Marriage and Family Therapist Resume Guide

Marriage and family therapists help couples, families, and individuals work through their challenges. They provide counseling sessions to address a variety of issues such as communication problems, mental health concerns, parenting difficulties, substance abuse problems or relationship conflicts. Therapists use evidence-based techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to assist clients in achieving positive outcomes.

Your expertise in marriage and family therapy has been honed over years of study and practice. To gain the attention of potential employers, you must write a resume that accurately reflects your knowledge and experience.

This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.

The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.

Full Resume Example Summary Experience Skills Education Certifications Contact Info Cover Letter Templates

Marriage and Family Therapist Resume Sample

Betty Feil
Marriage and Family Therapist

[email protected]
693-938-0388
linkedin.com/in/betty-feil

Summary

Proficient Marriage & Family Therapist with 10+ years of experience providing individual, couples and family counseling services. Adept at helping clients overcome difficult personal issues to foster healthier relationships. Dedicated to creating a safe environment for open communication between individuals and families while promoting positive change through evidenced-based therapeutic techniques. Seeking to join ABC Therapy Center as an MFT where I can continue my work in the field.

Experience

Marriage and Family Therapist, Employer A
Charleston, Jan 2018 – Present

Monitored progress and outcomes of over 500 marriage and family therapy clients, providing individualized treatment plans to address their needs.
Confidently diagnosed mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse and PTSD in couples or families; reduced the average time spent in treatment by 8 weeks per client.
Formulated evidence-based assessments based on clinical interviews with clients while utilizing psychometric testing methods to measure patient progress throughout sessions.
Expedited timely communication between patients/families and medical professionals involved in cases to ensure continuity of care; improved response times from 72 hours to 24 hours for urgent referrals over 6 months period.
Participated actively in weekly team meetings with a multi-disciplinary group of therapists, psychiatrists & social workers to discuss challenging cases; increased successful resolutions among difficult scenarios by 15%.

Marriage and Family Therapist, Employer B
Enterprise, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017

Educated over 250 couples, families and individuals on the principles of marriage & family therapy; led weekly group counseling sessions to help with communication and conflict resolution.
Streamlined paperwork processes by utilizing an online system to document patient notes, track progress over time and generate timely reports for insurance companies; improved overall administrative efficiency by 25%.
Counseled clients in individual psychotherapy settings using cognitive-behavioral techniques while helping them cope with personal issues such as depression, anxiety & substance abuse disorder(s); enabled 90+ patients to make positive life changes within 6 months of treatment.
Independently evaluated client needs via clinical assessments before creating personalized care plans tailored to their unique circumstances; successfully managed 60 cases simultaneously resulting in a satisfaction rating of 95%.
Documented detailed case histories through biopsychosocial evaluations which provided insight into each patient’s mental health condition; identified key factors that impacted recovery process for 70+ clients thus allowing for better long-term outcomes.

Skills

Family Therapy
Psychotherapy
Mental Health
Mental Health Counseling
Group Therapy
Adolescents
Psychology
Life Transitions
Counseling Psychology

Education

Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

Certifications

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
American Association
May 2017

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All Examples

1. Summary / Objective

Your resume summary or objective should be a brief, yet powerful statement that highlights your qualifications as a marriage and family therapist. Include any relevant certifications you have obtained, such as the MFT license or CFT certification. You can also mention how many years of experience you have in this field, along with any specializations (e.g., couples counseling). Finally, make sure to emphasize your passion for helping people through difficult times and creating healthier relationships between families.

Below are some resume summary examples:

Enthusiastic Marriage and Family Therapist with 8+ years of experience providing therapy to couples, families and individuals. Skilled in helping clients overcome mental-health issues such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse. At XYZ Clinic, successfully managed over 500 patient cases while maintaining a 98% success rate for client satisfaction. Proven ability to help clients identify their goals and develop strategies to achieve them through evidence-based interventions.

