A Career as A Marriage and Family TherapistJennifer Chappell Marsh, LMFT #53559

3333 Camino Del Rio South #215, San Diego, CA 92108www.chappelltherapy.com

Marriage and Family Therapist

Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) are highly-trained mental health professionals who bring a family-oriented perspective to mental health care. Trained in psychotherapy and family systems, marriage and family therapists focus on understanding their clients’ symptoms and interaction patterns within their existing environment. MFTs treat predominantly individuals, but also provide couples, family and group therapy. Whomever the client, Family Therapists treat from a relationship perspective that incorporates family systems. Marriage and family therapy is one of the core mental health disciplines and is based on the research and theory that mental illness and family problems are best treated in a family context.

What Disorders Do MFTs Treat?

Depression and other Affective Disorders

Anxiety

Childhood Behavioral and Emotional Disorders

Marital and Relationship Problems

Conduct Disorder and Delinquency

Substance Abuse/Alcoholism

Grief/Loss

PTSD and Trauma

Domestic Violence

Severe Mental Illness

What Services do MFTs Provide?

Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders

Provide individual psychotherapy

Provide couples, family, and group therapy

Create treatment plans

Provide marriage and relationship therapy

Offer premarital education and marital enrichment

Where do MFTs Work?

Private Practice

Agencies (Gov’t and Religious based)

Hospitals and Outpatient Facilities

Schools (elementary, secondary)

Colleges

How Much Do MFTs Make?

Of those responding to the question about yearly gross income 52.36% reported that they earn between $51,000 to $100,000 per year.

3%12%

9%

23%24%

29%51-75K 76-100K25-50K 25K or less101-150K 150-200K

*Based on the 2011 AAMFT Member Survey

How Do You Become an LMFT?

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

Step 2: Earn a Master's Degree

Step 3: Complete Experience Hours for Licensure (Internship)

Step 4: Obtain Licensure

Step 5: Continue Education for Career Advancement (Specialization)

Qualities Needed

Curiosity and Investigative nature

Empathy

Communication/Active Listening

Creativity/Problem Solving

Comfort with intense emotion (yours and others)

DISCUSSION