Professional Outcomes
The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy describes marriage and family therapists as mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy and family systems, and licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples and family systems.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for marriage and family therapists in 2024 was $63,780 with the highest 10 percent earning more than $111,610. Employment of marriage and family therapists is expected to grow 13% over the next decade, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Licensure
Baylor University’s Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy program is designed to meet the academic and clinical requirements for licensure as a marriage and family therapist in Texas. The program includes coursework and supervised clinical experiences aligned with the standards set by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council and the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Students intending to practice outside of Texas should consult the licensing board in the state where they plan to seek licensure to ensure the program meets that state’s requirements and consult with the MFT Program Director about opportunities to fulfill specific state licensure requirements.
MFT vs. LPC vs. LCSW
There are multiple pathways for students who feel called into the mental health profession, including marriage and family therapists (MFT), licensed professional counselors (LPC), and licensed clinical social workers (LCSW). A few key distinctions between the MFT and other pathways include:
Theoretical Focus
Each mental health field is unique and complimentary to one another in its approach to clinical work; however, Marriage and Family Therapy is grounded in a relational view of human experience, recognizing that emotions, behaviors, and distress are shaped within families, relationships, and broader social contexts.. LPC and LCSW programs more often emphasize individual development, psychopathology, vocational development, and intrapersonal change.
Clinical Lens
Marriage and Family Therapists facilitate change by working directly within relationships and family systems, helping clients understand and shift interactional patterns, strengthen attachment, and improve communication. Rather than focusing only on the individual, MFTs intervene in the relational processes that maintain distress, allowing change in one part of the system to create healing throughout the whole. Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) focus primarily on individual psychotherapy, supporting clients with emotional regulation, personal growth, trauma recovery, and symptom reduction. Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) bring a strong systems and advocacy perspective, helping clients navigate social, cultural, and resource-based challenges. Together, these professions offer complementary approaches to mental health care.
Training and Supervision
MFT training requires extensive relational hours (working with couples and families) under systemically trained supervisors and COAMFTE accreditation requires at least 100 of the 300 required direct client contact hours be with relational systems. LPC programs usually require similar clinical hours but not necessarily with relational systems, and LCSWs must complete supervised practice emphasizing case management and psychosocial assessment.
Educational Roots
MFT degrees stem from family therapy and psychology traditions, emphasizing cybernetics, interactional dynamics and family systems theory. LCSWs come from social work traditions, with a strong focus on social justice, advocacy, and resource navigation. LPCs often come from education or counseling psychology backgrounds, emphasizing developmental and cognitive-behavioral frameworks.
Professional Roles & Settings
MFTs often work in couple and family clinics, private practices, or healthcare systems focusing on relational health. LPCs work broadly in mental health centers, schools, or private practice addressing individual concerns. LCSWs may work in hospitals, community agencies, or policy settings, often integrating therapy with case coordination.