It’s hard to be considered a “professional” in mental health if you don’t bother to support the primary organization that represents your discipline at a national and state level. You have lots of options. Listed below are links to more than twenty professional 
associations in mental health. If you are not already a member, pick one and join it. These organizations are the most likely ways that national laws get changed to support the work you do.
- American Art Therapy Association
- American Association of Christian Counselors
- American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapsts
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists
- American Counseling Association
- American Medical Association
- American Mental Health Counselors Association
- American Music Therapy Association
- American Psychiatric Association
- American Psychological Association
- American School Counselors Association
- American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama
- Association for Play Therapy
- Association for Women in Pyschology
- British Association for Counselling
- Chi Sigma Iota
- European Branch of the American Counseling Association
- International Society for Mental Health Online
- National (USA) Association for Poetry Therapy
- National (USA) Association of Science Writers
- National (USA) Association of Social Workers
- National (USA)Association for Drama Therapy
- National Association for Addiction Professionals
- National Association of School Psychologists
- United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy
I am able to keep this list current and ever-expanding because so many of you have taken a moment to share the organizations that you know about. I hope you’ll take a moment to let me know if I’ve left others off the list!
You might add: The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis – asch.net – and the the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis – http://www.sceh.us/
After investing a lot of my hard earned money into several professional organizations I finally sat down and took a close look at what I was getting for my membership fees. I dropped many of them but have continued to be a member of the Association for Play Therapy. They credentialed me as a play therapist and for nearly two years I’ve been one of their approved providers offering play therapy trainings locally and across the nation. I’m so impressed with how APT is run that I am currently participating in a year long leadership academy to learn more about how it’s governed. Completion of the academy will make me viable for leadership on the national level. I attend their yearly conferences and have met so many wonderful therapists who share my passion for play. My advice is to find a professional organization that speaks to you and for you and become involved.
Pam! Thank you for taking time to speak to the benefits of getting actively involved in a professional association rather than just paying your dues! It makes a huge difference . . . not only in increasing your viability for national leadership but also in increasing your visibility and name recognition among your pears around the country . . . and beyond! I always marvel at those who pay their dues to join a professional organization or networking group but choose not to then get active on a committee or in a leadership capacity and then complain that they get no referrals from the group members! Duh . . . !
Congrats to you for showing your commitment and initiative to get involved in the practice of play therapy! How cool that they offer a year-long mentoring and training academy that positions you to actually connect with and influence other play therapists! When I’ve taken leadership training (outside of mental health) the effects have rippled far beyond the circles for which it was offered! I know the same will be true for you, Pam, and for others who choose this path. You offer wise advice to us all.
And, on a side note, I so appreciate your ongoing involvement here at Private Practice from the Inside Out and your thoughtful contributions to offer support and advice to colleagues.
I completely agree with Pam! I did the same thing a year or so ago. I went through the benefits and what I needed in my practice. As a self-pay practice, some of the political action committees and notes about their actions didn’t really apply to me. And while I applaud their efforts to help those clinicians who do need their work, it wasn’t a great fit for me! So I’ve scaled back to one professional organization and I’ve been pleased with the results! I am involved with that group (National Council on Family Relations ot NCFR.org). I attend their conferences. I network with their members. And I’ve grown professionally as a result! Thanks for sharing the list of other groups. I hadn’t heard of all of them…maybe it’s time to research again!
Hi, Tammy! Welcome to Private Practice from the Inside Out! It’s good to have your voice here.
I can so relate! When I first went into practice, I was interested in lots of professional associations. However, over time, I found myself whittling down my memberships to those that resonated with my needs and my passions. I now belong to the American Counseling Association (and the Colorado Counseling Association) and the Association for Women in Psychology.
please add the American Orthopsychiatric Association
Thanks, Dennis, for suggesting this! I had not heard of this organization that focuses on mental health and social justice. Happy to add it here! http://www.aoatoday.com/
American Psychiatric Nurses Association | APNA