Online submissions will be taken until 11:59pm, December 1, 2009

1. AAMFT Members should use their Member ID numbers.  Please make sure all of your information (address, phone numbers, email addresses) is current. You can check your information in the "Members Only" section of the AAMFT web page by clicking on "Update Your Contact Information."  For information on logging on to the "Members Only" Section click here. If you have questions email central@aamft.org, or call 703-838-9808. 
   
2. Presenters who are not members of the AAMFT should contact AAMFT Member Services (703-838-9808 or central@aamft.org) to obtain a "Guest ID" number.  Please provide name, address, phone number, and email when requesting a Guest ID.
   
3. NOTE: All presenters must have an accurate and current email address on file in the AAMFT. Failure to provide an email address will result in your abstract not being processed. All correspondence between the AAMFT and presenters will be by email.

Marriage: Relational and Societal Perspectives

Marriage is a critical element in the lives of most clients. It has also become the subject of passionate public debate in recent years. The concept of marriage, and indeed the very use of the word marriage, is imbedded in the profession of marriage and family therapy—both in the MFT license and in the name of the association that represents the field, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Yet, MFTs hold very diverse and deeply held opinions about marriage—from the role of the MFT in preserving marriage, to the question of who can legally marry. This conference is unlikely to alter our opinions and beliefs, but we can engage in civil discourse and seek to understand perspectives that may differ from our own.

In addition to exploring the MFT’s beliefs and opinions about marriage, this conference will address the social context of marriage. We know that the structure and functioning of marriages have evolved through history. What was once “typical” or “average” is no longer the norm. At present many couples are in long-term relationships without marriage—due to choice or the lack of marriage as a legal option. Divorce rates are declining but remain high. Few could argue that the institution of marriage is undergoing considerable changes in our lifetimes.

How will we respectfully incorporate our individual beliefs with our work with clients? How can we respond to a changing social climate, and provide needed services to various couple and family configurations?

In this conference, we will:

• Review how the institution of marriage has taken different meanings, served various purposes, and evolved throughout history.

• Look at best practices in couple therapy.

• Explore research on factors in successful marriages, as well as predictors of divorce.

• Discuss ways in which MFTs can prepare individuals for successful marriage.

• Consider the MFTs role in preserving marriages, and in helping families where marriages have ended.

• Examine cultural perspectives on marriage, and how they impact our clients’ expectations of marriage.

• Investigate the challenges for gay and lesbian couples who are newly married, or for whom legal marriage is not an option. 

We seek abstracts for presentations that specifically address the theme of marriage—the view from the therapist’s chair, the client’s chair, and in society at large. We encourage creative workshop formats, such as panel discussions or respectful pro/con presentations to debate perspectives.

• Abstract submissions must be received by 11:59pm, December 1, 2009.
• Preference will be given to presentations that address the conference theme.  
• Each abstract will be peer reviewed using a "blind review" process. 
• Both reviewers’ ratings and program balance are considerations in the final 
  abstract selections. 
• The lead presenter will be notified via email whether the abstract has been accepted by April 2010 and is responsible for conveying this and all subsequent conference-related information to the co-presenters. 
• Reviewer scores are available, upon written request, after July 2010.

• Maximum presenters per submission is six (6).
• Presenters can appear on no more than two (2) non-research Poster abstract submissions as the lead presenter and can be lead on only one Research Poster session.
• All Presenters listed MUST have a Member or Guest ID number.

• Limit the title to 60 Characters, including spaces and punctuation.
• Title should convey the scope of the presentation.

• This is an abridged version (maximum of 60 words) of the abstract. 
• If your proposal is selected, this summary will be the ONLY description of the session that will appear in the conference program, so ensure it can stand alone to represent the session content.
• Please write the abstract using the future verb tense (e.g., This workshop will...).
• Do not use pronouns.
• Do not use quotation marks (").  If necessary use single quotation mark (').
• Do not use hard returns (do not hit the enter key at the end of any sentence) Text should be in one continuous paragraph.

• 300-word description of the proposed presentation. (This will be read by reviewers, but will not appear in the conference program.)
• Be as specific as possible about the content of your presentation and what the participants will learn. 
• Research abstracts should include a statement of the research, results, and implications.
• Research Poster proposals must mention methodology, sample size, and findings, and must report COMPLETED data collection.
• Do not use quotation marks (").  If necessary use single quotation mark (').
• Do not use hard returns (do not hit the enter key at the end of any sentence) Text should be in one continuous paragraph.

