Pulling it all together: Meeting varying training requirements on national, state, and university levels for marriage and family therapy education

Abstract

Marriage and family therapy programs face many challenge in trying to meet different sets of criteria including national, state, and university requirements. State regulation of the marriage and family therapy profession is a much sought after commodity. Currently 22 states have some type of MFT licensure or certification. MFT regulation criteria established by states to restrict title and function can differ in varying degrees from criteria established by the AAMFT's Commission on Accreditation. At the university level, MFT programs continue to be housed in a variety of schools including social work, education, psychology and home economics, as universities attempt to define a proper place for family therapy training. Confusion exists about whether MFT is a separate discipline or a specialization of another profession. The task of pulling it all together is addressed using one program's experience as an example.