DOES ACADEMIC TRAINING BACKGROUND MAKE A DIFFERENCE AMONG PRACTICING MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS

Using a national sample of practicing marriage and family therapists ( MFTs) and their clients, this study investigated whether academic trai ning background is associated with differences in practice patterns an d client outcomes. Clinical members of the American Association for Ma rriage and Family Therapy with academic training in psychology, social work, counseling, and marriage and family therapy were compared on a wide range of clinical practice variables, and their clients were surv eyed about their satisfaction and outcomes. Results showed highly simi lar practice patterns and client outcomes across all four disciplinary groups. Although the findings showed little evidence for the uniquene ss of academic marriage and family therapy training among experienced MFTs, they also refute the notion that therapists trained in MFT degre e programs practice in unusual or inferior ways compared to MFTs train ed originally in other mental health disciplines.