The MFT Option - SMU MFT NETWORK
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Transcript The MFT Option - SMU MFT NETWORK
Master of Science in Counseling
“Where the Pieces Come Together”
The SMU Advantage:
1 program
+ 3 track options
+ 2 specialization areas
+ Numerous elective courses
= Maximum
Marketability &
Earning Potential
How the SMU Advantage Works
One program, three track options:
Licensed Professional Counselor
Marriage & Family Therapist
School Counselor
Plus two specialization areas:
Licensed chemical dependency counselor
(LCDC)
Child & Play counseling
Plus, numerous elective courses, summer
courses at SMU-in-Taos, and study abroad
opportunities
THE
SMU Advantage
allows you to train in multiple
disciplines, all in one location –
usually with no additional
coursework.
The MFT Option
What, Why, Who, How, & Where?
What is Marriage & Family Therapy?
An approach to mental, emotional, and
behavioral health that emphasizes the
importance of relationships to individuals,
couples, families, and larger groups
Individual
Family
Community/Culture
The MFT Difference
MFTs are trained to think systemically –
to see each individual in the context of
group membership & influence (friends,
family, co-workers, culture, etc.)
FAMILY
WORK
ME
What do MFTs do?
Work with individuals, couples, families, &
groups in agency & private practice
settings
Address mental and behavioral health
issues
Promote mental, emotional, & relational
functioning
Why Study MFT?
Expanded Treatment Options
Imagine an individual client comes to you
to discuss conduct problems with her
children. As she talks, you realize there
are problems in her marriage that may
create a tense home environment.
Why Study MFT?
Enhanced Expertise
As an MFT, you can:
Do play therapy with the child
Conduct parent training with the mother
& father
Provide couple therapy to the parents
Work with family subsystems such as
siblings
Provide family therapy to facilitate whole
family functioning
Why Study MFT?
Expanded Practice Options
Skills to treat individuals, couples, families
& groups
Competence to work with multiple ages,
backgrounds, and complex problems
involving multiple people
Ability to offer effective brief therapy
models
Why Study MFT?
Financial Rewards!
Versatility = Marketability
Avg MFT Salary = $54,936
Avg LPC Salary = $47,350
Avg income dual license w/LMFT = $58,093
Top 10% of LMFT salaries avg $70,830
Sources:
2002 AAMFT Practice Research Survey
Psychotherapy Finances Fee, Practice and Managed Care Survey (2000)
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2009)
Why Study MFT?
A Competitive Edge!
Anticipated 30% occupational growth rate
through 2016 (nationally)
There are about ¼ as many MFTs as LPCs in
Texas = MFT is less saturated as a field & MFT
skills are in scarce supply when compared to
market demand.
MFTs can work in agencies, group or private
practice, EAPS, hospitals & medical settings, the
penal system, courts, divorce mediation, and as
business consultants.
Source:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2009)
Who Should Study MFT?
MFT may be right for you if…
You think a lot about how families &
other important relationships affect
individual functioning & quality of life
You are invested in improving
relationships such as couples and parentchild relationships
You want to work across the lifespan
You like the idea of helping whole systems
at the same time
How do I Study MFT at SMU?
You have several options to suit your
interests!
LMFT Track – prepares you for LMFT
licensure with room left over for electives
LPC/LMFT Dual Track – prepares you for
dual licensure in 60 hours (no added
coursework)
LMFT Electives – prepare you to think
systemically and work with relational issues
within LPC or School Counselor licensure.
Do I HAVE to study MFT?
Absolutely not!
The MFT option is one of the many
components of the SMU Advantage:
Being able to choose one discipline or
combine multiple disciplines to suit your
interests and career goals.
MFT
LPC
School
Counseling
Can I get help with…
Knowing more about client contact
requirements?
Identifying good MFT internships?
Understanding licensure requirements?
YES!
Dr. Keeling is your “go to” source for
all things MFT.
SHAMELESS MFT
PROMOTER!!
Where else can I get information?
AAMFT.org is a great place to start
Dr. Hal Barkley (Counseling Program
Director)
Dr. Gay McAlister (Internship Director)
Your academic advisor