Marriage and family therapists are licensed mental health professionals who specialize in treating couples and families through goal-focused counseling. To become one, you’ll need a master’s degree in MFT or a related field, two years of supervised post-degree experience, and a passing score on the national licensing exam. The national median salary is $63,780, with 13% job growth projected through 2034.
If you’ve ever thought about a career where you help people navigate the most complicated relationships in their lives, marriage and family therapy might be exactly what you’re looking for. These professionals work with couples, families, and individuals on some of life’s toughest challenges: relationship conflict, substance abuse, blended family dynamics, grief, mental illness, and more.
It’s also a field with a meaningful connection to applied behavior analysis. Both approaches focus on measurable behavioral change and practical, goal-oriented strategies. For some MFTs, that overlap is a reason to pursue dual credentials in both fields. We’ll cover that path here, too.
Here’s a clear breakdown of what it takes to become a marriage and family therapist, what you can expect to earn, and how ABA fits into the picture.
What Does a Marriage and Family Therapist Do?
Marriage and family therapy is built around one core idea: you can’t fully understand a person’s behavior without understanding the relationships around them. That’s what sets MFTs apart from other mental health professionals. Where traditional therapy often focuses on the individual, MFTs look at the whole system, whether that’s a couple, a nuclear family, a blended household, or adult siblings navigating a family crisis together.
In practical terms, marriage and family therapy is typically goal-oriented, though the duration of treatment varies widely depending on client needs. According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), many cases average around 12 sessions, though some clients require longer-term care. About half of that treatment happens with the couple or family as a group; the other half occurs in one-on-one sessions.
The issues MFTs address are wide-ranging: marital distress, communication breakdowns, infidelity, adolescent behavioral challenges, substance abuse, grief, blended family dynamics, financial stress, and concerns related to gender identity and LGBTQ+ communities. Most MFTs work in private practice, community mental health centers, outpatient facilities, or drug and alcohol rehabilitation settings.
How Applied Behavior Analysis Fits In
ABA and marriage and family therapy share meaningful common ground. Both approaches can be solution-focused and behaviorally oriented, centered on practical strategies that support positive change. That overlap means some MFTs incorporate ABA-informed behavioral strategies where appropriate alongside their traditional systemic and relational approaches.
Here’s a simple example of how that plays out. Say a couple is stuck in a cycle of conflict driven by poor communication. One partner feels unheard, and the other feels overwhelmed. A therapist using behavioral strategies might introduce a structured daily check-in, free of distractions, where both partners take turns talking and listening. The goal is replacing a negative behavior pattern with a positive one, and using the reduction in conflict as the reinforcer that keeps the new behavior going.
These behavioral strategies share principles with ABA, which is part of what makes dual credentialing an appealing option for some practitioners in this field.
How to Become a Marriage and Family Therapist
Becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist involves four main steps: earning the right graduate degree, completing supervised clinical hours, passing the national licensing exam, and meeting your state’s specific requirements. Here’s what each step looks like.
Step 1: Earn a Graduate Degree
You’ll need a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy, or a master’s in a closely related field (like psychology, social work, or counseling) combined with a post-graduate certificate in MFT. The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) maintains a directory of accredited graduate programs, which is a solid starting point when evaluating your options.
Step 2: Complete Supervised Clinical Hours
After graduation, you’ll need to log a period of supervised post-degree clinical experience, typically around two years. The exact requirements vary by state, so it’s worth confirming the specifics for wherever you plan to practice. Some states also require graduates who are still completing their supervised hours to hold a provisional or associate license in the meantime.
Step 3: Pass the National Licensing Exam
Once you’ve completed your supervised hours, you’re eligible to sit for the national examination for marriage and family therapists, administered through the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB). Passing this exam meets the core licensing requirement in most states.
Step 4: Apply for State Licensure
All 50 states license marriage and family therapists, though the specific title and requirements can vary. The AAMFT maintains a state-by-state directory of MFT licensing boards, which is a useful reference for confirming what your state requires beyond the national exam.
Can MFTs Also Pursue BCBA Certification?
This is a question more marriage and family therapists are asking, and the answer is yes under current BACB requirements, though it comes with a deadline you should know about.
