{"id":111651,"date":"2020-11-02T18:49:30","date_gmt":"2020-11-03T00:49:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thechicagoschool.edu\/insight\/?p=111651"},"modified":"2024-02-05T16:22:42","modified_gmt":"2024-02-05T22:22:42","slug":"3-career-opportunities-in-marriage-and-family-therapy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thechicagoschool.edu\/insight\/career-development\/3-career-opportunities-in-marriage-and-family-therapy\/","title":{"rendered":"3 career opportunities in marriage and family therapy"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

Through the use of a systems-theory approach, marriage and family therapists help patients confront any underlying damaging issues or patterns.<\/p>\n

What is a marriage and family therapist?<\/h3>\n

Marriage and family therapists handle psychological disorders from a family perspective. They will observe how these groups affect an individual\u2019s behavior. <\/span>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.<\/span><\/p>\n

What does a marriage and family therapist do?<\/h3>\n

A marriage and family therapist will make diagnoses, encourage improved communication between family members, and offer solutions to relationship problems to improve their patient\u2019s mental, emotional, and social wellbeing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to pursue a career in marriage and family therapy<\/h3>\n

The path to becoming a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist begins with obtaining a bachelor\u2019s degree. The most common degrees sought by those who choose this path include psychology, counseling, and social work, although there are <\/span>people who pursue<\/span> marriage and family therapy jobs<\/span> from<\/span> other diverse educational backgrounds.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to a <\/span>marriage and family therapy master\u2019s degree<\/span><\/a>, which will take about two years to complete. <\/span>This program is essential in shaping the <\/span>marriage and family therapist career path<\/span>, as it provides both theoretical knowledge and practical experience<\/span>. <\/span>Future marriage and family therapists<\/span> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

After fulfilling these requirements, aspiring marriage and family therapists can take their state\u2019s licensure exam to become certified marriage and family therapists.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although it is not usually a mandatory requirement, you could also choose to pursue a <\/span>doctoral degree<\/span><\/a> to broaden your knowledge and <\/span>open up more advanced <\/span>marriage and family therapy jobs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where do marriage and family therapists work?<\/h3>\n

Those pursuing a <\/span>marriage and family therapist career<\/span> 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:<\/span><\/p>\n