• This is to help the reviewers assess whether the objectives for the session are realistic and achievable. 
• In narrative form (Do not use an outline) detail how you plan to structure the session.
• Include how you plan to allocate the available time to cover all aspects of your proposal.
• Address how experiential activities, handouts, audiovisuals, etc. will be used in this session.
• Do not use quotation marks (").  If necessary use single quotation mark (').
• Do not use hard returns (do not hit the enter key at the end of any sentence) Text should be in one continuous paragraph.
• Not necessary for poster sessions

• List at least three (3) learning objectives (i.e., what participants will know or be able to do after attending this session). 
• Limit each objective to 150 characters.
• Conference participants will evaluate sessions based on the extent to which the objectives have been met.
• Please use the stem provided (i.e., Participants will) and complete the sentence.
• Do not use quotation marks (").  If necessary use single quotation mark (').

• Please describe your and your co-presenter’s expertise in this topic area and experience with teaching the proposed material (e.g., previous evaluations, related publications). 
• Please avoid including information that could reveal the identities of the presenters.
• Do not paste in CVs or Resumes.
• Do not use quotation marks (").  If necessary use single quotation mark (').

• Principles and Theory (focused on fundamental principles and theory of a particular topic; presumes participants have little or no experience with this topic)
• Development of Skills/Knowledge (designed to add to or help participants develop knowledge; presumes participants are familiar with the topic)
• Research/Emerging Knowledge (presumes participants have considerable experience with the subject)

• Lecture (primarily didactic with little audience participation)
• Interactive (considerable amount of experiential exercises and/or small group discussions)
• NA (for poster sessions only)

• Pre-Conference Institute (5-hour in-depth presentation)
• Seminar (3-hour presentation)
• Workshop (2-hour presentation)
• Research Poster (4’ X 4’ visual presentation of completed research in the field of MFT. Data collection and analysis must be completed prior to abstract submission.)

Code

Code

• Indicate whether you will require an LCD projector, DVD player, or flipchart for your presentation. (Due to changing technology slide projectors, overhead projectors and VCRs are no longer available.) Not applicable for Research Posters.
• Please limit your request to two (2) pieces of equipment.

• Indicate whether you agree to have your session audio recorded in its entirety.

1. Presenters must register for the conference and pay all conference fees.
2. All presenters listed (second, third, etc. Research Poster presenters are excepted. Lead Research Poster presenters must be present.) must be in attendance at the session.
3. The individual submitting the proposal will be considered the "lead presenter" and agrees to receive all correspondence and accepts responsibility for conveying conference related information to co-presenters.
4. Appropriate "Releases of Confidential Information" have been obtained for all client materials and copyrighted materials that will be used or recorded as part of this presentation. The responsibility for protecting client confidentiality rests with the presenters.
5. Individuals submitting or included within this proposal have agreed to be present in Atlanta, Georgia during the time and date assigned to the presentation at the 2010 Annual Conference, and to conduct this proposed presentation according to the conditions listed above.
6. The AAMFT audio records conference presentations, including any video or audio excerpts played during the session. The recordings are distributed for educational purposes with no remuneration to presenters; proceeds are used to support the practice and profession of marriage and family therapy. Audio recordings of sessions will be available to presenters at a discounted price.
7. Submit presentation handouts and/or PowerPoint presentations to be incorporated into the conference recordings.
8. All presenters agree to submit a current Resume or CV in WORD (or compatible) format to abstracts@aamft.org. The name of the attachment should be "Member ID Number-CV.doc". Please enter your member ID as a six digit number (e.g., if your ID # is 4697 the file should be named 004697-CV.doc). Resumes should be sent by by December 1, 2009. NOTE: If your name is listed on multiple abstract submissions, AAMFT only needs ONE copy of your resume. You do NOT need to submit a resume for each separate submission.
9. For presentations involving research with human subjects, the presenters confirm that the research has received approval from the appropriate Institutional Review Board and the data has been collected in an ethical manner.
10. All Research Poster presenters affirm that data collection and analysis for the proposed abstract is complete at the time of this submission.