Couples & Divorce Counselor

How to Become a Couples & Divorce Counselor

When a relationship ends, it can take a surprising emotional and psychological toll on both the couple and any children that may be part of the union. Regardless of how the relationship ends, working through the process of divorcing and restarting a new life on different terms can be one of the most challenging events of a person’s life. If the relationship ends due to some trauma such as infidelity or another breach of trust issue, it can be devastating indeed. 

A qualified and skillful couples and divorce counselor will have many of the same qualifications of a licensed marriage and family therapist, and in fact, the educational requirements are very much the same. 

Step 1: Graduate from High School or Obtain a GED (Four Years)

Similar to other mental health and therapy careers, a successful career as a couples and divorce counselor starts with an interest in psychology, counseling, or social work. While in high school, students who already know that they wish to work in the field of therapy may plan to take classes that support their future baccalaureate education by taking human development classes, biology and anatomy classes, psychology or sociology, and classes related to humanities and social sciences. 

Students in high school may also prepare themselves by finding related volunteer work. This could involve starting support groups. Volunteer experience could involve working as a local social services agency, such as a domestic abuse shelter or soup kitchen. There can be a great deal of competition to get into a four-year college, so any advocacy or experience that sets one student apart from another could make a difference on the student getting into the college of their choice. Completing high school with a high grade point average would also be advised, as for many social science degrees, a minimum GPA of at least 3.00 is often required. 

Step 2: Complete a Bachelor’s Degree (Four Years)

While the licensing phase of becoming a couples and divorce counselor takes place after the master’s degree, many educational requirements start at the baccalaureate level. Usually, individuals seeking to become a couples and divorce counselor or marriage and family therapist will start by earning a bachelor’s degree in a counseling-related field. This typically means psychology, sociology, social work, counseling, nursing, pastoral counseling, or education, although students from any major can apply to become a marriage and family or couples and divorce therapist. When planning volunteer, research, or coursework, it is advised to focus on topics related to marriage and/or family situations. Being accepted in a graduate program typically requires completing a bachelor’s degree from a regionally  accredited school. 

While nearing the end of the bachelor’s degree, many students begin thinking about what school they want to attend for graduate school. The organization COAMFTE, or the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, accredits marriage and family therapy educational programs. According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), qualified candidates for licensure must have graduated from an accredited program and obtained at least two years of post-degree supervised clinical experience working in direct service to married couples. 

Other factors to consider include whether or not the graduate school requires a GRE entrance exam. If it does, this can add weeks to months to a student’s timeline, to study for and take the test.

Step 3: Obtain a Master’s Degree (Two Years)

Once the decision is made as to which graduate school to attend, next is deciding on the program. For individuals interested in working with couples as a divorce counselor a graduate program in counseling is likely the best option. Many counseling master’s programs are in general clinical mental health counseling, with specializations available for marriage and family therapy. 

Alternatively, some programs can be specifically for a degree as a counselor in marriage and family therapy with options for other specializations such as working with substance abuse issues, sexuality issues related to gender identity or general sexual development, or other specific populations of people. 

For instance, National University‘s master of arts in marriage and family therapy has a military family therapy specialization. This program prepares counselors to work with individuals, couples, and families that are affiliated with the military. To obtain this specialization, students must have at least 100 hours of clinical experience in an approved military setting.

Most graduate programs require at least two years of full-time study. Some can be extended to three years, and some have part-time study options. The last half of the first year is typically taken up with a practicum, which is a period of time for the student to engage in observation and documentation. The last year of the program is typically an in-depth research project, often called a capstone project, and active internships in which the students are working in a job-simulated environment under supervision.  

Step 4: Pass Required Examinations (Timeline Varies)

Licensure to practice couples and divorce counseling usually falls under the same guidelines as that of a licensed marriage and family therapist. Each state has different requirements for this licensure stage. Still, for the most part, all involve graduation from an accredited college or program and passing a licensure exam approved by the individual state’s board of education. The student is advised to be sure to check with the licensing board of the state where they wish to practice to be sure of the requirements. 

To practice as a licensed marital and family therapist (LMFT) students will be required to pass the MFT National Examination, developed and managed by the association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards, or AMFTRB. A practice exam is available. 

The process for applying and completing the exam takes a month at a minimum. According to the AMFTRB, students start the process by applying to their state or jurisdiction board to determine or confirm eligibility for the test. The state will send a letter to confirm eligibility. There is often an online application and application or testing fee. 

To register for the exam, students must first contact their jurisdiction and state board where they intend to become licensed. They should contact the state where they wish to work, rather than the state where they may be living. Students will schedule with the testing company based on availability. After the exam is taken, it takes about 20 days to receive the scores. 

