How to Abbreviate MFT After a Name With Periods

Marriage and Family Therapists work with couples and families.

Marriage and Family Therapists are licensed through their respective State Boards that govern social service providers, such as Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists. In 2011, there are 50 states that require a license to practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist. To qualify for state licensing, Marriage and Family Therapists are required to complete a minimum of a graduate degree from an accredited program; they may be required to complete a minimum number of supervised clinical hours; and they will need to complete a licensing examination. States that do not have a licensing board rely on clinical membership with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to identify Marriage and Family Therapists.

Instructions

1. Determine whether the individual is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist by contacting your local State office.

2. Write the name in full and place a comma after the name.

3. Place any other degree the individual holds after the comma. For example, if the individual has a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors, it would look like this: Alice Stewart, B.A. (hons).

4. Place a comma after the degree, and use the acronym M.F.T. with periods after each initial. The name should appear as follows: Alice Stewart, B.A. (hons)., M.F.T.

5. If the individual is a licensed by their local State Board, the acronym would appear as follows: Alice Stewart, B.A. (hons)., L.M.F.T.

Tips & Warnings

• A listing of Marriage and Family Therapists who hold clinical membership with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists is available from their website.

References

• Lawriter Ohio Laws and Rules: Chapter 4757-25 Licensing of Marriage and Family Therapists
• American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists: Accreditation
• American Association of Marriage and Familty Therapists: Clinical Membership Requirements
• American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists: MFT Licensing Boards

Resources

• Therapist Locator: United States