Occupation
Marriage and family therapist
Marriage and family therapists treat relationship and family difficulties by working with the system rather than one person, often with several people in the room at once. Sessions involve managing conflict live, tracking patterns between family members, and holding neutrality when everyone wants an ally. Assessment, treatment planning, and clinical notes sit behind every session.
Also known as: Couples therapist · Family therapist · Systemic psychotherapist · Relationship counsellor
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Occupation content
Part of Community, social and public services
A visual day in the work
What the work involves
Assess relationship, family, and individual functioning and agree what therapy will target
Run sessions with couples, families, or individuals using a systemic therapeutic model
Manage conflict in the room and keep sessions safe and balanced between participants
Record clinical notes, consent, and treatment plans for each case
Screen for abuse, safeguarding, and risk issues and refer on where needed
Take cases to clinical supervision and maintain professional development
Entry-route stepper
How people commonly enter
A master's or doctoral qualification in marriage and family therapy, systemic psychotherapy, or a closely related clinical field
Accredited postgraduate training with supervised clinical hours through a recognised family therapy association
Licensure or registration with the regulator where the therapist title is protected
Transferring from counselling, clinical social work, or psychology into systemic training
Typical training: Postgraduate or professional degree
Licensing: Regulated in most jurisdictions. Confirm the current requirement with the regulator in your province, state, or country.
Work-context map
Typical work context
- Quiet focus
- Public facing
- High responsibility
- Predictable routine
- Remote capable
Quiet focus · Public facing · High responsibility · Predictable routine · Remote capable
Related interests
- Social (helping)
- Investigative (analytical)
Social (helping) · Investigative (analytical)
Related aptitude preparation
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Skills to practise
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Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Community, social and public services: licensing
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