How to Make a Career as a Marriage and Family Counselor

Today, families and couples face a range of problems that are very difficult to handle. These issues can range from child behavior problems, adolescent, depression and bereavement to domestic violence and marital problems. When families and married couples find it difficult to handle such problems on their own, they turn to marriage and family counselors for support and counseling. These counselors tackle multiple issues and provide effective solutions to overcome these daily obstacles of life. Family therapists and marriage counselors are formally trained to use a variety of techniques to provide solutions to such problems within the context of the relationships.

Job Description
The primary goal of family and marriage counselors is to modify the perceptions and behavior of people to enable them to fight and prevent individual and family crisis. Counselors' main role is to help people faced with family and social crisis to help themselves. These professionals work in a variety of settings including clinics, hospitals, social service agencies, mental health centers etc.

Family and marriage counseling professionals hold multiple sessions for people who wish to resolve emotional conflicts, social issues and family crisis. While working with their clients, counselors make use of various techniques and hold a series of conversations with them. These sessions help counselors reveal their clients' fears, anger and needs. When couples considering a divorce approach the counseling professionals, the counselor first works towards uncovering the reasons that lie behind the issue. The counselor figures out whether there is a way for reconciliation.

To uncover the reasons and evaluate where the problems actually lie, marriage counselors and family therapists dissect the family structure. After evaluating the underlying reasons, the counselor comes up with a resolution plan that can resolve the crisis. These counseling professionals are well trained to take care of a number of issues, listed below.

Bereavement
Adolescent behavior problems
Domestic violence
Infertility problems
Infidelity issues
Marital problems
Substance abuse

Not only these, marriage and family counselors (MFCCs) are also capable of treating a number of mental health issues. Besides taking care of a range of family and couple issues, counselors can also specialize in one of two fields. The work of these professionals may vary from one place of employment to another. Depending on the work responsibility or the nature of the issue, family therapists and counselors may also work in a team.

Training/ Degrees in Marriage and Family Counseling
A master's degree in counseling is the standard requirement to make a successful career as a marriage and family counselor. Besides being equipped with the counseling degree, candidates also need to meet the licensing requirements of the state where they practice the occupation. A typical coursework for master's degree in counseling includes the following.

Counseling theories
Group therapy
Adolescent psychology
Human growth and development
Human sexuality
Marriage and family systems
Principles of counseling and techniques
Substance abuse
Psychotherapy theories

Internships provide some additional real world experience to candidates. Successfully completed internship programs enhance the chances of landing jobs. In addition to these, counselors also need to abide by the ethical codes and standards.

Career Prospects
Many of the marriage counselors and family therapists are self employed while others are employed as directors in numerous departments and agencies. For the advancement of their careers, counseling professionals can also choose to obtain a doctorate degree in counseling and other postgraduate courses. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment growth rate for these jobs is expected to grow at the faster rate than the average of all other professions, through to the year 2014.

Annual Salary
The salary of marriage and family counselors may vary depending on the work location, years of experience they carry and whether they are employed part time or full time. Those who are employed in public agencies and clinics earn an annual salary between the range of $25,000 and $30,000. The average annual salary of these professionals is $45,310. With growing professional experience and skills, counselors can earn a higher salary of $68,240 annually.

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