Newsletter
Volume 30| 2007| Number 2
Australian Association for Cognitive Behavior Therapy
By Prof. Ross Menzies
The AACBT (Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy) is a professional body established to promote CBT principles in both theory and practice. The organization is a multi-disciplinary body. Members include individuals with tertiary qualifications in psychology, medicine, social work, nursing, occupational therapy and teaching. The AACBT, a non-profit organization, has a large membership both nationally and statewide. It consists of a national executive and five state branches (New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, and Queensland). The AACBT aims to:
- Promote the ethical practice of CBT.
- Organise continuing education and training in CBT.
- Promote research in CBT.
- Publish and disseminate information about local and international developments in CBT.
- Educate the community in the principles and ethical practice of CBT.
- Organise the annual AACBT National Conference on CBT.
- Publish ongoing research in the AACBT national scientific journal, Behaviour Change.
Advantages of membership include:
- An opportunity to meet and belong to a network of practitioners and academics committed to behaviour and cognitive change.
- Free subscription to the AACBT journal Behaviour Change, and a copy of local state newsletters containing articles on various topics and information on local activities.
- Professional development through an innovative seminar and workshop series with both international and local speakers which provides opportunities for members to socialise, network and exchange ideas.
- Advance notice of the National AACBT Conference held annually in Australia with the opportunity to attend at reduced rates. In addition, advance notices of other relevant conferences both nationally and internationally is also made available to members.
- Inclusion in the State Membership Directories, providing an opportunity to enhance one’s professional profile.
- Eligibility for nomination in Annual National Awards, such as the Tracey Goodall Early Career Award and the Distinguished Career Award. The recipient of the Tracey Goodall award receives a $2000 prize to be used towards travel and expenses for the National AACBT Conference in the following year, where the recipient is invited to make an award address.