DEFINING WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO - CLINICAL-PRACTICE PATTERNS OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS IN MINNESOTA

The clinical practice patterns of a representative sample of marriage and family therapists (MFTs) were studied. AAMFT clinical members from Minnesota (N = 76) were surveyed for demographic characteristics, edu cational background, and practice-related issues. Subjects also report ed empirical data from 199 treatment cases involving 351 clients, a fi rst in the MFT field. Among the major findings were: (a) MFTs practice relatively short-term therapy with the average case involving 11 sess ions over a 4-month period; (b) therapy with families (average of 8 se ssions) and couples (10 sessions) is briefer than individual therapy ( 14 sessions); and (c) MFTs treat a wide range of serious problems. Ove rall, MFT clinical practice patterns were comparable to those of other established mental health professions.