The Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse (ATSA) is an international, multi-disciplinary organization dedicated to preventing sexual abuse. ATSA promotes sound research, effective practice, informed public policy, and comprehensive prevention strategies that lead to the effective assessment, treatment, and management of individuals who have sexually abused or are at risk to abuse. ATSA has approximately 3,000 members from more than 20 countries, many of whom are the leading researchers and practitioners in their fields.
As a voluntary membership organization, ATSA does not credential its members or certify any individual's fitness to provide services. ATSA recommends that questions about a member's credentials be directed to the appropriate professional licensing department or agency in the member's state or region.
Benefits of ATSA membership include:
- Affiliation with an international association which strives to improve techniques for the evaluation and treatment of sex offenders
- Complimentary set of the ATSA Standards and Guidelines and Professional Code of Ethics
- Opportunities to access and exchange ideas with other researchers, treatment specialists, and allied professionals
- Opportunities to participate in the ATSA chapter in your jurisdiction
- Registration discounts for ATSA’s Annual Research and Treatment Conference
- Subscription to the quarterly newsletter, The Forum
- Participation in ATSA’s standing and/or ad hoc committees
- Involvement in clinical discussions, case consults, and networking through the members-only email discussion group*
- Subscription to ATSA’s official journal, Sexual Abuse as well as access to more than 30 years of journal archives*
- Access to SAGE’s online criminology journal collection, which contains twenty-five journals, including the top ranking Child Maltreatment, Crime & Delinquency, Criminal Justice and Behavior, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, and Trauma, Violence, & Abuse*
- Opportunity to have your research listed on ATSA's website*
*These membership benefits are not available to Associate Members.
ATSA membership follows the calendar year from January to December. Dues are collected annually, are not pro-rated, and should be received in the ATSA office by January 31st each year.
ATSA Membership Requirements and Application Procedure
ATSA Membership
A person who provides clinical services to, or conducts research, prevention, or program management of, individuals who have engaged in or are at risk of sexual offending. No degree or hour requirements. Examples include: Psychologists, therapists, social workers, medical practitioners, academics, researchers, program administrators, and others with similar duties.
Application Procedure for ATSA Membership:
- Completed application form.
- Non-refundable application processing fee of $35.00 (required at time of application).
- If professionally licensed, the applicant must provide verification from the licensing board. If online verification is available, ATSA will obtain the verification and no action is required by the applicant.
- If not professionally licensed, one letter of reference from a supervisor or colleague is required.
- Annual dues are $200.00 (required at time of application).
ATSA Clinical Membership
An enhanced membership category for those with at least a master’s degree who have (1) conducted 2,000 hours or more of direct clinical services (assessment, individual and/or group treatment) to individuals who have engaged in sexual offending behavior and (2) are dedicated to pursuing a certain amount of continuing education units (CEUs) annually. While not a form of certification, it officially documents one’s ongoing training hours and provides evidence for employers who require continuing education. Additional nominal fees will apply in 2023 due to the administrative costs to verify CEU’s.
Application Procedure for ATSA Clinical Membership:
- Completed application form.
- Non-refundable application processing fee of $35.00 (required at time of application).
- If professionally licensed, the applicant must provide verification from the licensing board. If online verification is available, ATSA will obtain the verification and no action is required by the applicant.
- If not professionally licensed, one letter of reference from a supervisor or colleague is required.
- Annual dues are $225.00 (required at time of application).
ATSA Associate Membership
A person who is currently working on a full-time basis for at least 40 hours per week either in a related area (such as the treatment of sexually abused children, adult victim/survivors of sexual abuse, or non-offending spouses) or in a non-clinical capacity such as the criminal justice system.
Individuals involved in clinical practice, providing assessment and treatment services, and/or those individuals involved in conducting research related to sexually offending behavior, who qualify for other member categories, are not eligible for associate membership.
Application Procedure for Associate Membership:
- Completed application form.
- Non-refundable application processing fee of $35.00 (required at time of application).
- If professionally licensed, the applicant must provide verification from the licensing board. If online verification is available, ATSA will obtain the verification and no action is required by the applicant.
- If not professionally licensed, one letter of reference from a supervisor or colleague is required.
- Annual dues are $35.00 (required at time of application).
- *Associate members do not receive the ATSA journal or listserve
ATSA Student Membership
A person who is currently registered at least as a half-time student in a program pursuing an advanced degree, or its equivalent, in an accredited college or university in pursuit of a career related to the study or treatment of sexually offending behavior. Verification is required from the school in which the student is enrolled at least as a half-time student studying a curriculum designed for earning an advanced degree. A First Year Early Career designation and dues discount is applied to current Student Members’ who are transitioning to other categories post-graduation (for one-year).
Application Procedure for Student Membership:
- Completed application form.
- One letter of recommendation from your academic or field supervisor.
- Verification of student status, if not included in the reference letter.
- Annual dues are $35.00.
Applying for Membership
Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of The Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers. We have two ways to apply for ATSA membership: the Word Document version or the online application.
Contact membership@atsa.com if you have any questions about the application process, or call the office at (503) 643-1023.
We look forward to welcoming you as a member of ATSA!
Apply online
OR
Download the Word document application
ATSA membership follows the calendar year from January to December. Dues are collected annually, are not pro-rated, and should be received in the ATSA office by January 31st each year.
*To follow up regarding an existing application, submit a pending member update request here.