Today I got another email asking for a psychologist who does "marriage therapy." I get these all the time and I try to redirect couples or families to the British Columbia Association of Marriage and Family Therapists where they will find a psychologist whio is also a marriage and family therapist. Why do I do this? Because marriage and family therapy is a distict profession. It's different than social work, counselling or psychology - although any of these individuals might have expertise in counselling couples or families. Here is what the Canadian Association of Marriage and Family Therapy says on their web page:
"Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) is a distinct mental health discipline which utilizes family systems theories and intervention techniques, and is one of the five core mental health professions: marriage and family therapy, psychiatry, psychology, social work and psychiatric nursing."
It's not just a course or workshop another counselling professional has taken, it is a separate and distinct field of practice. The Canadian site goes on to say:
"Registered Marriage and Family Therapists (RMFT) are family-focused psychotherapists. They are relationship specialists and mental health generalists, and are trained to help individuals, couples, and families resolve personal and work related problems. Members have training in the development stages of personal, family and relationship growth. RMFT’s are held to the demanding Code of Ethics of The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and are Clinical Fellows of the AAMFT and the Registry of Marriage and Family Therapists in Canada."
"Registered Marriage and Family Therapists (RMFT) are family-focused psychotherapists. They are relationship specialists and mental health generalists, and are trained to help individuals, couples, and families resolve personal and work related problems. Members have training in the development stages of personal, family and relationship growth. RMFT’s are held to the demanding Code of Ethics of The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and are Clinical Fellows of the AAMFT and the Registry of Marriage and Family Therapists in Canada."
That means they have a separate graduate degree focused on the theories and skills of marriage therapy. This is usually a two or three year graduate program leading to an MA or MS degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. In addition to that they have one or two full time years of supervised experience practicing marriage and family therapy. Many other professionals providing counselling to couples and families have completed a few courses or workshop, and worked with a few couples during their internship. A marriage and family therapist -here in BC called a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist, have one or two years of focused work in coupoles and family therapy. That's a big difference.
To find a Registered Marriage or Family Therapist here in BC go to the web site of the British Columbia Associate or Marriage and Family Therapists at: http://www.bcamft.bc.ca/ohana/website/index.cfm?p=95575656796
You will find the "Therapist Locator" on that page. Many BCAMFT members are not only family therapists but Registered Psychologists as well. If your insurance will only pay for a registered psychologist (something you may find they are flexible about if you call) you can get the benefits of seeing a fully trained marriage and family therapist and a Registered Psychologist all at once!
For information about my services as a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist, as well as a Registered Psychologist, please visit my website at www.relatedminds.com or http://www.relatedminds.com/couple-family-therapy/
More information from the Canadian Association of Marriage and Family Therapists:
| Services provided by Marriage & Family Therapists include; |
Locate a therapist anywhere in Canada or the USA click here. |
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