Virginia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

01/16/2026

One week away from our BURNOUT workshop! Register and you can join us live or watch the recording later. As always, discounts are available for VAMFT members https://vamft.wildapricot.org/events

📣 Registration is now OPEN for the next VAMFT workshop!
📍 Topic: Burnout: Exploration and Prevention for a Healthier New Year – Presented by Luc Watelet, LPC
📅 Friday, January 23, 2026| 1:00–3:00 PM
💻 Live Online Event – Recording will be available for those who can’t make it!

Burnout occurs when our stress levels move too high. A little stress is motivating. Beyond a certain threshold the opposite happens. Symptoms include: irritability, fatigue, lack of motivation, cynicism, and isolation. At the extreme it could lead to su***de. Burnout can affect all aspects of life: loss of interest in work, relationships, hobbies, etc. A systemic approach to burnout looks at the work environment. There can also be an individual responsibility: Part of the problem can come from the fact that many love helping others but are not very good at taking care of themselves, they are good at giving to others but not so much at receiving help. We’ll look at what is at the core of burnout and how to overcome it.

Workshop Goals:
1) To understand that burnout comes from disregarding warning signs: We are not just robots. The motto: “Mind over matter!” can go too far.
2) To see ourselves as human beings: Warning signs are important in getting to know who we are. There is gold hidden inside our burnout!
3) Learning to live in harmony with self: developing a healthy inner government.
4) Ultimately: rediscovering the freedom to be who we are in the world!

Two CEs are available with discounted rates for VAMFT members. Visit https://vamft.wildapricot.org/events to register.

Not a member yet? You’re missing out on discounted CEUs! Join us today: https://vamft.wildapricot.org/join

See you there!

01/12/2026

The Board of Counseling has issued revised regulations, and the changes went into effect on December 18, 2025.
If you have not seen this, briefly: there is no set time limit for residency; there are changes to how the hours are counted; half the hours toward licensure (client contact and supervision) must be completed within two years of licensure application; residents must renew licenses annually (June 30th); residents may place their Resident License into inactive status, and they no longer require that an applicant pass the licensing exam within six years of initial licensure.

The revised regulations are available here:https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/media/dhpweb/docs/counseling/leg/MFT.pdf

01/12/2026

Anxiety and stress are natural human responses—but for marginalized communities, these experiences are often intensified by systemic oppression, financial instability, and discrimination. The Anxiety & Stress section of Cultural Compass, Volume I dives into the importance of culturally adapted interventions that validate clients’ lived experiences and address both individual and systemic stressors. Approaches such as mindfulness, somatic therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be tailored to align with clients’ cultural and social realities.
Therapists are also encouraged to use the Cultural Compass to integrate trauma-informed, culturally responsive care that fosters trust, reduces stigma, and promotes resilience.
📘Explore the full guide + companion workbook https://www.vitalsource.com/products/cultural-compass-therapeutic-activities-for-jermaine-lowery-v9798998695421

01/09/2026

Curious about the revisions in the AAMFT Code of Ethics? Upcoming webinar 1/29:

Learn to effectively and ethically read and comply with the 2026 edition of the AAMFT Code of Ethics. Understanding and applying the new code of ethics to one’s professional practice is not optional but essential for ethical conduct. This webinar will review the updated and revised substandards of...

01/08/2026

Members of VAMFT have been expressing interest in workshops about the use of AI in therapy spaces! If you or someone you know is experienced with the use of AI and has ideas (pro or con) related to outcomes, ethics or related issues, or you know someone knowledgeable in AI development, we'd love to hear from you! Message here or send an email directly to Julie Sayre president@vamft.net.

Psychotherapy Networker is offering a free training on the ethics of AI in March 2026 (additional cost for CEUs). More info here: https://catalog.psychotherapynetworker.org/sales/pn_s_059867_aiinbh_sum94560_organic-1719678

01/08/2026

Great opportunity for Play Therapists!

VAPT is offering a scholarship for a master’s-level or licensed clinician to attend the 2026 VAPT Annual Conference.
📍 Richmond, VA | 📅 March 13–14, 2026
🎤 Featuring Dr. Brandy Schumann

🗓️ Scholarship Deadline: Sunday, February 1, 2026

👉 Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/bdkpjbyz

Let’s support the future of play therapy in Virginia!

01/06/2026

Students: Want to share your research with the community? Come give a mini-presentation at the VAMFT conference! Reach out to and we'll get you connected with Heather Stockton (our Conference Committee Chair)

01/04/2026

Important advocacy opportunity this month!!

Join us for a congressional briefing on January 15th in Washington DC on proposed federal student loan changes and their effects on the mental health provider workforce.

12/22/2025

Registration is now open for the 2026 Society for S*x Therapy and Research (SSTAR) annual meeting! This year's theme is "S*xuality in Connection: A Systemic Perspective" and early bird prices are available through March 1st, 2026.
For more information and registration, visit

S*xuality in Connection: A Systemic PerspectiveThe conference will explore how sexuality is shaped by interpersonal dynamics, relational contexts, broader systemic influences, and technology. Emphasizing the integration of cutting-edge research with clinical applications, we will highlight how polit...

12/22/2025

The 2026 “Benchmarking Telehealth Usage in Virginia” survey is open now through January 30, 2026! If you use telehealth to offer therapy to your clients, make sure to participate in this anonymous survey from the Virginia Telehealth Network. More information about the survey is available here:

As part of ongoing efforts to monitor the impact of telehealth on Virginia’s patients and providers, the Virginia Telehealth Network (VTN) conducts a periodic “Benchmarking Telehealth Usage in Virginia” survey of actively licensed health care providers across the Commonwealth. This research ef...

12/17/2025

What have you been working on lately? VAMFT is seeking presenters for next year, especially in February and April. Reach out to get involved -- We can't wait to learn from you!

12/15/2025

Quick read to stay informed!!

New borrowing caps for federal graduate student loans are scheduled to take effect in July 2026. Read our one-pager at the link below to learn how this will impact MFTs.
https://plus.aamft.org/one-pager-federal-graduate-student-loan-changes-impacting-mfts/