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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

  • Clinical Therapist
  • Counselor
  • Family Therapist
  • Human Relations Counselor
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
  • Marriage and Family Counselor
  • Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
  • Outpatient Therapist
  • Play Therapist

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Ask questions that will help clients identify their feelings and behaviors.
  • Collect information about clients, using techniques such as testing, interviewing, discussion, or observation.
  • Confer with clients to develop plans for posttreatment activities.
  • Confer with other counselors, doctors, and professionals to analyze individual cases and to coordinate counseling services.
  • Counsel clients on concerns, such as unsatisfactory relationships, divorce and separation, child rearing, home management, or financial difficulties.
  • Determine whether clients should be counseled or referred to other specialists in such fields as medicine, psychiatry, or legal aid.
  • Develop and implement individualized treatment plans addressing family relationship problems, destructive patterns of behavior, and other personal issues.
  • 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 others on social or educational issues.
  • Collaborate with other professionals to assess client needs or plan treatments.
  • Collect information about clients.
  • Confer with clients to discuss treatment plans or progress.
  • Counsel clients or patients regarding personal issues.
  • Counsel clients or patients with substance abuse issues.
  • Counsel clients regarding interpersonal issues.
  • Develop treatment plans for patients or clients.
  • Evaluate characteristics of individuals to determine needs or eligibility.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling or educational programs.
  • Help clients get needed services or resources.
  • Interview clients to gather information about their backgrounds, needs, or progress.
  • Lead classes or community events.
  • Maintain client records.
  • Monitor clients to evaluate treatment progress.
  • Present social services program information to the public.
  • Refer clients to community or social service programs.
  • Supervise workers providing client or patient services.
  • Teach life skills or strategies to clients or their families.
  • Write reports or evaluations.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Behavioral Health Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Behavioral Sciences (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Chaplain (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Chaplain (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Chaplain Specialist (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Aviation Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Health Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Neuropsychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Investigative Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Operational Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychology (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Social Worker (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Social Worker (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Command and Unit Chaplain (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Correctional Counselor (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Correctional Counselor (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Medical Service Corps Officer (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Mental Health Service (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Navy Drug and Alcohol Counselor (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Navy Drug and Alcohol Counselor Intern (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Navy Primary Prevention (PP) and Human Factors Process (HFP) Advanced Professional Development Train the Trainer Certification (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Religious Affairs (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Religious Affairs Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Religious Affairs Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Religious Affairs Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Religious Affairs Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Religious Affairs Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Religious Affairs Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Religious Program Specialist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Social Work (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Substance Abuse Control Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Substance Abuse Control Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Supervisory Chaplain (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Tactical Chaplain (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Counselor, Marriage and Family