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raegan
Student
Antwerp, Ohio
3
Questions
Updated
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As a marriage and family therapist, does it take a lot of mental stability? Also, how much are you home?
As someone who is ver courious and is doing a project for my sophomore year, I feel like this would be very helpful.
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1 answer
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
962
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Raegan, it's a really good question, and it's fantastic that you're looking at fulfilling professions like marriage and family therapy (MFT) at such a young age!
Indeed, having a strong sense of mental and emotional stability is necessary to work as a marriage and family therapist. Working with couples and families that frequently experience severe and occasionally agonizing circumstances, such as divorce, bereavement, trauma, or significant marital conflict, will be your responsibility. Maintaining mental stability enables you to remain grounded, listen intently, provide direction, and avoid taking other people's suffering home with you. However, therapists are also people. Many MFTs go to treatment themselves, practice self-care, and have strong support systems to help handle the emotional toll of the job. Being self-aware and taking care of your mental health so that you can take care of others is more important than being flawless.
The type of work you do can have a significant impact on how much time you spend at home. Numerous MFTs operate in private practice, which provides a great deal of freedom. You can decide to spend more time at home and see clients only a few days a week or during specific hours if you manage your own calendar. Others may work full-time, more organized hours in agencies, clinics, or hospitals. Thanks to telehealth, which enables you to work from home and yet have virtual meetings with clients, there are now chances for therapists to work remotely.
Yes, it's a demanding work that requires a lot of emotional energy, but it can also be very flexible and fulfilling. Additionally, the fact that you are already posing such questions demonstrates that you possess the kind of inquisitiveness and consideration that this line of work requires. Continue your exploration!
Best wishes!
Indeed, having a strong sense of mental and emotional stability is necessary to work as a marriage and family therapist. Working with couples and families that frequently experience severe and occasionally agonizing circumstances, such as divorce, bereavement, trauma, or significant marital conflict, will be your responsibility. Maintaining mental stability enables you to remain grounded, listen intently, provide direction, and avoid taking other people's suffering home with you. However, therapists are also people. Many MFTs go to treatment themselves, practice self-care, and have strong support systems to help handle the emotional toll of the job. Being self-aware and taking care of your mental health so that you can take care of others is more important than being flawless.
The type of work you do can have a significant impact on how much time you spend at home. Numerous MFTs operate in private practice, which provides a great deal of freedom. You can decide to spend more time at home and see clients only a few days a week or during specific hours if you manage your own calendar. Others may work full-time, more organized hours in agencies, clinics, or hospitals. Thanks to telehealth, which enables you to work from home and yet have virtual meetings with clients, there are now chances for therapists to work remotely.
Yes, it's a demanding work that requires a lot of emotional energy, but it can also be very flexible and fulfilling. Additionally, the fact that you are already posing such questions demonstrates that you possess the kind of inquisitiveness and consideration that this line of work requires. Continue your exploration!
Best wishes!