Detail-oriented Marriage and Family Therapist with 8+ years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families navigate difficult life transitions. Skilled in counseling techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Seeking to use my expertise at ABC Counseling Center to provide guidance in areas including relationship issues, anxiety management, family conflict resolution, grief counseling, anger management support.

Professional Marriage and Family Therapist with 10+ years of experience providing individual, couple, family and group therapy. Skilled in helping clients work through a range of issues including addiction recovery, divorce mediation and domestic violence. Experienced in using evidence-based practice to create tailored treatment plans for each client’s unique situation. Dedicated to building strong therapeutic relationships that lead to lasting positive changes.

Passionate marriage and family therapist with 8+ years of experience helping couples, families, and individuals navigate challenging life events. Committed to providing a safe space for clients to discuss their feelings in an open manner. Experienced in working with diverse populations from various backgrounds. At XYZ Counseling Services, improved client satisfaction ratings by 17%. Seeking the opportunity to join ABC Practice as a marriage & family therapist.

Reliable and empathetic Marriage and Family Therapist with over 6 years of experience in counseling individuals, couples, and families. Skilled at helping people to resolve a wide range of personal problems such as depression, anxiety, addiction issues etc. Recognized for the ability to build trust and rapport quickly while maintaining confidentiality. At XYZ Clinic successfully provided therapy services to more than 150 clients.

Committed Marriage and Family Therapist with 10+ years of experience counseling couples, families, and individuals in a variety of settings. Certified by the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT) to provide evidence-based treatments. Seeking to apply my knowledge and skillset at ABC Counseling Center where I can help clients work through their issues using effective communication techniques.

Amicable and patient marriage and family therapist with 8+ years of experience helping couples, families, and individuals resolve conflicts. Adept at developing treatment plans tailored to individual needs while providing a safe space for clients to express themselves openly. Aiming to join ABC Counseling Services in order to expand my clinical skillset and provide top-level counseling services.

Diligent and compassionate Marriage and Family Therapist with 8+ years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families work through conflicts. Expertise in providing counseling services to a wide range of clients suffering from anxiety, depression, relationship issues and addiction. Recognized for creating an environment where clients feel comfortable expressing their feelings safely.

2. Experience / Employment

For the experience section, you should list your employment history in reverse chronological order. This means that the most recent job is listed first.

When writing about what you did, it’s best to stick to bullet points; this makes it easier for the reader to take in all of the information quickly. When stating what you accomplished, provide as much detail as possible and include quantifiable results if applicable.

For example, instead of saying “Provided therapy services,” you could say, “Counseled individuals and couples on a variety of issues related to marriage and family dynamics using evidence-based techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), resulting in improved relationships with an 85% success rate.”

To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:

Assessed
Diagnosed
Counseled
Facilitated
Mediated
Evaluated
Collaborated
Supported
Listened
Advocated
Educated
Referred
Documented
Monitored
Researched

Other general verbs you can use are:

Achieved
Advised
Compiled
Coordinated
Demonstrated
Developed
Expedited
Formulated
Improved
Introduced
Mentored
Optimized
Participated
Prepared
Presented
Reduced
Reorganized
Represented
Revised
Spearheaded
Streamlined
Structured
Utilized

Below are some example bullet points:

Facilitated individual, couple, and family therapy sessions for over 200 clients per month; reduced distressed behavior in 85% of cases.
Developed highly effective counseling strategies based on client needs that resulted in a 75% success rate within the first two months of treatment.
Reliably referred clients to additional resources such as support groups or professional associations when necessary; increased customer satisfaction by 38%.
Represented the practice at various mental health conferences, seminars and workshops across five states; generated new business opportunities worth $45,000 annually.
Referred vulnerable patients to local crisis centers following intense psychological trauma with an average response time of 3 minutes per case resolution.

