MFT Attitudes About the Profession

“In the first half of 2022, AAMFT conducted an industry workforce study to examine the shifts related to COVID-19, their short- and longer-term impacts, and what challenges and opportunities are facing the field. In each issue of Family Therap-eNews, we examine a data point from this report.

Download the full report at aamft.org/workforcestudy

LMFT respondents commonly pursued the field because they agreed with the holistic approach of treating an individual in context with their personal relationship (56%) or they saw it as their calling or purpose (47%). Over a third (35%) also indicated they were drawn to the profession by a desire to make a positive social impact.

A strong majority (84%) of LMFTs reported they would be moderately or very likely to recommend marriage and family therapy as a career to a college student.

For those who indicated they would not recommend marriage and family therapy, the top reasons cited were low pay (41%), other disciplines/licenses more valued (37%), and limited scope and employment options (32%). Segmentation revealed that only 70% of agency LMFTs would recommend becoming an MFT as a career, compared to 94% of LMFTs in a school/college/university setting.”