Community and social service
Marriage and family therapists
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.
Median pay
$66,940
Growth to 2035
+14%
faster than average
Openings a year
6,900
Time to qualify*
4 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Marriage and family therapists
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Master's degree
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Exposure to disease
Marriage and family therapists: 10% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Ask questions that will help clients identify their feelings and behaviors.
- Encourage individuals and family members to develop and use skills and strategies for confronting their problems in a constructive manner.
- 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.
- Determine whether clients should be counseled or referred to other specialists in such fields as medicine, psychiatry, or legal aid.
- Supervise other counselors, social service staff, and assistants.
- Confer with other counselors, doctors, and professionals to analyze individual cases and to coordinate counseling services.
Also called: Clinical Therapist · Couple and Family Therapist · Family Specialist · Family Therapist · LCMFT (Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist) · LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) · Marriage and Family Counselor · Multisystemic Therapist
Outlook and AI
Marriage and family therapists held 76,300 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 86,600 by 2035 (+14%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Marriage and family therapists vs. Mental health and substance abuse social workers
- Marriage and family therapists vs. Social worker
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- Marriage and family therapists vs. Healthcare social worker
- Marriage and family therapists vs. Rehabilitation counselor
- Marriage and family therapists vs. Social and human service assistants
- Marriage and family therapists vs. Recreational therapist
- Marriage and family therapists vs. School psychologist