COAMFTE-Accredited, Part-Time Intensive Program

Intensive training for clinicians in the theory and practice of family therapy. Clinical cases provided. Leading to MFT state licensure requirements for knowledge base and supervision, and possibly, AAMFT clinical membership. Trainees who meet specific designated criteria described in this brochure are eligible for an intensive program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).

Using one-way mirror, videotape, audiotape, and/or case discussion supervision on a required 500 hours of clinical work with families and/or couples, this program’s goals include concentration on the following: 1) family therapy skills; 2) specialized skills with families presenting with a diverse range of adolescent or child-focused problems; 3) family therapy skills with adults; and 4) mastery of knowledge base required for marital and family therapists. Four courses, which are grouped according to the Commission on Accreditation’s required areas of study, are offered: Area I: Theoretical and Historical Development of Family Therapy, Part I and Part II; Area II: Ecosystemic Structural Family Therapy; Developmental and Clinical Issues. Self-study projects are also utilized to remediate knowledge deficiencies.

Trainees, organized in groups of six, meet with a supervisor and receive one-way mirror and/or videotape individual and group supervision. In the first year, Intensive trainees meet for an eight-hour day group once a week for 20 weeks, October to April. In the second year, for a minimum of 12 months of the program, trainees receive weekly two hours of individual audiotape/videotape and/or case discussion supervision covering five off-site client contact hours and five on-site client contact hours. The program involves eight hours weekly for a minimum of 24 continuous months and continues, if necessary, until the 500 hours of required client contact and other program requirements are met. On average, program completion is 3 years. However, the program duration is a minimum of two years and a maximum of seven years. Of the 500 required client hours, a minimum of 250 hours must be completed on-site at our training locations in Philadelphia or Central New Jersey. The other 250 hours may be completed at the trainee’s agency with supervision of these hours conducted by our supervisors if the agency site meets COA standards. A certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the program.

A master’s, doctoral, or medical degree in a field appropriate to clinical work with families and/or couples is required. The degree must be awarded by a regionally-recognized institution. Applicants must have completed at least four of the required AAMFT standard curriculum courses during their graduate programs. Exceptions to this requirement may be made based on the application interview and faculty review. If such an exception is made, the trainee will be required to complete a minimum of four AAMFT standard curriculum self-studies within the program before program graduation.