mft and religion

[fuge530]

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Hey guys!
This is my first post. I'm still and undergrad, and, at this point in my studies, I am considering going through either a Psy.D program or a Marriage and Family Therapy program 😕. My question is regarding the practice of MFT.
I was looking through the website for the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and I did a search of LMFTs in my area and areas I would consider moving to. I noticed that the vast majority of them had M.Div degrees and practiced out of churches. Is this really the norm? Could I be successful as a LMFT without working in a religious based practice? I would be fine with incorporating spirituality into treatment if it were important to a specific individual or family, but I would not want to to be a main focus.

 

[thepsychgeek]

It's not that uncommon. It's similar to how many people (I wouldn't say most) people with MSW's or LCSW's have a M.Div as well, and why some MSW programs offer "pastoral counseling." Basically, because so many people come to their religious leaders for advice both spiritual and secular, some people want to have formal training. You don't have to incorporate religion if you don't want to. Consider it more that people in religion want to be better prepared when people come to them for help.

 

[MDtoBe1Day]

I think you will be fine... it might just be common to that particular area, but not necessarily common nationwide

 

[thepsychgeek]

I think you will be fine... it might just be common to that particular area, but not necessarily common nationwide

What do you mean? The AMFT <i>is</i> nationwide, so I don't understand what you mean by "that area but not necessarily common nationwide."

 

[MindForTherapy]

In general there are a lot of members of AAMFT that work in chruches. It is a popular degree in seminary and pastors like to have the degree to work with families and couples. The field, however, is much broader than this. It is not necessary to have spirituality be the main focus of your practice. Most agency settings that hire MFTs are not looking for M.Div's or D.Mins. Anyway, you will find the field to be quite open as far as various perspectives.

The trend that you are noticing is due in part becuase the field itself is relatively new (only 60 or so years old). Seminaries added degrees in MFT before a lot of universities and colleges did. So they generated more graduates into the field. That is changing. There are a growing number of academic programs with no religious affliation.

All the Best,
MindForTherapy
http://www.mindfortherapy.com