ABSTRACT

Faith-based settings may be a good fit for those marriage and family therapists with strong religious convictions. The relational focus of marriage and family therapy makes this approach especially suited to combine with specific religious teachings about marriage, child rearing, family values, and relating to others. Typically, marriage and family therapists in faith-based settings may work with children, in religious schools, or as counselors/marriage educators with couples. Licensure is often preferred, but state regulations may exempt faith-based settings from professional regulations, allowing the hiring of otherwise qualified, and unlicensed practitioners. Salary ranges are similar to other school-based positions for religious schools, to private nonprofit agency salaries for agencies, and to private practice for work with couples. It is important to communicate with your faith community all along, throughout your training and while working at other jobs in the field. Let the leaders within your community know that you want to use your professional skills to serve and minister.