Message from Tracy Todd, PhD., AAMFT CEO

March 17, 2020

AAMFT certainly hopes you and your loved ones are doing well in these unprecedented times.

I wanted to take a quick moment to update you on AAMFT’s situation from yesterday.

1. Today, we released a free resource “An Introduction to Setting up a Telebehavioral Health Practice: Competencies and Considerations” by Katherine Hertlein, PhD, LMFT on YouTube. Last week’s Family Therap-eNews included a link to the Online Therapy Guidelines. They are also available with the webinar on our COVID resource page. We hope you find these useful.
2. AAMFT works closely with the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG), a coalition of 60 mental health associations, and other allies to advocate for policies that advance and support treatment and strengthen access to behavioral health care for clients, such as increased funding and recognition for behavioral health care and mental health parity.  AAMFT and the mental health community support coverage and recognition for teletherapy services on par with therapy provided in a traditional office setting, and will continue advocating for such recognition. Since teletherapy laws are state specific, AAMFT will monitor and strategically advocate for teletherapy and reimbursement. Please consult your state licensing board and forward any information to the Family TEAM at [email protected].
3. Many of our AAMFT members utilize our partner CPH Insurance for your liability coverage. CPH has provided helpful information on their blog page about teletherapy and your existing policy coverage.
4. We continue to update our Coronavirus resource page with updates and resources as they are received. In addition to telehealth and online supervision professional resources, we also have included information on the following areas:
   1. Parenting and Children,
   2. Elderly,
   3. Health Care Providers,
   4. Stress and Coping.

As we informed previously, to ensure the safety of our team, the AAMFT office is now operating virtually until further notice.  AAMFT has tested our systems to insure we could continue our daily operations while working remotely. You should not notice any disruption in membership services during this crisis. As always, while this crisis continues, AAMFT will keep the Coronavirus: AAMFT Status page up to date for information relate to AAMFT, our profession, and the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Stay healthy,

Tracy Todd, PhD.

AAMFT CEO