Is a Marriage & Family Therapy Degree Right for Me?
A marriage and family therapy degree may be right for you if you have an interest in mental health and helping families improve their relationships and dynamics.
There are many different types of mental health professionals. One common one is a marriage and family therapist (MFT). These professionals hold specialized master's or doctoral degrees in MFT. If you are interested in becoming a licensed MFT, you may be wondering: is this type of degree right for you?
A master's degree in marriage and family therapy teaches techniques to help you provide family counseling, couples therapy, and other services to help families overcome hurdles in their lives. This or a closely related graduate degree is necessary to become a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT).
What Is a Marriage and Family Therapy Degree?
A marriage and family therapy degree is an advanced credential, usually a master's degree or doctoral degree. Many colleges and universities offer these types of degrees. Students hoping to enter a marriage and family therapy program must hold a bachelor's degree. Common bachelor's degree majors for aspiring MFTs include:
- family studies
- psychology
- gender and sexuality studies
- child development
- sociology
Master's degrees in marriage and family therapy typically take about two to three years to complete, while doctoral degrees may take longer, between four and seven years. These numbers depend on your individual program and whether you study full time or part time.
Students in these programs are required to complete supervised clinical experiences either as part of their degree or following graduation. After completing the educational requirements, they can then become licensed therapists, providing services to couples and families.
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What Does a Marriage and Family Therapy Major Study?
Marriage and family therapy students study a wide range of subjects related to providing mental healthcare to couples and families.
They learn to provide short-term therapy sessions to both individuals and groups. They learn how to address behavioral problems that may be providing conflicts in the family, such as:
- eating disorders
- substance abuse
- negative family dynamics
- self-harm
- depression and anxiety
Marriage and family therapy students learn to speak with family members one on one as well as in a family unit. Through psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, they uncover various mental and physical health issues that have disrupted relationships within the family or marriage.
Though exact courses vary from program to program, marriage and family therapy students commonly take classes focusing on topics like:
- family systems
- couples counseling
- mental health conditions
- cognitive behavioral therapy
- psychotherapy
- developing treatment plans
Why You Should Consider a Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy
A career in marriage and family therapy can be highly rewarding for the right individual. Let's take a look at some good reasons for pursuing this type of degree.
Choose Your Work Environment
Marriage and family therapists can work in a variety of environments. Some provide in-person services from an office, clinic, or other care facility; others offer online therapy, making it possible for them to work from anywhere. You also have the option to establish your own private practice, which gives you even more freedom over your work environment.
Improve Your Skills
You may have learned some basic psychology and counseling skills as part of your bachelor's degree program. But getting a master's degree in marriage and family therapy will take you much deeper, helping you develop advanced skills in critical thinking, problem solving, psychotherapy, diagnosing mental health conditions. These skills can translate to various careers and job titles.
Pursue a Passion
Perhaps you have a deep fascination in marital and family relationships. You want to understand what makes them work and the many issues that can arise to challenge their wellbeing. If this sounds like you, pursuing a marriage and therapy degree can make it possible for you to explore a passion and help you turn that passion into a rewarding career.
Help Other People
Do you have a heart to help others? You want to do something meaningful with your career and use your time and skills to make a real difference in people's lives. Getting a degree in marriage and family therapy will help you pursue various service-oriented careers, helping you fulfill your need to help others.
Help Yourself
Finally, getting a degree in marriage and family therapy can benefit your own life as well. If you have issues within your own marriage or family, getting this degree will help you learn how to address those issues, potentially helping you and your partner or family strengthen their relationships.
Job Opportunities for Marriage and Family Therapy Degree Majors
Many marriage and family therapy degree students go on to pursue work as licensed marriage and family therapists. Some other career options for MFT graduates include:
- grief counselor
- youth care worker
- behavioral therapist
- mental health case manager
- social worker
- clinical director
- school counselor
Marriage and Family Therapy Degree: Questions To Ask Yourself
Still wondering if a marriage and family therapy degree is right for you? Let's talk about some questions you can ask yourself to help you make a decision.
Do I Enjoy Working With People?
Regardless of the specific job title you pursue in marriage and family therapy, chances are you will be working closely with people from all walks of life. It's important to be empathetic and have strong interpersonal skills. Would you consider yourself a people person? Are you willing to develop the skills necessary for a people-oriented career? Answering these questions will go a long way in helping you determine if this is the right career path for you.
What Are My Career Goals?
As noted, you can pursue various careers with a marriage and family therapy degree. However, it's a good idea to examine your specific career goals. Is there a degree that could better help you reach those goals? For example, if you want to become a board-certified behavior analyst, a degree in applied behavior analysis may be a better option for you. Look at the requirements for any specific careers you may want to pursue before choosing your degree.
Am I Prepared To Handle the Stresses of the Job?
A marriage and family therapy degree can be mentally and emotionally exhausting, as you will be tasked with listening to and solving other people's relationship issues. You will also have to diagnose and come up with treatment plans for various mental health issues. Take a good look at why you want to work in marriage and family therapy and learn how to cope with the stresses and struggles before deciding to pursue a career in the field.
