Marriage and Family Therapists
Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.
At a Glance
Marriage and Family Therapists earns a median of $63,780/yr with +12.6% projected growth. Typical entry: Master's degree. Top skills: Integrity, Dependability, Cooperation.
$63,780/yr
+12.6%
8
Master's degree
Skills & Requirements
Skills (16)
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Knowledge (7)
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Abilities (14)
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Technology (9)
Work Activities (19)
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Work Styles (5)
A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.
A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.
Careers with Overlapping Skills
These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.
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Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
Sales and Related · 192 shared skills
Human Resources Specialists
Business and Financial Operations · 192 shared skills
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer and Mathematical · 192 shared skills
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
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Marketing Managers
Management · 192 shared skills
Medical and Health Services Managers
Management · 192 shared skills
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