The Arizona Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Supporting Arizona’s Marriage and Family Therapists
Caring for Arizona’s Families
A Division of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• What is Marriage and Family Therapy?

Marriage and family therapy is based on the scientific findings that individuals and their problems are best seen in context, and that the most important context is the family.  Trained in psychotherapy and family systems, Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT's) focus on understanding their client's symptoms and the interaction patterns with family and friends that may contribute to the problem.  MFT's will typically ask questions about roles, patterns, rules, goals, beliefs, and stages of development.  The MFT then works with the individual, couple and/or  family to change interaction patterns so that the problem can be resolved.

1.8 Million People Seen by Marriage and Family Therapists At any given time, MFT's treat over 1.8 million people.  Included are... -- 250,000 to 360,000 Couples -- 130,000 to 190,000 Families -- 545,000 to 710,000 Individuals                                   Doherty & Simmons (1996)

• Do I need a Marriage and Family Therapist?

Although all individuals, couples and families experience some problems, it is not easy to identify which problems require the assistance of a marriage and family therapist. All of us traverse a series of normal and expected developmental stages, each posing challenges and possible pitfalls. For example, as children move from childhood to adolescence, or adults move from productive employment into retirement, the family may need special support to make necessary changes and adjustments.

Many individuals, couples, and families have unique needs and face difficult problems, such as school failure, a rebellious teenager, or alcoholism and/or substance abuse. In addition, most individuals, couples, and families also face unexpected problems and crises, such as death in the family, a divorce, a sudden illness, or unemployment. These and other problems often require professional services such as those provided by qualified marriage and family therapists.

Distress Signals

Symptoms of marital and family distress arise as individuals, couples, and families experience normal developmental stages, face special needs and problems, or confront unexpected crises. These symptoms are not always obvious, even to the trained observer. Some signals to look for are:

• Feelings of marital and family dissatisfaction.
• Frequent references to a child's behavior, school adjustment, or underachievement.
• Sexual problems or concerns.
• Complaints of "unexplainable" fatigue.
• Emotional distress when talking about one's fiancée, spouse, children, parents, other family members, friends, or co-workers.
• References to feelings of loneliness, isolation, moodiness, and depression.
• Unexplained physical injuries to spouse or children.
• Repeated requests for tranquilizers, energizers, or sleeping aids.
• Repeated illnesses or non-compliance with treatment regime.
• Excessive abuse of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Repeated financial difficulties.
• Inability to set or attain goals.
• Drastic weight fluctuations and/or irregular eating patterns.
• Repeated employment difficulties, frequent job changes, difficulty with coworkers.

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For the answers to questions such as those listed below, click here to download a copy of A Consumer's Guide To Marriage and Family Therapy or here to download a copy of Consumer Update: Marriage and Family Therapists: The Family-Friendly Mental Health Professionals.  Both documents are produced by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.  (NOTE: The Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to download these documents.  Click here to download a free copy of Acrobat Reader.)

• What distinguishes a Marriage and Family Therapist from other mental health professionals?
• Do I have to be married to go to a Marriage and Family Therapist?
• What if we're not "sick" or "crazy," but have ordinary problems like everyone else - problems I do not think are serious enough to need therapy?
• What if my spouse/whole family won't participate?
• What qualifications should I look for in a Marriage and Family Therapist?
• How do I find a Marriage and Family Therapist?
• How do I choose a Marriage and Family Therapist?
• Is the therapist a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)?
• What is the therapist's educational and training background?
• Does the therapist have experience treating the kind of problem I am experiencing, for example, marital stress, intimacy, sexual problems, depression, child's behavior, and alcohol or drug abuse?
• How much do they charge?  Are the fees negotiable?
• Are the therapist's services covered by health insurance?
• Where are Marriage and Family Therapy sessions held and what are the office hours?
• How long do sessions last?
• How often are sessions scheduled?
• What is the average length of marriage and family therapy?
• What if I or any family members are not proficient in English?
• What is the appointment cancellation policy?
• Will the therapist be available by phone in times of crisis?
• What is the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)?