An on-campus or online master’s degree is essential to becoming a family therapist. This is what’s needed to get a state license and is what’s required for certification.
Degree programs for therapists are often found in departments of education, psychology or human services in colleges and universities.
Degree programs for therapists are often found in departments of education, psychology or human services in colleges and universities.
Related Family & Marriage Therapist Programs
What does a family therapist do?
Marriage and family therapists study the theories, principles and dynamics of family systems. They use this to address and treat emotional and mental disorders. The responsibilities of the family therapist are to modify the behaviors of their patients, improve communication between the family members and assist in preventing and handling family emergencies.
The way family therapy differs from traditional therapy is that less emphasis is placed on the individual and their issues in family therapy. Instead, the concentration is on understanding the symptoms of the client in the context of their current family relationships.
Depending on what they encounter, family therapists may have to make appropriate referrals to other therapy resources, perform research and teach human development and interpersonal relationship courses.
Some marriage and family therapists, especially those with doctorates, become supervisors, teachers or researchers.
What kind of education does a family therapist need?
Family therapy is one of the fields of study available in the counseling education area. Coursework includes:
• Relationships
• Counseling Techniques
• Human Growth and Development
• Social Diversity
• The Dynamics of Marriage
• Family Relationships
Often, even after they obtain degrees, family therapists may have to participate in workshops, additional graduate coursework and personal studies to retain their license and certification.
How much does a family therapist earn?
Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest that median annual salaries for family therapist are at around $44,590. In this field especially, the more education and certifications a person possesses, the more money they earn.
Where can a family therapist work?
Family therapists can work in a variety of settings in this challenging but rewarding field. This includes large colleges and universities, hospitals, clinics, community health organizations. They can also establish their own private practice on their own or with other related counselors.