Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) fall into the Social Theme Code Category of the Strong Interest Inventory®. This Inventory sorts careers into six categories based on the personal characteristics and professional preferences of professionals who currently hold them. Job-seekers can utilize this inventory by taking an assessment which will help direct them towards careers they will find fulfilling. Careers in the Social Theme Code category, for instance, focus on supporting other individuals, especially in their social relationships. People matched with social careers have strong verbal skills and like the idea of sharing responsibilities and mentoring others. They also are supportive, positive people who feel rewarded when they make a positive impact on the lives of others.
MFT’s support clients in identifying and resolving any family related issues they may have or challenges they may be facing, including child rearing, divorce or separation, and financial issues among others. Clients may be referred to them through a number of different channels, but once they are established, a first step is collecting background information, often through interviews, reviewing case files, and simply observing them. Marriage and Family Therapists often confer with other counselors or professionals who may have been involved in their case to develop a treatment plan, including referring them to other professionals or resources in the community. Throughout this process, therapists ask clients questions that help them identify and verbalize their feelings and situation, encouraging them to find constructive outlets for confronting and hopefully resolving their problems.
Learn all about a career as an MFT including career stats such as Median Salary, Daily Tasks, Required Education, Employment Growth and More!
Throughout this process, Marriage and Family Therapists constantly measure and track clients’ progress, keeping careful documentation of any progress or shortfalls, and adjusting intervention protocols to meet their clients’ needs. They may also keep family members, court systems, or other stakeholders informed of client progress. Depending on the situation, therapists may also need to write evaluations or even testify in court, make recommendations based on input from other social workers, counselors, schools, doctors, or law enforcement or other personnel, or otherwise find and present details as they become relevant. At times, they may find themselves going beyond their official job description because their ultimate task is to meet their clients’ needs however possible.
All of these details are organized using laptop or desktop computers as well as personal digital assistants or smart phones. Many different types of software are also used, including Microsoft Office Suite, e-mail servers, video conferencing equipment, accounting software (e.g. Intuit QuickBooks), and medical software (e.g., Anasazi Client Data System). While the exact tools and software used may differ, for instance depending on whether one owns their own practice or is operating in a larger institutional or corporate setting, having familiarity with standard medical and office software and tools will be beneficial.
In addition to familiarity with these various tools and technologies, Marriage and Family Therapists generally hold a graduate degree (Master’s or Ph.D.), and have a strong practical and professional foundation in psychology, as well as techniques in therapy and counseling. Many states also require state certifications or board memberships to be allowed to practice legally in that location. In these cases, therapists may also need to participate in some continuing education or other courses to demonstrate their ongoing professional expertise. Furthermore, MFT’s also need to have developed critical thinking and active listening skills, as well as a professional fluency in English and any other languages in which their clients may be more comfortable communicating.
The average Marriage and Family Therapist salary is $48,600. However, there is significant variation in different parts of the country. In New Jersey, for instance, the average Marriage and Family Therapist salary is $74,830, while the most highly paid Marriage and Family Therapists can earn salaries approaching $100,000 per year. This contrasts sharply with certain parts of the Deep South, like South Carolina and Tennessee, where MFT’s can earn as little as $18,970 per year. There is projected to be significant growth in the industry prior to 2024, with Colorado, Utah, and Oregon leading the way with growth rates well over 30%.
Below are some employment trends for Marriage and Family Therapists:
- Median Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Salary: $23.37/hour; $48,600 annually
- Employment: 34,000 employees
- Projected growth (2014-2024): much faster than average (14% or higher)
- Projected job openings (2014-2024): 12,100
Visit Our Strong Interest Inventory® Resource Page
Visit Our Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® Career Resource Database for Information on MBTI® Personality Type Careers
To Learn More About the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, visit our About MBTI Test Page
Gain access to your best-fit careers, occupational preferences and interests with these career based Strong Interest Inventory® Assessments:
-
MBTI® Career Report + Strong & MBTI Combined Career Report + Strong Profile
DIGITAL DELIVERY
- Three of the top career-focused tests included
- Designed to uncover the best career fit for your true self
- Links to complete assessments sent digitally via email within 2-3 business hours of purchase
- Results sent in PDF form via email within 6-8 business hours.
Download Sample Reports of Each Included Test:
-
Strong Interest Inventory® Interpretive Report
DIGITAL DELIVERY
Delve deeper into what your interests, hobbies, favorite topics, and locations can mean for your career and personal life with the help of this extensive and personalized Strong profile.Your Strong Interest Inventory® Interpretive Report starts with the same foundational information found in the Strong Interest Inventory Profile, but goes even further into analyzing your likes and dislikes by offering you a detailed look at how following your interests and preferences can help you lead a more fulfilling, satisfied life. The report presents you with the closest matched occupations for people with your interests, an in-depth breakdown of certain areas matched to your Strong Interest Inventory test results, and insight into your likes and dislikes.
Download sample Strong Interest Inventory® Interpretive Report
-
Strong Interest Inventory® Profile
DIGITAL DELIVERY
Mold your future success by choosing a career that accurately reflects your interests, preferences, favorite topics as well as your likes and dislikes with the help of this profile.Direct your future based on what you like and enjoy, providing you with a happier, more fulfilling life and career. The Strong Interest Inventory® Profile uses an extensive analysis of your interests and preferences to guide you towards a career that best suits who you are on a personal level. Depending on your likes and dislikes compared to others in specified fields, you may find a fulfilling career previously unthought-of, helping guide you down the road to success and happiness.
-
Strong Interest Inventory® & Skills Confidence Profile + Strong Interpretive Report
DIGITAL DELIVERY
- Better understand your strengths, interests, preferences, and areas of confidence
- Connect your innate traits to a successful and satisfying career
- Assessments sent digitally within 2-3 business hours of purchase
- Results sent in PDF form via email within 6-8 business hours.
Download sample Strong Interest Inventory® & Skills Confidence Profile + Strong Interpretive Report
-
iStartStrong™ Report
DIGITAL DELIVERY
Plan your future career based on your interests and preferences, leading you down the path to a successful work and personal life.Use your interests, preferences, and favorite subjects and leisure activities to assess which career or career field works best with who you are and what you like. Through the web-interactive and thorough iStartStrong™ report, you’ll get set off on the right foot toward finding a career that you’ll enjoy for years to come.
Explore our Strong Interest Inventory® Blog Pages:
- Strong Interest Inventory Realistic Theme Explained
- Strong Interest Inventory Artistic Theme Explained
- Strong Interest Inventory Investigative Theme Explained
- Strong Interest Inventory Social Theme Explained
- Strong Interest Inventory Enterprising Theme Explained
- Strong Interest Inventory Conventional Theme Explained
Assessment Categories
References
- Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2012-2022 employment projections Onetonline.org