What LMFTs do
LMFTs assess and treat mental, emotional and relationship concerns through psychotherapy. We work with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, life transitions, relationship difficulties and much more, with individuals, couples and families.
What distinguishes the training is its relational lens. Marriage and family therapists are trained to see people within the context of their relationships and families, past and present. Even when I am working with one person, I am interested in the relationships that shaped them and the ones they are living in now.
How LMFTs are trained
In California, becoming an LMFT requires a qualifying master's or doctoral degree, followed by at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, and passing two state examinations: a law and ethics exam and a clinical exam. The process usually takes several years after graduate school. It also means that most therapists have already sat with thousands of people before they are ever licensed.
Once licensed, LMFTs renew their license regularly and complete continuing education to keep it active.
Who licenses LMFTs
LMFTs in California are licensed and regulated by the Board of Behavioral Sciences, which also licenses clinical social workers and professional clinical counselors. The board sets standards, handles complaints and can discipline licensees. You can look up any license on the California Department of Consumer Affairs license search to see whether it is current. My license is LMFT, California license 36950.
LMFT, psychologist, psychiatrist: the differences
A psychologist holds a doctoral degree in psychology, such as a PhD or PsyD, and is licensed by the Board of Psychology. Psychologists provide psychotherapy and can also carry out formal psychological testing and assessment.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health and can prescribe medication. Many psychiatrists focus mainly on medication, although some also provide therapy.
Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors are, like LMFTs, licensed psychotherapists with graduate training. The training paths differ in emphasis, but all three provide psychotherapy.
For talk therapy, the right person is usually less about the title and more about experience, approach and fit.
A note on PhDs and titles
Some therapists hold a PhD in a field other than clinical psychology. A PhD is an academic degree, not a license, and holding one does not make someone a psychologist. I hold an MA and a PhD, and my PhD is in expressive arts psychology, but my license is LMFT. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and I am not a psychologist. It is always reasonable to ask a therapist which license they hold.
Why the license matters to you
A license means your therapist has met state standards for education, supervised experience and ethics, and is accountable to a regulator. It also determines where they can practice. My California license means I can provide therapy to people who are physically located in California, by secure video or audio.
This article is general information, not therapy or medical advice, and reading it does not create a therapist-client relationship. If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911.