Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for marriage and family therapists in the United States
Marriage and family therapist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected marriage and family therapist job growth rate is 14% from 2018-2028.
About 9,100 new jobs for marriage and family therapists are projected over the next decade.
Marriage and family therapist salaries have increased 4% for marriage and family therapists in the last 5 years.
There are over 120,431 marriage and family therapists currently employed in the United States.
There are 114,361 active marriage and family therapist job openings in the US.
The average marriage and family therapist salary is $57,856.
Are marriage and family therapist jobs in demand?
Marriage and family therapist job and salary trends over time
Marriage and family therapist jobs over time
Marriage and family therapist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 120,431 | 0.04% |
| 2020 | 121,626 | 0.04% |
| 2019 | 125,579 | 0.04% |
| 2018 | 119,192 | 0.04% |
| 2017 | 115,314 | 0.03% |
Average marriage and family therapist salary over time
Marriage and family therapist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $57,856 | $27.82 | +3.5% |
| 2024 | $55,906 | $26.88 | --1.0% |
| 2023 | $56,447 | $27.14 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $54,982 | $26.43 | --0.8% |
| 2021 | $55,410 | $26.64 | +1.2% |
Marriage and family therapist jobs by state
Most common states for marriage and family therapists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 537 | 40% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,485 | 36% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 261 | 35% |
| 4 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 589 | 31% |
| 5 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 301 | 29% |
| 6 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 184 | 27% |
| 7 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,892 | 26% |
| 8 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,562 | 26% |
| 9 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,677 | 25% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,383 | 25% |
| 11 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 760 | 24% |
| 12 | Delaware | 961,939 | 235 | 24% |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,949 | 23% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,286 | 23% |
| 15 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 943 | 23% |
| 16 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,320 | 22% |
| 17 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 639 | 22% |
| 18 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,636 | 21% |
| 19 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,857 | 21% |
| 20 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,806 | 21% |
Most common cities for marriage and family therapists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monterey | 5 | 18% | $62,694 |
| 2 | Loma Linda | 3 | 12% | $58,347 |
| 3 | Fredericksburg | 3 | 11% | $61,863 |
| 4 | La Mesa | 3 | 5% | $56,623 |
| 5 | Hemet | 3 | 4% | $57,698 |
| 6 | Alexandria | 4 | 3% | $62,377 |
| 7 | Daly City | 3 | 3% | $62,369 |
| 8 | El Cajon | 3 | 3% | $56,608 |
| 9 | Fairfield | 3 | 3% | $61,703 |
| 10 | Chesapeake | 4 | 2% | $61,381 |
| 11 | Richmond | 4 | 2% | $61,360 |
| 12 | Hampton | 3 | 2% | $61,698 |
| 13 | San Jose | 8 | 1% | $62,216 |
| 14 | Anchorage | 3 | 1% | $61,883 |
| 15 | Arlington | 3 | 1% | $62,407 |
| 16 | Fayetteville | 3 | 1% | $51,774 |
| 17 | Fresno | 3 | 1% | $61,115 |
| 18 | Los Angeles | 15 | 0% | $59,268 |
| 19 | San Diego | 5 | 0% | $56,739 |
Marriage And Family Therapist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of marriage and family therapist experts
Western Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University
Florida Institute of Technology
Loyola University New Orleans
SUNY College at Oswego
Ohio State University
Texas Southern University
Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham
Saint Xavier University
University of Baltimore
St. John Fisher College
Penn State College of Medicine
San Diego State University
Lindsey Nichols
Associate ProfessorWhat Marriage And Family Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lindsey Nichols: Trauma skills will continue to be a major focus as our society continues to drastically change. Technology and being fluent working with someone using some type of technology will be increasingly important. Although they are foundational skills of counselors, flexibility, empathy, openness along with your ability to be reflective of yourself and others (aka a good listener) are important in the field. Of course there is much to counseling, and the learning process never ends!
What general advice would you give to a Marriage And Family Therapist?
