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Behavioral HealthTop JobColorado Talent Pipeline Report-aligned occupation with strong annual openings, growth, and wage signals.

Marriage and Family Therapist

Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.

Annual openings

193

Median wage

$60,700

Typical education

A Master’s or Doctoral degree from a COAMFTE-approved program or its equivalent is required.

Growth 2026–2032

+23%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

A Master’s or Doctoral degree from a COAMFTE-approved program or its equivalent is required.

Credential requirement

A MFT license is required. A licensed MFT must also pass Colorado’s Mental Health Professions Jurisprudence Exam and the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards Exam and complete the required supervised work experience.

Work experience

To become a licensed MFT requires supervised post-degree experience, the amount depends on the degree the candidate obtained. - Post-Master's degree: 2,000 hours of experience and 100 hours of supervision over a minimum of 24 months - Post-Doctoral degree: 1,500 hours of experience and 75 hours of supervision over a minimum of 12 months

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

The type of work can vary by job and employer.

  • With childrenMay vary
  • On a computerMay vary
  • OutdoorsNo
  • With your handsNo

Interests it draws on

  • Healthcare
  • Mental Health

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Encourage individuals and family members to develop and use skills and strategies for confronting their problems in a constructive manner.
  2. Ask questions that will help clients identify their feelings and behaviors.
  3. Develop and implement individualized treatment plans addressing family relationship problems, destructive patterns of behavior, and other personal issues.
  4. Maintain case files that include activities, progress notes, evaluations, and recommendations.
  5. Counsel clients on concerns, such as unsatisfactory relationships, divorce and separation, child rearing, home management, or financial difficulties.
  6. Collect information about clients, using techniques such as testing, interviewing, discussion, or observation.

Also includes

Specializations that share this occupation’s labor-market data.

  • Marriage and Family Therapist Candidate
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