Revised existing therapy programs for over 100 clients; successfully decreased the duration of treatment sessions by 25% and improved patient outcomes.
Utilized a variety of evidence-based interventions, including psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, family systems and solution-focused therapies to assess needs and develop customized treatment plans.
Presented group workshops on topics such as communication skills & relationship building strategies that resulted in increased attendance rates by 50%.
Efficiently managed caseloads comprised of individuals from diverse backgrounds who presented with complex mental health issues; helped 80+ patients recover from depression within 6 months through regular counseling sessions.
Prepared detailed progress reports after each session documenting client assessment results, goal setting activities and therapeutic interventions employed; reviewed data quarterly with supervisor to monitor overall effectiveness of program delivery methods.

Reduced family conflict by 50% through the use of evidence-based therapeutic techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy and family systems theory.
Reorganized client’s time management strategies to improve their work/life balance; enabled a 40% increase in productivity over three months.
Structured weekly counseling sessions with couples and families to effectively discuss issues related to communication, parenting skills and relationship dynamics; achieved positive outcomes in 85% of cases.
Actively listened to clients’ concerns, validated their feelings & provided culturally sensitive advice for individuals from various backgrounds; grew caseload by 30%.
Advocated for patient rights & interests within an ethical framework established by the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT).

Improved family relationships and marriage satisfaction by 20% through the application of evidence-based therapy techniques.
Thoroughly assessed clients’ family dynamics, identified areas of conflict and developed targeted treatment plans to address their individual needs.
Compiled in-depth case notes detailing multiple perspectives on each client’s issues; analyzed patterns between communication, behavior and goals for successful outcome evaluation & progress tracking.
Achieved a 90% success rate in restoring marital harmony among couples suffering from infidelity, financial stress or divorce fears after 8+ months of therapeutic intervention sessions with 94 families over 2 years.
Coordinated weekly group meetings with up to 10 participants for collaborative problem solving activities around common relationship themes such as trust building, effective communication & parenting skills development.

Substantially reduced clients’ anxiety and stress levels by 60% on average through a combination of psychotherapy, individual counseling sessions and family therapy.
Spearheaded the development of an innovative therapeutic program to address issues related to marriage conflict resolution; improved communication between couples in 100+ cases over 6 months.
Assessed mental health needs of patients using clinical interviews and psychological tests, then developed treatment plans tailored for each individual’s unique needs.
Diagnosed various emotional disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD and schizophrenia in 300+ cases per year with accuracy rate exceeding 90%.
Evaluated effectiveness of treatments used throughout patient care process; successfully decreased symptoms across 80% of all treated cases within 8-12 weeks time frame.

Optimized treatment plans for over 100 families, resulting in a 53% decrease in stress levels and improved family dynamics.
Introduced innovative therapeutic methods to effectively address complex issues such as addiction, depression, interpersonal conflicts and childhood trauma in sessions with individuals and couples.
Meticulously maintained updated client records of symptoms, diagnoses/treatment plans & progress reports; ensured compliance with HIPAA regulations at all times.
Advised clients on developing realistic goals that could be achieved through counseling; enabled them to gain better insight into their circumstances & improve self-awareness levels by 25%.
Mediated heated disputes between spouses or family members during marriage counseling sessions; resolved long-standing conflicts within an average time period of 4 weeks per case file.

Collaborated with a team of psychiatrists and social workers to provide guidance for over 300 families, successfully safeguarding the welfare of children in crisis.
Listened compassionately to clients’ concerns during weekly sessions and provided emotional support; reduced anxiety levels amongst members by 30%.
Demonstrated strong communication skills when facilitating group therapy sessions with up to 10 participants at a time; increased overall attendance rate by 20%.
Supported family members through periods of transition, utilizing effective problem-solving strategies that enabled them to resolve conflicts peacefully within an average timeframe of 4 weeks per case.
Resourcefully identified potential resources such as job opportunities or financial aid programs in order to help clients improve their quality of life; aided 40+ families with gaining access to needed services & funding sources since launch date 2 years ago.

