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Social Services

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 salary (BLS)

$66,940

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$45k – $124k

Job outlook

+13% (much faster than average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $87,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Marriage and Family Therapists

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Education

Typical entry: Master's degree

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Typical progression

  1. Junior Marriage and Family Therapists

    Entry / Junior

    $44,650

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Marriage and Family Therapists

    Established

    $66,940

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Marriage and Family Therapists

    Senior

    $95,335

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Social Services

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.