Information concerning the application process can be found on the Application Information page.

General Membership

Members are expected to hold a terminal professional degree in a health or mental health related field (subject to evaluation by the membership committee) or an advanced degree in one of the social or behavior sciences and demonstrate contributions in at least one of the following:

• Five years post-degree clinical experience working with families and five years supervision or teaching of family therapy.
• Five years of significant research in the family field as evaluated by the membership committee.
• Five years post degree experience working in family policy analysis, family advocacy, family history, family law, program development, or other areas concerned with the well-being of families.
• Other significant contribution to the field. Examples include but are not limited to a master family therapy clinician dedicated to the field, highly respected by peers, and sought out for consultation and or/training; leadership positions representing the family therapy field to the public and to other practitioners; innovation implementation of family therapy models that expand accessibility services, especially to poor and minority populations; and other evidence of leadership in promoting and advancing the field.

Recommendations

Three recommendations are required. At least one must be from an AFTA member. Two must be from supervisors or people who have direct knowledge of the applicant’s qualifications for membership. If no AFTA sponsor is available, please contact the Membership Chair.

Early Career Members

Up and coming leaders in the field may be nominated by an AFTA member for Early Career Membership if they have engaged in one or more of the following sets of activities for at least two years subsequent to the degree (or equivalent):

• Family therapy and family therapy teaching.
• Family research, e.g., journal article, book chapter, significant dissertation research.
• Significant work in family policy analysis, family advocacy, family history, family law, program development, or other area(s) concerned with the well being of families

A letter of nomination from an AFTA member and two additional recommendations from supervisors or people who have direct knowledge of the applicant’s potential to contribute to the field are required.

After three years, Early Career Members become full, voting, and permanent members of AFTA not contingent on further evaluation. They receive support in integrating into the profession, and 1/2 reduction of their annual dues and a 1/3 reduction of their Annual Meeting and Clinical-Research Conference fees for the first three years of their membership. Early Career Members are strongly encouraged to become involved in the academy and urged to attend the Annual Meeting if at all possible.

Student Members (Pilot Project)

AFTA members may nominate promising students and trainees for Student Membership based on the following minimum criteria:

• Completion of coursework in basic family theory and practice, a clinical practicum, and an interest in a family systems-oriented career.
• Doctoral students: completion of two years or a Master’s equivalent in a doctoral program in mental health or social sciences that is partial fulfillment of their doctorate.
• Sub-specialty of Medicine residents (e.g. psychiatry, family medicine). Post-MD graduate year III (second-year residents).
• Master’s students (e.g. MSW, MFT, RN): second year having completed a clinical placement.
• Post-graduate training institute trainees: Trainees in recognized post-graduate family therapy training programs, who have completed their terminal degrees and are practicing family therapy clinicians, but who do not yet qualify for early career membership.

At the successful completion of the Student Members’ doctoral, masters, residency, or post-graduate training, the former student is entitled to an additional two years as a student member to allow them to qualify for and be encouraged to apply for AFTA membership under the criteria for Early Career Membership.

Applicants who feel that they may not satisfy the formal requirements are encouraged to consult the Membership Chair.