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Licensure Requirements
Professional counselors including those with expertise in marriage, couples, and family counseling comply with relevant standards for their practice. Guidelines for professional preparation for these counselors are established by accrediting bodies like the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). These guidelines relate to specific knowledge, practice, and skill areas for their professional practice. Accreditation standards and guidelines developed by such bodies, in turn, become the foundation for professional licensure. Additionally, counselors also seek professional credentials and practice in a variety of settings in marriage, couples, and family counseling practice. This paper discusses the professional preparation, credentials, and scope of practice of counselors in marriage, couples, and family counseling.
Scope of Practice of a Counselor
The scope of practice of professional counselors with expertise with marriage, couples, and family counseling refers to the type of services they can provide in specific settings. According to Thomas (2019), professional counselors with expertise on these issues are permitted to practice as licensed professional counselors (LPCs). As LPCs, these professionals provide services in subspecialties of marriage, couple, and family counseling. The various services provided by these professionals in specific settings depend on state licensure laws since there are no national licensure laws for their practice in the United States.
Role of Professional Organizations in Professional Practice Pursuits
As previously indicated, professional organizations play a critical role in establishing guidelines for knowledge, skill, and practice areas. An example of such an organization is the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC), which has established the most thorough training standards for marriage and family counseling (IAMFC, 2018). These organizations can support professional practice pursuits by establishing the standards of practice, which in turn shape the scope of practice. In addition, the organizations provide support in professional practice pursuits ranging from listings on counseling resources and benefits, job opportunities, publications, and credentialing. Information provided by these organizations helps keep practitioners informed regarding trends in professional and counseling practice in marriage, couples, and family...
States have established their own licensure requirements that serve as guidelines for professional practice in their respective jurisdiction. In California, licensure requirements for these professionals fall under the Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 2021). Professional counselors in this field need to possess at least a Bachelors degree in this discipline, must pass the state law and ethics exam, and at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical practice experience.
Licensure Process/Procedure
The licensing requirements and process/procedure for counselors with expertise in marriage, couples, and family counseling vary across the state. The variation is attributable to the fact that states established their own laws for professional practice for these individuals. In the State of California, these professionals are licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. To obtain licensing, the individual must complete a graduate degree in marriage and family therapy. The graduate program should incorporate at least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours. Additionally, the program must address various issues relating to marriage and family therapy including human sexuality, psychopathology, socioeconomic status, case management and systems of care, cultural competency, resilience, and lifespan development issues. The program should also address substance abuse, professional ethics, and life events affecting relationships.…
References
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. (2021). California State Resources. Retrieved May 13, 2021, from https://www.aamft.org/Advocacy/State_Resources/California.aspx
IAMFC. (2018). International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors. Retrieved May 13, 2021, from https://www.iamfconline.org/public/-3.cfm
MFT License. (n.d.). MFT license requirements in California. Retrieved May 13, 2021, from https://www.mft-license.com/states/california-mft-license/
Thomas, F.N. (2019). Training counselors in couple and family therapy. In Encyclopedia of couple and family therapy. Switzerland: Springer.
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