Becoming a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist in Maryland

The purpose of a marriage family therapist is to help enhance the communication and basic understanding among members of a family. This may mean helping with such issues such as drug or alcohol abuse or other causes of marital stress.

Marriage family therapists will learn how to use a variety of techniques in order to help each of their clients. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the common approaches that are used to help clients gain an understanding of their harmful feelings, thoughts, and damaging behaviors that they may engage in.

There are several requirements for becoming a marriage family therapist in the state of Maryland. An advanced degree in marriage and family therapy is required. Below is more information about what is required.

Educational Requirements for Marriage Family Therapists in Maryland

In order to qualify for a marriage and family therapist license in the state of Maryland an individual must have one of the following degrees from a university or college that has been approved by the board:

• A master’s degree in marriage and family therapy. This must include sixty graduate semester hours or ninety graduate quarter hours.
• A doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy. This must include ninety semester hours or 135 graduate quarter credits.
• Complete 45 credit hours as required by regulations
• Pass the examination for marital and family therapy that is developed by the AMFTR (Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulation) board.

The coursework of the applicant must include at least three graduate credit hours in sexual issues in marriage and family therapy, diagnosis and treatment for mental emotional disorders, couples theory, therapy, and techniques as well as three graduate hours in legal, ethical, and professional responsibilities of marriage and family therapy.

Read more about Maryland MFT degrees.

Additional Requirements for Marriage Family Therapists in Maryland

In addition to the educational requirements there is professional experience required as well. A person that has a master’s degree with sixty credits must have 2000 hours and at least two years of supervised clinical experience in the field of marriage and family therapy completed after receiving their advanced degree.

Applicants that have a doctorate degree must have two years practicing as a family therapist with a minimum of 2000 hours in family and marriage therapy experience.

In the state of Maryland to become a marriage family therapist you must be a person with good moral character. Individuals must comply with the code of ethics as set by the board. In order to receive your license a person must submit a completed application and pay all of the required fees.

A license in the state of Maryland is only good for two years after the date it is issued. There are renewal requirements that must be met every two years in order to keep your license to practice family therapy in the state.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Career Outlook In Maryland

There is an extremely positive job outlook for those individuals that are interested in becoming licensed family therapists in the state of Maryland. As of 2022 there were 920 licensed family therapists in the state. The average salary for this position in Maryland is $81,320. Overall, the median wage for mental health counselors in the United States is $56,230. Marriage family therapists earn an average of $63,300 nationally.

There is expected to be a large growth rate in this career industry as more and more insurance companies are believed to begin paying for these services as part of their mental health coverage. This is projected because therapists are cheaper than psychologists and psychiatrists.

Research Additional Psychology Professional Licenses Granted by Maryland:

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

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures for marriage and family therapists and substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2023.

Schools with MFT Degree Programs Accepting Students from Maryland