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Marriage and Family Therapists - 21-1013.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
  • Therapist
  • Psychotherapist
  • Clinical Services Director
  • Clinician
  • Family Therapist
  • Psychiatric Social Worker
  • Clinical Therapist
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

No information available.

Tasks

  • Ask questions that will help clients identify their feelings and behaviors.
  • Collect information about clients, using techniques such as testing, interviewing, discussion, and observation.
  • Confer with clients to develop plans for posttreatment activities.
  • Confer with other counselors in order to analyze individual cases and to coordinate counseling services.
  • Counsel clients on concerns, such as unsatisfactory relationships, divorce and separation, child rearing, home management, and financial difficulties.
  • Determine whether clients should be counseled or referred to other specialists in such fields as medicine, psychiatry, and legal aid.
  • Develop and implement individualized treatment plans addressing family relationship problems.
  • Encourage individuals and family members to develop and use skills and strategies for confronting their problems in a constructive manner.
  • Follow up on results of counseling programs and clients' adjustments to determine effectiveness of programs.
  • Gather information from doctors, schools, social workers, juvenile counselors, law enforcement personnel, and others to make recommendations to courts for resolution of child custody or visitation disputes.
  • Maintain case files that include activities, progress notes, evaluations, and recommendations.
  • Provide family counseling and treatment services to inmates participating in substance abuse programs.
  • Provide instructions to clients on how to obtain help with legal, financial, and other personal issues.
  • Provide public education and consultation to other professionals or groups regarding counseling services, issues, and methods.
  • Supervise other counselors, social service staff, and assistants.
  • Write evaluations of parents and children for use by courts deciding divorce and custody cases, testifying in court if necessary.

Detailed Work Activities

  • advise clients in emergency situations
  • analyze psychological testing data
  • assess therapy needs of patients
  • assist clients in understanding personal or interactive problems
  • coordinate social service activities with resource providers
  • counsel individuals with personal problems
  • develop treatment plans
  • empathize with others during counseling or related services
  • evaluate patient response to therapy
  • follow confidentiality procedures
  • follow patient observation procedures
  • interpret psychological test results
  • monitor client progress
  • obtain information from individuals
  • plan therapy treatment program
  • recognize physical or emotional abuse
  • record client's personal data
  • refer clients to community services or resources
  • use behavior modification techniques
  • use conflict resolution techniques
  • use counseling techniques
  • use current social research
  • use grief counseling techniques
  • use interpersonal communication techniques
  • use interviewing procedures
  • use psychological assessment tools

Military Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Counselor, Marriage and Family