Becoming a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist in Kansas

Marriage family therapy is a specialty within the field of mental health counseling. The goal of a marriage family therapist is to use the family dynamic within the treatment of families, couples, and individuals. The family therapist will treat emotional and mental disorders of the individuals in order to help them create better relationships with their family members and friends.

In the state of Kansas there are several licensure requirements that a person must meet in order to practice marriage family therapy within the state.

Educational Licensure Requirements for Marriage Family Therapists in Kansas

In the state of Kansas a person must be over the age of 21 in order to apply to become a licensed marriage family therapist. In addition, a person must have a master’s or doctorate degree in marriage family therapy. The graduate degree may be in a related field, but the person must complete coursework that is considered to be the equivalent to a marriage family therapy program.

The master’s degree or doctoral degree program must be regionally accredited. The accreditation must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). If the program is not accredited by the COAMFTE the program must include part time clinical experience that integrates didactic learning along with clinical experience. There must be at 300 hours of client contact and at least 60 hours of supervision provided by the core faculty of the program as well as offsite supervisors. There are nine graduate credit hours that must be completed in the following content areas:

• Human development and family studies
• Theoretical foundation of marital and family functioning
• Marital and family assessment and therapy courses

Read more about Kansas MFT degrees.

Application Process for Licensure in Kansas

During the application process a person must submit both personal attestations and references that demonstrate public trust in them to practice in this field. A nationally standardized examination must be passed and an application must be on file with the BRSB at least three months prior to the testing period.

The examination dates are in January/February, May/June, August/September, and October/November.

The above are the basic requirements necessary to become a licensed marriage family therapist in Kansas. The state also offers a licensing for clinical marriage family therapists. The requirements for becoming a licensed clinical marriage family therapist include being licensed as a marriage family therapist and meeting the requirements as listed above. In addition, a person must complete 4000 hours of clinical experience under a supervisor and a clinical training plan that has been approved, they must pass the national standardized examination at the clinical level and must apply and have their application approved at least three months before a testing date. The testing dates are the same times as the ones listed above.

In order to apply for your license you can download the forms or request the packets from the Board Office located in Topeka, Kansas.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Career Outlook In Kansas

The increase in the population along with the fact that many insurance plans are starting to cover the costs of therapy will play a role in the number of careers available in this field. The overall number of jobs in the field of marriage family therapy is expected to increase by 41% from 2010 through 2020. This is a higher than average rate of growth when compared to all careers. In May of 2012, the state of Kansas had 70 individuals licensed as marriage family therapy.

In the state of Kansas on average marriage family therapist earned a median wage of $40,500. In May of 2010, the national average wage for marriage family therapists was $45,720. Mental health counselors in general earned an annual median wage of $38,150 as of May, 2010.

Research Additional Psychology Professional Licenses Granted by Kansas:

• Kansas Psychologist Licensing
• Kansas Counselor Licensing
• Kansas Social Work Licensing
• Learn More About The Career of an LMFT

Schools with MFT Degree Programs Accepting Students from Kansas