Marriage and Family Counseling Programs

Marriage and family counseling is a psychology subspecialty that uses family systems theory, principles, and techniques to work with families, individuals and couples. They attempt to modify their clients' perceptions and behaviors, and enhance communication and understanding among family members. Their role is to help to stabilize familial relationships and prevent family and individual crises.

Walden University

Featured Programs:
BS in Psychology - Graduate School Prep

Southern New Hampshire University

Featured Programs:
BA in Psychology/Child & Adolescent Development (Online)

The support that families and married couples lend to each other during times of hardship can be an uplifting guide through the maze of life, but even the closest individuals have problems that require outside assistance. Behavioral issues in children and adolescents are only one factor that can put a strain on the family unit.

Emotional issues and poor habits can also get in the way. To help navigate these pitfalls, more people are turning to qualified marriage and family counselors to help deal with inner conflicts and turmoil, so that the focus of life can get back to helping each other instead of standing in the way.

Useful Marriage and Family Counseling Resources

• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
• American Counseling Association (ACA)
• Occupational Outlook Handbook for Counselors (BLS)

Capella University

Featured Programs:
MS in General Psychology (Online)
MS in Child and Adolescent Development

Post University

Featured Programs:
BA in Psychology (Online)

Evaluating Relationships

Counselors for marriage and family issues do not focus on relationship participants individually. Rather, they prescribe treatments within the context of the family or marriage unit, thus the profession is not an exact science, but it is an effective one. By analyzing and evaluating the roles of each person within the family, it becomes easier for these professionals to see where issues occur and schedule a plan of attack for finding long-lasting solutions.

For example, as a child moves from adolescence into puberty, hormonal changes can cause a variety of imbalances as the child struggles to find an individual identity. Marriage and family counselors can help parents to understand the changes their children are going through, and can recommend a variety of parenting techniques to break down the generation barrier that exists.

Other issues for which a marriage and family counselor may offer advice or treatment: bereavement, domestic violence, infertility, infidelity, and substance abuse. Additionally, counselors can treat mental health issues such as depression. A full list is available from the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Kaplan University

Featured Programs:
BS Psychology (Online)

Northcentral University

Featured Programs:
MA in Health Psychology (Online)

Salary for a Marriage and Family Counselor

As of May 2009, the employment estimate and mean wage estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for professionals within this occupation were as follows:

• Total employed: 26,450
• Mean hourly wage: $23.57
• Mean annual wage: $49,020
• Annual wage for 90th percentile: $73,610
• Annual wage for 10th percentile: $29,270

Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Featured Programs:
MA in Applied Forensic Psychology (Online)

Obtaining Your Marriage and Family Counselor Degree

Following undergraduate studies, a marriage and family counselor can earn a master's degree with just two to three years of coursework. Primary areas of study for marriage and family counselors include human sexuality, human growth and development, group therapy, and counseling theories.

Additional studies are needed for adolescent psychology, marriage and family systems, and principles and techniques of counseling. Marriage and family counselors also learn how to deal with substance abuse issues and how to apply theories of psychotherapy to patients. One or more elective courses must accompany the state-sponsored curriculum.

While requirements vary from state-to-state, most will require the marriage and family counselor to complete a practical internship under the guidance of a practicing counselor before an independent practice may be pursued. This internship can take a half-year or more to complete during the student's final year of study.

You may also be interested in our guides to other counseling specialties, including:

• Substance Abuse Counseling
• Mental Health Counseling
• Rehabilitation Counseling
• School Counseling
• Career Counseling
• Pastoral Counseling
• Guidance Counseling
• Online Counseling Degrees
• Counseling Masters Degrees
• Counseling Doctorate Degrees
• Our Counseling Career Guide
• Counseling Psychology Degrees