3. Skills

Two organizations that have advertised for a position with the same title may be searching for individuals whose skills are quite different. For instance, one may be looking for a marriage and family therapist with experience in cognitive-behavioral therapy, while the other might require knowledge of psychodynamic approaches.

It is essential to tailor your skills section to each job you are applying for; this way, applicant tracking systems can recognize that you meet their specific criteria. The most important skills should also be discussed further in other sections such as the summary or experience area.

Some of the key qualifications employers look for include excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, an understanding of various therapeutic techniques (e.g., CBT), familiarity with relevant legislation/regulations, strong organizational capabilities, problem-solving aptitude etc.

Below is a list of common skills & terms:

Addiction Recovery
Adolescent Therapy
Adolescents
Adults
Anger Management
Behavioral Health
CBT
Case Management
Chemical Dependency
Child Development
Clinical Research
Clinical Supervision
Coaching
Counseling Psychology
Couples Counseling
Crisis Intervention
DBT
Dual Diagnosis
EMDR
Family Therapy
Fundraising
Grief Counseling
Group Therapy
Individual Counselling
Interventions
Leadership Development
Life Transitions
Mental Health
Mental Health Counseling
Mindfulness
Motivational Interviewing
Nonprofits
Play Therapy
Post Traumatic Stress
Program Development
Psychology
Psychotherapy
Self Esteem
Social Services
Stress
Stress Management
Teaching
Therapists
Trauma Therapy
Treatment
Treatment of Depression
Working With Adolescents
Young Adults

4. Education

Adding an education section on your resume is essential if you are applying for a marriage and family therapist position. Your education should be listed below your resume objective, including the name of the degree or certification earned, school attended, and any other relevant courses or accomplishments.

If applicable, try to mention specific classes taken related to therapy such as psychology courses or counseling-related topics. This will demonstrate that you have a strong understanding of the field and can hit the ground running in this role.

Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

5. Certifications

Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your expertise in a certain field or skill. They show potential employers that you have been tested and certified by an authoritative body, giving them confidence that you are proficient in the area they’re looking for.

Including certifications on your resume is especially important if the job advert emphasizes specific skills or qualifications. This will help make sure you stand out from other applicants who may not be as qualified as you are.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
American Association
May 2017

6. Contact Info

Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.

You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.

Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Betty Feil, this would be Betty-Feil-resume.pdf or Betty-Feil-resume.docx.

7. Cover Letter

Writing a cover letter is an important step in the job application process. It is a formal document that contains 2 to 4 paragraphs and provides additional information about your skills, experience and qualifications which are not included in your resume.

Having a cover letter can be beneficial for both you as well as the hiring manager. It gives them more insight into who you are professionally and allows you to explain why you would make an ideal candidate for the position they’re looking to fill.

Below is an example cover letter:

Dear Noemie,

I am writing to apply for the Marriage and Family Therapist position at your counseling center. With a Master’s degree in Psychology and three years of experience working as a therapist, I have the skills and knowledge needed to provide comprehensive care to couples and families experiencing relationship difficulties.

In my current role, I provide individual, couple, and family therapy services to clients experiencing a range of issues such as communication problems, infidelity, divorce, blended family dynamics, and grief. I create individualized treatment plans that address each client’s unique needs and goals. I also conduct assessments to determine if clients would benefit from additional services such as referrals to community resources or medication management.

My experience has taught me how important it is to build trusting relationships with clients based on mutual respect. I am patient, compassionate, and non-judgmental when working with clients from all backgrounds. My ability to establish rapport quickly has helped many clients feel comfortable opening up about sensitive topics during sessions.

I am confident that I can be an asset to your team by providing high-quality marriage and family therapy services that help couples and families improve their relationships. Thank you for your time; please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like clarification on anything in my application materials.

Sincerely,

Betty