How to Be a Marriage Counselor

A marriage counselor is a licensed therapist who provides counseling to couples and individuals regarding their marriages. You will provide goal-oriented counseling that focuses on the marriage and helps patients identify and solve their problems. Use the steps below as a guideline for becoming a marriage counselor.

Instructions

1. Use the internet and visit with your career counselor to make sure that you understand what becoming a marriage counselor would entail. Marriage counselors often treat couples and individuals regarding their marriage and family life.

2. Recognize if you have the skills to become a marriage counselor. You will need to be a good listener and be able to relate well with people. You should also be able to problem solve so you can form plans for resolution with your patients.

3. Receive a Bachelor's degree followed by completion of a two to three year Master's program in marriage and family counseling. Courses you will take will cover topics relating to marriage and family systems, techniques of counseling, human sexuality, counseling theories and group therapy.

4. Complete a marriage counselor internship where you will get experience as a marriage counselor under the supervision of a licensed marriage counselor.

5. Meet the requirements you need to complete in order to become licensed as a marriage counselor. These requirements vary from state to state, so contact your graduate school for more details on the requirements you will need to meet to obtain licensing.

Tips & Warnings

• The average salary for a marriage counselor is $44,700, and the occupation is expected to grow faster than average in the future.