Dr. Vanessa Alleyne: It will be important to network and utilize professional organizations of which you are a member, such as the ACA (American Counseling Association), or the ASGW (Association for Specialists in Group Work), for example. Meet people, attend training for advanced skills in key areas, and present there when possible. Whether locally or nationally, these are valuable connections to make when starting out, and will also enhance your knowledge base as you begin and grow. Another valuable connection to be made can be found through your alma mater. Find professional affinity groups from your undergraduate program, and certainly maintain or build ties with your graduate program alumni. Finally, many people turn to social media such as Linkedin, which is fine, but can also be a bit overwhelming. Be deliberate in your choices about who to connect with, and don't get fomo! It's ok not to connect with everyone that pops up in your feed. Stay with one social media site at a time until you feel it's working the way you'd like, and then go on to another.
What Marriage And Family Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Vanessa Alleyne: Two of the most heavily sought out areas of expertise in the field today are trauma and substance use disorders. If you have taken courses in these areas as a grad student, bravo for you! The aftermath of the pandemic has left us in tremendous need of caring, coping strategies for trauma, as well as more evidence based, compassionate care for substance use disorders. The old tough love strategies aren't really effective in today's complex world. Sometimes students will say that they don't want to work with substance abuse, but it's shortsighted to think that you won't, even in a private practice. Many, if not most people seeking help are impacted by substances, either via someone they know or someone in the family. The emergence of legalized sports betting has also begun a new level of problematic gambling that will require a good skill set. Group work for these and other disorders will increase, so the ability to work well in groups will be in high demand. Additionally, we are at the early stages of successful use of psychedelic medicines for a range of mental health disorders. Learning about these possibilities will be important in terms of making appropriate referrals to psychedelic providers. Finally, I will mention a typically unmentionable or perhaps forgotten area that we need better skills in now more than ever. End of life counseling needs are rising as our elderly population in the US soars. We need to be able to support clients and their families through the processes and anxieties that come with these highly difficult experiences. I am beginning a summer course at MSU now in End of Life Counseling as an elective, and the class is FULL. Many of us want and need to explore this final stage of the lifespan, both professionally and personally, in order to be of maximal assistance to others.
Dr. Tiffany Bainter PhD LCPC NCC
Associate ProfessorWestern Illinois University
Clinical, Counseling And Applied Psychology
What general advice would you give to a Marriage And Family Therapist?
Dr. Tiffany Bainter PhD LCPC NCC: Starting a career in counseling is a fulfilling journey but comes with its own set of challenges. My advice to graduates stepping into this field would be to prioritize self-care. It's crucial to maintain a healthy balance between your professional and personal life, especially when dealing with emotionally taxing situations. Seek supervision and mentorship regularly; having guidance from experienced professionals can provide invaluable insights and support as you navigate your counseling career. Additionally, stay open to continuous learning. The field of counseling is dynamic, with new research and techniques emerging constantly. Pursue opportunities for further education, attend workshops, and stay updated with the latest developments in the field. Cultivate empathy and cultural competence to better understand and connect with clients from diverse backgrounds. Building strong therapeutic relationships based on trust and empathy is at the core of effective counseling practice. Lastly, remember to advocate for mental health awareness and the importance of access to quality mental health services. Being a counselor goes beyond individual sessions; it involves being an advocate for your clients' well-being within the larger societal context.
What Marriage And Family Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Tiffany Bainter PhD LCPC NCC: Education and Credentials: Obtain relevant certifications and advanced degrees in counseling or related fields. Specializations or additional training in areas such as trauma therapy, substance abuse counseling, or marriage and family therapy can increase your market value. Gain Experience: Seek opportunities to gain practical experience through internships, volunteer work, or entry-level positions. Building a strong track record of successful counseling outcomes and client satisfaction can lead to higher-paying roles. Specialize: Consider specializing in a niche area within counseling, such as working with specific populations (e.g., children, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals) or focusing on particular issues (e.g., trauma, addiction, grief counseling). Specialization often commands higher salaries due to the specialized expertise required. Stay Current: Stay updated with industry trends, research, and best practices in counseling. Attend conferences, workshops, and continuing education programs to enhance your knowledge and skills, making you more valuable to employers. Negotiate Skillfully: When negotiating salary with potential employers, research industry standards and average salaries for your role and location. Highlight your qualifications, experience, and unique skills during negotiations. Be confident, but also realistic and flexible in your salary expectations. Explore Different Settings: Consider working in different settings such as private practice, community mental health centers, schools, hospitals, or corporate counseling programs. Each setting may offer different salary structures and opportunities for advancement. Build a Reputation: Develop a strong professional reputation by delivering quality counseling services, building positive relationships with clients and colleagues, and receiving positive feedback and referrals. A good reputation can lead to increased demand for your services and potentially higher fees. Network and Market Yourself: Network with other professionals in the counseling field, join professional organizations, and promote your services effectively. Building a strong professional network and marketing yourself can lead to new opportunities, higher-paying clients, and consulting or speaking engagements. Consider Additional Income Streams: Explore opportunities for additional income streams such as offering workshops, writing articles or books, providing supervision or consulting services, or teaching courses related to counseling.
