Becoming an AAMFT Approved Supervisor Course Instructor and Global Inclusivity in AAMFT Membership
AAMFT has embarked on several initiatives to engage with international practitioners of systemic therapy in order to enrich and diversify our global membership. In line with these initiatives, AAMFT is also reaching out to international AAMFT Approved Supervisors. The following are some questions and answers regarding the initial stages of our outreach efforts.
How can I be a pre-approved Supervision Course Instructor?
Completing the 30-hour Fundamentals of Supervision course is one of the core requirements for the AAMFT Approved Supervisor Designation. This course addresses the AAMFT philosophical assumption that supervision is different than therapy. It is taught from a systemic/relational perspective and covers a breadth of generalist ideas. That is, rather than “teach” supervision or supervise therapy from a particular perspective (modernist, postmodernist, constructionist, developmental, clinical), the course covers the basics for a number of perspectives that may fit the course participants’ ideas and worldviews.
If you are a current AAMFT Approved Supervisor, you may qualify to become a pre-approved online instructor of the AAMFT supervision courses and help the next generation of potential supervisors in training them with ensuring client care, mastering competencies (both core and approach-specific), self-of-the-therapist and self-of-the-supervisor, context-sensitive, therapist professional growth, and other purposes as the supervisor and training therapist identify as individual supervisory systems.
As AAMFT is gearing toward the global expansion of the Designation, we are inviting our international Approved Supervisors to become instructors incorporating their socio economic, cultural, ethnic aspects, along with a variety of perspectives and therapy/supervision approaches. Both international and US AAMFT Approved Supervisors, with a minimum of ten years of experience, are encouraged to send a message containing your vita and digital headshot to learning@aamft.org to indicate interest.
How can I become a Professional Member if I live overseas?
There are different pathways to professional membership. One of the pathways is membership in a professional association and/or registration with regulatory boards outside the United States recognized by AAMFT. This is not an exhaustive list as AAMFT continues to review requirements of professional associations and regulatory boards to ensure that they meet basic education and clinical training standards for clinical practice in their respective jurisdictions.
If you do not belong to any of these international organizations, you may apply to become a Professional Member via the Evaluative Pathway. For information regarding this process, please click here.
If I live outside of the United States, how can I earn the Clinical Fellow designation?
AAMFT membership standards provide an opportunity for therapists outside the United States to become a full Professional Member with the Clinical Fellow Designation under the evaluative path. To obtain the Clinical Fellow Designation they will need to complete an evaluative pathway application and provide documentation regarding their graduate degree, course work, and post-graduate clinical training in marriage and family therapy. To learn more about the education and clinical requirements please click here.
How do I learn more about applying for membership if I live outside the US?
Prospective members or current members can now schedule a telephone appointment with an AAMFT staff person to assist with your membership evaluation questions. You can contact our AAMFT staff using one of the following methods:
- Click on this link to schedule a membership phone consultation between Tuesday through Thursday. Please note that you must call the number provided in the confirmation email at the time scheduled. If you cannot make the appointment, please cancel it so others may be able to access that time period.
- You can also send an email with questions to czbikowski@aamft.org.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
Please do not hesitate to reach out to Member Services at central@aamft.org. Our number is 703-838-9808 and our office hours are from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, EST, Monday-Friday.