Graduate Certificate
in Marriage and Family Therapy

Overview

The Department of Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling is pleased to house the Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Certificate program in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences at the University of South Florida. This multidisciplinary certificate program began in the Spring of 2000.

Marriage and family therapy (MFT) has evolved from an auxiliary profession to a field of its own. It blends the resources and contributions of both medical and non-medical fields into a uniquely integrated discipline. MFT is also becoming one of the fastest growing fields in the national health care system. Relationship and family problems are the leading cause of referrals to mental health delivery systems.

Marriage and Family Therapists are mental health professionals trained to diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and relationship disorders. MFTs specialize in treating mental disorders in the systemic context of marital and family relationships. MFTs work with the individual, couple, or families in these varying systems to change behavioral patterns so that problems can be addressed and resolved.

The MFT Graduate Certificate Program enables professionals in mental health, rehabilitation counseling, counselor education, social work, psychology, and other human service fields to enhance their knowledge and skills in marriage and family therapy. The Program is for students enrolled in the master’s program in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling or other professional counseling programs. The MFT Graduate Certificate Program prepares students to meet the curriculum requirements for MFT licensure by the Florida Department of Health Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling (Chapter 491). The certificate is a 15 credit hour program with course content that focuses on systemic approaches to both the theory and practice of  MFT and includes a supervised practicum course. The supervised practicum course requires 180 hours of face to face time with individuals, couples, and families. Face to face hours from practicum I may be combined with face to face hours from practicum II to complete the required 180 hours. The one stipulation is that you must be receiving supervision from a licensed MFT during practicum I either from your onsite supervisor or practicum instructor.  Upon graduation from the Master’s in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling and completion of the MFT Certificate, students would be eligible to become registered as both a Mental Health Counselor Intern and as a Marriage and Family Therapy Intern, and therefore, eligible for dual licensure.

Upon completion of the MFT Graduate Certificate Program, students will have a theoretical understanding of individual, marital, and family systems.  Also, they will learn ways to strengthen relationships, prevent problems from arising within the family, and increase the quality of marriage, family life, and other relationships.

The Faculty

The faculty consists of University of South Florida professors with many years of both clinical and teaching experience. The MFT Graduate Certificate Program also uses experts from academic and research departments within the University and surrounding professional community.

Core Faculty

Ryan G. Henry, Ph.D., LMFT. Program Coordinator
Dr. Henry is a full-time faculty member in the Department of Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling and is currently serving as the Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Certificate Program. He has worked in both agency settings and private practice serving individuals, couples, and families. He is a Clinical Member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. His clinical specialties include working with couples dealing with pornography addiction and affairs.

William G. Emener, Ph.D., Distinguished Research Professor
Dr. Emener is a Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling and has more than 25 years of experience as a licensed psychologist specializing in adults, addictions, and couples counseling. He is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Fellow in the American Psychological Association, and a prolific author with numerous books, articles, and novels to his credit.

Richard Weinberg, Ph.D.
Dr. Weinberg is an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling and a Clinical Associate Professor in the Florida Mental Health Institute.  He is a licensed psychologist (Florida) and completed a supervised family therapy internship at Massachusetts General Hospital as well as training with the Gainesville Family Therapy Institute.  He maintains a private practice specializing in work with individuals, couples and families.

Admission Requirements

To qualify for admission into the MFT Graduate Certificate Program students must have completed or be in the process of completing an advanced degree in the field of counseling or a related discipline leading to the coursework necessary to prepare them for a Marriage and Family Therapy Practicum.

To apply, a student must:

1. Complete the MFT Graduate Certificate Program Application (non-USF students must include a $30 application fee).
2. Complete a 250 word personal statement.
3. Two letters of recommendation
4. Transcripts from master’s program
5. Complete a personal interview.

Certificate Hours

15 Credits:

1. Human sexuality - 3 credits
2. Dynamics of Marriage and Family Therapy - 3 credits
3. Marriage Therapy, Theory, and Techniques - 3 credits
4. Family Therapy, Theory, and Techniques - 3 credits
5. Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy - 3 credits**

**Students must have completed all Practicum course pre-requisites including a Practicum I.

Contact

For more information on the Marriage and Family Therapy Certificate Program, please contact:

Ryan G. Henry, Ph.D., LMFT
MFT Certificate Program Coordinator
Department of Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling
University of South Florida
13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MHC 1632
Tampa, FL 33612

Phone: (813) 974-0969
Fax: (813) 974-8080
Email: rghenry@bcs.usf.edu

Applications are available at our Graduate Certificate Web Page:
Graduate Certificate in Marriage Family Therapy (XMF)