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Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Career
Learn more about the MFT Career
Step families, single parents and same-sex relationships have shifted the old definition of a “standard” family structure. Either way, every family has its own set of issues to deal with and sometimes they need help working them out. A career as a marriage and family therapist allows you to do just that.
With changing times and specifically higher divorce rates of roughly 50% of marriages, children are usually the ones that struggle the most and understand the least1. A family therapist will play a critical role in providing the necessary tools for families and children to minimize negative long-term effects.
“Children of divorced parents who are separated from one parent…beyond an hour’s drive are significantly less well off on many child mental and physical health measures compared to those children whose parents don’t relocate after divorce.” (Braver, Ellman, Fabricius, 2003)2
A career in marriage and family therapy is a constant path of learning and adjusting to society in order to resolve problems. Unlike other fields, you will always be working towards a solution. Parents, children, and couples alike will need to learn better and more permanent ways to handle one another by changing current behavior.
A family therapist believes conflicts and mental disorders can be corrected by evaluating family influences and providing a safe zone for each member to express his or her thoughts and concerns. An astounding 90% of clients have reported an improvement in their emotional health after going through treatment.
A marriage and family therapist (MFT) combines the knowledge of a therapist with a family oriented approach to tackle a variety of typical family conflicts. Learn how you can be part of the solution for troubling issues between parent and child, sibling rivalry, or between distraught couples. Contact schools offering programs in marriage and family therapy and other fields of psychology.
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