American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)

Overview:

Profession(s): Marriage and Family Therapy
Scope: National - United States
Formed: 1942
Members: 23,000
Address: 112 South Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314, USA
Phone: 703-838-9808
Fax: 703-838-9805
Email: central@aamft.org
Website: www.aamft.org

Description:

The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) is the professional association for the field of marriage and family therapy. We represent the professional interests of more than 23,000 marriage and family therapists throughout the United States, Canada and abroad.

Since our founding in 1942, the AAMFT has been involved with the problems, needs and changing patterns of couples and family relationships. The association leads the way to increasing understanding, research and education in the field of marriage and family therapy, and ensuring that the public's needs are met by trained practitioners. The AAMFT provides individuals with the tools and resources they need to succeed as marriage and family therapists.

Our members meet rigorous standards for education and training and are held to the highest ethical standards of the profession. Clinical Members have met the highest standards of the profession for education and clinical experience. Associate and Student membership categories are available for therapists in training for clinical practice. Members of allied professions and other persons who are interested in marriage and family therapy are eligible to become Affiliate Members.

Mission/Aims:

Advancing the Professional Interests of Marriage and Family Therapists.

Principal Activities:

Our association facilitates research, theory development and education. We develop standards for graduate education and training, clinical supervision, professional ethics and the clinical practice of marriage and family therapy.

The AAMFT hosts an annual national training conference each fall as well as a week-long series of continuing education institutes in the summer. We publish the scholarly research journal Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, news about the field in Family Therapy Magazine, and a variety of brochures and pamphlets that inform the public about the field of marriage and family therapy. Also, we offer a range of professional and practice development products, including videotapes, books and brochures.

Member Benefits:

Policy and Advocacy
FamilyTherapyResources.net
TherapistLocator.net
AAMFT.org
On-Line Networking Directory
Job Connection
Free subscription to the Family Therapy Magazine, AAMFT's bimonthly publication
Quarterly Journal of Marital and Family Therapy (JMFT)
Practice Tools
Division Membership
AAMFT Training on Tape
Ethical Advisory Opinions (FREE)
Legal Consultation
Professional Liability Insurance
Help in Locating Health Insurance

Training/Licensing/Certification:

Continuing education is vital to the marriage and family therapy profession because it’s imperative that MFTs stay up-to-date with the latest research and findings. The AAMFT hosts an annual national training conference each fall as well as a week-long series of continuing education institutes each summer and winter. The AAMFT also has an distant learning program, so mental health professionals can earn continuing education from the comfort of their home or office.

Verification Criteria:

You should telephone and interview potential family therapists to find out if they satisfy your needs. Some questions to ask include:

Are they a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)?

Family therapists who are Clinical Members of the AAMFT meet the educational, supervision, and training standards of the Association. Licensure standards are based on the AAMFT’s Clinical Membership requirements, and the AAMFT accepts licensed MFTs for Clinical Membership in most states. As of 2003, 46 states license MFTs, and for those states without licensure, Clinical Membership will demonstrate equivalent education and training.

What is their educational and training background?

Family therapists have a doctorate or a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy or an allied discipline such as psychology, medicine/psychiatry, clinical social work, psychiatric nursing, or the ministry. If the professional’s degree is not in marriage and family therapy, you may ask about additional post-graduate training they have completed in marriage and family therapy. MFTs also receive two years of clinical experience of which half is with couples and families.

Do they have experience treating the kind of problem you are experiencing; for example, depression, child’s behavior, marital stress, intimacy, sexual problems, alcohol or drug abuse?

While MFTs are trained and licensed to provide the full range of mental health services, like all mental health professions, each individual therapist may vary according to expertise. You should inquire as to the therapist’s training and experience with the problem you are facing.

Are their services covered by your health insurance?

The majority of managed care organizations and third-party payers reimburse services provided by MFTs.vi & viii Additionally, most employee assistance programs provided through an employer also contract with family therapists. You should contact your plan or payer to ensure they reimburse services provided by MFTs.

What is the average length of marriage and family therapy?

Length of marriage and family therapy depends upon various factors, including seriousness of the problem. Generally, marriage and family therapy tends to be short term. Research shows that the median length is 12 sessions, with 65% of cases completed within 20 sessions. Though length of therapy differs from case to case, marriage and family therapy tends to be briefer than many other types of therapy.