In 2022, the BACB removed degree-field restrictions for its Pathway 2. Before that change, candidates needed a master’s degree specifically in behavior analysis, psychology, or education. Currently, Pathway 2 allows candidates with a master’s degree in any field to pursue BCBA certification, which means your MFT degree opens the door directly without requiring an additional graduate degree.
To pursue BCBA certification as an MFT, you’d need to complete 315 hours of graduate-level behavior-analytic coursework at a program with a registered BACB Pathway 2 contact, log either 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork or 1,500 concentrated hours, and pass the BCBA exam. It’s a significant commitment, but it positions you at the intersection of behavioral health and applied behavior analysis, an increasingly valued combination in clinical practice. Professionals pursuing this path must also practice within the scope of each license and comply with applicable state regulations.
The key deadline to know: Pathway 2 closes permanently on January 1, 2032. After that date, BCBA eligibility will require a degree from an accredited behavior analysis program. Candidates should plan accordingly. For a full breakdown of current requirements, visit the BACB’s official certification resources.
Marriage and Family Therapist Salary and Job Outlook
The compensation picture for MFTs is solid and improving. According to May 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median annual salary for marriage and family therapists was $63,780. Entry-level and early-career professionals (10th percentile) earned around $42,610, while top earners (90th percentile) brought in $111,610 or more.
Here’s how the full wage distribution breaks down:
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $42,610 |
| 25th | $48,600 |
| 50th (Median) | $63,780 |
| 75th | $85,020 |
| 90th | $111,610 |
The job outlook is equally encouraging. The BLS projects 13% employment growth for marriage and family therapists from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. That growth translates to roughly 7,700 job openings per year, driven by both new positions and the need to replace workers who leave the field. As with most behavioral health careers, geography and practice setting play a significant role in where your earnings land within that range.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a marriage and family therapist?
Most people complete the process in four to six years. That includes two to three years for a master’s degree, followed by roughly two years of supervised post-degree clinical experience. State licensing requirements can affect the timeline, so it’s worth researching what your specific state requires before you start a program.
Do all states require the same license for MFTs?
All 50 states license marriage and family therapists, but the specific title, exam requirements, and supervised experience hours can vary. Some states use the title “Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist” (LMFT), while others use different designations. The AAMFT’s state licensing board directory is the best place to confirm what applies where you plan to practice.
Is a COAMFTE-accredited program required?
Graduating from a COAMFTE-accredited program isn’t always legally required for licensure, but it’s strongly recommended. Accredited programs meet established standards for clinical training, and some state boards give preference to graduates of accredited programs. It’s a safer path than choosing a non-accredited program.
What’s the difference between an MFT and a licensed professional counselor?
Both are licensed mental health professionals, but MFTs specialize in relational and systemic therapy, treating the couple or family unit rather than just the individual. Licensed professional counselors (LPCs) typically work with individuals on a broader range of mental health concerns. The training focus and clinical approach are meaningfully different, though there’s some overlap in practice.
Can marriage and family therapists also become BCBAs?
Yes, under current BACB requirements. Since the BACB opened Pathway 2 to any-field master’s degrees in 2022, MFTs can pursue BCBA certification without earning an additional degree. You’d still need to complete 315 hours of graduate-level ABA coursework and 1,500 to 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork. Pathway 2 closes on January 1, 2032, so planning ahead matters.
Key Takeaways
- MFTs treat couples and families through goal-focused counseling that addresses relationship conflict, mental health challenges, substance abuse, and family system dynamics.
- Becoming an MFT takes four to six years, including a master’s degree and roughly two years of supervised post-degree clinical experience.
- All 50 states license MFTs, but titles and specific requirements vary. Always confirm what your state requires through the AAMFT’s licensing board directory.
- The national median salary is $63,780, with top earners bringing in over $111,000 annually (BLS, May 2024).
- Job growth is projected at 13% through 2034, generating roughly 7,700 openings per year, much faster than average.
- MFTs can currently pursue BCBA certification through BACB Pathway 2, but this pathway closes permanently on January 1, 2032.
Ready to take the next step? Explore ABA and counseling programs that can help you build the credentials you need for a career in this field.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Marriage and Family Therapists reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed February 2026.