What will help Marriage And Family Therapists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Tiffany Bainter PhD LCPC NCC: In the evolving field of counseling, several skills are likely to become even more important e in the coming years. Firstly, digital literacy and proficiency in utilizing technology for counseling services will become increasingly important. As more counseling sessions move online or incorporate digital tools, counselors will need to adapt and leverage these technologies effectively while maintaining client confidentiality and ethical standards. Secondly, a deep understanding of trauma-informed care and techniques will be crucial. With growing awareness about trauma's impact on mental health, counselors must be equipped to provide trauma-informed interventions and create safe therapeutic spaces for clients who have experienced trauma. Cultural competence and diversity awareness will continue to be essential skills for counselors. As our societies become more diverse, counselors must be able to work effectively with clients from various cultural backgrounds, respecting their beliefs, values, and identities. Additionally, skills related to teletherapy and remote counseling will likely become more prevalent. Counselors will need to excel in building therapeutic rapport and conducting effective counseling sessions through virtual platforms, ensuring continuity of care for clients regardless of geographical constraints. Lastly, skills in advocacy and collaboration within interdisciplinary teams will be increasingly valuable. Counselors may need to advocate for policy changes, mental health resources, and equitable access to services. Collaborating with other healthcare professionals, social workers, and community organizations will enhance holistic care for clients.
What Marriage And Family Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Pamela Fullerton: Find a site with great supervision and a diverse range of clients. New clinicians really need to lean into competent and compassionate supervisory experiences that will help them not only increase their counseling competencies but also support in their growth around professional counseling identity, personal development, and multicultural and social justice advocacy. Additionally, working with a diverse range of clients at the beginning of a career will also support in increasing competencies in all the various areas of our field from skills and interventions to diagnosing and treatment planning.
What will help Marriage And Family Therapists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Pamela Fullerton: I think having diverse experiences in the field will be helpful when trying to make yourself stand out from the crowd of other clinicians. I also think adding specialty training and certifications to your resume may help in maximizing salary potential.
What will help Marriage And Family Therapists increase their earning potential?
Mariana Juras Ph.D.: In the mental health field I believe it is the interaction between humans and technology, particular to the advance of AI. Also to embrace diversity and cultural difference and how to collaboratively work with them.
Kevin Foose
Professor of PracticeLoyola University New Orleans
Rehabilitation And Therapeutic Professions
What general advice would you give to a Marriage And Family Therapist?
Kevin Foose: Secondly, I believe that the capacity to be flexible, creative and adaptive are essential skills to cultivate in the current cultural environment. Towards this end, I integrate a bit of Chaos Theory into much of my teaching and mentoring and general world view.
What Marriage And Family Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kevin Foose: As our graduates enter the field of counseling and psychotherapy, the guidance that I provide is generally threefold. First I suggest that they develop a niche practice which they are passionate about. I encourage them to specialize rather than 'generalize' their practice. Towards that end I advise that they find a clinical supervisor and mentor with whom they share a theoretical and philosophical foundation. I encourage them to surround themselves with talented, experienced and inspiring professionals. And to follow their curiosity and cultivate the capacity to become highly competent clinically and theoretically with a specific population and modality of treatment (such as working with couples & relationships, adolescence, social justice & advocacy, play therapy etc).
