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By Mayo Clinic staffThe only preparation needed for family therapy is to find a therapist. You can ask your primary care doctor for a referral to a marriage and family therapist. Family and friends may give recommendations based on their experiences. Your health insurer, employee assistance program, clergy, or state or local mental health agencies also may offer recommendations.
Before scheduling sessions with a specific therapist, consider whether the therapist would be a good fit for your family. You might ask questions like these:
- Education and experience. What is your educational and training background? Are you licensed by the state? Are you credentialed by the AAMFT? What is your experience with my family's type of problem?
- Logistics. Where is your office? What are your office hours? Are you available in case of emergency?
- Treatment plan. How long is each session? How often are sessions scheduled? How many sessions should I expect to have? What is your policy on canceled sessions?
- Fees and insurance. How much do you charge for each session? Are your services covered by my health insurance plan? Will I need to pay the full fee upfront?
- FAQ's on MFT's. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. http://www.aamft.org/faqs/index_nm.asp. Accessed June 23, 2009.
- Marriage and family therapists: The family-friendly mental health professionals. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. http://www.aamft.org/Press_Room/MFT%20Brochure%207-03.htm. Accessed June 23, 2009.
- Gurman AS, et al. Family therapy and couple therapy. In: Sadock BJ, et al. Kaplan & Sadock's Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005:2584.
- Psychotherapies. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies/index.shtml. Accessed June 23, 2009.
- Jager MW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 4, 2009.
