What is an LMFT?
Have you ever been looking into a therapist and seen acronyms behind their names? Have you been curious about what it is/ what it means? Here I will talk about LMFT because that is what I am.
What is an LMFT?
An LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
MFTs are mental health professionals who specialize in psychotherapy and family systems. They are licensed to diagnose and treat emotional and mental disorders within the framework of marriages, couples, and family systems.
Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) approach healthcare from a holistic standpoint, focusing on the long-term well-being of individuals and their families.
In Washington State, in order for a therapist to use LMFT, They have to do the following steps:
Go to an accredited Masters level school for Marriage and Family Therapy
Have 3,000 hours of individual and relationship hours
Have 1,000 hours of supervision from an accredited supervisor.
Pass a licensed board exam.
Have 18 continue education credit hours every year
Each state has different ways of credentialling an LMFT. Or even other therapist professions; if you are curious, you can always ask your therapist what their acronym means and how they got licensed in your state.
References
Advanced Solutions International, Inc. (n.d.). About Marriage and Family Therapists. About marriage and family therapists.
