AABT is a not-for-profit membership organization of over 4,500 mental health professionals and students who are interested in behavior therapy and cognitive behavior therapy in order to:

	gain a better understanding of human behavior
	develop, assess, and apply interventions to assist in behavior change
	help people deal with personal and social problems and issues
	further the empirical study, theory, and practice of these therapies

Founded in 1966, AABT serves as a centralized resource and network for all facets of behavior therapy and cognitive behavior therapy. It promotes these therapies through its journals, newsletters, Annual Conventions, web site, and other educational publications and programs. It also provides opportunities for professional growth and offers information and referral services to the general public, the media, third-party payers, and governmental and non-governmental agencies.

In addition, AABT:

	Promotes public awareness of behavior therapy and cognitive behavior therapy
	Operates public service programs like AABT's Clinical Directory & Referral Service, which helps individuals locate behavior therapists in their vicinity
	Publishes a series of Fact Sheets for the general, plus two scholarly journals, a thought-provoking news-letter, and informative directories and pamphlets
	Organizes an Annual Convention featuring state-of-the-art scientific research that attracts approximately 2,000 attendees as well as smaller, more specialized educational programs
	Encourages students to increase their knowledge of the behavioral therapies by offering low priced student memberships

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Behavior therapy and cognitive behavior therapy are research-based forms of treatment that are:

	goal-oriented
	generally short-term
	often drug free.

Behavior Therapy is a particular type of treatment that is firmly based on researched findings. It helps people achieve specific changes or goals.

These goals might involve:

Behavior Therapists and Cognitive Behavior Therapists usually focus on the current situation, rather than the past. They concentrate on a person's views and perceptions about their life, rather than personality traits.

Behavior Therapists and Cognitive Behavior Therapists aim to give people more control over their lives. They accomplish this by helping people change ways of living that have become problematic and by encouraging new approaches that work better.

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1. It is my "professional home."
2. AABT provides "very effective, practical information that I can apply to my daily practice."
3. It's the "best source of empirically-validated treatments."
4. "AABT keeps me in touch with state-of-the-art research, practice, and issues impacting upon the field."
5. "As a full-time clinician, I want to maintain contact with academicians and researchers."
6. AABT's Annual Convention is "small and accessible and touches so many topics of interest to me."
7. There are "great opportunities for graduate student participation."
8. "AABT reinforces my cognitive behavioral leanings."
9. It offers "devotion to empiricism, behaviorism, collaboration, and colleagues" that can't be found elsewhere.
10. "AABT = science."

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AABT's Annual Convention, held every November, attracts approximately 2,000 attendees. Its peer-reviewed program features state-of-the-art research and clinical findings including:

It also features meetings of AABT committees and Special Interest Groups, an Internship Training Site Overview for students, a Post Doctorial Overview, an Awards Ceremony, and social events.

Pre-convention programs are offered on the Thursday preceding the convention. They include Institutes featuring the latest clinical skills; Fundamentals Courses focusing on basic behavioral and cognitive principles and approaches in applied settings; and Professional Seminars that address the needs of administrators, clinicians, and researchers.

Continuing Education Credits are available to attendees of Workshops, Master Clinician programs, and AMASS seminars at our Annual Convention as well as Pre-convention Institutes, Fundamentals Courses, and Professional Seminars. AABT is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer Continuing Education Credits for psychologists. AABT maintains responsibility for the content of the program. Also, we are gradually expanding our CE credit offerings to include other disciplines. These credits will vary from meeting to meeting.

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To obtain a free copy of one of the below-listed AABT Fact Sheets, send a stamped, self-addressed business-size envelope to:

AABT 305 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001

Please include a note indicating the title you would like to receive. Our Fact Sheet series includes:

Check out our new fact sheets in Spanish listed on the bottom of the table.

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You can go to the Directory on the Web Go to the Directory, or write or call AABT's Central Office (305 Seventh Avenue - 16th Floor, New York, New York 10001-6008; Phone 212 - 647 - 1890; Fax 212 - 647 1865) for a referral and you will receive*:

	A list with the names of AABT members in your state that includes a key indicating each therapist's area(s) of specialization, populations served, highest degree earned, address, and phone number;
	Indicate the problem you are seeking help with and we will include a Fact Sheet (provided we have a relevant title) on that subject; and
	Our pamphlet entitled "Guidelines for Choosing a Behavior Therapist."

* While there is no charge for this information, we ask individuals to include a check or money order for $5 (do not send cash) to cover postage and handling costs. A receipt will be provided.

AABT is an interest group of mental health professionals. We do not certify our members nor make specific referrals. Any individual who calls AABT seeking a behavior therapist will be sent a list of our members in their state. We suggest they contact several therapists and ask for recommendations in order to find someone appropriate for their needs. AABT assumes no responsibility for the cost or results of therapy.

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  This page was updated on 03/02/00 by Nami Fujita

Copyright 1999 AABT. All rights reserved.