Marriage and Family Therapist

Marriage and family therapists or counselors as they are otherwise referred to help to solve problems that normally arise in the marriage or family context. There are many different types of counselors, for example educational therapists, vocational counselors, rehabilitation counselors, mental health counselors, and substance abuse counselors.

Marriage and family therapists like all other counselors are required to have received detailed education and training backgrounds in their areas of specialization. These requirements vary from one state to the next. Job applicants are required to consult with the relevant authorities, certification authorities, and prospective employers. Marriage and family therapists are specifically trained to specialize in the said field of work. The present situation requires that, in order to be licensed as a therapist or counselor, the person must have a minimum qualification requirement of a master's degree. In some states this is the same stipulation for those who want to be hired in the public service. However, some states can also accept bachelor's degree holders who have received training in the appropriate courses. Marriage and family therapist courses are found in the departments of psychology or education. The course outline consists of eight core subjects that include: cultural and social diversity, human growth and development, career development, research and program evaluation, professional identity, assessment, relationships and group work. For accredited master's degree programs, a supervised experience in counseling is necessary. Marriage and family therapists need to have the necessary licensing; the requirements vary from one state to the next.

The basic requirements for licensing are such that one has to have a master's degree, a minimum of two years in supervised clinical experience, good grades in a state-recognized examination, upholding of codes and standards of ethics and accomplishment of yearly education requirements.

Marriage and family therapists assist families, couples and individuals to tackle their problems by applying family techniques, principles and theory systems to the predicament in question. These techniques help to foster an understanding between individuals in a family or marriage setup. Once such an understanding has been achieved it will be easier for these persons to adjust their behaviors and perceptions accordingly. As these persons start understanding each other, it will be possible to foster proper communication between them and in the process help to avert individual and family crises. Marriage and family therapists may choose to employ non-medical psychotherapy techniques. They are sometimes compelled to make references from appropriate psychiatric resources so as to effectively tackle certain situations.

Marriage and family counselors may also be involved in research programs. They are also capable of lecturing in aspects of human development and relationship matters. Marriage and family therapists work in locations governed by their areas of specialization. Most marriage and family counselors are found in private practices, hospitals, churches and community based organizations. They have offices in these locations that enable them to cater to their clients in absolute privacy. Privacy is a necessity since the work that marriage and family therapists do requires absolute confidentiality. Marriage and family therapists are compelled to regularly work in the evenings to cater to individuals or couples that have to work during the daytime. These flexible hours' schedules also extend into the weekends since there are unexpected family crises and also weekend appointments.

Marriage and family therapists need to be persons of high stamina, endurance and mental strength. They should have emotional resiliency to withstand the regular pressures of the job and to do so without stressing themselves unduly. Clients need to be assured that they are talking to a seasoned therapist. Therapists who seem to be easily agitated are considered unprofessional. Esteemed marriage and family therapists are associated with an unwavering desire to help individuals and couples tackle their problems. They inspire honesty; they inspire confidence, respect, reliability and dependability. It is these attributes that clients need to see so that they can assimilate the positive ideals that can help them to overcome their family and marital woes. Marriage and family therapists have to adhere strictly to the practices code of ethics as stipulated by their licenses and certifications. This is to maintain an aura of professionalism.

In May 2006 the median annual earnings for marriage and family therapists was $43,210. Those in the lowest 10 percentile earned an average of $25,280 while their counterparts in the highest 10 percentile earned an average of $69,050. In the individual and family social service sector that employs the highest number of marriage and family therapists the median annual average earnings were $36,020. Marriage and family therapists who work in private practices earn the highest.

Dr. James Dobson is the founder and chairman of Focus on the Family. This is a non-profit organization that produces both radio and TV programs that are aimed at helping the family to relate and live in harmony. Dr. James Dobson is a licensed marriage, child and family counselor in the states of Colorado and Chicago. He has a PhD in Child Development from the University of South California. For 14 years Dr. Dobson was an Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Southern California.

Marriage and Couples Counseling is a New York based organization that assists families and couples in overcoming various problems that beset them. This is through the Imago Therapy technique. The firm consists of trained and experienced marriage and family counselors with a total joint experience of 80 years. They are qualified in the renowned Specialty Training Program in Analytic Group Psychotherapy.

The job prospects for marriage and family therapists are widely available given that people will always have both marriages and families. Marriage and family therapists can find employment in Philadelphia, Oakland, Honolulu, Brockton and Redwood City.