When couples go through a crisis in their relationship, one or both partners often consult a close friend or a family member first. However well-meaning, the advice the friend gives is seldom objective and can make a volatile situation even worse. When someone you know seeks relationship advice, tell them that this is a job for a professionally trained couple’s counselor.
If you’re considering counseling careers and relationship therapy interests you, you may want to become a couple’s therapist, also known as a marriage counselor. Couple’s counseling can be a fulfilling job for the right person. Understand that jobs in couple’s counseling often involves painful issues like betrayal, jealousy, money issues, anger, frustration and unmet expectations. A good couple’s counselor uses empathy, trust, and the skills learned in education and training to resolve relationship issues effectively. This type of counseling can be intense and draining, so therapists in this field need to be able to monitor their own stress levels. Use these tips to prepare for a career in couple’s therapy.
Education and Training
Many couple’s counselors start with an undergraduate degree in psychology, social science or sociology before obtaining an MA, MS or MSW in mental health counseling. There are also programs that offer an MA in Marriage and Family Counseling, usually a two-year program. Online programs are available that offer this degree. Typically, a two-year post-graduate clinical training period will also be required before a couple’s counselor takes the licensing exam.
Communication strategies play a large role in couple’s counseling. Counselors usually meet with both partners. Often, the two partners are used to talking at each other or responding defensively. Marriage therapists utilize various methods to give the couple the skills they need to effectively communicate their needs, desires and wishes to each other. Once each partner actually hears and acknowledges the other’s views, resolving problems in the relationship has a better chance of success.
Couple’s Counseling License
States have their own licensing requirements for marriage or couple’s therapists, including a nationally recognized Marriage and Family Therapy exam. Many states also require couple’s counselors to renew their licenses annually. This can be accomplished by taking additional courses or workshops, or attending professional conferences.
Job Prospects and Salary
More people are aware of the benefits of couple’s counseling, so the job outlook for this career is positive, with an anticipated increase in the number of available positions. Marriage therapists can expect to start at $30,000; the average salary for a marriage and family counselor is almost $50,000.
Some couple’s therapists treat same-sex clients, as well as heterosexual clients. Couple’s counselors with a doctorate in family therapy can go into teaching, administration, research or consulting.
Nearly half of all the marriages in the United States will end in divorce. In some cases, couple’s counseling can keep a marriage or relationship intact—and make it healthier and happier. However, even if the couple decides to end their relationship, the right therapy can make the process less divisive and give the partners a greater understanding of their roles in the dynamic. Now that you know how to become a relationship counselor, you can decide if this is the right career for you.