Becoming a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist in West Virginia

Becoming a marriage and family therapist is a rewarding field for the right person. This is a field that can have a great impact on the family unit. A therapist will use learned psychotherapy methods to help individuals, couples, and families combat diagnosed mental and emotional disorders. The therapist also offers proposals and alternatives to handling difficult life events. Providing invention services to families in a crisis and in a group setting also a part of the therapist role. Before someone can use the title "Marriage and Family Therapist" certain requirements have to be met. The first requirement is to complete an MFT Licensure Packet. The cost is $30. Please go here to obtain instructions on how to order yours.

Education Requirements for Marriage and Family Therapist Licensing in West Virginia

According to the West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling, anyone considering a career as a licensed marriage and family therapist must complete a master's or doctoral degree program in the field of marital and family therapy. The coursework must be from an accredited program from either the COAMFTE Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS), Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), or another comparable accredited institution.

For individuals with graduate degrees in the mental health field, written proof of at least 60 semester or 90 quarter hours must be submitted.

Learn more about West Virginia MFT degrees.

Supervised Post-Graduate Work Experience Requirement for a Marriage and Family Therapist

After satisfying the educational requirements or its equivalent as approved by the Board, at least 3000 hours of training must be documented (1500) for an applicant with a doctorate degree in marriage and family therapy. Of these work hours, 50% has to be that of face to face therapeutic sessions with couples, families and individuals.

In order to accrue the required hours, a provisional license is also required. Supervised work experience is not recognized without it. This temporary license is good for 36 months. If the required hours are not completed within this time, an extension of 24 hours can be obtained by written request to the Board.

Marriage and Family Therapists Examination Requirements in West Virginia

Applicant must successfully pass an examination approved by the AMFTRB (the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Board). If an applicant should fail the first try, he or she has two more opportunities to take the exam before proof of additional education is required.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Career Outlook In West Virginia

According to recent information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average yearly income for a family therapist in West Virginia in 2020 (the last year the BLS published salary data for this position in West Virginia) was approximately $41,500. That is an hourly rate of about $19.95. The top 10% earned more than $56,650 that year.

Research Additional Psychology Professional Licenses Granted by West Virginia:

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

2020 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures for marriage and family therapists 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 West Virginia