You can find a family therapist by searching our Member Directory (click here) or go online to TherapistLocator.net. Please note that all Clinical Members located through either this site are Clinical Members of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and have met the AAMFT’s rigorous education and training standards. It is recommended that you interview several family therapists to ensure compatibility. Often people ask their family physician, clergy, or friends for recommendations.
How do I Choose a Marriage and Family Therapist?
You should telephone and interview potential family therapists to find out if they satisfy your needs. Some questions to ask include:
1. Are they a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)?
Therapists who are Clinical Members of the AAMFT meet the educational, supervision, and training standards of the Association. Licensure standards are based on the AAMFT’s Clinical Membership requirements, and the AAMFT accepts licensed MFTs for Clinical Membership in most states. As of 2004, 46 states and the District of Columbia license MFTs, and for those states without licensure, Clinical Membership will demonstrate equivalent education and training.
2. What is their educational and training background?
Therapists have a doctorate or a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy or an allied discipline such as psychology, medicine/psychiatry, clinical social work, psychiatric nursing, or the ministry. If the professional’s degree is not in marriage and family therapy, you may ask about additional post-graduate training they have completed in marriage and family therapy. MFTs also receive two years of clinical experience of which half is with couples and families.
3. Do they have experience treating the kind of problem you are experiencing; for example, depression, child’s behavior, marital stress, intimacy, sexual problems, alcohol or drug abuse?
While MFTs are trained and licensed to provide the full range of mental health services, like all mental health professions, each individual therapist may vary according to expertise. You should inquire as to the therapist’s training and experience with the problem you are facing.
4. Are their services covered by your health insurance?
The majority of managed care organizations and third-party payers reimburse services provided by MFTs. Additionally, most employee assistance programs provided through an employer also contract with family therapists. You should contact your plan or payer to ensure they reimburse services provided by MFTs.
5.What is the average length of marriage and family therapy?
Length of marriage and family therapy depends upon various factors, including seriousness of the problem. Generally, marriage and family therapy tends to be short term. Research shows that the median length is 12 sessions, with 65% of cases completed within 20 sessions. Though length of therapy differs from case to case, marriage and family therapy tends to be briefer than many other types of therapy.
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You never have to feel hopeless.
We can connect you with an MFT in your area who is right for you and your family.
There are MFTs working in private practices, through area agencies, hospitals, and schools who can work with you and your family.
There are MFTs who can work with your insurance or on a sliding scale. MFTs can work with other professionals to help connect you to any additional services you and your family need.
To find a CTAMFT therapist from our Member Directory, click here
To find a therapist from TherapistLocator.net, click here
Or call 877-987-6534 and a licensed MFT will call you back to assist you with a referral.
If you need urgent help, you can call
911 or call INFOLINE at 2-1-1 in Connecticut or
1-800-203-1234 outside of Connecticut 24-hours a day.
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