What general advice would you give to a Marriage And Family Therapist?
Jodi Mullen PhD LMHC RPT-S: What do people like- counseling is always improv. You never really know what someone is going to share in their sessions. It's also relational, so as a counselor you get to connect with people you might not otherwise or who have never experienced healthy connection. It is an honor and awesome responsibility. Dislike- People who show up to counseling to talk about the good things going on, so there's a lot of exposure to people's pain.
What Marriage And Family Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jodi Mullen PhD LMHC RPT-S: The bulk of the work a mental health counselor does is clinical, meaning you meet with clients and provide counseling. There is also record keeping, preparation, and administrative responsibilities. New and seasoned counselors alike spend some time in supervision and consultation with other counselors. Supervision is a time to discuss cases with a more experienced professional where there are opportunities for growth professionally and personally. Consultation involves either meeting with others connected to your clients, like parents of children clients, or with professionals in mental health and other fields that can help the counselor sort out a challenge. In that case it may be an attorney or a trauma specialist.
What will help Marriage And Family Therapists increase their earning potential?
Jodi Mullen PhD LMHC RPT-S: There are so many opportunities for mental health counselors entering the field. The need for our services is at an all time high. Recently, there has been a great deal of focus on self-care for professional counselors to ward off compassion fatigue. There is much more being offered for counselor self-care than when I entered the field three decades ago.
What Marriage And Family Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Donna Sheperis PhD, LPC, NCC, CCMHC, ACS, BC-TMH: There are so many different employment positions that a mental health counselor could take that a day could be incredibly different depending on their area of specialty. A private practitioner could have a full day of hour long individual sessions. A hospital based counselor might spend time running groups or doing crisis stabilization. A home-based counselor might travel from site to site providing family therapy or assessing living situations for child placement. Someone working in a substance use rehabilitation facility might find themselves Providing individual, group, and family therapy all within the span of several hours. In other words, a mental health counselor is going to be very flexible and able to provide a number of different services depending on the type of work that interests them and that they find themselves seeking specialty training and credentialing in.
What will help Marriage And Family Therapists increase their earning potential?
Donna Sheperis PhD, LPC, NCC, CCMHC, ACS, BC-TMH: When I talk to my former students as well as my friends and colleagues in the profession, they all tell me how richly rewarded they are providing a service to people who struggle with aspects of mental health. Being part of someone’s treatment, watching them find their way through trauma that has been burdening them, helping people leave behind a pass that no longer serves them, helping them find a way through genetically predisposed illness, or to overcome thoughts of death or suicide… These are all remarkable journeys to embark on with clients. To have the privilege to be part of healing when people are in crisis and pain and at their most vulnerable is really an awesome honor. Those experiences keep us hopeful and.buoyed throughout our career. When working in such an interpersonally intense profession, carrying that weight can be challenging itself. Some of the more routine tasks of the work that we do can also be burdening. As mental health counselors, we find ourselves making sure that we seek to do our own work in order to be able to do this work for others.
What general advice would you give to a Marriage And Family Therapist?
Samantha Bates PhD, LISW-S: Now more than ever, mental health counselors are needed in our schools and communities. Many agree we are experiencing a behavioral health workforce shortage where the demand is greater than the number of professionals hired in agencies to provide mental health services. From my perspective working with schools, adolescents are experiencing heightened risks post-COVID with a 40% increase in mental health symptomology noted across the country (as reported by the CDC). It is a great time to get a social work or counseling degree to help those most in need and make an impact in one's community. Wages and benefits are improving for those in the mental health sector because of the demand and the nuanced skills, knowledge, and competencies practitioners bring to the table.
What Marriage And Family Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Samantha Bates PhD, LISW-S: One of the best things about being a mental health practitioner is supporting someone during a time of immense need. The human spirit is beautiful to witness, and the role of a mental health provider is to use the vulnerability and time spent together to empower someone to see their strengths, utilize new skills, and decide what the future holds for them. I think the best day of my professional career was when a young woman told me that had I not been in her life at the time she might not be here today. Knowing you were a support for someone, and the time you spent together made an impact, is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. One thing that is challenging in the mental health profession is the lack of coordinated services and supports. Access and equity continue to challenge the profession and are issues we must address to tackle the mental health crisis.
