MA in Marriage and Family Therapy

Child psychology helps serve the population who need help the most – our young people. ADHD, anxiety and behavior disorders are among the most common disorders that can be diagnosed during childhood, but not all children, or parents, have the resources to address them.

Child psychologists focus on 3 key areas: physical, cognitive and emotional development. These professionals teach children important coping skills for managing their emotions while helping them progress through each new stage. Essential skills and procedures for this job includes assessment, intervention, prevention program development and research design.

A master’s degree is expected of child psychologists. However, most employers look for those with a doctoral degree, which can also include an internship and supervised field experience. All psychologists in clinical practice must earn licensure, pass an industry examination and pursue continuing education units.

Marriage and family therapy is a holistic approach to health care that emphasizes the long-term well-being of people and those within their support systems. Professionals can diagnose a wide range of mental disorders and provide treatment in one-on-one or group settings while focusing on the relationships that influence behavior.

The most common path into the field is earning a MA in Psychology then completing two years of post-degree supervised clinical experience. All states require MFTs to be licensed, which generally involves passing the Marriage and Family Therapy National Exam and completing continuing education courses throughout their career.

A mental health therapist is a human services professional who helps people cope with mental and emotional challenges. This career path allows you to work with clients facing issues like depression, anxiety, phobias, stress, self-esteem issues, grief, or relationship problems.

The primary duty of mental health therapists is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space for clients. They do this by collecting information through interviews, observations, or tests. This can include diagnosing disorders; crafting service plans, and coordinating treatment with other health care professionals; and performing crisis interventions as needed.

The two most common fields of study are psychology and social work. You'll need a master's degree in a mental health-related field such as an MFT. Licensure can require 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, along with continuing education courses and specified exams.

Some professionals in this sector work with specific populations — such as the elderly, children or college students — while others serve a more encompassing role. Example workplaces include mental health clinics, schools, government organizations, social service agencies, employee assistance programs, and correctional or juvenile detention facilities.

The minimum requirement for a substance abuse counselor is a bachelor’s degree, but often a master’s in social work, psychology or a similar field is expected. Licensure is a prerequisite for opening a private practice, and some states may require you to pass a state-issued exam.

Once in the profession, expect to work with clients individually and in group settings to provide counseling services and strategies to help them rebuild their lives and careers. A typical day might include collaborating with other professionals to address co-occurring disorders, conferring with family members, or documenting caseloads, including charting progress.

A school psychologist typically works with individual students and their families while a counselor tends to work with the larger school population. School psychologists for example might help qualify an individual for special services, while a counselor tackles matters such as crisis intervention and preparing students for their overall future success.

Although School Psychologist work directly with students daily, they also advocate at the individual and system level to ensure all children have equal access to education. In addition, they counsel and advise teachers and fellow staff on how to support students with mental, emotional and behavioral disorders.

Just like other mental health professions, you will need an advanced degree to practice as a school psychologist. Some states, like California, also require a specific credential program dedicated to the area of study. Once these prerequisites are complete, you’ll then apply for licensure.