COVID-19: Resources for Marriage and Family Therapists 


AAMFT has been adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic for just over two months. While we had to transition a Board meeting to virtual, cancel the Leadership Symposium and Clinical Institutes, we have added the At Home Series, MFT Virtual Hangouts, and continue to offer education and training opportunities through Teneo.

We will remain diligent in our efforts to bring our members the most up to date resources, advance the profession – particularly in telehealth at the state level, and provide members with the opportunity to connect.

Recently on one of our MFT Virtual Hangouts, a member remarked how the ability to dialogue peer to peer made him feel more connected to MFTs and AAMFT than anything else he has done in the past. I’m proud of the way that our profession has risen to the occasion and adapted to continue to serve those in need. And how we have all done our part to support one another.

I want to say thank you to all our members who have volunteered their time to support first responders, made adaptations to ensure their clients could still access vital care during this time, and those who have worked tirelessly on top of their other duties to support AAMFT’s efforts. Your actions are sincerely appreciated and your impact is immeasurable.

Rest assured, for as long as these challenges exist, AAMFT will continue to work to provide relevant resources and advocate to remove barriers to your work. Please be sure to check back here, as well as consult the Family Therap-eNews and FTM, for new information, resources, and opportunities to connect as we navigate this time together.


Tracy Todd, PhD
CEO, AAMFT

COVID-19: Reopening Practices and Resuming In-Person Sessions

As states being to reopen and lift stay-at-home orders, it is important to strategically plan and implement policies before reopening. Therapists are to exercise their professional judgment in considering reopening their practices. The decision to reopen is unique to each therapist situation. As you begin to consider reopening your practice, please take these necessary steps before reopening your practice.

In this overview to re-opening, you will find information on the following considerations:

  • Comply with federal, state, and local guidelines
  • Assess whether an in-person session is necessary
  • Liability and legal implications
  • Sample language for waiver form

Continue reading COVID-19: Reopening Practices and Resuming In-Person Sessions

Resources for Telehealth

updated Tuesday, March 17
AAMFT works closely with the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG), a coalition of 60 mental health associations, and other allies to advocate for policies that advance and support treatment and strengthen access to behavioral health care for clients, such as increased funding and recognition for behavioral health care and mental health parity. AAMFT and the mental health community support coverage and recognition for teletherapy services on par with therapy provided in a traditional office setting, and will continue advocating for such recognition. Since teletherapy laws are state specific, AAMFT will monitor and strategically advocate for teletherapy and reimbursement. Please consult your state licensing board and forward any information to the Family TEAM at familyteam@aamft.org.

Providing Services During the Coronavirus Pandemic

The global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has MFTs questioning whether they can provide their services through the use of telehealth technology, especially given the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization to practice social distancing. While telehealth seems like the easiest solution to best protect yourself as the mental health provider, as well as your clients, it’s important to understand the complexities of providing telehealth services before making the decision to offer teletherapy to your clients. Click this link for more information: 

Top Items to Consider Before Offering Teletherapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Coronavirus and State/Provincial Guidelines for Telehealth This guideline contains information pertaining to teletherapy laws at the state and provincial level, including any waivers to certain teletherapy requirements and policies regarding insurance reimbursement for teletherapy. Not all states have regulations; updates will be made to this page as new information is received. This information can change rapidly. added March 23, 2020.

An Introduction to Setting up a Telebehavioral Heath Practice: Competencies and Considerations

updated Monday, March 16
Katherine Hertlein, PhD, LMFT

Best Practices in the Online Practice of Couple and Family Therapy

Download a free copy of the Best Practices in the Online Practice of Couple and Family Therapy

AAMFT Affiliate Partner Resources

Motivo: offering all AAMFT members a free, HIPAA-compliant platform for virtual supervision during COVID-19.

Read their announcement, Supporting Our Supervisors During COVID-19, for more information.

SimplePractice: Telehealth Resources

As more communities practice social distancing, it may disrupt the ability to attend in-person services. Telehealth is an important alternative to have available at times like these, so SimplePractice has shared a list of resources:

CPH & Associates: Coverage for Telehealth

CPH's policy does cover telehealth, as long as services are being provided legally within the scope of their state license. Members should always confirm with their licensing board, and any licensing board/state they may be providing services into, to confirm it is allowed. See this blog post, Coronavirus and Telehealth: Am I Covered? for those insured for more information.

Brighter Vision: Telehealth Resources 

Additional Resources for Telehealth

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services General Provider Telehealth and Telemedicine Tool Kit

Resources for Private Practice

SBA Coronavirus Relief Options

Please know that AAMFT members with practices may be eligible for funding assistance under the CARES Act. The Paycheck Protection Program provides loan forgiveness for retaining employees by temporarily expanding the traditional SBA 7(a) loan program. EIDL Loan Advance will provide up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties.

More information about the various types of SBA assistance is available at SBA Coronavirus Relief Options. We highly encourage our members to carefully research their options and consult with a CPA to fully understand the qualifications, details and terms of these loans prior to applying.

Telemental Health for Couples


Presented by Sheila Addison, PhD, LMFT, and hosted by the Couples and Intimate Relationships Topical Interest Network.

AAMFT Blog: Clinical and Practice-Related Resources

Visit The AAMFT Blog to find articles written by MFTs on topics including working with children online, navigating your own emotional well-being while helping clients during the pandemic, and more. You will also find MFT-sourced articles to share with your clients and social media followers that help people navigate mental health, boundaries, and other important topics during quarantine.

AAMFT Event Updates

For a full list of cancelled and rescheduled events, and AAMFT's plans for all 2020 events, please click here.

At Home Series 

AAMFT's At Home Series is a FREE series featuring our most innovative systemic thinkers from their homes to yours. Join us as we explore how our profession  can offer hope and healing in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Just want to talk?

MFT Virtual Hangouts are sessions for MFTs who want to connect with other AAMFT members and talk about how you are coping with the changes brought on by COVID-19. You will find these events in a list of upcoming online events found at the Upcoming Event Calendar. This list includes the At Home Series, virtual events hosted by Geographic and Topical Interest Networks, and the virtual hangouts for MFTs.