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Family therapists are also known as marriage counselors. This is a very promising career which has emerged on the scene in a big way in last few decades. The simple reason is growing conflicts within relationships. Though, the general conditions of the world have improved by leaps and bounds in recent years along with drastic changes in lifestyle needs. But there are side-effects also and one such side effect is growing rifts in a family, especially the couples. This is more prevalent in urban territories. Sometimes, senior family members intervene and help the situation but some other times, one need to consult professional expertise and that’s where family therapists come into the picture.
Career as a family therapist is for those who have an interest in human behavior and psychology. This job demands one to have deep interest in working with people. One can pursue a career in family counseling and marriage if he/she can handle stress, problems of others and feels delighted in solving domestic issues. Marriage counselors assist couples and families deal with issues like communication problems. A licensed therapist counsels couples on mental, emotional and behavioral issues affecting their relationships. They not just evaluate and treat the affected parties but also help them in taking decisions that will have positive repercussions for the well-being of the family unit. A family therapist strives to solve crisis faced by couples, children and family members. Some of the common techniques used by family therapists during the counseling and treatment are, non-directive counseling, interpersonal therapy, problem-solving therapy, psychodynamic counseling, behavioral therapy and cognitive techniques.
Those who are interested to make a career in marriage counseling or as family therapists need to have a bachelor’s degree in subjects like sociology or psychology. But, this field demands specializations so one should ideally pursue a master’s degree and doctorate degree programs. One can also pursue a post-graduate clinical program. Additionally, one requires participating in research projects and volunteer at crisis centers. However, one has to clear licensing exam before he/she could offer his/her services to the public. The licensing criteria differ from state to state but usually, one needs to complete an accredited graduate program and must have completed supervised training in a clinical setting.
There are plenty of job opportunities for talented and qualified marriage counselors. One can find works at private practice, inpatient facilities, social service agencies, rehabilitation centers, and community mental health centers.
In UK, one needs to study for a BACP or UK council of Psychotherapy (UKCP) accredited course to become a professional counselor. The choices are an MA or MSc in Counseling and a background degree in psychology, social work or other health related subjects.
In India, there is no subject as family therapy however, one can pursue a career in counseling and choose desired specialization. There are plenty of courses available on degree, diploma and certificate levels. Once the candidates have got the degree, they can seek good job opportunities at several places. There is a huge demand for qualified family therapist which is expected to remain constant in coming times.
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