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Those who mend relationships

Human relationships go through several ups and downs.

Those who mend relationships


Gauri Chhabra

Human relationships go through several ups and downs. Relationship between a couple is no exception. In present times, many couples seek professional help to sort out the differences. A relationship counsellor or therapist evaluates problems and offers strategies for resolving them using psychotherapy, also called talk therapy.

Couple therapy is a subset of relationship counselling. It may differ from other forms of relationship counselling, including its duration. Short-term counselling includes one to three sessions, whereas long-term therapy may include sessions between 12 and 24. Solution-focused therapy may be of even shorter duration. Couple therapy is more about addressing intractable problems.

Marriage counselling is a fast-emerging field. However, there is a lack of certified, educated professionals in cities. Marriage is one of the most important events in one's life, but unfortunately in India, counselling can also be practiced without any formal education and understanding of the topic.

Look for license

Marriage counsellors are licensed therapists who try to sort out problems between a couple. Also known as marriage and family therapists, or MFTs, they provide counselling to adults, teenagers and children in group or individual settings. To become licensed MFT, one must have Master's degree in marriage and family therapy, psychology, or related mental health fields. Some marriage counsellors also pursue doctorates. 

Getting in

The first step towards becoming a marriage counsellor is to earn a bachelor's degree with coursework in behavioural sciences. An MFT should be trained well to address different issues, much like other mental health and therapy careers. Those interested in the career can begin by earning Bachelor's degree in streams like psychology, social work, or counselling. Students   interested in the field should focus on studying special courses on marriages and family situations.

Prerequisite classes in statistical analysis are also required for admission to many psychology and marriage counselling Master's degree programmes. After earning a graduate degree, licensure is required. MFTs help people work through various relationship issues and clinical problems such as mood disorders, depression and anxiety.

Though a Master's degree is the minimum educational requirement for licensure, some MFTs also pursue a Doctorate in Psychology. Duration of most Master's degree programmes is two to three years. Doctoral programmes may take three to five years or even longer. Master's-level coursework often includes interview and research of parent-child counselling, couples therapy and chemical dependency and substance abuse.

The common three options available for those who wish to become an MFT are:

  • Master's degree: 2-3 years to complete
  • Doctoral programme: 3-5 years to complete
  • Postgraduate clinical training programs: 3-4 years to complete

PG Diploma in Counselling and Family Therapy 

Minimum duration: One year

Maximum duration: Four year

Eligibility:

  • Bachelor's degree with specialisation in subjects like Human Development and Family Studies, Child Development, Human Development and Childhood Studies, Child Development and Family Relationships, Home Science, Psychology, Social Work, Medicine or other allied disciplines.  Allied disciplines include Anthropology, Sociology, Education, Philosophy, MBBS or equivalent qualification in Ayurveda, Unani, Sidha or Homeopathy, Nursing, etc. from a recognised university.
  • Bachelor's degree with a higher degree in any of the above mentioned subjects or Bachelor's degree along with a Postgraduate Diploma in Guidance and Counselling from a recognised university.

MSc in Counselling and Family Therapy

Minimum Duration: Two years

Maximum Duration: Five years

Eligibility:

  • Bachelor's degree with specialisation in subjects like Human Development and Family Studies, Child Development, Human Development and Childhood Studies, Child Development and Family Relationships, Home Science, Psychology, Social Work, Medicine or other allied disciplines. Allied disciplines include Anthropology, Sociology, Education, Philosophy, MBBS or equivalent qualification in Ayurveda, Unani, Sidha or Homeopathy, Nursing etc. from a recognised university.
  • Bachelor's degree with a higher degree in any of the above mentioned subjects or along with a Postgraduate Diploma in Guidance and Counselling from a recognised university.

Job profile of an MFT

Although most couples have arguments, but it can often be hard to pinpoint the underlying causes. This is one of the important duties of a marriage and family therapist. In order to do so, a marriage and family therapist will first need to meet and talk with all members of a family. The therapist can meet a couple or family together. This can help a therapist realise how each family member reacts to a problem. In some circumstances, however, a therapist may choose to meet the members of a family separately.

During therapy sessions, talking is usually the job of the family members rather than the therapist. An MFT will often do more listening than talking during these meetings. The therapist will also closely observe the members of a family for non-verbal body language to get clues about certain problems. 

After discovering underlying causes of problems, an MFT can then help the family work on the issues together. The therapist will offer guidance and advise family members on how to communicate effectively with each other. 

If you're aspiring to become a therapist, keep in mind that you won't be the magic cure that ends all problems in a household. Arguing is a part of being in a family; it just comes with the territory. Instead of teaching family members to stop arguing, you'll rather help them work through their differences.

MFT’s vital role

MFTs might work in many different settings. These  include social service offices or community and mental-health facilities. Many therapists, however, choose to begin their own private practice. A few therapists might even make house calls, which involve visiting a household to observe the living situation.

The road ahead

It is being predicted that employment opportunities for marriage and family therapists is expected to grow at the rate of 20 per cent by 2026, which is much faster than the national average for all occupations. They will play a pivotal role in sorting out problems in relationships and lessen the stress of daily obstacles like depression, substance abuse, behavioural problems and infidelity, among others. 


Institutes offering online degree programme in the US

  • Walden University offers online Master's (MS) in Marriage, Couple And Family Counselling.
  • Regent University offers online Master's (MA) in Marriage, Couple & Family Counselling.
  • Capella University offers MS in Marriage & Family Counselling / Therapy degree programme.
  • Amridge University offers an online programme in Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy 
  • Touro University Worldwide (TUW) offers an online graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy
  • Northcentral University offers a COAMFTE accredited Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy 

Institutes offering online degree programme in India

  • Royale Institute, Pondicherry offering online certificate in Marriage and Family Counselling for three-months duration.   
  • Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai offers Certificate Programme in Couple and Family Therapy.
  • Urban India Ministries Bangalore offers Postgraduate one-year Diploma In Family & Marriage Counselling and six-months Certificate Programme In Family and Marriage Counselling.
  • Indira Gandhi National Open University Delhi offers Masters of Science in Counselling and Family Therapy (MSCCFT)
  • Pune-based Baya Karve Women's Study Centre (BKWSC) has introduced a Certificate CCourse in Marriage Counselling.

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