Criteria for AFTA Membership

Information concerning the application process is here.

The criteria for membership in this category are:

1. A terminal professional degree in mental health (M.D., Ph.D., M.S.W., Masters in Psychiatric Nursing) or an equivalent mental health degree (e.g., Masters in Family Therapy, etc.) subject to evaluation by the relevant state or regional membership coordinator and the membership committee.
2. Five years of post-degree clinical experience working with families.
3. Five years of post-degree experience teaching family therapy.
4. To be able to attest that a state/provincial license, certification, registry and/or membership in a professional mental health organization has not been suspended or revoked.
5. 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 work in relation to the qualifications for membership. If no AFTA sponsor is available, please contact the Membership Chair.

Research Membership

1. Advanced degree in one of the Social/Behavioral sciences.
2. Performance of significant research in the family field as evaluated by the membership committee.
3. To be able to attest that a state/provincial license, certification, registry and/or membership in a professional mental health organization has not been suspended or revoked.
4. 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 work in relation to the qualifications for membership. If no AFTA sponsor is available, please contact the Membership Chair.

Family Scholar and Larger Systems Practitioner Membership

The criteria for membership in this category are:

1. A terminal professional degree subject to evaluation by the membership committee.
2. Five years of post-degree experience working in family policy analysis, family advocacy, family history, family law, program development, or other area(s) concerned with the well-being of families.
3. To attest that a state/provincial license, certification, registry and/or membership in a mental health and other professional organization has not been suspended or revoked.
4. 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 work in relation to the qualifications for membership. If no AFTA sponsor is available, please contact the Membership Chair.

Distinguished Membership

International Membership

ANY OF THE ABOVE FORMAL REQUIREMENTS MAY BE WAIVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR EQUIVALENT EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING.

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