PREAMBLE
The Board of Directors of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) hereby
promulgates, pursuant to Article 2, Section 2.01.3 of the Association’s Bylaws, the Revised AAMFT Code of
Ethics effective January 1, 2026.
Honoring Public Trust
The AAMFT strives to honor the public trust in marriage and family therapists by setting standards for ethical
practice as described in this Code. The ethical standards define professional expectations and are enforced by
the AAMFT Ethics Committee.
Commitment to Service, Advocacy, and Public Participation
Marriage and family therapists are defined by an enduring dedication to professional and ethical excellence,
as well as the commitment to service, advocacy, and public participation. These commitments are recognized
as responsibilities to the profession equal in importance to all other aspects. Further, these commitments
promote equitable access to the mental healthcare marriage and family therapists provide. As systemic
clinicians, marriage and family therapists embody these aspirations by participating in activities that contribute
to a better community and society, including devoting a portion of their professional activity to services for
which there is little or no financial return. Marriage and family therapists are concerned with developing laws
and regulations pertaining to marriage and family therapy that serve the public interest, and with altering
such laws and regulations that are not in the public interest. Marriage and family therapists also encourage
public participation in the design and delivery of professional services and in the regulation of practitioners.
Professional competence in these areas is essential to the character of the field, and to the well-being of clients
and their communities.
Seeking Consultation
Although the AAMFT Code of Ethics seeks to be comprehensive, it is not exhaustive and there may be
behaviors or situations that implicate ethical principles but are not explicitly addressed here. Marriage and
family therapists who are uncertain about the ethics of a particular course of action are encouraged to seek
counsel from consultants, attorneys, supervisors, colleagues, or other appropriate authorities.
Ethical Decision-Making
Both law and ethics govern the practice of marriage and family therapy. When making decisions regarding
professional behavior, marriage and family therapists must consider the AAMFT Code of Ethics and applicable
laws and regulations. If the AAMFT Code of Ethics prescribes a standard higher than that required by law,
marriage and family therapists must meet the higher standard of the AAMFT Code of Ethics. Marriage and
family therapists comply with the mandates of law, clearly communicate their commitment to the AAMFT Code
of Ethics, and take steps to resolve the conflict in a responsible manner. The AAMFT supports legal mandates
for reporting of alleged unethical conduct.
Marriage and family therapists remain accountable to the AAMFT Code of Ethics when acting as members or
employees of organizations. If the mandates of an organization with which a marriage and family therapist is
affiliated, through employment, contract or otherwise, conflict with the AAMFT Code of Ethics, marriage and
family therapists clearly communicate to the organization their commitment to the AAMFT Code of Ethics and
take reasonable steps to resolve the conflict in a way that allows the fullest adherence to the Code of Ethics.
Binding Expectations
Members of AAMFT in all membership categories, including applicants for membership, must know the
AAMFT Code of Ethics and its application to their professional services. Lack of awareness or misunderstanding
of an ethical standard is not a defense to a charge of unethical conduct. The AAMFT Code of Ethics is binding
on members of AAMFT in all membership categories, including applicants for membership.
Resolving Complaints
The process for filing, investigating, and resolving complaints of unethical conduct is described in the current
AAMFT Procedures for Handling Ethical Matters. AAMFT members and applicants for membership who are
accused are considered innocent by the Ethics Committee until proven guilty, except as otherwise provided,
and are entitled to due process. If an AAMFT member resigns in anticipation or during the course of an ethics
investigation, the Ethics Committee will complete its investigation. Any publication of action taken by the
Association will include the fact that the member, or applicant for membership, attempted to resign during
the investigation.
Aspirational Core Values
The following core values speak generally to the membership of AAMFT as a professional association, yet they
also inform all the varieties of practice and service in which marriage and family therapists engage. These core
values are aspirational in nature and are distinct from ethical standards. These values are intended to provide a
framework within which marriage and family therapists may pursue the highest goals of practice.
The core values of AAMFT embody:
1. The cultivation of an inclusive environment without prejudice and oppression where equity, belonging, and
mutual respect are intrinsic.
2. Responsiveness and excellence in service to members.
3. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and excellence in clinical practice, supervision, research, education,
and administration.
4. Distinctiveness and excellence in training of marriage and family therapists in systemic and relational therapies.
5. Integrity in ethical and honest behavior within Association governance.
6. Innovation and the advancement of knowledge of systemic and relational therapies.
Ethical Standards
Ethical standards, by contrast to aspirational values, are rules of practice that marriage and family therapists
are obliged to follow. Ethical standards are used to adjudicate ethical complaints. The introductory paragraph
to each standard in the AAMFT Code of Ethics is an aspirational and explanatory orientation to the
enforceable standards that follow.