Valorie Thomas, PhD, LMFT, LMHC is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for 2024. Dr. Thomas is the first recipient to win this award twice. She had served as the Program Chairperson for several years and was previously President of CFAMFT. Congratulations Dr. Thomas on this award!
Distinguished Service Awards
Each year in December at the Holiday Breakfast, CFAMFT recognizes a leader in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy by awarding them with the Distinguished Service Award.
Valorie Thomas is a counselor educator, clinician and author with over 30 years of experience in the mental health and teaching field. She received her PhD from the University of Florida in Counselor Education and Supervision. She is a licensed MFT and MHC and has served as a supervisor and mentor to many students while at Stetson University as well as Rollins College. She has delivered over 65 state, national, international and community presentation and is co-author of “Sexuality Counseling: An Integrative Approach”. She was highlighted in ACA’s Counseling Today for her work with early pregnancy loss and infertility. Valorie has been a member of CFAMFT since 1988 and served as president of CFAMFT in 2000 and Acting President from 2003-05. She has also served on the CFAMFT board since 1997 in a variety of leadership roles including Continuing Education Program Coordinator for many years. During this time the current program submission portal was created to insure a systemic focus for all CFAMFT presentations. She currently serves as a supporting faculty member in the Rollins College Graduate Counseling program.
Our Congratulations Goes Out To Our Past Esteemed Recipients:
2023 – Georgia Howorth-Fair, LMFT, LMHC and Sharon Darin, LMHC
2022 – Deborah Goodwin, LMHC, NCC, Past President 2011-2012
2021 – Colette Fehr, LMHC, LMFT, NCC
2020 – Meredith Neill, LMFT
2019 – Dr. Leila Roach, Ph.D., LMHC, LMFT
2018 – Sandra Moenssens Lynch – LMHC, LMFT
2017 – Brenda Faiber – MS, LMFT
2016 – Rosario Ortigao, MA, LMHC
2015 – Dr. Judith Shell, LMFT
2014 – Alicia Homrich, Ph.D., NCC, LPY, LMFT
2013 – Regina Morrow, Ed.S., LMHC, LMFT, NCC
2012 – Dr. Burt Bertram, LMFT
2011 – Russ Hiett, LMFT
2010 – Richard Erikson, Ph.D, LMFT and Mel Jacobs D.Min, LMFT
2009 – Nancy Witt, M.A., LMHC
2008 – Valorie Thomas, Ph.D., LMFT, LMHC
Criteria For the Distinguished Service Award
Award will be presented as often as determined by the CFAMFT Board, which
– each year will consider whether there is a worthy candidate
– award does not have to be presented annually.
Selection Criteria
Individuals considered for this award have:
- A minimum of seven years of involvement in CFAMFT,
OR a combination of involvement in CFAMFT and FAMFT or AAMFT. - Professional competence and integrity.
- Demonstrated a commitment to the profession of Marriage and Family Therapy by:
a. Creating and supporting the professional community.
b. Participating in activities that advance the goals of the profession.
c. Speaking out on behalf of the profession (advocacy).
d. Working to make profession viable and visible. - Contributed to the profession of Marriage and Family Therapy as demonstrated by:
a. Service as a role model to upcoming clinicians, and
b. Significant leadership, mentorship or supervision activities. - Respect by colleagues.