Marriage and Family Therapy Guidelines
Since many people have no contact with mental health professionals before seeking out marriage or family therapy, they are often confused about the profession, the education involved in the profession and the licenses needed and even what they actually do.
According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, there are some specific guidelines around licenses and education requirements that are helpful information for those seeking a marriage or family therapist.
Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy and family systems, and licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples and family systems.
Marriage and family therapy is a distinct professional discipline with graduate and post graduate programs. Three options are available for those interested in becoming a marriage and family therapist: master’s degree (2-3 years), doctoral program (3-5 years), or post-graduate clinical training programs (3-4 years). Historically, marriage and family therapists have come from a wide variety of educational backgrounds including psychology, psychiatry, social work, nursing, pastoral counseling and education.
The Federal government has designated marriage and family therapy as a core mental health profession along with psychiatry, psychology, social work and psychiatric nursing. Currently 48 states also support and regulate the profession by licensing or certifying marriage and family therapists with many other states considering licensing bills.
Marriage and family therapists often take a holistic approach to helping families and couples solve their issues, believing in treating the overall, long-term well being of both individuals and their families.
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