On a typical day, I drop my children off at school and head to my office. From there, I manage my online classes and respond to e-mails, communicating with students and clients on top of grading papers. I then take 6-7 virtual counseling appointments. After that, I take the rest of the day to relax, exercise, and spend time with my family.
CAREER
Marriage and Family Therapists
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$49,880
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+13.9% (faster than the average)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Marriage and Family Therapists Do
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.
Other Job Titles Marriage and Family Therapists May Have
Clinical Therapist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), Outpatient Therapist
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist ,
In a typical day I see around eight clients between the ages of 14 to mid 50s. Each client has 50 minute sessions and their issues range from anxiety/depression with family conflicts to hospitalization crisis.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Encourage individuals and family members to develop and use skills and strategies for confronting their problems in a constructive manner.
- Ask questions that will help clients identify their feelings and behaviors.
- Develop and implement individualized treatment plans addressing family relationship problems, destructive patterns of behavior, and other personal issues.
- Maintain case files that include activities, progress notes, evaluations, and recommendations.
- Counsel clients on concerns, such as unsatisfactory relationships, divorce and separation, child rearing, home management, or financial difficulties.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Marriage and Family Therapists
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Master's degree (79%)
Master's degree
Professional degree
Doctoral degree
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Psychology, General
Graduate
Counseling Psychology
Doctorate
Psychology
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist ,
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Sociology
Graduate
Psychology, General
Doctorate
Psychology, General
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
I believe being passionate, having people skills to network with others, and having priorities straight are important in both school and the professional world. Attaining real-life experience that you can't gain from a textbook is also important to me. I recommend going to conferences and getting internships.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist ,
It helps to practice and be patient.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist ,
I recommend to high school students to pursue higher education.
College Students
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
