Therapists help spouses and family members develop healthy relationships by counselling and providing guidance on issues of communication and behaviour. Therapists often focus their practice on specific groups of patients, such as substance abusers, victims of abuse or those with behaviour problems.
The Cool Things They Do:
- Assess patients’ needs and history through interviews and various testing methods
- Create a therapy plan for patients with specific objectives
- Provide counselling and mediation services
- Provide consulting services to the judicial system and to other professionals
- Provide public education by addressing therapy methods or specific issues such as addiction
Working Conditions:
Therapists usually work in a comfortable office environment and keep normal business hours. However, therapy itself is often a highly stressful occupation. Patients can be angry, abusive or uncooperative initially and therapy may take a long time to achieve its goals.
Most Marriage and Family Therapists Work In:
- Government and social service agencies
- Hospitals and clinics
- Private practice
Personal Characteristics/Skills:
- Patience and compassion
- Excellent listening and verbal communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Maturity
- Leadership skills
Education and Training Required (for Canada) :
Master’s Degree in Social Work or Counselling disciplines
Length of Study/Training (for Canada) : 5-7 years post-secondary
Certification (s) (for Canada) : Registration with Ontario Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Helpful High School Courses:
- English
- Social Studies
- A second language
- Psychology
Employment Prospects - GOOD
A tightening of government healthcare budgets over the past decade has reduced the number of family therapists employed and openings for therapists created by retirements from the field roughly match the number of graduates seeking positions.
Earnings:
Average annual
salary: $40,000.
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