Marriage and family therapists are defined by an enduring dedication to professional and ethical excellence, as well as the commitment to service, advocacy, and public participation. The areas of service, advocacy, and public participation are recognized as responsibilities to the profession equal in importance to all other aspects (AAMFT Code of Ethics, Preamble).
AAMFT strives to make contributions and engage in public participation in line with our Code of Ethics. Further, in our Statement on Immigration Policy, “AAMFT is equally dedicated to holding true to the position that we assert the value and positive impact of stable, long-term, emotionally enriching relationships. We believe that society is better off when social groupings are created that allow for and support these qualities – not creates fragmentation and segmentation.”
AAMFT is aware of the zero-tolerance policy and we steadfastly believe that any forced separation of children from families works against long-term, emotionally enriching families. AAMFT stands with over 170 organizations and over 9,300 mental health professionals in signing the Stop Border Separation of Children from Parents petition. AAMFT also stands with our sister associations – American Psychological Association and the National Association of Social Workers - in denouncing the purposeful infliction of trauma resulting from separation of immigrant families.
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The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Washington, D.C., is the largest national association for marriage and family therapists representing the professional interests of over 60,000 marriage and family therapists. Recognizing that relationships are fundamental to the health and well‐being of individuals, couples, families, and communities, AAMFT exists to advance the profession and the practice of marriage and family therapy. Relationships matter!