FAQ

* Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) originated about 50 years ago when health care clinicians began to seek more effective and comprehensive ways to treat disorders such as schizophrenia, anorexia, and alcoholism.

* MFT is one of the five core mental health disciplines (along with psychiatry, psychiatric nursing, psychology, and social work) recognized by the National Institutes of Mental Health. (42 U.S.C. 242a)

* MFT is recognized by the U.S. Public Health Service's Health Resources Services Administration as a core mental health profession (along with psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurse specialists, and counselors). (42 CFR Part 5)

The Virginia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (VAMFT) is the Virginia division of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), an international professional organization which was founded in 1942.

VAMFT is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting the well-being of families, couples, individuals, and businesses through the advancement of the profession and practice of marriage and family therapy in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The following is an index of Frequently Asked Questions from visitors who are unfamiliar with the field of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), or new visitors to VAMFT's website. Feel free to contact us if you have further questions.