Nancy Shepherd PhD., CFCS
Assistant ProfessorTexas Southern University
Human Development, Family Studies, And Related Services
What general advice would you give to a Marriage And Family Therapist?
Nancy Shepherd PhD., CFCS: Students should seek strong mentors in the field that will advise them and be able to write reference letters as they progress in the program. These mentors could be faculty, staff, a board member or a boss at work. Volunteer work and service learning in the field looks great on a resume. More importantly it will allow a student to build experience in their area of interest while attending school. It can set individuals apart from others when they are hired and allows someone to ask for more money. Additionally, work experience in the summer, or an internship will build skills and experience to achieve success.
What Marriage And Family Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nancy Shepherd PhD., CFCS: In general, employers stress the need for individuals that are good communicators, both verbally and in writing. Specifically in the field, the positions are varied in skill requirements. Good listening and empathy skills are important when dealing with families and young children. Business owners and workers will benefit from soft skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, work ethic, professional attitude, and organization.
What will help Marriage And Family Therapists increase their earning potential?
Nancy Shepherd PhD., CFCS: The family is the center of careers in Human Development. Whether working with young children, the elderly, youth or the entire family, a graduate will want to focus on improving the lives of individuals, families and communities through their chosen position. With this in mind, building on education and applying it in a career will require a continued focus on being open to learning new skills. Finding mentors in the field to seek out with questions will be helpful. A career in Human Development can be very rewarding.
Dr. A. Wright Ph.D., ABAP, ABPP
Clinical Associate ProfessorWhat will help Marriage And Family Therapists increase their earning potential?
Dr. A. Wright Ph.D., ABAP, ABPP: Graduates in counseling psychology have a great number of different skills, and they shouldn't limit themselves to traditional clinical practice settings only. The doctoral degree in counseling psychology--and the license as a psychologist--allows these professionals to practice in many different areas. The most obvious ones, such as private practice clinical work, doing clinical work in clinics and hospitals, or going into academia as researchers and faculty, are a great fit for many graduates. However, all the skills gained in a doctoral program in counseling psychology transfer seamlessly to many other areas and industries, as understanding human behaviors, emotional development, and wellness are applicable widely.
Dr. Anthony Tasso Ph.D., ABPP
Professor and Deputy DirectorFairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham
Clinical, Counseling And Applied Psychology
What general advice would you give to a Marriage And Family Therapist?
Dr. Anthony Tasso Ph.D., ABPP: I believe versatility is key to maximize a psychotherapist's income potential, especially at the start of a career. Most psychotherapists implicitly or explicitly develop areas of expertise, which is great for marketing as well as for cultivating a strong skillset with a particular population or diagnostic category. The challenge for some, especially at the start of a career, is that if one's developing area of expertise is too niche it can be challenging to develop a patient caseload. Therefore, it behooves clinicians to also develop a broad skillset. In addition to what populations or conditions with whom you work, the mental health field often allows for flexibility in where you work. Therefore, another meaningful way to maximize your income is to, for example, work in a clinic but also start a part time private practice. Or, consider adjunct teaching in addition to your clinical work. These approaches can add to your income in addition to enriching your excitement for the field.
What Marriage And Family Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Anthony Tasso Ph.D., ABPP: Conducting psychotherapy and counseling via technology. Teletherapy, though already in existence pre-COVID, unquestionably accelerated since the pandemic. Therefore, I think thus use of technology will remain prevalent. With that, I encourage therapists to, if possible, develop an in-person practice as well. Psychotherapy and counseling is a human and relational experience, and patients or clients' preferences in their therapeutic experience varies. Therefore, I think it is important for therapists to be skilled in both.
What will help Marriage And Family Therapists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Anthony Tasso Ph.D., ABPP: The best advice I can give entering the field of psychotherapy or counseling is that it is a field that deals with humans. Therefore, curiosity about why people do what they do and how they developed healthy and unhealthy propensities is crucial. Additionally, it’s important to understand that the only way to grow as a psychotherapist is to continue to learn. The clinician who graduates and never reads a professional book or article again will become stagnant. Alternatively, the psychotherapist who continues to read to acquires knowledge through other means will get even better with time.
