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If you enjoy diagnosing complex psychological and interpersonal problems and guiding people towards healthy resolutions, consider a career in marriage and family therapy.
What They Do
Marriage and family therapists identify dysfunctional perceptions, emotions, behaviors and patterns that damage relationships between couples and between parents and their children, and use psychological tools that help families learn how to function more smoothly on their own.
The therapist observes how the family interacts to help family members recognize the underlying reasons for their problems and how their problems are counterproductive. The therapist teaches patients how to replace these counterproductive thoughts, emotions and behaviors with constructive ones. Family members usually meet with the therapist as a unit but sometimes attend therapy sessions individually.
Some of the issues therapists deal with are bereavement, depression, domestic violence, infidelity and substance abuse. The therapist must be focused and attentive to the patients. Listening to their traumatic histories and current problems can be stressful.
Marriage and family therapists may work in private practice, mental health centers, hospitals, social service agencies or clinics. They sometimes work in teams with one another and with other healthcare providers to ensure all psychological and health-related issues that may be affecting their patients' emotions and behaviors are addressed. Some therapists become directors of departments or agencies, or trainers and teachers.
Qualifications
In order to be a licensed marriage and family therapist you must complete, at a minimum, a master's degree in marriage and family counseling or a related field. Many counselors also earn a Ph.D. You will also need to complete a practical internship in which you counsel patients under the supervision of a professional counselor. The core curriculum you'll be required to study and the length of your internship may vary by state.
The Demand
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for marriage and family therapists is expected to increase faster than average for all jobs-by 30% between 2006 and 2016-because more and more people are seeking counseling to deal with family and marriage issues. The average annual salary in 2008 was $44,590, with the highest percentile averaging $70,830 per year.
For more information visit the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
What They Do
Marriage and family therapists identify dysfunctional perceptions, emotions, behaviors and patterns that damage relationships between couples and between parents and their children, and use psychological tools that help families learn how to function more smoothly on their own.
The therapist observes how the family interacts to help family members recognize the underlying reasons for their problems and how their problems are counterproductive. The therapist teaches patients how to replace these counterproductive thoughts, emotions and behaviors with constructive ones. Family members usually meet with the therapist as a unit but sometimes attend therapy sessions individually.
Some of the issues therapists deal with are bereavement, depression, domestic violence, infidelity and substance abuse. The therapist must be focused and attentive to the patients. Listening to their traumatic histories and current problems can be stressful.
Marriage and family therapists may work in private practice, mental health centers, hospitals, social service agencies or clinics. They sometimes work in teams with one another and with other healthcare providers to ensure all psychological and health-related issues that may be affecting their patients' emotions and behaviors are addressed. Some therapists become directors of departments or agencies, or trainers and teachers.
Qualifications
In order to be a licensed marriage and family therapist you must complete, at a minimum, a master's degree in marriage and family counseling or a related field. Many counselors also earn a Ph.D. You will also need to complete a practical internship in which you counsel patients under the supervision of a professional counselor. The core curriculum you'll be required to study and the length of your internship may vary by state.
The Demand
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for marriage and family therapists is expected to increase faster than average for all jobs-by 30% between 2006 and 2016-because more and more people are seeking counseling to deal with family and marriage issues. The average annual salary in 2008 was $44,590, with the highest percentile averaging $70,830 per year.
For more information visit the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
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