Abstract
The International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC) is a division of the American Counseling Association and was chartered in 1989. IAMFC embraces a multicultural approach in support of the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of the families we serve.
Our membership includes counselors, mental health counselors, marriage and family counselors and therapists, social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Elements common to members include professional training in counseling or a closely related area, additional training in marriage and family counseling and therapy, and an interest and involvement in working directly or tangentially with couple and family systems.
IAMFC is an organization that promotes excellence in the practice of couples and family counseling by:
creating and disseminating first-class publications and media products; providing a forum for exploration of family-related issues; involving a diverse group of dedicated professionals in our activities; and emphasizing collaborative efforts.
IAMFC has established the most rigorous training standards in marriage and family counseling; an international journal in family counseling, The Family Journal; a professional set of ethical standards, professional videos, and print resources. IAMFC is a modern, nonpolitical organization that respects cultural differences, diversity, and sister professional associations.
IAMFC encourages counselors to think systemically and to advocate for the worth and dignity of all families.
Greetings, IAMFC Members and Supporters,
It is officially the beginning of my second year as President of IAMFC. My first year was full steam ahead. We met many goals, including a successful National Conference in St. Petersburg, Florida in January of 2023. We also had an amazing International Conference in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This conference had over 200 participants. The members who attended the IAMFC Conference in Vietnam had the opportunity to exchange their best practices with Vietnamese professionals. We also had the opportunity to participate in social change activities, including visiting several emerging counseling agencies.
The board of IAMFC has set several strategic goals for the next year, including expanding and defining our international footprint. The board's goal for our international work is to offer opportunities for all members to be able to participate on some level. We continue to offer free webinars to our members monthly. We are also working on improving our web presence and increasing our membership.
We will once again have our National Conference in St, Petersburg, Florida February 1 to 3, 2024. Please consider submitting a proposal. Also please look for more details soon about the many other exciting upcoming opportunities, and how to get involved.
Thank you for the work you do for couples and families nationally and across the globe.
Sincerely,
Martina Moore, PhD, President of IAMFC 2022–2024
Dr. Steven M. Harris is a Marriage and Family Therapist with extensive academic and professional experience and a professor at the University of Minnesota. He has made significant contributions to the field through his publications, editorship of the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, and work on the Texas Healthy Marriage Initiative. Dr. Harris also co-authored the first textbook on Discernment Counseling in 2017 with Dr. William J. Doherty.
IAMFConline.org