The AAMFT Blog

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

Free Webinar: Online Supervision — What You Should Know

Join us Thursday, March 19 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time for a webinar on online supervision 101.

With the rise of telemental health, more therapists are switching to HIPAA-compliant video conferencing. You may know that online supervision (telesupervision) is now allowed for mentorship towards the AAMFT Approved Supervisor credential. And, depending on your state, some (or all) of your supervisee’s sessions can be done online as they work towards licensure.

If you’re looking for more information about online supervision, you can register for this free webinar exclusively for AAMFT members.

Click here to register!

COVID-19: AAMFT 2020 Event Status

Please see website for ongoing updates regarding AAMFT events. 

Update: It is with deepest regret on behalf of AAMFT, that we must announce the cancellation of the 2020 Leadership Symposium as well as our associated events: AS Refresher Course, Engagement Program Leaders Training Day, and Certificate of Leadership orientation scheduled for March 12 – 14. This decision to cancel is based on the latest developments of the spread of COVID-19 and came only after much deliberation and careful review of the CDC and WHO situation reports. While we are all extremely disappointed not to be moving forward with the event, we do not want to put our members or presenters into a potential harmful situation. We recognize that the timing of this decision may inconvenience you. However, please know that it was made out of deep concern for the health and well-being of you and your fellow participants.

AAMFT staff will be working together in the coming week to work on refunding registration fees for this event in full. We ask for your patience as we work through this process. In the meantime, please contact your travel agent or airline to cancel your flight and, if you are registered at the Camby or another property in the Phoenix area make sure to cancel that reservation as well. If your travel and/or hotel was booked by an AAMFT staff member, your AAMFT staff contact will handle canceling your flights/hotel and follow up directly with more information. Again, we apologize that we will not be moving forward with these events. Please do not hesitate to contact Dawn Berry, Director of Events, at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

We are proceeding as planned with the following events:

• March 10 – 11: AAMFT Board of Directors Spring Meeting (Modified Schedule)
• March 16 – 19: Fundamentals of MFT Supervision: Airport Courtyard Marriott, Denver, CO
• May 13-17: Minority Fellowship Program Training Institute: Hilton, Arlington, Arlington, VA
• June 24 – 26: Institutes for Advanced Systemic Family Therapy: Marriott Resort Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, HI
• November 12 – 15: 2020 Annual Conference: Swan and Dolphin Resort, Orlando, FL

Cancelled and Rescheduled Events:

• March 12 – 14: 2020 Leadership Symposium: Camby Hotel, Phoenix, Arizona

Health Information and Resources:

In an effort to ensure our response to the Coronavirus is based in facts, not driven by fear, we are closely monitoring and reviewing guidance from global, federal and local health authorities to implement what is needed for the good of our event and our membership. Sources for this information include the following:

• Daily Situation Reports from the World Health Organization (WHO)
• How Coronavirus Spreads – US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Prevention and Treatment – CDC
• Guarding Against Stigma Related to Coronavirus – CDC
• Information for Travelers – CDC

We will also be adding several new health and safety measures for the event including: 

• Disinfecting registration counters continuously throughout the day. 
• Offering disinfectant wipes near touch screen technology and in each session room for podium and microphones.

We are encouraging participants to follow the guidance of the CDC for everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. These guidelines include:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when sick.
• Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Questions or Concerns:

Email Dawn Berry, Director of Events at [email protected].

 

AAMFT Sent Letter to Congress on Confidentiality and Immigration Oversight Hearings

AAMFT and other Mental Health groups sent a letter asking Congress to conduct an oversight hearing on the impact of the federal government's actions in sharing confidential therapy records on detained immigrant children, focusing on the harm this practice is causing the children, and to reassess cases in which confidential therapy records were used against minors. 

Read the official letter here: Download MHLG Confidentiality and Immigration Feb 2020 (002)