Careers in Marriage & Family Therapy are diverse. As a marriage and family therapist you not only help families, couples and individuals work through the challenges they are facing, you are also part of the marriage and family therapy profession that constantly researches optimal therapies to advance practice. It is a personally satisfying profession.
Services Marriage & Family Therapists Provide
- Practice all forms of psychotherapy
- Provide qualified behavioral health care
- Treat couples and families with a blend of therapies
- Supervisory roles
- To be properly credentialed and skilled to supervise other therapists, you must complete a supervision course followed by supervised sessions
Where Marriage & Family Therapists Work
- Private practice (pre-licensure therapists work under the license of a licensed clinician)
- Academia
- Community mental health agencies
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Residential treatment centers
- A range of educational, health and social service institutions
If your interests lie outside the field of traditional therapy work, you can also explore working in a family business consultation career or corporate counseling.
How to Receive a License in Marriage & Family Therapy
After graduating from an accredited program, a period of post-degree supervised clinical experience – usually two years – is necessary before licensure. When the supervision period is completed, you can apply to the regulatory commission to take a state licensing exam or the national examination for marriage and family therapists. Once accepted, you can sit for the licensure exam.
You can reach the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation at 217-785-0800. Each state has an equivalent licensing body.
Check with the state where you will be practicing.