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Degrees and Schools
Numerous schools offer master's and doctoral degrees in marriage and family therapy. Many of the programs include residencies and field experiences.
Classes
Students typically study the following subjects:
- Research and evaluation in psychology
- Counseling theory and practice
- Adolescent psychology
- Family therapy theories
- Clinical applications of human development
- Group therapy
- Human growth and development
- Marriage and family systems
Online Classes and Programs
Online master's degrees are available in marriage and family therapy. Prospective students should find out if the program includes residencies and field experiences. Doctoral degrees in marriage and family therapy are also available online.
Prospective online students should look for schools which have received accreditation from agencies approved by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education.
Employment Requirements
The educational requirements for marriage and family therapists vary depending on state licensure and certification requirements. Usually, marriage and family counselors need to have a master's degree in marriage and family therapy or counseling and two years or three thousand hours of supervised clinical experience.
Typically, marriage and family therapists need to pass state recognized exams. Some states require counselors in public employment to have a master's degree, whereas some states require a bachelor's degree with appropriate counseling courses.
The major employment sectors are individual and family services, state government agencies, local government agencies, health clinics, outpatient care centers, private practices and hospitals.
How to Evaluate Schools and Programs
The answers to the following questions can help students select the appropriate school:
- Training - Does the program provide residencies and field experiences?
- School's Reputation - Is the school recognized for its marriage and family therapy programs?
- Job Placement - Are students provided job placement services? Do employers who hire marriage and family therapists recruit students at the school?
- Curriculum - What type of electives are offered?
- Financial Aid - What types of financial aid are available? Is the school qualified to provide federal financial aid?
- Accreditation - Is the school accredited by an agency which has been approved by the the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education?
Marriage and Family Therapists Job Description
Marriage and family therapists provide counseling to families or couples who seek help with solving conflicts, improving communications or changing behavior. They provide counseling to the entire family or sometimes to individual family members. They address a wide variety of relationship issues within the context of the family system.
Marriage and family therapists try to determine the underlying reasons why a married couple is considering divorce and then determine if reconciliation is possible. Besides providing counseling to one couple, marriage counselors also provide counseling to groups of married couples, groups of husbands and groups of wives.
Shown below are some of the responsibilities of marriage and family therapists:
- Gather information about clients through interviews, tests, discussions and observations
- Ask appropriate questions to help clients identify their feelings and behaviors
- Encourage family members to develop and use strategies and skills for dealing with problems in a constructive manner
- Make referrals to psychiatric resources
- Follow up with clients to determine the effectiveness of the counseling sessions
- Develop plans with clients for post-treatment activities
- Maintain case files
Resources
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