What will help Marriage And Family Therapists increase their earning potential?
Kristen Toole: Post-pandemic disparities have highlighted the necessity of prioritizing mental health and the
need for more mental health providers (Fink-Samnick, 2023; Health Resources & Services
Administration, 2023). The counseling field is expected to outpace the national average for
occupational growth six-fold over the next ten years (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022). There is
no question that counselors are in demand, but there are still a few strategies for new
professionals to maximize their salary potential.
A growing number of students are entering counseling graduate programs, having completed
undergraduate minors and focus areas in related fields. This is fantastic conceptually and can be
a vital strategy for enhancing their counseling work. Skill building is one way to optimize
success and salary.
Some graduate programs, like Xavier's, offer options for obtaining additional certifications along
the way to a master's degree. In Xavier's counseling program, students can choose courses that
allow them to get certificates in addiction counseling and medical trauma-informed care. For
clinical mental health counselors, this is an excellent way to demonstrate skill mastery, and for
school counselors, it provides a unique opportunity to broaden their scope of practice. Either
way, additional certifications exhibit a commitment that potential employers can appreciate.
Counselors who are well-informed about their market value and earning potential can engage in
informed offer negotiations. Additional skills are one way beginning professionals can increase
their starting salary. However, it is important to remember that total earnings include several
elements, and salary is just one piece of that puzzle.
Counselors are immensely versatile and can find work in various settings, so they need to
understand their options in addition to their earning potential. Benefits, schedule, and location
are other things that can impact the earnings bottom line and are essential to consider. Finally,
counselors must know themselves: personality, interests, work values, and abilities impact job fit
and, ultimately, work satisfaction. These are crucial considerations for mitigating compassion
fatigue (Stamm, 2010), which can limit counselors' longevity.
New professionals must research and reflect as they enter the job market. There are many things
to consider when choosing a job, and it can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, various resources,
such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook, O*Net, Glassdoor, and Monster, offer
indispensable tools and information to job seekers.
What will help Marriage And Family Therapists increase their earning potential?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: Psychologists should be aware of what others in their field are making for similar positions. It is important to ask for what your work is worth in an initial position to assure raises are based on a solid starting salary. Newer psychologists may also consider asking for an early review that prompts an early conversation around potential raises, bonus, or other job benefits.
What Marriage And Family Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Madeline Stenersen: Counseling Psychology in particular has seen a boom in it's popularity, relevance, and reputation in the field of psychology recently due to it's historical and large focus on ensuring students and practitioners are trained in inclusive, equitable practices, and encouraging advocacy efforts on the part of their students and graduates compared to other areas of psychology. Given the rise in mainstream societal recognition in inequities across the country these skills and way of thinking is desired in a job candidate and Counseling Psychology has been recognized for its experience in these areas. This, plus the growing popularity and need for therapeutic services for people in the United States make Counseling Psychology-specific clinical skills and experience especially prevalent. In 3-5 years I also believe skills in telehealth will prove particularly important as the world becomes more dependent on virtual health services.
What will help Marriage And Family Therapists increase their earning potential?
Madeline Stenersen: I think one of the biggest pieces of advice I would give to a graduate beginning their career in the field of counseling psychology is to explore and think broadly about all of the possibilities that this degree can bring. With a PhD in this field you can be a full time clinician, a teacher at a university, a director of a clinical center, a full time researcher, or any of the combination of the above! Because all of these opportunities can be exciting and scary at the same time I would recommend that they look to the people in the field that are doing the things that they would love to do and reach out! Don't be afraid to apply for jobs that may seem out of reach. Sometimes Counseling Psychology is compared to Clinical Psychology and students are told that Clinical Psychology positions are out of reach. This is simply not true. I have worked alongside Clinical Psychologists and other wonderful mental health providers throughout my career and currently am a faculty member in a Clinical Psychology program. The sky's the limit and it really is an opportune time for this degree as the field of psychology broadly recognizes the increasing need to focus on cultural humility, DEI, and cross-cultural work - practices that Counseling Psychology has focused on throughout the history of the field.
