About Therapy
Marriage and Family Therapists Are Relationship Experts
In California, the relationship experts licensed to serve individuals, couples, families, children and adolescents, and the elderly are Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. MFTs offer support and perspective during life’s challenges.
Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) assist with crisis intervention as well as short-term psychotherapy to resolve problems or reduce symptoms in the shortest time possible. We also have the expertise and skills to work with persons where more intensive, long-term treatment is necessary to cure or relieve mental or emotional conditions.
The State of California licenses Marriage and Family Therapists after extensive education, training, clinical fieldwork in addition to two rigorous exams to demonstrate professional competency.
Marriage and Family Therapists are core mental health practitioners educated and trained to help with relationship difficulties, and diagnose and treat the mental disorders and emotional problems of individuals, couples, families and groups. Marriage and family therapy is highly effective because of the “systemic” orientation that its therapists bring to treatment. In other words, they believe that an individual’s mental or emotional problems must be treated within the context of his or her current or prior relationships if the gains are to be meaningful and productive for the patient.
Competent therapists do not offer solutions or take sides. They help clients work out solutions according to individual values and lifestyles. Seeking professional assistance is a sign of courage and a willingness to deal with life’s many changes.
Distress signals where Marriage and Family Therapists can help
- Emotional stress or anxiety
- Child behavior problems
- Feelings of loneliness, isolation
- Depression
- Moodiness
- Sexual disturbances
- Unexplained fatigue
- Unusual eating patterns
- Unexplained injuries to family members
- Excessive alcohol or drug use
- Family conflict or tension
- Divorce or separationing lifestyles
- Fear, anger or guilt
- Grief or emotional pain
A Marriage and Family Therapist helps individuals, couples, families and children explore and solve problems.