Marriage and Family Therapy

​Mental health plays a vital role in how families function. A family environment can positively or negatively affect mental health, especially for children. It can also influence the sense of worth of the various family members.

There are trained professionals referred to as marriage and family therapists (MFTs) who work with individuals, families, and couples to help solve family mental health problems. MFTs aim to help couples and families work out their differences and create peaceful and happy home environments. The therapists are also typically trained in child and adolescent issues and have sessions with the families as a whole and the involved individuals separately. Both sessions help identify behaviors of family members that could be leading to conflicts before looking for ways to solve the issue.

Many people may confuse an MFT with a clinical psychologist, as their roles often overlap. However, it is essential to note that psychologists focus more on individuals. In contrast, an MFT approach focuses more on a client in relation to their family and how all members interact. They also undergo different training and have different education requirements.

These therapists work in both private practice and mental health centers. They commonly treat depression, domestic violence, marital issues, eating disorders, childhood emotional disorders, divorce, and other issues common in family settings.

For instance, an MFT can act as an unbiased third party if a couple has conflicts caused by miscommunication or issues with finances and schedules. In such a case, the professional allows each individual to share their side of the story. The professional’s job is not to solve the problem but rather help the couple communicate.

Marriage and family therapy is brief and solution-focused. It is expected that within 12 sessions, a solution will have been achieved. However, depending on the severity of a problem, more sessions might be necessary. The solution-focused therapy offers better communication and improves strained family dynamics. It also serves as a source of support during important life transitions such as grief, relocation, or any change that affects family dynamics. Eventually, a family will learn to overcome challenges and form stronger bonds.

To practice as an MFT, an individual must have a master’s degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy. They are also expected to undergo supervised clinical training. Although all states in the US consider marriage and family therapy as a vital mental health profession, practitioners must also pass a state licensing exam.

MFTs should also be good problem solvers and handle the issues affecting a family delicately to avoid aggravating the situation more.

An MFT should also have interpersonal skills to interact with and listen to their clients. It is also important that they be compassionate and empathetic and have strong communication skills. It will also help know how to get the necessary information to help solve a problem.

In addition, the therapist should have good organizational skills to help them track different client cases and process other paperwork, including billing and insurance. Most important, an MFT should be trustworthy. Building trust with the clients facilitates information sharing, which is an essential first step if a family or individual is to work through their issues.

When looking for an MFT, in addition to checking their qualifications and a license, look for someone family members trust and are comfortable with.

Timothy Kovacs, ProfessionalTopics; Hobbies&Interests;

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