According to the AMFTRB, the MFT National Examination is given during a one-week window every month. They recommend allowing extra time in case of a non-passing score the first time. 

Step 5: Apply for a Certification or License (Timeline Varies)

Steps for state licensure vary by state but are generally similar in scope. This typically means an application that documents graduation from a regionally accredited school with a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy (or in an allied field with graduate-level course work in marriage and family therapy that meets that state’s board requirements).

Prior to obtaining licensure, the student should be expected to have completed a set amount of supervised work postgraduate experience. In Alabama, for instance, according to the AMFTRB, this amount is 200 hours of supervised work, along with 1,000 post-degree direct client hours. Two-hundred-and-fifty of these direct contact hours must be with couples or families physically present in the therapy room. Work must be supervised by a licensed MFT. 

In California, licensees must accrue 3,000 hours of supervised work experience and 104 weeks of supervision with a minimum of 500 hours with couples, families, and children. Experience can also be a combination of group psychotherapy; telehealth or telephone counseling; workshops, seminars, training sessions, and conferences, provided the maximum and minimum hours are met for each criterion. Approved supervisors in California must be LMFT’s licensed for a minimum of two years and take a six-hour supervision course every renewal period.

Step 6: Licensing Maintenance or Renewal (Timeline Varies)

According to the Licensed Professional Board of Examiners, the renewal of an LMFT license is mandatory every other year. Ten percent of licensees are audited and must provide documentation of a minimum of 40 Continuing Education Hours. CEH requirements vary by state but typically include work or training in approved content areas. Of the 40 CEHs required, 20 must be in the area of marriage and family therapy. If a license expires, the individual must re-apply for licensure under the current licensure requirements for their state.

Couples & Divorce Counselors Education Programs

The most common education path for couples and divorce counselors is to complete a master’s degree in marriage and family counseling, although a master’s degree in counseling is also an option. Below are some programs that will prepare professionals for this career.

National University

National University offers an online master’s of arts in marriage and family therapy. This program was the first COAMFTE-accredited distance learning program and provides rigorous training to help students develop into competent, ethical, culturally sensitive marriage and family therapists. This degree is designed with an emphasis in empowering students so they can make a difference wherever their work takes them by providing quality therapeutic services that meet international standards set forth through COA accreditation. 

In total students must complete at least 45 credits hours, but that may be more depending on where they will pursue licensure. In addition to the didactic online classes, students will complete supervised in-person clinical experience in the community where they reside.  

• Location: San Diego, CA
• Duration: 33 months
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
• Tuition: $43,620 total estimated tuition

Northwestern University

The Family Institute at Northwestern University offers an online master’s degree in marriage and family therapy which follows high standards of research, education, and clinical services. This program can be completed in a full time or part-time format to suit students’ needs. In total students will complete 24 graduate level courses to earn this degree. 

The faculty at Northwestern have helped develop the Integrative Systemic Therapeutic (IST) model, which values client participation in developing therapy plans and providing tools to systematically address complex factors. The IST model is woven throughout the entire program including classes in concepts of systems of therapy, intimate relationships, and family therapy. 

• Location: St. Evanston, IL
• Duration: 21 to 36 months
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
• Tuition: $20,721 per full-time quarter

Southern Connecticut State University

The unique marriage and family therapy degree at Southern Connecticut State University is designed to prepare students for a lifetime working in therapy. Students select between two or three-year tracks, beginning with dyadic coursework and progressing through to seeing clients at the university’s on site clinic. They then gain more exposure to clients during their last year with off-site clinical experiences. The low 15 students to one faculty member ratio ensures students have ample access to their professors. 

This rigorous academic program includes classes such as family systems, treatment issues, systemic psychopathology, and couples’ therapy. The additional comprehensive clinical training ensures students are well equipped when it comes time to take on their own patients. There is strong emphasis on culturally appropriate therapy.  

• Location: New Haven, CT
• Duration: Two to three years
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
• Tuition: $13,276 per full-time semester

How Much Do Couples & Divorce Counselors Make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2022), marriage and family therapists had the following salary average and percentiles:

• Number employed in the U.S.: 62,080 MFTs
• Average annual salary (mean): $63,300
• 10th percentile: $36,840
• 25th percentile: $44,730
• 50th percentile (median): $56,570
• 75th percentile: $75,220
• 90th percentile: $98,700

Couples & Divorce Counselor Professional Associations & Resources

• “How Does Divorce Mediation Work?” (Conscious Family Law & Mediation)
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
• International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC)
• National Council on Family Relations
• International Family Therapy Association
• American Family Therapy Academy
• European Family Therapy Association
• Commission on Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
• American Counseling Association
• American Mental Health Counselors Association
• Family Solutions Institute