EDUCATION FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY COUNSELORS
In our society, marriage and family counseling is becoming more commonplace to address mental health issues within the context of the family unit. This form of therapy is considered one of the core mental health disciplines and is fundamentally based on the research that mental illness and family problems are ideally treated in a family context.
Marriage and family counselors are devoted to helping people successfully overcome their problems and restore healthy relationships. Some families need help working through a crisis or stressful time. Individuals within marriages, or families, might be dealing with a major stressor such as illness, a death in the family, or loss of employment. Sometimes there are issues of substance abuse. Many individuals are trying to save their marriages and avoid divorce. Marriage and family counselors can assist individuals in expressing needs appropriately, making intelligent compromises, and establishing healthy boundaries. Marriage and family counselors can also assist with making appropriate assessments, as needed, to assure that individuals and family units receive the right services. Marriage and family counselors serve a very important role in our society.
If you are interested in getting the education you need in your chosen field to practice as a marriage and family counselor, there is a growing need for qualified professionals! The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted that the marriage and family therapy field would grow over 40% between 2010 to 2020. More and more people are considering treatment for their issues. Interpersonal therapy has become more acceptable. Marriage and family counselors are often preferred, and chosen, over psychologists and psychiatrists because their services are more affordable.
Some of the divisions expected to see the most career growth are in the following areas: individual and family services, residential care, and mental health and substance abuse centers.
GETTING THE EDUCATION YOU NEED FOR THE CAREER OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPIST
In order to work as a marriage and family therapist, you should plan to complete a Master’s degree. Your program may be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Some programs hold dual accreditation. The program might be titled marriage and family therapy, or marriage and family counseling. The titles are set by the school offering the program and the agency doing the accrediting. What is important is that the program adheres to the specific requirements of your state board. The title you will use professionally depends on the statutes within your state.
The marriage and family therapy field is predicted to grow 41% between 2010 to 2020, according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics.
It is advantageous to have an undergraduate degree in a field related to human services or family studies. Psychology and Social Work are two viable choices. However, it’s not usually a requirement. If your degree is not in a related field, you will probably need to take a few prerequisites prior to entering a Master’s program. Learn about undergraduate psychology degrees and undergraduate human services degrees and how they can help prepare you for a marriage and family therapy graduate education path.
Programs are competitive and will consider various indicators of academic and professional success, such as the following: grades, experience, references, and personal statement.
Your marriage and family counseling program will give you a thorough background in concepts such as marriage and family systems, psychopathology, therapy techniques, and professional ethics. An internship is also critical to your program. You will likely have the option to specialize in a treatment area such as addictions and you will be able to conduct therapy with patients under supervision. Expect to put in at least roughly 500 direct service hours before you graduate. Marriage and Family Counseling is a wonderful career choice if you are willing to put in the work.
LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION
After you have fulfilled your educational requirements, the next step is to take the licensing exam. In most states, this is referred to as the Examination in Marital and Family Therapy. The exam is administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards, but you will need to go through your own state board to get permission to test. The exam includes questions in five domains. California has its own licensing exam.
It is usually a requirement to work under supervision for up to two years after graduation. This typically means that a mental health professional reviews your therapy practice and meets with you regularly to offer guidance, feedback, and support. You will gain direct knowledge of what the practice of this profession entails. Your state board will provide guidelines about what constitutes an approved supervisor and details about how your experience and supervision should be documented.
When you have met all requirements, you will be licensed. At this point, you can choose to work in a variety of settings, including private practice. In most states, your title will be Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or LMFT. Some states have other titles such as Licensed Marital and Family Therapist, or Licensed Independent Marriage and Family Therapist.
Salary and Career Outlook
According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics the median pay for a marriage and family counselor is $43,190 per year.
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