Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT)
Mental health professionals often list ‘marriage and family therapy’ as services available to the public. Only professionals who meet the New York State requirements can legally identify themselves as a “Marriage and Family Therapist”. When fully licensed, the initials “LMFT” will proceed their name. A marriage and family therapist provides assessment and treatment of affective, cognitive or behavioral disorders that disrupt family relationships, including marital/couple, parent-child, pre-marital and other relationships. They utilize assessment tools, and often work collaboratively with primary care physicians, psychiatrists, and other medical professionals to provide quality care. For more information regarding marriage and family therapists, visit the NYS Office of the Professions website: http://www.op.nysed.gov/mftbroch.htm
MFT practitioners are trained in individual psychotherapy and family systems to assess and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. The psychotherapeutic and systems approach is what makes marriage and family therapy unique and effective for many people. Marriage and family therapists consider gender, culture, and religious orientation. They pay close attention to family constellations, structure, birth order, family patterns, roles, transitions, and losses. For more information visit the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy website: http://www.aamft.org
To read a recent press release from US News, click here http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2010/12/06/best-careers-2011-marriage-and-family-therapist
Singles, couples, and families
Regardless of one’s relationship/marital status, marriage and family therapy can benefit single individuals, partnered/married couples, families (single-parent, blended families, mature relationships).