The future of MFTs
One thing that has been on my mind for a few years is the future of MFTs. To be honest I am concerned about it. But where does this come from and do we have data to support these fears? We don’t have the data, yet.
MFTs are the smallest of the mental health professionals but through years of advocacy we have gain rights as a professional and in most states are treated as equals. In society, depending on where you live that may not be the case. Where I lived, as an MA student I was told some pretty terrible things “You’re not clinical enough to work with us.” “Go find somewhere to work with couples.” I was turned down every where. I finally found a great placement site and ended up working there through most of my associates experience too. Though when I left that told me they would never hire another MFT. It’s really because I had a higher sense of ethics than they did and opened my mouth when I seen an injustice. But whatever, we were not on the same level then and are not now. I can hold my head up with pride that I did what was right- ethically- and would not put profits over client care. If that leaves a bad taste in people’s mouth I really do not care. But this created division among this circle of people whom were all LPCCs in this community.
This division is everywhere. Is just varies to some degree. I was trained by my core MFTs but also by psychiatry, psychology, clinical counselors and clinical social workers. I am a very blended clinician. So personally I value these relationships and differences but they are not always treated as such in the field. That’s the reality of it. Among, LPCCs, LCSWs, and LMFTs, social works have the largest political influences and membership thus able to do more. LPCCs and LMFTs were able to join forces and get us approved for Medicare, a 10-15 year battle. LPCCs were able to do a compact agreement. LCSWs can get jobs we can’t get. There’s lots of differences. So with us having the smallest membership and actually a really small (but powerful) associate where do we go? Are we getting new members to replace those MFTs that are retiring? Some states social worker boards have an alternative path for those that fail the national exam- they can be observed and become license. This was a response to the bottlenecking of the exam- its racists, bias, and elitist. We have barriers to this. So will more people go into a different pathway? As state board continue to make adjustments, it is likely. Telehealth services and supervision has significantly helped. When it comes down to it, it’s business. But we have more than enough clients to go around.
I hope we can continue connecting amongst one another rather than creating these divisions. Find out what you can learn from each other and lean in.
