How Do I Find a Therapist?

You can find a family therapist by searching the free online Web site, www.therapistlocator.net.

All therapists located through this site are Clinical Members of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and have met the AAMFT’s rigorous education and training standards.

It is recommended that you interview several family therapists to ensure compatibility. Often people ask their family physician, clergy, or friends for recommendations.

How do I Choose a Family Therapist?

It is a good idea to telephone and interview potential family therapists to find out if they satisfy your needs. Some questions to ask include:

1. Are they a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)?

Family therapists who are Clinical Members of the AAMFT meet the educational, supervision, and training standards of the Association. Licensure standards are based on the AAMFT’s Clinical Membership requirements, and the AAMFT accepts licensed MFTs for Clinical Membership in most states.

2. What is their educational and training background?

Family therapists have a doctorate or a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy or an allied discipline such as psychology, medicine/psychiatry, clinical social work, psychiatric nursing, or the ministry. If the professional’s degree is not in marriage and family therapy, you may ask about additional post-graduate training they have completed in marriage and family therapy. MFTs also receive two years of clinical experience of which half is with couples and families.

3. Do they have experience treating the kind of problem you are experiencing; for example, depression, child’s behavior, marital stress, intimacy, sexual problems, alcohol or drug abuse?

While MFTs are trained and licensed to provide the full range of mental health services, like all mental health professions, each individual therapist may vary according to expertise. When speaking to a therapist ask them about their credentials, training and experience with the problem you are facing. They should be happy to explain this to you.

 

Contact MOAMFT:

Brian Millner, Administrative Assistant

205 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 100
Jefferson City, MO 65101
573-634-8760
brianmillner@gmail.com