Marriage and Family Counseling

A masters degree (2 to 3 years) is necessary to become a marriage and/or family therapist. In addition, Doctoral program's (3 to 5 years) or post graduate clinical training program's (roughly 3 years), is strongly encouraged if one wants to teach or conduct research.

Marriage and Family therapists are mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy and family systems. They mainly evaluate and treat mental disorders within the context of marriage, couples, and family systems. 

These two specific therapy programs are usually solution focused,brief in length of treatment, and are designed with "the end in mind". The programs stray from the initial problem at hand and can focus on back stories, depression, family past, illnesses, problems in household, and/or drug abuse. 

Clients are usually hesitant to attend these therapy programs, and most are reluctantly forced to join. However, studies show that clients are highly satisfied with the success of the marriage and family therapy program. After receiving the treatment, around 90 percent of the clients report an improvement in their own emotional health. This is something they can refer to friends as well. 

For more information :http://www.georgefox.edu/counseling-programs/become-a-marriage-and-family-therapist/index.html

                                                                                                                                  Adam November