You could specialize in substance abuse, behavior disorders or mental health, for example. With a passion for healing hurting relationships and families, however, becoming an LMFT may be the right path for you. Review these standards carefully, as they vary from place to place.
Though some states prefer one test over the other, the choice is often yours. The good news is that career opportunities for marriage and family therapists are poised to see a 23 percent increase by according to the U.
Bureau of Labor Statistics , which is much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. As an LMFT, you will have the option of opening a private practice, working at a mental health center, practicing in a hospital or even working in a substance abuse treatment center.
As with any career there will be ups and downs with becoming a marriage and family therapist. As you already know, relationships are complicated. If you become a marriage and family therapist, you may be able to help people to find harmony with their closest loved ones. I understand that my consent is not required to attend University of Massachusetts Global. Privacy Policy. Psychology How to become a marriage and family therapist: 4 Steps to a rewarding career. August 26, by University of Massachusetts Global.
Have questions about enrollment, degree programs, financial aid, or next steps? The demand for practicing marriage counselors from to is significantly higher than the national average for all occupations.
These degrees all provide a combination of strong educational foundations and introductory field experiences that pave the way for the demands of the required MFT post-baccalaureate work.
Furthermore, different schools offer different degree programs with varying names and titles. Some examples include:. Despite the semantic differences and slight variations in curricula, these types of programs can typically each meet the requirements for state licensure. Whatever educational path you take on your way to an MFT career, the key is to make sure the program you choose is accredited by one of the following national organizations:.
This helps ensure that the work and financial commitments you make to your MFT education will indeed help move you toward your ultimate aims. While the amount varies by state , every marriage and family therapist is required to complete supervised internship hours in the field as a prerequisite to licensure. All different types of families might be affected by any number of problems. There are, however, a few very common arguments that arise in many families, causing undue stress and problems, including infidelity, jealousy, financial disagreements, child-rearing, household responsibilities, substance abuse, mental illness, teenage rebellion, various career paths, and more.
Catching and resolving marriage and family problems as soon as possible can help minimize most of the negative effects down the road. Married couples that do not resolve their issues, for instance, may end up getting divorced, which will affect their children as well as themselves. In fact, many parenting experts agree that separations and divorces are generally rougher on the children in a family than the adults.
Marriage and family therapists serve to help their patients avoid these outcomes by teaching families how to communicate more effectively and work out their differences. For many families, marriage and family therapy is often time well spent, reducing the time spent fighting as well as the risk of divorce. A marriage and family therapist uses psychotherapy tools, skills, and principles to repair family relationships and treat any underlying psychological issues that may be contributing to the discord.
MFTs can diagnose and treat a variety of disorders that affect the family unit, from clinical disorders like depression, anxiety, and personality disorders to simpler issues like poor communication or heightened stress. For families in distress, it can often be hard to pinpoint the causes of their arguments. Most of the time, the therapist will continue to meet with the couple or family together to help them see how each family member reacts to the others. In some circumstances, however, a therapist may choose to meet with members of a family separately.
After discovering some possible underlying causes of major problems in a family, a marriage and family therapist can then help the family as a whole work through their issues. The therapist will often offer guidance and advice to frustrated family members, for instance, or he might teach them how to communicate more effectively. During therapy sessions, a marriage and family therapist may use several tools to allow patients to work through their difficulties.
These include:.
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