What Do Marriage and Family Therapist Do?
Marriage & Family Therapist Example Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.
A Day in the Life of a Marriage & Family Therapist
- Counsel clients on concerns, such as unsatisfactory relationships, divorce and separation, child rearing, home management, or financial difficulties.
- Provide family counseling and treatment services to inmates participating in substance abuse programs.
- Provide instructions to clients on how to obtain help with legal, financial, and other personal issues.
- Follow up on results of counseling programs and clients' adjustments to determine effectiveness of programs.
- Write evaluations of parents and children for use by courts deciding divorce and custody cases, testifying in court if necessary.
- Collect information about clients, using techniques such as testing, interviewing, discussion, or observation.
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Skills Needed to be a Marriage & Family Therapist
Marriage and Family Therapists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Types of Marriage and Family Therapist
- Behavior Therapist
- Clinician
- Relationship Counselor
- Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
- Advanced Clinical Specialist
Is There Job Demand for Marriage and Family Therapists?
In the United States, there were 41,500 jobs for Marriage and Family Therapist in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 23.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 9,700 new jobs for Marriage and Family Therapist by 2026. There will be an estimated 5,700 positions for Marriage & Family Therapist per year.
The states with the most job growth for Marriage & Family Therapist are Utah, Arizona, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, South Dakota, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Marriage and Family Therapists Salary
The typical yearly salary for Marriage and Family Therapists is somewhere between $31,850 and $82,240.
Marriage and Family Therapists who work in Maine, Hawaii, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
How much do Marriage and Family Therapists make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $40,540 |
| Alaska | $64,200 |
| Arizona | $48,390 |
| Arkansas | $48,610 |
| California | $51,950 |
| Colorado | $74,900 |
| Connecticut | $61,750 |
| Delaware | $51,540 |
| District of Columbia | $49,750 |
| Florida | $50,680 |
| Georgia | $68,470 |
| Hawaii | $79,660 |
| Idaho | $52,150 |
| Illinois | $47,200 |
| Indiana | $47,110 |
| Iowa | $54,030 |
| Kansas | $42,390 |
| Kentucky | $41,280 |
| Louisiana | $37,530 |
| Maine | $75,460 |
| Maryland | $49,650 |
| Massachusetts | $57,020 |
| Michigan | $53,680 |
| Minnesota | $57,770 |
| Mississippi | $38,910 |
| Missouri | $50,840 |
| Montana | $45,310 |
| Nebraska | $48,850 |
| Nevada | $54,290 |
| New Hampshire | $43,400 |
| New Jersey | $72,380 |
| New Mexico | $49,500 |
| New York | $49,420 |
| North Carolina | $54,320 |
| North Dakota | $45,210 |
| Ohio | $46,180 |
| Oklahoma | $54,850 |
| Oregon | $58,050 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,400 |
| South Dakota | $40,000 |
| Tennessee | $39,920 |
| Texas | $45,820 |
| Utah | $70,960 |
| Virginia | $54,250 |
| Washington | $47,470 |
| West Virginia | $43,460 |
| Wisconsin | $51,070 |
| Wyoming | $63,690 |
What Tools & Technology do Marriage and Family Therapists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Marriage and Family Therapists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Anasazi Software Client Data System
- DocuTrac QuicDoc
- Mdansby The PsychReport
- TheraManager
- eMDs Medisoft
- Blueberry Harbor Software Clinical Record Keeper
- Advantage Software Psych Advantage
- PracticePRO Software Systems QuickPractice
- Beaver Creek Software The THERAPIST
How do I Become a Marriage & Family Therapist?
Learn what Marriage and Family Therapist education requirements there are.
What work experience do I need to become a Marriage & Family Therapist?
Who Employs Marriage and Family Therapists?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those thinking about becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
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