Becoming a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist in Texas

The world can be a complicated place and with the help of mental health professionals, individuals with mental or emotional disorders can learn how to navigate better. Specifically in a marriage, or family setting a marriage and family therapist is an important component to help an individual sort through changing life issues.

The Texas State Board of Examiners governs the requirements to be a marriage and family therapist. In Texas and most other states special training and licensing is required Below are the educational, training and examination requirements that must be met first. After successful completion of all requirements a person is then able to use the title of Marriage and Family therapist and practice without supervision.

Required Application Materials Checklist

In Texas, the application for licensure must be submitted with applicable fee along with all required documentation which includes:

• Application with applicable fee
• Supervised experience form
• Official transcripts
• Proof of successful completion no more than six months prior to the jurisprudence examination

Education Requirements for Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Licensing in Texas

In the state of Texas to you will need to obtain at least a master's degree or doctorate in marriage and family therapy from a college or university approved by the COAMFTE or its equivalent. Undergraduate courses in this field are not considered by the board as meeting the educational requirements. Likewise, if master level transcripts show a failing grade for any required course, that course won't be counted.

The course work in said program must include:

• One course in the theoretical foundations of marital and family therapy
• Four courses in assessment and treatment
• Two courses in human development, family studies, gender and multicultural studies
• One course in professional ethics
• One course in psychopathology
• One course in applied professional research
• 12 months or nine hours of supervised clinical practicum

Supervised Postgraduate Work Experience Requirement

In Texas there is a minimum supervised experience requirement that must be met before one can become a marriage and family therapist. Two years experience working under the direct supervision of a licensed marriage and family therapist is necessary. During this time, accrual of 3000 hours of which 1500 hours must be acquired from direct clinical services. Of the 1500 hours, 750 of those hours need to be direct therapy contact with families or couples. The remaining 1500 hours can be divided between writing case notes, public relations etc.

Marriage and Family Therapists Examination Requirements in Texas

Interested parties in being a licensed marriage and family therapist in Texas must pass a state licensing examination administer by either the AMFTRB or by the State of California marriage and family therapy licensure. Applicants must complete an examination registration and submit the applicable fee to the AMFTRB.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Career Outlook In Texas

Employment in the field of marriage and family therapy is expected to increase rapidly between 2010 and 2020. This information should be satisfactory for anyone thinking of a career in this field. Additionally, in the state of Texas, there are 840 MFTs employed The yearly average income is approximately $44,470 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which equates to about $21 an hour.

For more information or contact information for the Texas State Board of Examiners can be found here.

Research Additional Psychology Professional Licenses Granted by Texas:

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

Schools with MFT Degree Programs Accepting Students from Texas