Marriage and Family Therapist

Exam

State exam

Education

Specific course

Experience

Affidavit or referral

Background check

Not reported

Marriage and family therapists provide individual, marriage, and family counseling to adults and children to assists clients to identify personal and interactive problems, and to achieve effective personal, marital, and family development and adjustment. They collect information about clients using interview, case history, and observation techniques, and appraisal and assessment methods. Therapists analyze collected information to identify problems and concerns, and consults reference material such as text books, manuals, and journals to identify symptoms, make diagnosis, and develop therapeutic or treatment plan. They may make use of counseling methods and procedures such as psychotherapy and hypnosis to assist clients in gaining insight into personal and interactive problems, or make referrals to specialists in the clients' area of need.