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These differences in terms are important in gaining licensure and for self- description, should the graduate enter private practice under supervision right away. But relatively few jobs will turn
up on the typical employment-related search engine under these specific terms. Employers know they need our systemic perspective and our experience with proven, evidence-based models of family therapy, but they don’t always know to specify “marriage and family therapist,” let alone “registered intern” or “associate marriage and family therapist.” Instead, employers typically advertise by agency job title or skills needed, opening the position to the best qualified candidates, whatever their background. Typing the term “marriage and family therapist” into the search box on a major employment website yields a healthy 2,402 options nationwide; but “evidence based therapy” yields 6,519 postings, most mentioning models of therapy very familiar to marriage and family therapists (solution- focused brief therpay, multisystemic, multidimensional, ecosystemic structural FT, parent child psychotherapy, brief strategic therapy, Partners in Change Outcome Management System (PCOMS), to name a few). Graduates expand their options when they search for employers needing their wide range of skills, rather than limiting themselves to a specific job title. The successful MFT graduates we interviewed shared their tips for success with us.
If you are still in a graduate program:
• If you are still in school, get exposure to and knowledge of at least one evidence- based model of practice. This will greatly increase your options after graduation. Consider attending outside workshops and pursuing your interests beyond the required coursework.
• Most jobs available to recent graduates will involve work with children as well as their families, and/or with substance abuse. Make sure you have experience in your internships with a range of ages and presenting problems.
• Remember marriage and family therapy is licensed at the master’s level. Those
in doctoral programs should make every effort to become licensed before graduation. Becoming licensed will open many more options for you than a doctorate alone.
If you are starting out in the field:
• Talk to your faculty and your contacts in the field. Many jobs in the field are filled using word of mouth!
• If using an employment-related website, search for specific skills as well as specific job titles—you may have luck searching by specific models of evidence-based family therapies, and/or using terms like “family preservation,” “family support,” “child advocate” and so on.
• Searching for those jobs which require a specific model of marriage and
family therapy can open interesting options for you. These are more likely
to be research-driven. While they will require adherence to a particular model, you will likely receive free training in that model, and enjoy a smaller caseload
and more supervision than is usual
for an entry-level job. In addition to employment-related websites (search by name of model), visit www.mstjobs.com, www.fftllc.com, and www.mdft.org.
• Remember, your first job in the field after graduation with your master’s degree is in the nature of a residency— you are gaining practical experience, learning a great deal, and preparing to meet the requirements for licensure. Think about how this first job will help you meet your goals, but don’t expect it to be your final job.
• Keep training, and keep learning. Go
to workshops and conferences, as well as your required agency trainings, and network with your local association division and chapter. This is often how a specific interest in equine therapy, divorce counseling, or another area you are passionate about, leads to a meeting of like minds, and a job offer.
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