such as an email).

1. If the grievance concerns a presenter, the content presented by the speaker, or the style of presentation, the individual filing the grievance will be asked to put their comments in written format. The Board will then pass on the comments to the speaker, assuring the confidentiality of the grieved individual.

1. If the grievance concerns a presentation/workshop offering, its content, level of presentation, or the facilities in which the workshop was offered, the Board will mediate and will be the final arbitrator. If the participant requests action, the Board will:

• provide a credit for a subsequent presentation/workshop or

• provide a partial or full refund of the presentation/workshop fee

Refund policy:

Registrants must cancel their registration within 10 days of the event to receive a refund minus a $5 administrative fee.  Exceptions can be made for 48-hour notices in case of an emergency.  If you need to cancel, please contact Event Chair, Kim Richards: richardskimlmft@gmail.com. 

Special Accommodations

If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any of our events, please contact Event Chair Kim Richards within 10 days of the upcoming event at 805.458.8063 or email Kim Richards at richardskimlmft@gmail.com.