Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Marriage and Family Therapist
What marriage and family therapists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a marriage and family therapist?
Review notes before sessions. From there, the day usually includes assess clients and relationships, develop treatment plans, and provide couples, family and individual therapy. Many work evenings and some weekends to fit clients’ schedules.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a marriage and family therapist working full time.
- Review notes before sessions.
- Meet a couple working on communication.
- Hold a family session about a teen’s behavior.
- Consult with a psychiatrist about a shared client.
- Hold a telehealth session.
- Meet a client grieving a loss.
- Write notes and return calls.
Where marriage and family therapists work
MFTs work in private practices, clinics, hospitals, schools and via telehealth.
Hours and schedule
Many work evenings and some weekends to fit clients’ schedules.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Assess clients and relationships
- Develop treatment plans
- Provide couples, family and individual therapy
- Teach communication skills
- Address mental health and behavior issues
- Refer clients to other services
- Keep clinical records
Tools you’ll use every day
- Electronic health records
- Telehealth platforms
- Assessment tools
- Genograms
- Scheduling and billing software
- Therapy workbooks
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Faster-than-average growth
- Meaningful work
- Private practice potential
- Flexible telehealth options
What’s hard
- Long path to licensure
- Emotionally demanding
- Evening hours
- Insurance paperwork
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I want to help families and couples
- I can stay neutral in conflict
- I’m a good listener
- I’m willing to earn a master’s
- I might start a practice
- I don’t mind evening hours
Not sure? Take the free Marriage and Family Therapist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Assess for violence and suicide risk
- Follow duty-to-warn laws
- Protect confidentiality
- Seek consultation and self-care