Should I Become a Marriage Therapist?
Marriage counselors, or marriage and family therapists, are licensed mental health practitioners who work with couples to help them improve their relationships. This counseling is a form of psychotherapy that involves helping couples analyze and resolve their problems. These professionals can play a vital role in helping couples determine whether or not their conflicts are reconcilable. Working with adults whose personal lives are in distress might be challenging or unsettling. Counselors often work weekends and evenings to meet their clients' scheduling needs.
Marriage Counselor Requirements
| Degree Level | Master's degree |
| Degree Fields | Counseling, marriage and family therapy |
| Licensing | State license required |
| Experience | Two years of clinical experience |
| Key Skills | Compassion, people skills, listening abilities, speaking skills |
| Salary (2019) | $49,610 per year (Median) |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
How to Become a Marriage Counselor
- Get a bachelor's degree
- Earn a master's degree
- Get clinical experience
- Get licensed
- Pursue continuing education
Step 1: Obtain a Bachelor's Degree
Earning a bachelor's degree is typically required prior to enrolling in a master's degree program, which is required for marriage counselors. Most schools do not offer bachelor's degree programs specifically in marriage counseling, but students may earn their undergraduate degree in social work, psychology, or another related area. In addition to teaching students about the foundations of psychology and social work, these degree programs provide education in numerous areas directly related to marriage counseling, such as social psychology, cognitive psychology, sexuality, sociology, and interpersonal relationships. Most bachelor's degree programs require completion of relevant internships or clinical practice prior to graduation.
Success Tip:
- Stand out as a student: Students applying to these competitive graduate programs need to present themselves as top candidates. Maintaining a high grade point average, participating in academic clubs, and volunteering for local organizations can help students gain the competitive edge they need to secure a spot in these master's programs.
Step 2: Earn a Master's in Marriage Counseling Degree
A master's degree is the minimum education needed to become a marriage counselor. Master's degree programs fully educate students in social science-related areas of marriage counseling, often offering courses in areas such as adolescent and family counseling, cultural diversity, couples therapy, family systems sociology, and marriage counseling ethics. Marriage counseling master's degree programs also place great emphasis on applied clinical experience and research, with students often having to complete numerous credit hours of clinical research and internships to earn their degree.
Step 3: Gain Clinical Experience as a Marriage Counselor
Marriage counseling licensure requirements vary from state to state. States mandate the completion of a certain number of hours of supervised marriage counseling work experience before granting licensure. These requirements sometimes exist independently of any clinical practicum credits accrued during completion of master's degree programs and are measured in weeks or hours, depending on the state. The standard supervised clinical requirement for marriage and family therapists is two years.
Step 4: Become a Licensed Marriage Counselor
A written exam is always required to obtain licensure, and classes and exams on ethical standards may also be required, depending on the state. Some states have their own licensing exams, while others utilize a standard exam provided by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards. After completing the required educational prerequisites, clinical work experience, and exams, aspiring marriage counselors can apply for a state license. This is the final required step before beginning a career as a marriage counselor.
Success Tips
- Earn additional credentials: Earning additional credentials through optional certification programs can help a marriage counselor stand out in the field. For example, the National Board of Certified Counselors offers an optional certification known as the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential.
- Join a professional organization. Professional organizations, such as the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, can greatly benefit a marriage counselor in the industry. These organizations offer continuing education options and networking opportunities.
Step 5: Complete Continuing Education
Almost all states require completion of continuing education credits to maintain or renew a marriage counselor license. While exact rules and regulations differ from state to state, most licenses expire on an annual or biannual basis and require completion of approximately 30 continuing education units for renewal. Many states have lists of approved topics or course providers that are accepted towards fulfillment of these requirements.
Another option for continuing education is to earn a doctorate in marriage and family therapy. A doctoral degree can expand career opportunities into academia and research.
Success Tip
- Attend lectures and workshops. Workshops and lectures can help marriage counselors stay on top of relevant research and other industry trends. Attending these lectures and workshops may also count toward the required continuing education units needed for license renewal.
Aspiring marriage counselors must first earn a bachelor's degree, followed by a master's degree in marriage counseling, then they should gain experience and become licensed.
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FAQs
What skills are required to be a successful couples counselor?
Now that you know how to become a couples therapist, think about what skills would be particularly useful to you in this career. Important skills for couples counselors to have include:
- Compassion
- Active listening skills
- Organizational skills
- Calming presence
- Sensitivity training and understanding of cultural diversity
- Communication skills
How long does it take to become a couples therapist?
Because a couples counseling degree has to be completed at the master's level, it takes more time to become a couples therapist than it does to start many other careers. A bachelor's degree typically takes four years; a master's takes two; and while licensure varies by state, it tends to take around two more years to gain clinical experience. That means that it should take around eight years of study and experience to become a marriage counselor.
What career paths can you take in couples therapy?
A marriage therapist career is already a specialization within the therapist umbrella. Those who specialize in working with couples will have a lot of specific expertise that is not necessarily applicable to other therapists. The fact that couples counselors work with two people at the same time, particularly when those two people may be experiencing serious conflicts, is an important skillset to master.
What is the salary for a certified couples counselor?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for marriage and family therapists was $49,610 in May of 2019, with the highest-paid 10% of couples therapists earning a median wage of $87,700. The job outlook for this profession is extremely good, with an expected 22% growth between 2019 and 2029. This is much faster than average for all jobs in the U.S.
