Research studies have shown marriage and family therapy to be highly effective in treating the full range of mental and emotional disorders, behavioral problems and relationship issues, with a high degree of satisfaction reported by clients using the services of marriage and family therapists.
Clients show marked improvement in: work productivity: co-worker, family and partner relationships: emotional and overall health: social life: and community involvement.
As noted in a recent study, marriage and family therapists are the mental health professionals consumers would be most likely recommend to friends, with 98 % of clients rating the quality of therapeutic services as “good” to “excellent”.
Of the marriage and family consumers surveyed:
- Almost 90% report improved emotional health.
- Nearly 75% report improved overall physical health.
- The majority report improved functioning at work.
- Over 75% of clients in marriage, couples, or family therapy, report improved relationships as a couple.
- Parents report when their child is the identified patient, (the family member with the presenting problem), their child’s behavior improved in 73.7% of the cases evidenced by significantly improved ability to get along with other children and improved in school performance.
In addition to its demonstrated therapeutic effectiveness, marriage and family therapy has become more prominent due to its often-brief treatment, and family-centered approach.
The federal government recognizes marriage and family therapists as members of a distinct mental health discipline, along with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and psychiatric nurses.