Marriage and Family Therapy or Clinical Mental Health Counseling?

Marriage and Family Therapy or Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Explore Similarities and Differences

What's the difference between Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Mental Health Counselors? Learn how the training, licensure, and roles are unique to each program.

Practice Counseling Session

There are many similarities between marriage and family therapists and clinical mental health counselors -- so many, in fact, that the Bureau of Labor Statistics groups the two together. Both are master's level mental health professionals, both are qualified to diagnose and treat mental conditions, and both are trained to work with individuals, couples, groups, and families.

However, marriage and family therapy (MFT) and mental health counseling (CMHC) are two different professions.

Although each profession has different educational and licensure requirements, they share expectations of academic rigor, advanced clinical skills, and the willingness for personal vulnerability and growth.

Educational Paths

The Similarities between Marriage and Family Therapy and Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The Differences between Marriage and Family Therapy and Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Licensure Paths

The Similarities between Marriage and Family Therapy and Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The Differences between Marriage and Family Therapy and Clinical Mental Health Counseling