Marriage and Family Therapy: what is it?
Marriage and family therapy can be found under the umbrella of mental health and counseling professions. Since individual behavioral patterns are often better understood within the broader context of family influence, marriage and family therapy considers the family as the fundament unit of treatment. Even when coming alone to therapy, a marriage and family therapist considers those relationships in which the individual is imbedded.
A wide range of treatment is covered in marriage and family therapy. These include areas of marital distress, parent-child problems, individual psychological problems, depression, and anxiety just to name a few. Research findings show marriage and family therapy as an effective practice for treating mental health issues regarding marital problems, conflict, chronic illness, alcoholism, substance abuse, conduct disorders, affective (mood) disorders, anorexia, and adult schizophrenia.
Further statistics indicate that the average duration of marital (11.5 sessions) and family therapy (9 sessions) is less than that of individual therapy (13 sessions). In general, one-half of all marriage and family therapist’s hours are spent with couples and families, while the other half is spent with individuals.
As mental health professionals, marriage and family therapists (MFTs) are licensed to “treat and diagnose mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples and family systems.” MFTs provide a holistic approach to health care, in that they evaluate biological, psychological, social, and spiritual areas. Moreover, they are not only concerned with the well being of the individual, but the individual’s family system. Marriage and family therapists address behavioral and health problems, mental and emotional issues, and relational concerns all within the framework of the family.
MFTs receive professional training at the Master’s or Doctoral level and have a minimum of two years clinical experience, half of which is required in couples or relational therapy. Along with psychiatry, psychology, social work, and psychiatric nursing, marriage and family therapy is seen as one of the core mental health professions.
Studies indicate that clients who have received services from marriage and family therapists are highly satisfied. As a result of seeing a marriage and family therapist, clients have reported improvements in areas of emotional health, productivity, social life, co-worker relationships, partner relationships, community involvement, and overall health. Recent research found that among mental health professions, consumers reported marriage and family therapists as the professional recommendation most likely to be referred to friends. More than 98 percent of clients reported the services of marriage and family therapists as “good” or “excellent.” And after treatment, nearly 90% of clients noted improvement in emotional health, while approximately two-thirds reported improvement in overall physical health. The majority of those studied noted improvements in workplace functioning, and of those treated for marriage, couples, and family counseling, three-fourths reported improvement in their relationship.
Improvements have also been seen in children treated by marriage and family therapists. In 73.7% of cases when the identified patient is a child, parents report improvements in behavior. Significant progress has also been reported in children’s interaction with their peers, as well as improvements in school performance.
Due its family-centered approach, brief treatment, and demonstrated effectiveness marriage and family therapy is gaining prominence in the field of mental health. Licensed or certified, marriage and family therapists are currently recognized in 48 states. The federal government recognizes marriage and family therapy as a distinct discipline among mental health professions.
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