Marriage and Family Therapist
Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are licensed professionals specializing in addressing issues related to marriage and family dynamics. They utilize various psychotherapeutic models to treat challenges such as communication problems, trust issues, and intimacy concerns, in addition to mental health issues like anxiety and depression. MFTs often provide premarital counseling, as well as support during and after divorce. Typically, they work in private practices, though some may be part of group practices or mental health centers, and they may also offer telehealth services.
To become an MFT, individuals must obtain a master's degree in a related field and complete supervised clinical experience, often through internships. The profession is known for its growth potential, with a projected job increase of 16% from 2023 to 2033, driven by retirements and the demand for integrated care approaches. MFTs must possess strong listening and communication skills, as they work to facilitate understanding and resolution among clients. This profession attracts those committed to helping others navigate their relationships and personal challenges in a confidential and supportive environment.
Marriage and Family Therapist
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Human Services
Interests: Counseling, family counseling, human relationships, conflict resolution, psychology, health
Earnings (Yearly Median): $58,510 per year $28.13 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 16% (Much faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Master's degree; license
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training Internship/residency
Overview
Sphere of Work. Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) are specialists who use a variety of psychotherapeutic models to treat dysfunctional marriages, provide premarital counseling, and offer divorce and post-divorce counseling. Some MFTs may choose to specialize in diagnosing and treating couples, families, or specific age groups. Some of the most common problems they see are related to communication, trust, and intimacy. Specific clinical problems MFTs may treat include anxiety, depression, child-parent problems, and individual psychological problems. When a problem is beyond their professional scope, they may refer clients to psychiatrists, medical personnel, lawyers, or other professionals. While it is common for clergy members and others to give advice to couples, only MFTs are licensed counseling professionals.
Work Environment. Most marriage and family therapists work independently in private practices. Daytime office hours are typical, although marriage and family therapists are often required to be on call for emergencies during nights, weekends, and holidays. They may choose to meet clients at those times as well. Their offices are usually arranged with comfortable furnishings conducive to communicating with their clients.
Occupation Interest. The marriage counseling profession attracts people who want to help others and who value the role of marriage both in society and in achieving personal satisfaction. They must have excellent listening and reasoning skills, oral and written communication skills, and the ability to handle sensitive issues confidentially and professionally. Therapists must be willing to treat couples without discrimination. Objectivity and critical thinking are imperative to the work. As the job can entail a high level of stress, marriage and family therapists must also be strong emotionally and physically.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Marriage and family therapists treat clients who have taken the initiative to receive counseling and those who have been referred to them by doctors, judges, or clergy members. Most often, a couple, or one partner, contacts a marriage therapist when the relationship is at a critical stage, although premarital counseling and post-divorce counseling are also becoming common. The average counseling session lasts one hour each week. A marriage therapist may hold weekly sessions with clients over several weeks or months. Short-term therapy, lasting twelve weeks or less, is typical. A busy therapist must be able to respond to the needs of multiple couples each day.
The goal of premarital counseling is to ensure that a couple is compatible, to uncover any emotional problems that might later get in the way of a successful, fulfilling marriage, and to teach useful skills for dealing with conflict resolution and communication. Some therapists offer group sessions for many couples at once.
The goal of marriage counseling is to get a couple to work out the issues that are threatening their marriage. The therapist’s first task is to diagnose the heart of the problem. They may give the couple a test or survey and then use those results as a springboard for discussions. The therapist listens, asks questions, observes, and takes notes. They may assign homework, such as reading a chapter in a book or asking the couple to practice certain communication techniques. As the treatment plan unfolds, the therapist assesses its progress. At some point, the therapist may decide to switch to another therapy model or to meet with the individuals separately in addition to the regular session.
Preparatory work for each session may involve reviewing notes, reading select professional materials, or consulting with other professionals. Post-session work may involve billing or submitting a claim to an insurance company.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Marriage and family therapists usually work in comfortable office settings that pose few environmental risks. Most work independently in private practices. Some therapists form partnerships or group practices. Others work in mental health centers. MFTs may also work out of their own homes if they have a comfortable and professional dedicated space.
Human Environment. Marriage and family therapists interact most often with their clients. Depending on the size of the practice, interaction with others may be minimal or may involve communicating with a full staff of office personnel, such as a receptionist, billing clerk, therapists, and other mental health professionals. Some may report to an administrator or director, while experienced therapists may oversee interns.
Technological Environment. Marriage and family therapists depend heavily on computers for scheduling, billing, record-keeping, research, and other procedures. Use of medical software like eMDs Medisoft or Synergistic Office Solutions SOS Case Manager may be required as well. Standard office equipment is also commonly used. Some therapists may provide telehealth services to clients who cannot make it into an office.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. As certification and licensing for marriage and family therapists (MFT) requires postsecondary work, interested high school students should prepare themselves by pursuing a strong college preparatory course with an emphasis on English and the social sciences, including psychology, sociology, and religion.
Postsecondary. Most states require at least the completion of a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, counseling, psychology, or a similar field and at least two years of postgraduate experience for the MFT license. An internship is a requirement of the master’s degree. A doctorate is usually needed for administrative positions, professorships, or consulting. Undergraduate students should research and apply to master's and doctoral programs that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).
In 2024, experts predicted that the number of jobs for marriage and family therapists will increase 16 percent from 2023 to 2033, which is much higher than average. They expected many therapists to retire, which would create many jobs. The integrated care approach used by many therapists was another reason for the employment increase. With this type of care, marriage and family therapists work with mental health, substance abuse, and other counselors to provide a team-approach to treatment.
Related Occupations
− Clergy
− Educational Therapist
− Rehabilitation Worker
− Religious Worker
− Social and Human Services Assistant
− Vocational Rehabilitation Therapist
Bibliography
"About Marriage and Family Therapists." American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 2023, www.aamft.org/AAMFT/About‗AAMFT/About‗Marriage‗and‗Family‗Therapists.aspx. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
"Marriage and Family Therapists." My Next Move, 2024, www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/21-1013.00. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
"Marriage and Family Therapists." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/marriage-and-family-therapists.htm. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.