PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy vs. PhD in Clinical Psych

[Member03326588]

Does anyone know the difference between a PhD in MFT and a PhD in Clinical psych? Only heard about the former recently. Is the research more about therapy practices and outcomes as opposed to, for example, dynamics within families?

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[PerhapsMaybeOk]

MFT is master's level and a PhD is doctorate level. The former probably won't have a research component of course and is several years less schooling. The usual Masters vs. PhD things apply.

 

[IHrtHealthPsych]

MFT is master's level and a PhD is doctorate level. The former probably won't have a research component of course and is several years less schooling. The usual Masters vs. PhD things apply.

What you mean is that MFT licensure is considered master's level, while a doctorate in clinical psychology leads to psychologist licensure. If there is an MFT PhD, it probably does have a research component with schooling equivalent to any other PhD, and a PsyD would be more clinical education in MFT, but neither would lead to psychologist licensure, only MFT licensure.

OP: You will get better answers by contacting the program, I am sure. It is not as common a degree as clinical psych. I think a PhD in MFT could potentially encompass any of the things you mentioned.

 

[wigflip]

Does anyone know the difference between a PhD in MFT and a PhD in Clinical psych? Only heard about the former recently. Is the research more about therapy practices and outcomes as opposed to, for example, dynamics within families?

I know that there are a few programs that offer this option (mostly professional schools, right?), but as the posters above suggest, I can't imagine it would lead to licensure as a psychologist. Loma Linda University is offering a degree they are calling "DMFT" (doctor of MFT):
http://www.llu.edu/science-technology/cfs/require.page?

 

[wigflip]

What you mean is that MFT licensure is considered master's level, while a doctorate in clinical psychology leads to psychologist licensure. If there is an MFT PhD, it probably does have a research component with schooling equivalent to any other PhD, and a PsyD would be more clinical education in MFT, but neither would lead to psychologist licensure, only MFT licensure.

Hi IHeart,

Do you mean that the PsyD leads to MFT licensure? It actually does lead to licensure as a psychologist, and I believe that the scope of study and practice exceeds education in MFT. But maybe I read you wrong?

 

[IHrtHealthPsych]

Hi IHeart,

Do you mean that the PsyD leads to MFT licensure? It actually does lead to licensure as a psychologist, and I believe that the scope of study and practice exceeds education in MFT. But maybe I read you wrong?

I was referring to the PsyD in MFT, where it exists (it is rare). A PsyD program in MFT would not be APA accredited, would it? It's likely accredited by the AAMFT, although I'm sure there could be an exception.

 

[wigflip]

I was referring to the PsyD in MFT, where it exists (it is rare). A PsyD program in MFT would not be APA accredited, would it? It's likely accredited by the AAMFT, although I'm sure there could be an exception.

Jeez, I never even heard of that one!