Virginia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

09/09/2026

📣 Registration is now OPEN for the next VAMFT Quarterly Palaver Discussion!

🚼 Topic: Postpartum: the “Blues” or PPD? with presenter Roxana Kazemi, LMFT

📅 Friday, October 9, 2026 | 12:00–1:30 PM

💻 Live Online Event (no recording available)

✅ Free 1.5 CEUs for VAMFT Members!

As MFTs, we focus on system change – including the fundamental and profound changes at the birth of our clients’ newest family member. Even when expected and welcome, transitions and change can put stress on everyone in the family system. The postpartum period is further complicated by biological factors that have a direct impact on the health and wellness of the mother.

There have been cases in the news lately highlighting the challenges experienced by postpartum clients. These cases emphasize the importance of accurate identification of symptoms, effective treatment and the importance of identifying the need for intensive intervention as well as support in high-risk situations.

We will explore the postpartum period for mothers and families, consider the difference between expected, normative stress as compared to the “blues” and how to discern possible risks and signs of developing PPD. Goals for the webinar include:

1) Compare postpartum normative stress with indications of PPD

2) Assessment of PPD

3) Effective work with the new mother and, if relevant, partner in identifying need for help

4) Share clinical experiences of individual and relational therapy with postpartum clients

As with past Palavers, this will not be recorded in order to protect confidentiality in any discussion of clinical cases. Come join us for this LIVE discussion!

👉Register online (You must be logged in to your account!) https://vamft.wildapricot.org/events

👉 Not a member yet? Join us today and start receiving member benefits:https://vamft.wildapricot.org/join

❓Questions? Reach out to [email protected]

See you there!

08/28/2026

Registration is open for our next CEU opportunity, in partnership with VSCSW!

Title: "Assessment and Treatment of Hoarding and High Clutter Living Situations"

Dates/Time: September 10th & 17th, 2026 (this is a two part presentation) 12:00 - 2:00 pm

Venue: Live Zoom Training, which will be recorded.

The presentation will be recorded and will be available for viewing for 30 days. If viewing the presentation recording at a later date, a Certificate can be issued upon successful completion of an Evaluation and a short online Post-Test.

Presenter: Catherine "Cricket" L Farr, MA, LMHC, GMHS

Contact Hours: Each individual session is 2 contact hours, jointly issued by VSCSW and VAMFT

Fee: Free for VSCSW members, Bedford DSS, MSW and Doctoral Students; $30 per session for VAMFT, GWSCSW, NASW and non-members.

Group Discount to attend training: If your workplace wishes to have a group discount for 3 or more staff please email VSCSW Roanoke at [email protected]

To Join VAMFT go to: https://vamft.wildapricot.org/join
To Join VSCSW go to: https://vscsw.org/join/.

Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMesN3k-3iob3FLtoPphY3H13SJ3NUgTHw1mYZsTrC9q8ahw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106014597783285579975

Note: Upon completion of the registration form, you will then be directed to a “Check Out” link, which will finalize your registration process. If you have questions, please email the Roanoke Chapter, [email protected]

08/28/2026

08/17/2026

We are 2 months away from the 2026 Virtual Systemic Family Therapy Conference. Register today to secure your spot with standard pricing. https://ow.ly/giio50ZyBpg

08/16/2026

📣🎊VAMFT is pleased to announce our new President-Elect: Amy Reamer, LMFT, RPT-S! Amy has been nominated and formally appointed by a board vote, with our sincere thanks that she is willing to serve. Amy has already been hard at work on our Conference committee, and we’re glad she is ready for more! Amy brings leadership experience, a wide scope of applicable skills to board service and a spirit of positivity.

From Amy: "As President-Elect, my goal is to listen as much as I lead. I want to hear what inspires you about this profession, where you see opportunities for growth, what challenges you’re facing, and how VAMFT can best support both our members and the future of marriage and family therapy."

08/10/2026

We are seeking additional workshop and poster presenters for our conference! Bring your knowledge, experience and research to your Virginia colleagues!

Workshop presenters: We are granting an exhibitor’s table for both days – so bring your swag and your publications! 3 hour or 90-minute presentations are welcome.

Poster presenters: We are eager to hear from you about your research. It’s a true energizer for practitioners and other researchers to learn what is new or pending: you are the cutting edge in our field!

Any topic relevant to our relational work is welcome (not just AI!) Our data show there is much interest in both clinical topics and therapeutic approaches related to relational therapy.

The application deadline is Monday, AUGUST 31st.

For more information and the application, follow this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfN3LnlOHcwRu-dNxAXfdls4A31Sm3dvzQMlzcvuHi9Dqlxlw/viewform?pli=1

07/28/2026

Passing along an opportunity to participate in research! Eligibility and interest survey available here: https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a3ljgMIpNADktSe

07/28/2026

Applications are now open for AASECT’s JEDI Scholarships and Microgrants!

These opportunities provide meaningful support for AASECT membership, certification, supervision, and community-based sexuality education.

Learn more about available opportunities and submit your application by August 27, 2026 at https://www.aasect.org/2026-jedi-scholarships

07/27/2026

If you've wanted to get involved with MFT advocacy but don't have experience, here's a great opportunity to learn more through AAMFT! As always, we welcome anyone in the community who wants to get involved in advocacy efforts with VAMFT. Reach out any time to [email protected] or [email protected]!

Want to earn two CEs while also learning how you can advance the profession? AAMFT offers a comprehensive 2-hour training course on working with legislators and MFT advocacy. The course is $25, and closes on December 31, so there are still six months left to complete the course! Earn two CEs and a Credly digital badge!

https://givebutter.com/advocacycertificate

07/16/2026

See you all tomorrow for our discussion about neurodivergence in couples therapy!

Registration is now OPEN for the next VAMFT Quarterly Palaver Discussion!

• Topic: Couples and Neurodiversity
• Friday, July 17, 2026 | 12:00–1:30 PM
• Live Online Event

Issues related to neurodiversity encompass aspects of cognitive and emotional processing and behaviors. Approximately 2% of children are diagnosed with autism and 5-10% with ADHD, while specific learning disabilities provide another challenge for many. Neurodiversity is normative, though its effects present differently in people – even those with the “same” diagnosis. Many are not diagnosed until adulthood. And often, with no awareness of the presence or effects of “brain differences,” adult (and parent-child) relationships can be challenged by neurodiversity.
We will consider how neurodivergence affects couples, and how the effects on their work in therapy. We will share some of the relevant research AND allow plenty of time for comments, questions and case discussion – we will welcome your active participation – and we will not be recording.

Goals:
1) Define neurodiversity and its prevalence
2) Consider the effects of neurodivergence on couples’ lives
3) Discuss issues in therapeutic processing and effective interventions in working with couples where one or both are neurodiverse

This Palaver discussion will be led by VAMFT member Elizabeth Hinkle, LMFT. Elizabeth is in private practice in Virginia, working with adolescents and adults in her trauma-informed work, and has an avid interest in neurodivergence in individuals and the effects on their relationships.

• Free 1.5 CEUs for VAMFT Members!
• This discussion will not be recorded to protect confidentiality in any discussion of clinical cases, so plan to join us live!
• Register online (You must be logged in to your account!): https://vamft.wildapricot.org/events

Not a member yet? Join us today and start receiving member benefits: https://vamft.wildapricot.org/join

Questions? Reach out to [email protected]
See you there!