Is a marriage family and child counselor, a jack-of-all-trades, the right kind of therapist for your situation?

A marriage family and child counselor (usually called an MFT) is a special therapist who focuses on the interpersonal relationships in a household. This special type of therapist is highly trained and knowledgeable about issues affecting a family as a whole, from infants to adolescents, adults, and the elderly. They are usually required to hold advanced degrees and pass extensive oral and written tests in order to be certified.

When trying to decide if an MFT is the right choice for your situation, critically examine the underlying issues to your marital problems. Are your problems sexual? Is there mental or physical abuse? Alcohol or drug addiction? While these types of problems affect everyone in the home, they may be better treated by therapists who specialize in the specific problem areas.

On the other hand, a wide variety of marital issues are right up an MFT s alley. Stresses induced by unruly children, problematic teenagers, caring for infirm elderly parents, step-children, and custody battles all serve to strain a marriage and can lead to severe marital problems. An MFT is an ideal choice in cases such as these due to the therapist s ability to assess, diagnose, and treat the wide variety of issues that are presented to her.

MFTs may often cost more than other therapists you may find. Their extensive education and training naturally lead to higher fees. Always be sure to check with your insurance prior to beginning therapy with an MFT. Insurance companies may pay for licensed therapists but not MFTs, or may only pay for a smaller number of sessions than the therapist recommends.