When people hear “Marriage and Family Therapist” (MFT), they often assume these professionals only work with couples or families in crisis. In reality, MFTs are highly trained mental health clinicians who help individuals, couples, and families navigate a wide range of emotional, psychological, and relational challenges.
If you’re wondering whether a Marriage and Family Therapist is the right fit for your needs, here’s what you should know.
Individual Mental Health Support
MFTs don’t just work with couples and families—they regularly help individuals improve their mental health and quality of life. Common concerns treated in individual therapy include:
Anxiety disorders (e.g., social anxiety, panic attacks, generalized anxiety)
Depression and mood disorders
Grief, loss, and life transitions
Low self-esteem or self-worth
Chronic stress or burnout
Post-traumatic stress and trauma recovery
Obsessive-compulsive tendencies
Anger management
Adjustment to chronic illness or caregiving
By focusing on both the internal and relational aspects of these issues, MFTs offer a unique approach that explores how your environment, relationships, and life experiences shape your mental wellness.
Couples Counseling and Relationship Issues
This is where MFTs are most widely recognized. Whether you’re dating, engaged, married, or separated, therapists help couples build healthier, more connected relationships. Some common reasons couples seek therapy include:
Breakdowns in communication
Trust issues or infidelity
Emotional disconnection
Sexual and intimacy concerns
Recurring conflict or resentment
Life transitions (new baby, moving, career shifts)
Premarital counseling
Support during separation or divorce
MFTs provide tools and structure to help partners understand each other more deeply and make intentional, lasting changes in their relationship.
Family Therapy and Parenting Support
Family dynamics can play a big role in mental health—for both children and adults. Marriage and Family Therapists work with all types of families to strengthen bonds, improve understanding, and address challenges such as:
Parent-child conflict
Blended family adjustment
Divorce or separation
Family estrangement or cutoff
Communication struggles among family members
Support for caring for aging parents
Family therapy helps clarify roles, shift unhelpful patterns, and foster greater empathy across generations.
Child and Teen Therapy
MFTs are also trained to work with children and adolescents who may be facing developmental, emotional, or behavioral difficulties. Common areas of focus include:
Behavioral challenges at home or school
Social anxiety and peer pressure
Academic stress and school avoidance
Emotional regulation and identity development
Adjustment to parental separation, loss, or trauma
Attachment concerns
In child therapy, MFTs often work closely with caregivers to ensure consistency, support, and understanding at home.
