Great news for the MFT community. Both of Senator Tester’s amendments dealing with Marriage and Family Therapists passed out of committee yesterday, July 22nd and will be included in the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act when it comes to the floor of the Senate! The bill now includes language that would require that Marriage and Family Therapists and Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselors are included as participating professions in the VA Office of Academic Affiliations’ Health Professionals Trainee Program. The bill also now directs the VA to provide an assessment of efforts to address medical workforce shortages, including ongoing efforts to recruit and integrate more marriage and family therapists and licensed professional mental health counselors.
AAMFT has met with Senator Tester's office and will continue to work with them as the bill moves through the legislative process. We will continue to update our MFT advocates on any late breaking developments. Thanks to all in the MFT community who made their voice heard in support of these amendments.