How to Become a Licensed Marriage Counselor
Marriage and family therapy is a core mental health profession, alongside psychiatry and social work, according to the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Becoming a licensed marriage counselor allows you to provide therapy and expert advice to couples who may be struggling in their relationships. Marriage counseling is not the most financially rewarding career, as the average annual salary for these therapists is around $46,000 according to the latest 2008 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics; however, many marriage counselors find the work personally satisfying.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Complete a bachelor degree program in a field such as counseling, psychology or a related major that will complement your career as a marriage and family counselor. Volunteer your time to social services agencies and organizations during your undergraduate program to help you stand out on your graduate school application. Maintain a decent grade point average (e.g. 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale) to increase your chances of being accepted into a graduate program.
-
2
Apply to a master degree program in marriage and family therapy. Look for a graduate program accredited by the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), the accrediting body for marriage and family therapy programs recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Complete the program's requirements, including the master's thesis paper.
-
-
3
Complete the requirements for the marriage and family therapist (MFT) license in addition to your state's own, separate requirements. Check with the regulatory board in your state to determine what extra requirements, if any, are needed before obtaining a license. All states have requirements for marriage and family therapists beyond graduate work, such as two years of supervised clinical experience. These state requirements are often equivalent to those required by the AAMFT.
-
4
Take the optional exam from the National Board of Certified Counselor. This exam gives you the credentials of the "National Certified Counselor," which can be used to show future employers, clients and others that you have met standards for the counseling profession.
-
5
Find work at a counseling agency as a marriage or family counselor. Alternatively, set up your own private practice office where you can meet clients and provide counseling services. Let people know that you are a marriage and family therapist by placing this designation on your business sign, business cards and other advertising materials. Place an advertisement in your church bulletin as this will help you get married couples and families as clients.
-
1
