Welcome from the AAFT President

Dear members, colleagues and visitors,
Welcome to the Australian Association of Family Therapy Web Site. We hope you find this site useful and informative. Within this site you will find a range of information about family therapy as well as the latest news and views about AAFT.The online database is most useful if you are looking for a therapist. There are downloadable forms for your use as well as other information regarding membership and supervision.

I hope that you find the information you are seeking. If all else fails, please do not hesitate to contact the AAFT office on (03) 9429 9938 or admin@aaft.asn.au

Explore away!
Margaret Hodge
AAFT President

Message from the President

AAFT acknowledges that family therapists are seen by the organisation as important practitioners in the therapeutic community and as such our quest is to have the profession recognised.

We will forever remember the challenges that beset us all in both our physical and social arenas this year.  We have been challenged as practitioners to find other ways to provide our services to others.  Virtual sessions allowed therapy to continue with individuals, couples and families.  It meant that, whilst challenging at times, we were able to continue the work and the connection with our clients.  Clients felt supported, and like us, adjusted to the changes.  It wasn’t of course the same as the family being in the room together and watching those dynamics unfold, however the family work continued and clients certainly benefited from this.

AAFT too adjusted this year.  Our notable P.D./workshops were also presented via the Zoom platform, and were a great success.  We were able to provide a number of workshops throughout Australia that were available to all members at all times, irrespective of their home State.  Through this medium we were also able to offer the P.D.’s to non members, a way of both publicising and encouraging practitioners to become members of AAFT.

We have adapted to our new circumstances.  Into 2021 the CoM will work towards the goals of growing our membership base and having the profession of Family Therapy recognised in and of its own right.  We have a very enthusiastic sub-committee working towards this goal, so please stay tuned.  Our Annual Conference will be delivered from Perth, W.A. as was postponed this year.  It may see us have an amalgam of both face-to-face and a virtual conference.  We are learning to be flexible and adaptable.

Finally, you will receive shortly, if not already have done so, a notice around the changes to our membership fee process, the onset of six-monthly fees will commence as from the 1st January and will hopefully provide greater flexibility and encouragement for both members and non-members to continue their membership with AAFT.

Best wishes to you all,

Margaret Hodge