Careers in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) are diverse and growing. As a marriage and family therapist, you help individuals, couples, and families navigate emotional, relational, and behavioral challenges. You’ll also be part of a field that continues to evolve, using evidence-based approaches to improve mental health outcomes. It’s a meaningful and rewarding profession with opportunities across a wide range of settings.
What Can You Do With a Marriage & Family Therapy Degree?
What Services Do Marriage & Family Therapists Provide?
- Practice psychotherapy with individuals, couples, and families
- Provide behavioral and mental health care
- Treat couples and families using a range of therapeutic approaches
- Support relationship development and conflict resolution
- Take on supervisory roles with additional training
- Complete supervision training and supervised clinical sessions
Where Do Marriage & Family Therapists Work?
- Private practice (pre-licensure therapists work under supervision)
- Community mental health agencies
- Hospitals and healthcare systems
- Outpatient clinics
- Residential treatment centers
- Academic and research settings
- Educational, health, and social service organizations
If your interests extend beyond traditional therapy settings, you may also explore roles in family business consulting or corporate counseling.
How Do You Become a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist?
After graduating from an accredited Marriage and Family Therapy program, you must complete a period of supervised clinical experience, typically around two years, before applying for licensure. Requirements vary by state but generally include completing supervised hours and passing a state or national licensing exam.
You can contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation at 217-785-0800. Each state has its own licensing board with similar requirements.
Check with the state where you plan to practice.