April Luncheon: A Strengths-Based Approach to Intercultural & Intersectional Couples' Concerns with Dr. Harpreet Malla (Fri, April 17, 2026)

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:30:00 GMT

A Strengths-Based Approach to Intercultural & Intersectional Couples' Concerns with Dr. Harpreet Malla

Date: Friday, April 17, 2026

Time: 11:30am - 1:30pm
Check-in/Networking: 11:30am - 12:00pm*. Presentation begins at 12pm.

*Virtual attendees will only be present for presentation from 12-1:30pm. No recording is available for this presentation.

CE: Earn 1 CE (CAMFT CE #59405)

Zoom Link: provided after registration.

Location: The Chicago School at Anaheim, 2400 E. Katella Ave #1200, Anaheim, CA 92806 (located in Stadium Tower, top floor)

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COURSE DETAILS

Description

Navigating the varying sexual, emotional, and private landscapes within a couple can be arduous work at a baseline, but is further made complex in dyads who have intersectional identities that can layer into the work. When clients are navigating different religious, cultural, and racial backgrounds, the gap between their experiences can impact the dynamic regardless of the couples’ acceptance of one another’s identities. Examining how power, personal mental health factors, and privilege lock, clash, and intersect within a couple is not only meaningful work, but also vital. This training will help clinicians structure explorations of couples’ salient identities, how to honor them without diminishing them, and tips for navigating conflict in a present context in which many identities are at odds politically. Practical tools will be provided for helping couples discuss their unique lived experiences with one another to improve empathy, understanding, and ultimately the shared foundation of the couple.

Audience

Course designed for mental health professionals of all levels.

Course Outline
(1) Introduction to Intersectionality 10 minutes
(2) Overview of Current Identity Exploration Tools 15 minutes
(3) Identifying Power and Privilege Within the Couple 15 minutes
(4) Practical Tools for Improving Empathy, Trust, and Communication 10 minutes
(5) Questions & Discussion 10 minutes

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

define intersectionality
understand how to identify power and privilege within the couple
identify practical tools for improving empathy, trust, and communication

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ABOUT OUR SPEAKER

Dr. Harpreet Malla is a licensed clinical psychologist and sex therapist in private practice serving Los Angeles & Orange counties, and is the current Chair of Division VII (Diversity & Social Justice) of the California Psychological Association. She has a passion for working with identity development as it pertains to queer and minority populations, and specializes in “nontraditional” relationship practices (arranged marriages, ENM/poly constellations, intercultural couples, kinky folx) clinically. She has led corporate, collegiate, and community workshops to promote understanding through education, and has published academically. To add some levity to her professional portfolio, Dr. Malla has also presented at pop culture events to bring psychology to the masses in fun ways at Wonder-Con and San Diego Comic-Con, and been published in pop fiction collections.

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REGISTRATION

In person registration includes lunch.

OC-CAMFT Members:

- In person (lunch included) early bird (until 4/9/26) - $25

- Virtual early bird (until 4/9/26) - $15

- In person (lunch included) - $35

- Virtual - $25

OC-CAMFT Guests:

- In person (lunch included) early bird (until 4/9/26) - $35

- Virtual early bird (until 4/9/26) - $25

- In person (lunch included) - $45

- Virtual - $35

Walk-ins (in-person) - $45

Please Note: any in-person registrations after Wednesday 4/15/26 will be registered as a Walk-in

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Menu

Assortment of sandwiches, salads, sides, cookies, and beverages. Will add vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options as needed (please contact us below).

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ADA POLICY

Please review our policy HERE.

If you have a special need or need special accommodations, please click HERE. Please advise us of your needs no later than 7 days prior to the event so that we may be able to accommodate you.

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PAYMENT & CANCELLATION

Please make a separate transaction for each and every reservation requested. If you are paying by credit card, the receipt you receive at the end of your payment is your confirmation reservation. Any payments not received by deadline are not reserved and will be considered walk-in status.

Cancellations are made by leaving a message at 714-556-7129 no later than 2 days prior to the event by 12 PM. A refund less $5.00 processing fee will be returned to you. There are no refunds for cancellations made past this time. Need to update the phone number.

If you registered to attend in-person but can no longer attend, you may attend virtually or view the recording but no refund will be given past 12pm 2 days prior to event.

For grievances, please leave a message at 714-556-7129 or email admin@occamft.org.

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CE CREDIT INFORMATION

Note: Participants are required to attend 85% of the presentation to earn CEs.

Course meets the qualifications for 1 hour of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Orange County Chapter of CAMFT is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (Provider #59405) to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs. Orange County Chapter of CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.

Course completion certificates will be awarded at the end of the program to those attendees who sign-in within 10 minutes of the commencement of the program, sign-out after the program is concluded, and complete and return an evaluation form.

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EVENT SPONSORS

If you would like to sponsor this event, please email

sponsorship@occamft.org

IMPORTANT PARKING INFORMATION: Designated parking for The Chicago School is located on the top level of the parking structure located immediately behind the Stadium Tower building (go around the right side of the building). Please pull a ticket at the parking gate and proceed to the top floor of the parking structure. Parking is free with validation, or $15 without. Please do not park in the surface level visitor or restaurant lots.

On site: Please look for OC-CAMFT board members that will guide you to the elevator and correct classroom. You will be unable to gain access to the correct floor without assistance. If you are running late, please check in with the security desk.

Bachata/ Salsa Beginner's Dance Class (Sat, April 18, 2026)

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Bachata/ Salsa Dancing with Sergio!

Date: Saturday, April 18th

Time: 3 - 4 pm

Location: Century Dance Studio: 1631 Edinger Ave STE 202, Tustin, CA 92780

This event is open to licensed and pre-licensed therapists.

Event Details

In this beginner class run by a fellow future MFT, participants will learn foundational patterns and turns for each dance while exploring both leader and follower roles. Beyond being enjoyable, dancing supports emotional health and cognitive functioning. Because it engages memory, coordination, rhythm, and social connection simultaneously, it is considered one of the most beneficial activities for long-term brain health.

About our Instructor

Sergio is a Marriage and Family Therapy student at The Chicago School and a trainee at Living Success Center. A ballroom dancer since age 11, he has been teaching and entertaining people of all ages for nearly 30 years. He is now inviting you to immerse yourself in a vibrant cultural experience by learning two popular Latin rhythms: Salsa and Bachata!

Registration

OC-CAMFT Members - free

OC CAMFT Guests - $5

Feel free to invite colleagues!

Sponsored By

If you would like to sponsor this event, please reach out to sponsorship@occamft.org

ADA Policy

Please review our policy HERE.

If you have a special need or need special accommodations, please click HERE. Please advise us of your needs no later than 7 days prior to the event so that we may be able to accommodate you.

Question?

If you have any questions, please contact events@occamft.org
Any feedback and suggestions are welcomed and encouraged.

Orange County CAMFT upcoming events

April Luncheon: A Strengths-Based Approach to Intercultural & Intersectional Couples' Concerns with Dr. Harpreet Malla (Fri, April 17, 2026)

Bachata/ Salsa Beginner's Dance Class (Sat, April 18, 2026)