Career Options for Professionals in Marriage and Family Therapy
ABC Unified School District Honors Four Secondary and Nine Elementary Schools
The ABC Unified School District is celebrating a significant achievement, as four secondary schools and nine elementary schools have been recognized as California Gold Ribbon Schools for the 2016-17 and 2015-16 school years, respectively. Dr. Mary Sieu, the superintendent of the district, expressed her pride in the schools' accomplishments.
The schools were honoured for their efforts to improve student outcomes, a testament to the hard work and dedication of the teachers, staff, and students. The 2016-17 school year concluded on June 15, 2017, while the 2015-16 school year ended on June 15, 2016.
The Campaign for Business and Education Excellence sponsors the Educational Partnership Honor Roll, which aims to recognise schools that show exemplary results in student success, including academic achievement, school environment, and student engagement.
Meanwhile, in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), career advancement requires a combination of relevant education, supervised training, licensure, and experience in various settings.
Education and Licensing
To become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), one must first earn a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as psychology, counseling, or social work. This is followed by completing a master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy or a closely related field, focusing on human behavior, therapy techniques, and family systems.
Supervised clinical experience is essential, typically ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 hours, with internships including family, couples, individual therapy, and possibly telemedicine. This experience lasts 1 to 3 years depending on state requirements. Finally, passing the licensing examination is necessary to become an LMFT.
Skills Needed Across Settings
Strong interpersonal and communication skills are crucial for working with individuals, couples, families, and diverse populations. Ability to assess mental health, develop and implement treatment plans, and maintain detailed confidential records are also essential. Cultural sensitivity and problem-solving skills are vital for handling complex cases.
Advancement and Roles by Setting
In school settings, potential roles include life skills teacher, school counselor, or mental health clinician focusing on youth. Necessary skills include teaching skills, child psychology, counseling, curriculum design, and communication with children and families.
In integrated primary care, therapists collaborate with healthcare providers in hospitals and clinics, addressing psychological and relational aspects of physical health. Knowledge of chronic illness impact on families, interdisciplinary communication, crisis management, and trauma-informed care are essential skills.
In private practice, therapists can work as individual, couple, or family therapists, while also taking on supervisory roles or managing practices. Business skills, clinical expertise, marketing, client relationship management, and cultural competency are necessary skills.
In public sector and community agencies, roles include community health worker supervisor, social services manager, crisis counselor, and program developer. Necessary skills include community outreach, program analysis, management, advocacy, data collection, and education program development.
In forensic settings, therapists may work in roles such as therapy for families involved in legal cases, consultation to courts, and assessment and testimony related to family dynamics. Necessary skills include knowledge of legal systems, forensic assessment, ethical standards, trauma therapy, and the ability to provide expert testimony.
Career Advancement Steps
To advance in MFT, one should aim to gain diverse supervised clinical hours across populations and modalities, pursue continuing education and certifications relevant to specialized settings, seek supervisory or administrative roles within clinical or organizational settings, develop strong professional networks, and consider advanced degrees or certifications in related fields for higher-level clinical, academic, or leadership roles.
This path ensures that Marriage and Family Therapists develop the comprehensive skills and credentials necessary to advance and specialize across various settings, enhancing their effectiveness and career growth.
In another development, the ABC Unified School District had 14 schools named to the 2023 Educational Partnership Honor Roll for high achievement. This recognition underscores the district's commitment to excellence in education and student success.
