Becoming a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist in Nebraska

Marriage family therapists are individual that provide therapy services to individuals, couples, and families to help them overcome issues that they may be having in their relationships. There are some disorders that people have that can be overcome, but other issues may need to be more managed. In cases where the issues need to be managed the marriage family therapist will help their client come up with skills and strategies to minimize the effects of their illness or disorder.

There are several requirements that a person will need to meet in order to qualify to become a licensed marriage family therapist in the state of Nebraska. Some of these requirements are outlined below.

Educational Requirements for Marriage Family Therapists in Nebraska

Individuals that wish to apply for a marriage family therapist license in the state of Nebraska will need to meet certain educational requirements. A person must have a master’s degree or a doctoral degree in marriage family therapy. The graduate degree must come from a school that has been accredited by the state. The course work of the degree must consist of training and work that is primarily in therapeutic mental health.

The following coursework is required by the state of Nebraska:

• Six credit hours or nine quarter credit hours in courses dealing with theories and techniques of behavior intervention.
• Three credit hours or 4.5 quarter credit hours in a professional ethics course.
• At least three credit hours or 4.5 quarter credit hours in assessment techniques as required in a mental health practice.
• At least three credit hours or 4.5 quarter credit hours in courses in human growth and development
• At least three semester credit hours or 4.5 quarter credit hours of research and evaluation.
• • Nine semester credit hours or 13.5 quarter hours in marriage and family studies
• Nine semester credit or 13.5 quarter hours of marriage and family therapy
• Nine credit hours or 13.5 quarter credit hours in human development
• Three semester credit or 4.5 quarter credit hours in professional studies
• Three semester or 4.5 quarter credit hours of research

The practicum that is required for completion of the master’s degree or doctorate degree must include a minimum of 300 clock hours. At least half of these hours must be face to face clinical hours within a work setting and under a supervisor that is qualified under the state guidelines.

Learn more about Nebraska MFT degrees.

Additional Requirements for Marriage Family Therapists in Nebraska

In order to be certified in the state of Nebraska the applicant must meet the above educational requirements and experience requirements and then pass the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards Examination.

This examination is available on the computer and candidates that meet the requirements are provided with a 28 day window to take the test at an approved testing center. Testing dates are typically in January/February, May/June, and September/October. Applications for the test are due two weeks prior to the opening of the testing window.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Career Outlook In Nebraska

Careers in the field are expected to increase by around 14% in the marriage family therapist field between 2021 and 2031 according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. This is a much faster rate than the average for all occupations. Many insurance companies are increasingly providing for this type of mental health service which is one of the reasons that the growth is expected to steadily increase over the years. Most people that require mental health care will seek it from a therapist as opposed to a psychologist or psychiatrist.

In the state of Nebraska there were 40 individuals that were licensed and employed as marriage family therapists in 2022. The average wage for these individuals was $53,990. The national average wage for marriage and family therapists was $63,300. The median annual salary for mental health counselors was $49,710.

Research Additional Psychology Professional Licenses Granted by Nebraska:

• Nebraska Psychologist Licensing
• Nebraska Counselor Licensing
• Nebraska 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 Nebraska