Careers in Marriage and Family Therapy

IPFW's three-year program (two evenings a week) prepares students for a career in marriage and family therapy (MFT). Marriage and family therapy is one of three masters level, licensed mental health disciplines in Indiana (along with social work and mental health counseling). MFT's are licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, behavioral problems, and address a wide array of relationship issues. Marriage and family therapists are recognized by the government as a "core" mental health profession, along with psychiatry, psychology, social work and psychiatric nursing

Marriage and family therapists approach problems from a holistic perspective, taking into account client's psychological issues, relational problems, family-of-origin experiences, and current family, work, or social environment. Research indicates that marriage and family therapy is as effective, and in some cases more effective than standard and/or individual treatments for many mental health problems such as: adult schizophrenia, affective (mood) disorders, adult alcoholism and drug abuse, children's conduct disorders, adolescent drug abuse, anorexia in young adult women, childhood autism, chronic physical illness in adults and children, and marital distress and conflict.

Graduates of our program have taken several different career paths. Graduates provide clinical services in mental health agencies, psychiatric hospitals, private practices, and schools, with many graduates working as supervisors, directors, or owners of local agencies and private practices. Some graduates choose to remain "general practitioners" while others develop specializations working in areas such as alcohol and drug abuse, conduct disordered adolescents, marital therapy, and child abuse.

After graduating from the MFT program, graduates have completed the educational requirements for licensure as a marriage and family therapist. However, Indiana law requires that graduates continue to receive supervision of their clinical practice for two years and 1000 hours of direct client contact. After meeting these requirements, graduates may then apply to sit for the State licensing examination. On successful completion of the exam, licensure is granted.