• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Information on Marriage & Family Counselors

October 11, 2009 by ModernMom Staff Leave a Comment

Marriage and family counselors are also called marriage and family therapists. They train in diverse methods of psychotherapy and have a minimum of two years of clinical experience. A licensed marriage and family counselor diagnoses and treats problems that arise within the context of romantic relationships or family systems.

Function

Some people consider marriage and family counselors the same as couples therapists. However, the former have a broader function–to analyze the family structure and formulate methods for resolution. Marriage and family therapists may treat people coping with bereavement, adolescent behavior issues, depression, fertility issues, domestic violence, infidelity, marital challenges, substance abuse and mental health problems.

Time Frame

One of the defining factors of marriage and family therapy is its relatively short-term time frame. A typical course of therapy lasts for about 12 sessions. The brevity of the therapy demands that participants create concrete goals that solve current problems.

Cost

Marriage and family counselors charge varying rates, partially depending upon the local market and sometimes based upon the patients’ income. The typical rate ranges between $75 and $200 for a 1-hour session. Some therapists accept insurance.

Features

Marriage and family counselors use an array of techniques in therapy sessions. The genogram is a symbolic depiction of a family’s relationships. The family floor plan is a graphic tool that may look like a family tree and can inspire discussions about the roots of various issues. Reframing is a technique that compels patients to view their problems from a different perspective. Tracking involves the therapist carefully recording the sequence of events in family stories to help determine cause and effect. Most therapists teach patients concrete communication techniques. Family sculpting is a diagnostic technique that has a patient physically arrange the family, while family choreography has the sculptor discussing his choices for the physical arrangements. Family photos involves patients responding verbally and nonverbally to photographs in a family album. The empty chair method has one partner communicating to an empty chair as if the other partner were seated in it.

Education

To obtain a degree in marriage and family counseling requires two or three years of academic study. Coursework covers the areas of adolescent psychology, counseling theories, human sexuality, group therapy, human growth and development, marriage and family systems. substance abuse, counseling techniques and theories of psychotherapy. Electives allow students to specialize in marriage and family dynamics. The final requirement is an internship or practicum that gives the student clinical experience in the field of specialty.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Love

About ModernMom Staff

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search

ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

10 Things I Want My Daughter To Know

The other day one of my teenage daughters told me she was … [Read More...] about 10 Things I Want My Daughter To Know

Must Have

ToniBox

Meet Toniebox – A Loveable Storytime Friend For Your Kids

If you are looking for something to occupy your children … [Read More...] about Meet Toniebox – A Loveable Storytime Friend For Your Kids

Did you know?

pregnant while not ovulating

Can I Get Pregnant While Not Ovulating?

Can You Get Pregnant Without Menstruating?

How Long Can Cupcakes Be Stored After Baking

How Long Can Cupcakes Be Stored After Baking?

Does Pregnancy Cause Flu-Like Symptoms?

Does Pregnancy Cause Flu-Like Symptoms?

Signs of Gestational Diabetes

Pregnancy & Signs of Gestational Diabetes

Best Way to Cook Boneless Shoulder Steak

The Best Way to Cook Boneless Shoulder Steak

Symptoms of Pregnancy If HCG Injection Is Taken

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2021 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.