History of the Society for Couple and Family Psychology

In 1990 the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) recognized family psychology as a specialty and began awarding the Family ABPP Diploma. In 2002 APA’s Council for the Recognition of Specialties and Proficiencies in Professional Psychology (CRSPPP) approved the recognition of family psychology as a specialty. In 2007, the division board unanimously approved a change in the division’s name to the Society for Family Psychology. This name change was ratified by the APA Council of Representatives in August 2008.

Division 43 is one of an interdivisional group of child practice divisions, which also includes Divs. 16 (School Psychology), 37 (Society for Children and Family Policy and Practice), 53 (Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology) and 54 (Society of Pediatric Psychology).

History from the Perspective of Past Presidents

One perspective on the history of the society can be found in the statements and perspective of past presidents. As society leaders each steered the society in way reflective of the era and major issues of the time. In 2009, the society celebrated its 25th anniversary. For that occasion a group of student members of the society interviewed past presidents asking ….”"before and after”" views of the profession and the status of family psychology.