What You'll Do in a Marriage and Family Therapist Career  Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) can help families develop healthy communication patterns, build boundaries, teach coping skills, and create comprehensive treatment plans for families dealing with a wide range of problems.  Your online master's in marriage and family therapy degree will enable you to work in a variety of settings, including any of the following locations: - Social health agencies
- Community health centers
- Private and group practices
- Inpatient facilities
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Courts and other government agencies
An online master's in marriage and family therapy degree will qualify you to help families who are dealing with these and other struggles: - Divorce
- Blended family issues
- Substance abuse
- Infertility
- Bereavement
- Emotional and behavioral disorders
- Domestic violence
- Depression
- Child rearing challenges
- Life and career change issues
Why Marriage and Family Therapy is Hot You don't have to go far to see what families in our country are dealing with. From troubled middle school students to family members grieving loved ones who died at war, our problems are varied but their effect on the family unit is unmistakable. Sometimes people need the kind of help and support that can only be provided by trained professionals to make it through difficult times. Marriage and family counselors offer that critical support with one-on-one and small-group results-oriented therapy to individuals, couples and families struggling with interpersonal and relationship issues within the context of the family. Your online master's marriage and family therapy degree will train you to do just that. How Long Marriage and Family Therapy Has Been Recognized Marriage and family therapists are trusted confidants, meeting regularly with clients and providing educated feedback, diagnoses and treatment to millions of patients each year. Since 1985, the American Psychological Association (APA) has recognized the profession as one of its fastest-growing divisions. Why Getting an Online Master's Marriage and Family Therapy Degree is Smart Most MFTs will tell you that you need to complete the required 2- to 3-year master's degree program to prepare for this career. In addition to the in-depth knowledge you'll gain from your classes, you'll also learn how to set your own emotional boundaries and develop a healthy support system that will help you deal with struggling families on a daily basis. Getting your master's degree in marriage and family therapy online is a great option because it allows you to keep your current job while you study. These online programs provide you with the same extended clinical experience that on-campus programs provide, and there are also a number of distance education marriage and family therapy degree programs that let you set your own pace. Perks of a Marriage and Family Therapy Career The US Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the mean annual earnings of marriage and family therapists in 2008 was $46,930, with state government employees earning a higher than average wage of $50,770. The best-paid MFTs are those with established private or group practices, some earning over $70,000 per year. Surprisingly, the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) found that these private MFTs actually worked the fewest hours: less than 28 hours per week, compared to the typical 28 to 38 hours that most MFTs work. If you are an entrepreneur on track to get your online master's marriage and family therapy degree, pursuing a private practice could prove to be a rewarding decision.  Red Hot Online Psychology Degrees Home
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