Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) is a specialized form of psychotherapy that focuses on helping couples and families build healthier relationships and improve how they function as a unit. It recognizes that emotional and psychological issues are often best understood and treated within the context of the family or relationship system, rather than just focusing on the individual.

What Does It Address?

Marriage and family therapy can help with a wide range of personal and relational issues, including:

  • Marital conflict or communication breakdown
  • Parent-child issues
  • Divorce or blended family challenges
  • Grief, trauma, or major life transitions
  • Mental health concerns like anxiety, depression, or substance use, especially when they affect family dynamics

Therapists are trained to view problems not in isolation, but in the context of relationships, patterns, and interactions. For example, rather than treating one partner’s anxiety as an individual issue, an MFT may explore how relationship stressors contribute to it — and how both partners can work together to improve the situation.

How Does It Work?

Marriage and family therapy typically involves:

  • Short-term, goal-focused sessions (often 12–20 sessions depending on the issue)
  • Involvement of multiple people (spouses, parents, children, or extended family)
  • Collaborative problem-solving between the therapist and the family/couple
  • Use of evidence-based techniques, such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), or Structural Family Therapy

Each session is designed to uncover and reshape unhealthy communication patterns, strengthen emotional bonds, and empower each person to express their needs in a safe, respectful space.

 Key Goals of Marriage and Family Therapy:

  • Improve communication
  • Build trust and empathy
  • Resolve conflicts in healthier ways
  • Develop stronger emotional support systems
  • Promote individual growth within the family structure

Who Provides Marriage and Family Therapy?

Marriage and family therapy is provided by Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs). These professionals are specifically trained in family systems theory, relational therapy models, and culturally sensitive care. Many also work alongside psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists as part of a broader mental health team.

Summary:

Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) is a type of therapy that helps couples and families improve communication, resolve conflict, and strengthen relationships by addressing emotional and psychological issues within the context of the family system.