What's the Difference Between Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors?
Family therapists and mental health counselors play significant roles in helping people overcome various life challenges.
While both possess similar educational pathways and approaches to treatment, these careers take varying theoretical approaches. Below are more details differentiating mental health counselors from marriage and family therapists.
Scope of Work
Marriage and family therapists work with patients to determine how social or relationship-based influences may be affecting their family or marriage, and in turn, their mental health. They seek to mend rifts in family dynamics or a couple's relationship that may be causing emotional or psychological harm to their patients. When offering treatment, marriage and family therapists may address issues like substance abuse, addiction, infidelity, low self-esteem, anxiety, and stress. Their counseling approach differs from mental health counselors in that it is more relationship-based.Mental health counselors provide treatment to families, couples, individuals, and other groups. Some counselors work with all aspects of a population, while some specialize in specific sections like children, the elderly, or college students. Mental health counselors focus more on mental health and substance abuse issues in their patients. Some of the matters they strive to treat include suicidal impulses, depression, addiction, grief, compulsive disorders, stress and anxiety, and low self-esteem.
Practice and Licensing in the Various States
Some states do not require professional counselors to obtain a license to offer family services, provided that they do not influence people to believe that they are family and marriage counselors. Depending on the state, mental health counselors either take one or two licensing exams to practice. In contrast, marriage and family therapists only take one exam before acquiring a professional license.
Differences in Their Pay and Career Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019, mental health counselors earned an annual median wage of $46,240, while marriage and family therapists made a median of $49,610 yearly. Marriage and family therapists working in government institutions earned a median salary of $72,230 annually, while mental health counselors earned $52,720. Therapists working for individuals made a median of $45,660, while mental counselors offering family and personal services earned $46,090. Between 2010 and 2020, the number of mental health counselors increased by 36%, while the population of marriage and family therapists increased by 41%, showing a marked increase in both professions. The career outlook for therapists and counselors is also more than just a monetary value. They are both able to provide much-needed help for so many individuals seeking it. And with the advent of telemedicine, they can be more flexible than ever in providing that crucial help.
Understanding the differences between marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors can help you determine your ideal career path.