Marriage and family therapy is a type of psychotherapy that provides solutions to interpersonal problems in families and groups. When dealing with an individual, couple, or family unit, a therapist will pay attention to how certain relationships affect behavior and mental and emotional health.
Through the use of a systems-theory approach, marriage and family therapists help patients confront any underlying damaging issues or patterns.
What is a marriage and family therapist?
Marriage and family therapists handle psychological disorders from a family perspective. They will observe how these groups affect an individual’s behavior. Marriage and family therapists possess a deep understanding of family dynamics and how these relationships influence an individual’s behavior and mental health. These therapists play an important role in identifying and addressing the root causes of emotional and psychological challenges within the context of family and marital relationships.
What does a marriage and family therapist do?
A marriage and family therapist will make diagnoses, encourage improved communication between family members, and offer solutions to relationship problems to improve their patient’s mental, emotional, and social wellbeing.
Marriage and family therapists deal with issues such as marital disputes, challenging adolescent behaviors, domestic abuse, mood disorders, alcoholism, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and many others. Marriage and family therapists also engage in regular research efforts to improve current treatment practices and deliver better patient care.
How to pursue a career in marriage and family therapy
The path to becoming a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist begins with obtaining a bachelor’s degree. The most common degrees sought by those who choose this path include psychology, counseling, and social work, although there are people who pursue marriage and family therapy jobs from other diverse educational backgrounds.
In addition to a marriage and family therapy master’s degree, which will take about two years to complete. This program is essential in shaping the marriage and family therapist career path, as it provides both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Future marriage and family therapists are also expected to have hands-on clinical experience. Most states require at least two years of clinical experience before you are qualified to become a licensed marriage and family therapist.
After fulfilling these requirements, aspiring marriage and family therapists can take their state’s licensure exam to become certified marriage and family therapists.
Although it is not usually a mandatory requirement, you could also choose to pursue a doctoral degree to broaden your knowledge and open up more advanced marriage and family therapy jobs.
Where do marriage and family therapists work?
Those pursuing a marriage and family therapist career can work in a range of settings, each with unique career paths and types of client work they would take on. Some of the common places a marriage and family therapist works include:
- Mental health centers.
- Substance abuse and treatment centers.
- Hospitals.
- Schools and colleges.
- Private practices.
- Employment assistance programs (EAPs).
- Community mental health agencies.
- Higher education.
Marriage and family therapy jobs
A marriage and family therapy degree equips you with the skills needed to work in diverse settings such as mental health clinics, hospitals, social service departments, and schools. Many marriage and family therapists may also start their own private practices.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts that marriage and family therapist jobs will increase by 22% before 2029.
Here are just a few job options for those looking to pursue a career in marriage and family therapy:
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School counselor
One of the highly impactful marriage and family therapy jobs is working as a school counselor. School counselors work with administrators to cater to the psychological needs of the student body. They engage with students, providing them with the needed amount of mental and emotional support.
They also create counseling programs to improve student performance, monitor the programs’ effects on students, and make necessary changes as required. School counselors may also provide counseling and advice to parents of children at the school who are undergoing tough circumstances.
School counselors with a background in Marriage and Family therapy can draw from their knowledge base to better observe and diagnose psychological problems in their students and offer adequate solutions.
How much do school counselors make?
School counselors make an average of $61,000 in the U.S. The annual salary range is expected to fall somewhere between $47,000 and $77,000 according to U.S. News & World Report.*
*Data gathered in 2023.
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Marriage and family therapist
A marriage and family therapist career entails working with couples or family members to help them overcome interpersonal issues or challenges. This could include emotional disorders, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and more.
Marriage and family therapists can conduct both individual and group sessions to diagnose disorders and provide interventions to help family members overcome negative behavioral patterns. They also mediate conflicts and promote better communication.
Marriage and family therapists can have their own private practice or work in conjunction with social service agencies, medical centers, mental health facilities, and many other establishments.
How much do marriage and family therapists make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a marriage and family therapist in the US is $56,570. The expected salary range for a marriage and family therapist is between $45,000 and $75,000 annually.* Making this one of the more lucrative marriage and family therapist jobs.
*Data collected in 2023.
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Clinical director
Clinical directors are responsible for the management of the everyday tasks of a clinical counseling department. They ensure all administrative activities are carried out efficiently and that patients receive top-quality care.
Clinical directors also evaluate staff performance, hire and train new staff, determine budgets, and prepare financial reports. Subject to the size of the hospital or facility, a clinical director may be responsible for managing a department or entire facility.
Students who complete post-graduate degrees in marriage and family therapy are equipped with hands-on knowledge of clinical practices. This experience could prepare them to manage and oversee staff and ensure the quality of practice and day-to-day operations.
How much do clinical directors make?
The average salary for a clinical director in the US is around $95,000 according to Indeed. They have a projected annual salary range of $53,000 to $167,000.*
*Data gathered in 2023.
Learn more about marriage and family therapy at The Chicago School
The Chicago School’s marriage and family therapy programs prepare you for a fulfilling career as a marriage and family therapist. For more information about our program and how you can start your journey toward a marriage and family therapy career, visit The Chicago School’s Marriage and Family Therapy program page or fill out the form below to request more information.