WAAT was formed in 2001. Six women gathered for lunch once a month with the purpose of sharing experience, support and knowledge in the field of addiction. The lunch meeting turned into a breakfast meeting and soon there were more and more women coming together for a common purpose.
WAAT is a membership organization of professional women in the field of addiction. Our membership is comprised of Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Specialists, Interventionists, Life Coaches, Sober Living Owners, Treatment Center Owners, Marketers and more. Meetings are held monthly. WAAT offers a variety of speakers every other month, alternating with networking meetings. Topics range from new information about addiction treatment to business management. CEUs are offered for licensed MFTs and LCSWs in good membership standing. Professional development hours are available for CADCs.
Membership is for individuals. The initial membership fee is $125.00, with a $75.00 annual renewal fee. Students can join at a reduced rate. Membership begins on the 1st of the month you join and is renewed on the first of that month the following year.
Benefits of membership include: 1) Privileges to the "Members Only" section of our website, which includes a listing in our resource directory, access to the resource directory, and our membership directory, 2) informative speaker presentations, 3) CEUs or professional development hours, 4) networking, 5) and the opportunity to meet top women in the addiction field discuss the trends and issues that we face on a daily basis.
WAAT has a volunteer executive board of directors who meet quarterly. Each chapter has volunteer officers who provide support for their chapter.
Joni Lavick, MFT, maintains a private practice in Santa Monica, is a long-standing employee at The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center - currently as clinical supervisor and past Director of Mental Health Services - and is a contracted provider at Moonview Sanctuary.
Joni has been working with HIV-positive individuals since 1988. In 2005 she received a National HIV Leadership Award from thebody.com. The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Psychotherapists Association honored her expertise and advocacy in 2000, with their Annual Community Service Award.
In addition to her work within the HIV community, she has special training in the scoring and administration of Mary Main's Adult Attachment Interview, and studied Intersubjective Systems Theory with Robert Stolorow for five years. She has years of experience treating individuals with sexual compulsivity and methamphetamine addiction.
Her most current publications include "Trauma and HIV: Frozen Moments, Frozen Lives" (in press) and "Conquering Anxiety; Living with HIV" BETA Winter 2007. An experienced public speaker, she has presented at many national conferences, University classrooms, and Community Based Organizations.
"I came for the networking, but stayed for the humor! Women of WAAT are hilarious!"