Marital and Family Therapy

Course Overview

The Marital and Family Therapy Program from the University of San Diego prepares family therapists to work with individuals, couples and families from diverse backgrounds. We promote the use of a biopsychosocial model in therapy, with an emphasis on understanding clients from a relational or systemic perspective, which has been described in the best-selling books, Essential Skills in Family Therapy and Essential Assessment Skills in Family Therapy, both written by MFT Program faculty members. Students complete a 12-month clinical practicum in which they accumulate a minimum of 500 direct client contact hours and receive more than 200 hours of supervision from faculty and practicum site supervisors. Students have the option to complete an emphasis in medical family therapy. What can I do with this degree? This program prepares students to become professional marital and family therapists. Graduates of the MFT Program usually work in mental health agencies, set up their own private practices or go on to doctoral work. Family therapy is different from other mental health professions because of its emphasis on treating couples and families, its emphasis on present day problems instead of historical or intrapsychic conflicts, and its focus on understanding interpersonal relationships as a way of treating mental health problems. This program prepares students for licensure with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs). Who should apply? Students who plan to pursue careers as professional marital and family therapists. Students have experience in a variety of backgrounds such as education, psychology, business, nursing, social work, the military and pastoral and religious settings. Some plan to pursue doctoral work in the field.