TAMFT Awards and Recognition

Each year, the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (TAMFT) recognizes individuals whose dedication, innovation, and service have made a lasting impact on the profession. These awards celebrate the accomplishments of practitioners, students, professors, supervisors, and leaders who embody the values of excellence, advocacy, and commitment to the TAMFT community.

Below are the award categories, their definitions, and the qualifications required for nomination. Scroll further to see current and past recipients, whose contributions continue to shape and strengthen the field of Marriage and Family Therapy in Texas.

Annual Awards

Lifetime Achievement Award in the Field of Marriage and Family Therapy

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a TAMFT member who has dedicated a lifetime of outstanding service to the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. The recipient of this award has demonstrated passion and dedication to the advancement of the field as a whole through their role as a practitioner, researcher, and/or mentor over the course of many years.

Qualifications: Fully licensed MFT (LMFT), TAMFT member

Master’s Level & Doctoral Level Student Achievement Awards

The Student Achievement Award is presented to a student enrolled in a graduate program in a regionally accredited university or college within the year preceding the award. The student must be actively enrolled in their accredited program and nominated by a professor within their program. The student must be conducting distinguished research or providing excellent services within the community. Nominations may be made for one master’s level student and one doctoral level student.

Qualifications: Currently enrolled master’s or doctoral level student in an accredited MFT program, 1 letter of recommendation, member of TAMFT

2025 Recipients: Dr. Jesse Kao & Ms. Odunayo Samo

Professor of the Year Award

The Professor of the Year Award is presented to a professor actively teaching within a Texas college or university, nominated by either colleagues or students, who has shown excellence in guiding students toward high standards of care for future practice in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. The recipient of this award has shown dedication in contributing to teaching and/or research relevant to the field while mentoring their students as both people and as clinicians. The recipient may also have honorably served as a supervisor in addition to their role as a professor, although this is not a requirement for nomination.

Qualifications: Professor at an accredited MFT program at a college or university within the state of Texas, member of TAMFT

Outstanding Supervisor Award

The Outstanding Supervisor Award is presented to a Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor who has demonstrated dedication to a standard of excellence in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy through their mentorship and guidance of MFT supervisees. The recipient, nominated by either colleagues or supervisees, has demonstrated strong theoretical knowledge, nuanced wisdom of theoretical application, and adherence to ethical practice by themselves and those they supervise.

Qualifications: LMFT-S in good standing in the State of Texas, member of TAMFT

 2025 Recipient: Ms. Jennifer Smothermon, LMFT-S, LPC-S, RPT-S

Special Awards

Susan Speight Governmental Leadership Award

The Susan Speight Governmental Leadership Award is presented to a Texas legislator in recognition of their work to promote and advance TAMFT in its representation of Marriage and Family Therapists in Texas. The recipient may also be a TAMFT member who has made a significant contribution to the promotion of Marriage and Family Therapists in the political arena.

Qualifications: Texas Legislator or TAMFT member

Distinguished Service to TAMFT Award

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to a member of TAMFT staff, committee member, or board member who has demonstrated distinguished leadership, commitment, or service to TAMFT within the last 5 years.

Qualifications: TAMFT staff, TAMFT committee member/chair, TAMFT board member

Master Clinician Award

The Master Clinician Award is presented to a Marriage and Family Therapist who has sought proficiency in a specific modality of practice or who has shown innovation in their approach to the practice of Marriage and Family Therapy. The recipient may have contributed to their clients’ or community’s benefit by seeking additional training or credentialing through their dedication to a modality; or, the recipient may have developed a new modality to the benefit of many practitioners in the field.

Qualifications: LMFT in good standing, TAMFT member

2025 Recipient: Dr. Emily Jamea

Past Award Recipients

 Annual Awards

Special Awards

Nominations for 2026 will open in Fall 2025.