Welcome to MAMFT!
The Michigan Association for Marriage and Family Therapy ( MAMFT ) is a division of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the professional organization representing over 24,000 qualified marriage and family therapists in the United States, Canada, and abroad.Usually, most of us can work out life's problems with a spouse, a
partner, a family member, even a work associate. But sometimes, in our
fast-paced, stress-filled lives, we need a little help with the larger
ones. If you or someone you know is struggling with one of the following
mental or emotional issues, consider contacting a marriage and family
therapist (MFT):
- Drug & Alcohol Abuse
- Life Transition Issues
- Spiritual Growth
- Child/Adolescent Issues
- Communication
- Eating Disorders
- Financial Problems
- Stress Management
- Aging
- Assessments & Evaluations
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Grief & Loss
- Relationships
- Marital Concerns
- Sexual Problems
- Infidelity
- Divorce
- Crisis Interventio
- Parent-Child Relationships
- Trauma & Recovery
Starting to work toward a stronger, better life is one of the smartest things you can do. More and more people from all walks of life are turning to marriage and family therapy because of its results-based philosophy.
People who have worked with MFTs report improvement in their emotional and overall
health, their family and partner relationships, their relationships with co-workers, their
productivity at work, even their social life and community involvement. Parents of
children who have worked with MFTs report that their children's behavior improved, they
get along better with other children, and they do better academically.
This is a unique approach to enhancing your relationships. For starters, MFTs don't just work with married couples or families. They're trained to focus on the individual within a "system" - a couple, family or group. Their specialized training allows them to view
each problem through a wide lens and to consider all of the possible ways of achieving your goals. Some even specialize in helping companies build more effective work teams.
All of their efforts are focused with the "end in mind." They start by listening to your unique situation. Then they'll help you toward a goal that's both attainable and understandable. Your MFT will start coaching you, and others if appropriate, to begin to make the changes you need for a better life.
Rigorous training is required to meet national and state standards, as established by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and state legislation. When you look for an MFT, be sure to look for "Clinical Member of AAMFT."
You are unique. So is your family. So it stands to reason that the solutions to your challenges will be unique, too. That's why marriage and family therapists don't have standard rules about how long therapy will last. You may be surprised to learn how quickly therapy can create real, positive change.
Although past generations influence our lives today, MFTs don't spend a lot of time sifting through the past. The focus is on right now. And the goal is the near future. MFTs do only what's necessary to help you set specific, realistic goals that can help you improve your relationships. Then they'll help you achieve those goals. There's no magic about it. It's real help that really works. And the first step is as simple as contacting a qualified MFT. Include an MFT in your lifetime healthcare team - both for prevention and for treatment.