Should I be a family therapist?

Have you ever had a conflict with a family member and felt that your relationship may be beyond repair?

This is where a family therapist comes in.

A family therapist works with individuals and families in the areas of communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution in order to allow them to build and maintain healthy, fulfilling relationships.

The daily duties of a family therapist may vary depending upon their workplace, area of specialty, and client base.

Daily duties may include:

• Meeting with prospective clients to identify their needs

• Facilitating meetings with clients

• Leading discussion activities

• Asking questions

• Taking notes on client responses

• Completing session note reports

• Researching various therapy techniques and practicing new skills

• Recommending psychiatrists and/or other mental health professionals as needed

A licensed family therapist is required to:

• Earn a master's degree from an institution with an accredited program related to mental health. Some practitioners continue their studies and go on to earn a doctoral degree.

• Complete clinical hours under the direct supervision of an experienced family therapist.

• Pass state licensing exams before starting independent practice.

💡Learn more about the career requirements to be a family therapist by reading this article.

• For a private practice

You'd work for an employer who would secure and distribute clients to you.

You'd likely work with a wide range of client types from individuals to couples, to families, all with a wide range of concerns.

• As a private practitioner

You'd decide the type of clients (individuals, couples, and families, as well as types of client concerns) you'd like to work with. You'd also have the freedom to decide your work hours.

• For a school district

You'd work for either a public or a private school district providing family therapy support to students and their families.

• For a hospital or a rehabilitation facility

You'd work for a government or private facility supporting clients who are inpatients within that facility. This type of treatment would be on a short-term basis.

The salary for a family therapist in the United States ranges between $39,000 to $77,000 (USD) per year.

The average salary is $51, 707 (USD) per year.

The salary for a family therapist in Canada ranges from $45,000 to $55,000 (CAD) per year.

The average salary is $51,281 (CAD) per year.

• are passionate about helping other people

• have good listening, communication, and inter-personal skills

• are organized and good with time-management

• see yourself as a lifelong learner

• have difficulty solving problems that don't have a clear solution

• prefer to work alone

• find it challenging to cope with stressful situations

• prefer traditional work hours

⚡Pick The Future Family Therapist

Liz

• Is an avid bookworm who loves cozying up with a good whodunnit novel

• Is shy and doesn't enjoy being the center of attention

Andy

• Is a great listener and enjoys problem-solving

• Volunteers at his local church with a youth mentoring group.

Frank

• Likes going on hikes and traveling

• Enjoys meeting new people and being social

Lucinda

• Is creative and has good communication skills

• Is absent-minded and disorganized

Does it sound like a career as a family therapist might be the right path for you?

If it sounds like a career as a family therapist might be the right path for you take the next steps to get started.