Formed in Belgium in June of 1991, the International Association for Forensic Psychotherapy (IAFP) started as a very small group and has grown over the past twenty years. The first President of the IAFP and the other founders had training in analytic psychotherapy and worked in the forensic field. They decided that it made sense to get together so they could discuss their field of work. They worked on treatments, policies, and brought in people from other disciplines so that they could all join together. While they started out very small, they’ve grown over time and in the past two decades they’ve held twenty conferences internationally.

The Conferences

One of the great things about the International Association for Forensic Psychotherapy is the conferences that they hold. These conferences are often of great interest to anyone who is in the field of forensic psychology, and each of the conferences has a different theme and subject. One of the conferences, upcoming in 2012, is “Corruption, Deception and Collusion: Attacks on the Mind”. The conference will discuss the reasons that people will often turn around from reality and the truth so that they are better able to manage the unpleasant reality.

In forensics studies, this is very common. Many suspects and patients have a warped sense of reality which developed at a young age and will often use the warped sense as a coping mechanism. This can keep them out of touch with reality and knowing this can help a forensic psychologist in the treatment of these individuals as well as in understanding and creating behavioral profiles for them. The focus of the conference is to review how the lies and manipulations used by these people can control and change the perception of facts.

Becoming a Member of the IAFP

Choosing to become a member of the IAFP is a great idea for anyone who is in the field of forensic psychology. However, you don’t have to be a psychologist or a psychiatrist to be a part of this group. As long as you are over 18 years of age, and you have an interest in the field and you want to further the objectives of the association then you can join. The cost of membership may change occasionally, so check the IAFP site so that you will have the latest rates.

As a member of the IAFB, you will enjoy quite a few benefits. You will have a discount for conference fees and you will receive a free copy of the Conference Reader after each of the annual conferences. One of the best benefits in joining though is the networking opportunities available to you. As a forensic psychologist, you want to have a large network of people on which you can rely when you are researching or when you have a question about a case. Having access to many of the professionals that are a part of the IAFP can provide that network.

Please visit http://forensicpsychotherapy.com/index.htm for more information about The International Association for Forensic Psychotherapy.