Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Clinical Therapist
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
- Outpatient Therapist
Alternate Job Titles
- ABA Behavior Therapist (Applied Behavior Analysis Behavior Therapist)
- Behavior Intervention Specialist
- Behavior Specialist
- Behavior Support Specialist
- Behavior Technician (Behavior Tech)
- Behavior Therapist
- Behavioral Analyst
- Behavioral Health Clinician
- Behavioral Specialist
- Behavioral Therapist
- Bilingual Clinician
- Child and Adolescent Therapist
- Child and Family Counselor
- Child and Family Therapist
- Clinical Therapist
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Encourage individuals and family members to develop and use skills and strategies for confronting their problems in a constructive manner.
- Ask questions that will help clients identify their feelings and behaviors.
- Develop and implement individualized treatment plans addressing family relationship problems, destructive patterns of behavior, and other personal issues.
- Maintain case files that include activities, progress notes, evaluations, and recommendations.
- Counsel clients on concerns, such as unsatisfactory relationships, divorce and separation, child rearing, home management, or financial difficulties.
- Collect information about clients, using techniques such as testing, interviewing, discussion, or observation.
- Confer with clients to develop plans for posttreatment activities.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Diagnose mental and emotional disorders in clients.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Therapy and Counseling
- Psychology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sociology and Anthropology
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Social Perceptiveness
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Service Orientation
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Speech Recognition
- Written Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
- Speech Clarity
- Problem Sensitivity
- Written Expression
- Category Flexibility
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Empathy
- Sincerity
- Cooperation
- Integrity
- Dependability
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Independence
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Master's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: None or short demonstration
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Teams
- Microsoft Word
- Zoom
Tools & Equipment
- Computer laser printers
- Desktop computers
- Doll houses
- Dolls
- Hand puppets
- Laptop computers
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Personal computers
- Personal digital assistants PDA
- Photocopying equipment
- Toy block sets
- Videoconferencing equipment
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Contact With Others
- Frequency of Decision Making
- Time Pressure
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $42,610 |
| Median | $63,780 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $111,610 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 65,870
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $60,060
Mental Health Counselors
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: Varies
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $58,570
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: $95,830
Healthcare Social Workers
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $68,090
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.