Louisiana Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Letter from the President
Dear LAMFT Members,
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent Ethics CEU event! It was a wonderful success, and we’re so grateful for the participation and support of our members. We hope to offer more engaging opportunities like this in the future to continue meeting your professional development needs.
We’re also excited to share that LAMFT members now have access to a discounted rate for the upcoming EFT Conference this October. To receive the discount code, please email us directly.
Looking ahead, details about the LAMFT 2026 Conference can now be found under the Conference tab on our website. We encourage you to check there regularly as more information becomes available.
In addition, we are regularly updating our CEU page with new events and offerings. Be sure to check in often so you don’t miss anything. We’re also working toward making on-demand CEUs available soon, something we know will add flexibility and accessibility for members across the state.
We are always looking for feedback and ideas to better serve you. Please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts on future events, CEU offerings, or ways we can support you as a professional.
Thank you for being part of LAMFT and for your commitment to strengthening the profession. We look forward to sharing more opportunities with you in the months ahead!
Warmly,
Madelynn Fellon, MA, LPC-S, LMFT-SC, NCC
President, LAMFT
About LAMFT: Advancing Marriage & Family Therapy in Louisiana
The Louisiana Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (LAMFT) has been a steadfast advocate for the profession and practice of Marriage and Family Therapy across the state since its inception in 1976. Originally incorporated as a state division of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), LAMFT has grown to become a vital voice for licensed professionals dedicated to strengthening individuals, couples, and families through systemic therapy.
In 2001, under the leadership of Lane Brigham and Carol Kacer, LAMFT achieved a major legislative milestone: the successful passage of licensure for Marriage and Family Therapists in Louisiana. This landmark effort led to the creation of the Marriage and Family Therapy Advisory Committee (MFTAC) to the LPC Board, and the grandfathering of nearly one thousand licensees into the profession.
By 2009, licensure for MFTs had been established in all 50 states, following a national model law template. Louisiana continued to shape its own path with key legislative victories. In 2010, LAMFT played a pivotal role in expanding MFTAC and defending the profession against an omnibus licensing board initiative. This led to a compromise that temporarily added “serious mental illness” (SMI) language to the law.
In 2016, LAMFT launched a collaborative, grassroots campaign alongside the Louisiana Counseling Association (LCA) to address this language. Partnering with State Senator Jean-Paul Morrell, the organizations successfully removed the SMI clause, while also securing permanent recognition of LMFTs' and LPCs’ right to independently diagnose and treat—a defining moment for the profession in Louisiana.
Between 2017 and 2021, LAMFT partnered closely with AAMFT to further develop and expand its reach. In 2022, LAMFT officially established itself as an independent organization, redefining its bylaws and structure to better serve the unique needs of Marriage and Family Therapists in Louisiana. Since then, LAMFT has continued to grow its membership, host impactful conferences, and elevate public awareness of the essential role MFTs play in mental health care.
Today, LAMFT remains committed to supporting and advancing the practice of Marriage and Family Therapy in Louisiana through advocacy, education, and community-building. We are proud of our history—and even more excited about the future.
“We are born in relationship, we are wounded in relationship, and we can be healed in relationship.”
— Harville Hendrix, Ph.D.,S
