WHY MFT AT BYU?
Dr. Lauren A. Barnes, LMFT, BYU MFT Clinical Director
(801) 422-3889 Lauren_Barnes@byu.edu
WHAT IS MARRIAGE AND
FAMILY THERAPY?
• One of 6 mental health professions:
• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Social Work
• Marriage and Family Therapy
• Psychiatric Nursing
• Mental Health/Professional Counselors
WHAT MAKES MFT UNIQUE?
• A family's patterns of behavior influences the individual and
therefore may need to be a part of the treatment plan. In
marriage and family therapy, the unit of treatment isn't just the
person - even if only a single person is interviewed - it is the
set of relationships in which the person is imbedded.
WHAT IS MFT?
• Talk therapy—psychotherapy
• Specific, with attainable therapeutic goals
• Relationally focused
• Usually short term (12 sessions on average)
• Can involve individuals, couples, or families
MFT IS EFFECTIVE
• Research indicates that marriage and family therapy
is as effective, and in some cases more effective than
standard and/or individual treatments for many
mental health problems such as: adult schizophrenia,
affective (mood) disorders, adult alcoholism and
drug abuse, children's conduct disorders,
adolescent drug abuse, anorexia in young adult
women, childhood autism, chronic physical illness in
adults and children, and marital distress and conflict.
WHY PICK MFT?
• Interest in families
• Want to work in helping professions
• Love learning about family dynamics
• Pull towards systemic thinking
• Interest in micro-level changes
• Want a focus on clinical training
• Want to learn about self/own family
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO
BECOME A LICENSED MFT?
• Graduation from a graduate MFT program
• Post degree experience (approx. 2 years)
• Supervision of therapy
• Pass the license exam
• Turn in application
• Renew licensure regularly (CEUs)
• Licensure varies by state
WHAT DO LICENSED MFT’S DO?
• Clinical work in the following settings:
• Community mental health centers
• Hospitals
• University/school settings
• Residential Treatment Centers
• Wilderness Therapy Programs
• Private Practice
WHY MFT AT BYU?
• Well established (began training MFTs in 1967)
• Well respected (graduates sought after)
• Clear path to licensure (all graduates have passed
license exam when taken)
• National Research recognition
• MS and PhD programs
• Nine experienced faculty (one of the largest faculty
in the country)
WHY MFT AT BYU?
• Stable, generous student financial assistance
• Diverse student employment opportunities
• Comprehensive Clinic
• Solid clinical training
• Exciting research opportunities
• Great preparation for PhD program
WHY MFT AT BYU?
• Training for mind and soul
• Growing diverse/international community
• Academic excellence across the board
• Mentoring/teaching opportunities
• Strong, stable financial backing in tough economic times
WHAT FACTORS ARE WEIGH
HEAVILY IN ADMISSIONS
DECISIONS?
• Letters of Recommendation
• GPA (especially last 60 credits)
• GRE scores
• Experience – (1) Research and (2) Human services, clinical
setting
• Face to face interview
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
• MS Students
• 10 hour/week assistantship
• ¼ tuition scholarship
• Other scholarships available (e.g. research, college)
• AmeriCorps Education Award Opportunity
• PhD Students
• 20 hour/week assistantship
• Full tuition scholarship
• AmeriCorps Education Award Opportunity
WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU
HAVE?
Program Secretaries: Kayla & Jacey mftptsec@byu.edu
Clinical Director: Dr. Lauren A. Barnes
Lauren_Barnes@byu.edu
Program Director: Dr. Roy A Bean
Roy_Bean@byu.edu