John Donahue Psy.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Baltimore
Clinical, Counseling And Applied Psychology
What general advice would you give to a Marriage And Family Therapist?
John Donahue Psy.D.: I recommend continuing your training and education so that you can develop specialty areas. What areas of mental health practice are most meaningful to you? Perhaps it is working with a certain problem area (e.g., anxiety disorders); perhaps it is working with a particular group of people (e.g., children, military veterans, etc.); perhaps it is a type of therapeutic modality (e.g., Prolonged Exposure for PTSD). Whatever it may be, by continuing to train in specific areas such as these, you can develop the necessary expertise to become a specialist that is sought after because of the particular skills and abilities you bring to the table.
What Marriage And Family Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John Donahue Psy.D.: Continue to focus on training and development as a clinician. While requirements vary across states, newly licensed counselors will typically need to work under the supervision of a fully credentialed mental health professional, and this is a critical period in a clinician's development. When interviewing for positions, I strongly recommend asking questions about the nature and quality of clinical supervision that is provided. Also, is this a clinic or organization that seems to value training and growth? Do they provide group consultations, training seminars, perhaps funds for continuing education? These are indicators that an organization is committed to investing in their clinicians' development and improved outcomes for their clients.
Dion Porter Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Department Chair Coordinator-Online Educational Specialist ProgramsWhat general advice would you give to a Marriage And Family Therapist?
Dion Porter Ph.D.: Strong counseling and empathy skills of course are important, but also one must possess strong interpersonal skills that will assist them in relating and collaborating well with other people. It is very important that one possess the right personality as well as character in order for them to become an effective and competent counselor. They also need to have strong multicultural counseling skills in order to effectively and efficiently counsel persons from diverse backgrounds, cultures and nationalities. Finally, one must possess the skills associated with professionalism related to their personal mannerisms, speech and communication, dress and interpersonal awareness. Of course for anyone to be competitive in this day and age, they will need to be well versed and trained in the specific technology and social-media tools needed to effectively perform the proper functions of their job.
What Marriage And Family Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dion Porter Ph.D.: The first thing to keep in mind is that in order to receive promotions and salary increases, one needs to always continue to improve themselves, their counseling skills and their overall knowledge and proficiency related to their specific job. Not only do we need to keep practicing self-improvement and growing as a counseling professional, but we also need to remember to continue obtaining the licenses and certifications needed for them to remain qualified to be able to maintain their positions. Finally, we want to consistently and effectively market ourselves and never be afraid to take professional chances and risks that may benefit us and our careers in the long run.
What will help Marriage And Family Therapists increase their earning potential?
Dion Porter Ph.D.: I would first convey to students how important it is to first know exactly what type of counseling they want to engage in so that they do not get engaged in a job or career that they have no real interest in. I would also discuss with them the importance of not only getting their degrees in counseling, but obtaining the necessary licenses and certifications needed for them to be successful. It is very important that they obtain all that they can get out of the opportunity that is provided to them. Finally, I would strongly recommend that they seek out and find a mentor who they are familiar with and who will assist them in making important career decisions, and even alert them to the pitfalls that may be encountered as well.
John Kiweewa Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorSt. John Fisher College
Wegmans School of Nursing
What soft skills should all Marriage And Family Therapists possess?
John Kiweewa Ph.D.: Receptivity to Feedback: Openness to consistently accept feedback in a respectful way is a vital quality, especially for new graduates. Such openness is important not only to feedback from supervisors but from colleagues and clients. Agreeing to or feeling bound to act on the feedback received is not as important as communicating appreciation for the effort of others in giving feedback. In this case, display of behaviors such as anger, annoyance, frustration, defensiveness, excessive/exaggerated self-criticism, or withdrawal gets in the way of learning and/or being a member of a team.
Appropriate Self-Disclosure: The ability for mental health practitioners to 'use' themselves for the benefit of their clients is one of the cornerstones of effective counseling. Such a quality is most evident when one only shares information about themselves that fits the nature and purpose of the interaction with a particular client. When personal information is revealed, it is tasteful, relevant, and is not upsetting, distracting, or confusing to others. Prospective employers are keenly aware of the ways self-serving or self-aggrandizing disclosure of personal information can negatively impact the ability to provide meaningful services to clients.
