FAQs

Find an Approved Supervisor

Search our directory of Approved Supervisors.

Approved Supervision Designation: Standards Handbook

Please click the subheading above to download the most recent PDF version of the handbook. Effective January 1, 2014 all new applicants for the Approved Supervisor Designation must adhere to the 2014 Approved Supervision Designation: Standard Handbook for a complete description of the standards, responsibilities and guidelines for marriage and family therapy supervision. Please click above to obtain the latest version of the Handbook, version 2, which contains the latest information on standards and revisions for the designation.

30 Hour Fundamentals of Supervision Course

AAMFT Approved Supervisors ensure a learning environment that is supportive and nurturing while providing therapists and trainees access to the latest innovations in the field. As part of the application process, Professional members interested in the Approved Supervisor designation must complete a 30-hour Fundamentals of Supervision course.

Click the image below to view a video guide:

Becoming an Approved Supervisor under the Regular Track

A marriage and family therapist who has completed a graduate degree in marriage and family therapy or a closely related field and holds a Professional membership in AAMFT can begin their training for the Approved Supervisor (AS) designation under the regular track. During this period, they are referred to as supervisor candidates.

Click the image below to view a video guide:

Becoming an Approved Supervisor under the Doctoral Track

Graduates of COAMFTE-accredited doctoral programs may complete the requirements and apply for the Approved Supervisor designation under the Doctoral track.

Click the image below to view a video guide:

Approved Supervisor Designation Final Application Submission Process

For all of those who have undergone the full Approved Supervisor training and filled out the form in the Standards Handbook, you may email it and other related documents via the SendSafely secure link: Submit a request – AAMFT Member Services.

6 Hour Refresher Course

To maintain the highest quality supervisors in the field, AAMFT requires that Approved Supervisors take a refresher course prior to the renewal of their designation.

Approved Supervisor Designation Consultation

Have questions regarding the AAMFT Approved Supervisor Designation? Schedule a Consultation. 

Current AAMFT Approved Supervisors or AAMFT members who are currently in training for the AAMFT Approved Supervisor designation, or who are planning to become an AAMFT Approved Supervisor in the future, can consult with AAMFT’s Approved Supervisor Designation Manager regarding any questions you may have about the AAMFT Approved Supervisor standards, pre-requisites and requirements for the designation, maintaining and renewing the designation, clarification on the Approved Supervisor handbook, etc. 

Consultations are in 15-minute increments. Schedule a phone consultation at this link. An AAMFT staff member will call you at the scheduled consultation time. If you do not receive a call at that time, please call (703) 838-9808 or email [email protected]. If you cannot make the appointment, please cancel the appointment so that others may be able to access that time. Consultations are typically available during the following hours: 

Tuesdays: 9:00am - 1:00 pm Eastern time
Wednesdays: 9:00am - 1:00 pm Eastern time
Thursdays: 9:00am -1:00 pm Eastern time

COAMFTE Doctoral Programs' Pre-Approved Courses

Beginning from July 1, 2017, COAMFTE accredited doctoral programs that wish to offer their students the additional benefit of AAMFT Approved Supervisor training in the context of their COAMFTE required clinical supervision course are required pre-approval from AAMFT, including syllabus submission to AAMFT to ensure that it meets the required elements as detailed in the AAMFT Approved Supervision Designation Standards Handbook. Here is a list of the COAMFTE Doctoral programs who have their fundamentals of supervision course pre-approved by AAMFT.