What are the benefits of seeing a marriage and family therapist versus a psychologist or social worker?
Many therapists (psychologists, social workers, and marriage and family therapists, etc) have a similar goal of helping their clients reduce their presenting complaints. However, therapists’ training determines how this goal will be achieved. Marriage and family therapy tends to be brief, solution-focused, and collaborative. Client strengths and skills are emphasized and exceptions to problems are identified. Problems are not viewed in isolation, but rather they are understood in the context of family and community relationships. Marriage and family therapists recognize that the client family is the expert on their family, and this information is critical in order to understand the family dynamics. Moreover, marriage and family therapists work with their clients to establish the goals of treatment. It is important to create goals that are specific and attainable so progress can be measured. Overall, clients may prefer seeing a marriage and family therapist because treatment is based on