Reliability and Follow Through: Mental health professionals work in a helping profession that requires the professional to be consistently dependable, reliable, and able to follow through with tasks and assignments in a timely and thorough manner. This includes meeting deadlines, being punctual to sessions with clients and for agency meetings, being prepared, and having a reputation as one who can be counted on to do their part when functioning as a team or project member.
Flexibility and Adaptability: This quality is most evident when a mental health counseling professional consistently demonstrates a willingness to change or compromise in the face of new information, circumstances, and contexts. Situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, require mental health practitioners to have an openness to solutions that match the needs of their service recipients and organizations.
Sense of Humor: There is little to cheer about in the professional life of mental health professionals. We spend the majority of our working time listening to the most painful and vulnerable aspects of people's lives. This quality is most evident when a mental health counselor assumes an orientation to life that acknowledges to self and others the value of looking at the "lighter side" of life to maintain a balance; when they find enjoyment in laughing with others and recognize laughter as a way of reducing tension and as an important aspect of social discourse.
Confidence Balanced with Humility: Confidence in one's abilities (self-efficacy) is a general challenge for beginning mental health counselors. Some may appear over-confident as a way to compensate for lack of experience in the field and to project an image of competence. It is, therefore, important that new graduate is able to act with self-assurance by consistently expressing themselves in a clear, deliberate, and unassuming manner. It is not helpful to "put on airs" or flaunt knowledge or skills in order to bring attention to oneself. What is important is to convey appreciation for the privilege to partake in other people's life journeys and struggles.
Martha Peaslee Levine M.D.
Medical Director of the PHP and IOP, Director of the Office of Professional Mental HealthPenn State College of Medicine
Adolescent Medicine, Psychiatry
What soft skills should all Marriage And Family Therapists possess?
Martha Peaslee Levine M.D.: Good communication skills are important. Working as a therapist involves interacting with someone. It will be important to demonstrate being able to listen effectively and being able to communicate clearly. Active listening is important in therapy and in an interview. Be engaged; listen to the interviewer so that you are clearly providing the information that they need. For example, I often ask interviewees to tell me about a case that they found rewarding or challenging. From this, I want to know how someone thinks through a clinical situation. I want to hear how they describe their client (anonymously, of course) and how they put together the important parts of the story. If it was challenging and they now recognize ways to handle it differently, that lets me know that they have thought about this. It also shows that they are willing to reflect on difficult situations and learn from them. If someone cannot relate a story or discuss a client with me, that makes me wonder about their skills as a therapist and their interest in their patients. These clinical interactions can come from your work in school, shadowing someone in training, or internships. It is recognizing and describing the important elements of the case. Another important skill is good written communication. Check your resumes for spelling mistakes. Reread any emails to make certain they are clear. Send thank-you notes. Keep things professional--use the interviewer's professional title when you write. Be on time and have a question or two to ask about the position or place of employment. Examples can be, what are they looking for in a counselor? What have they found the most rewarding working in this office? Find your own go-to question, but interviewers what to know that you are interested.
Dianne Ciro Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorSan Diego State University
School of Social Work
What skills stand out on Marriage And Family Therapist resumes?
Dianne Ciro Ph.D.: Formal training and/or experience using one or more evidence-based Interventions.
What soft skills should all Marriage And Family Therapists possess?
Dianne Ciro Ph.D.: Clinicians need to be flexible, express empathy and warmth to their clients, have good communication skills, be self-aware, apply a social justice lens to their work with clients, and practice from a place of cultural humility.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Marriage And Family Therapists?
Dianne Ciro Ph.D.: Clinicians need to have keen safety and clinical assessment skills. After COVID, we also learned that it's important for clinicians to navigate and adapt to providing services both in person and through telemental health.
What skills will help Marriage And Family Therapists earn the most?
Dianne Ciro Ph.D.: All of the skills outlined above are important for clinicians to be effective in their jobs and earn a good wage.