Alaska Marriage and Family Therapy Association
What is Marriage and Family Therapy?
Marriage and family therapists are mental health professionals with a minimum of a master’s degree and two years supervised clinical experience. Marriage and family therapists (commonly referred to as MFTs or family therapists) are trained and licensed to independently diagnose and treat mental health and substance abuse problems. Marriage and family therapy is one of the core mental health disciplines and is based on the research and theory that mental illness and family problems are best treated in a family context. Trained in psychotherapy and family systems, marriage and family therapists focus on understanding their clients’ symptoms and interaction patterns within their existing environment. MFTs treat predominantly individuals, but also provide couples, family and group therapy. Whomever the client, Family Therapists treat from a relationship perspective that incorporates family systems.
Most mental health professionals and their clients recognize the necessity of treating mental and emotional problems within the context of the family system. Research has shown that these family-based interventions are as effective—and in many cases more effective—than alternative interventions, often at a lower cost. Studies demonstrate that family therapy is a preferred method of treatment for depression, substance abuse, alcoholism, marital problems, child problems, couple enrichment, and schizophrenia, to name a few.
Family therapy for severe mental illness is one of the most well-studied and effective interventions in the mental health literature. Family involvement—including family psychoeducation, multifamily group therapy, and family therapy—have been consistently linked to better individual and family functioning. Research on couples therapy for depression indicates that couples therapy is the treatment of choice for couples in which there is both depression and couple distress. Family therapy outcomes for severe mental illness include improved well being, fewer medical illnesses, decreased medical care utilization, and increased self-efficacy.
Family-based interventions are also effective for persons with medical problems. Treatment outcomes show improvement in the identified patient, as well as in other family members. Family therapy is particularly effective with families who are providing care to elders and to a child with a chronic illness (e.g., asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, cancer). There is also some evidence that family involvement facilitates disease prevention, demonstrating improved outcomes for weight reduction for children and cardiovascular risk.
Most mental health professionals and their clients recognize the necessity of treating mental and emotional problems within the context of the family system. Research has shown that these family-based interventions are as effective—and in many cases more effective—than alternative interventions, often at a lower cost. Studies demonstrate that family therapy is a preferred method of treatment for depression, substance abuse, alcoholism, marital problems, child problems, couple enrichment, and schizophrenia, to name a few.
Family therapy for severe mental illness is one of the most well-studied and effective interventions in the mental health literature. Family involvement—including family psychoeducation, multifamily group therapy, and family therapy—have been consistently linked to better individual and family functioning. Research on couples therapy for depression indicates that couples therapy is the treatment of choice for couples in which there is both depression and couple distress. Family therapy outcomes for severe mental illness include improved well being, fewer medical illnesses, decreased medical care utilization, and increased self-efficacy.
Family-based interventions are also effective for persons with medical problems. Treatment outcomes show improvement in the identified patient, as well as in other family members. Family therapy is particularly effective with families who are providing care to elders and to a child with a chronic illness (e.g., asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, cancer). There is also some evidence that family involvement facilitates disease prevention, demonstrating improved outcomes for weight reduction for children and cardiovascular risk.
The History of AKAMFT
AKAMFT is the Alaska Division of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), the National association for our profession based in Washington D. C. Since 1942, AAMFT has established and maintained standards for the practice of marriage and family therapy and has been involved with the problems, needs and changing patterns of marriage, couple and family relationships. As AAMFT promotes increased understanding, research and education in our field on a national level, AKAMFT does so on a state level. AKAMFT actively develops and promotes legislation that ensures practitioners of the highest quality meet public needs. AKAMFT educates Alaskan therapists and the public about how to build healthier relationships and families.
Explanation of AKAMFT Logo
EXPLANATION OF LOGO ELEMENTS
Taking its inspiration from the logo of the national organization the Alaska Association for Marriage and Family Therapy has added an element representing the majestic Alaskan environment and has placed at the top of its design the mountains of Alaska represented in the stability of a triangle. The addition of this shape to the rectangular shape found in the national logo has resulted in an overall sign not unlike that of a house in which one might imagine a stable family environment. Within the rectangle one finds the letter A appearing as though it came out of the background into the foreground and in this manner is joining together the letter M. One might view the letter M as being made up of two independent individuals joining hands in an agreement or as identifying the strength of one individual encouraged by the letter A. The letters F and T might be taken to represent male and female offspring and/or extended family members who may be part of this unit. The overall concept then is one of a family unit made of unique individuals interrelating and cooperating in an atmosphere of harmony.
This concept was developed through the cooperation of Mercy Dennis, LMFT, the co-designer and Josef Princiotta, the artist. They utilized the MacIntosh computer to create the original black and white version of this design.
Taking its inspiration from the logo of the national organization the Alaska Association for Marriage and Family Therapy has added an element representing the majestic Alaskan environment and has placed at the top of its design the mountains of Alaska represented in the stability of a triangle. The addition of this shape to the rectangular shape found in the national logo has resulted in an overall sign not unlike that of a house in which one might imagine a stable family environment. Within the rectangle one finds the letter A appearing as though it came out of the background into the foreground and in this manner is joining together the letter M. One might view the letter M as being made up of two independent individuals joining hands in an agreement or as identifying the strength of one individual encouraged by the letter A. The letters F and T might be taken to represent male and female offspring and/or extended family members who may be part of this unit. The overall concept then is one of a family unit made of unique individuals interrelating and cooperating in an atmosphere of harmony.
This concept was developed through the cooperation of Mercy Dennis, LMFT, the co-designer and Josef Princiotta, the artist. They utilized the MacIntosh computer to create the original black and white version of this design.
What is the AAMFT?
The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) is the professional organization representing more than 23,000 Marriage and Family Therapists in the United States, Canada, and abroad. Since 1942, the AAMFT has increased understanding, research, and education in the field of marriage and family therapy, and ensured that public needs are met by trained MFTs. The AAMFT believes that therapists with specific education and training in marriage and family therapy provide the most effective mental health care to individuals, couples, and families.
from http://www.aamft.org/imis15/content/consumer_updates/Marriage_and_Family_Therapists.aspx
from http://www.aamft.org/imis15/content/consumer_updates/Marriage_and_Family_Therapists.aspx