The first steps toward becoming a licensed marriage counselor involve completing high school and attending college. A minimum of a bachelor's degree is required; a bachelor's degree with supporting counseling programs is acceptable in some states to become licensed. Many college students will major in psychology for their bachelor's degree, a four-year program. There are several courses, some required, that a student should study if considering becoming a marriage counselor: human growth and development; psychotherapy and substance abuse; human services; social work; education; marriage and family systems; and sociology.
To become a licensed or certified marriage counselor, many states require a master's degree. Most master's programs will require students to complete a supervised clinical work term. The master's degree can usually be completed in one or two years. Those enrolled in a master's program for marriage and family therapy will typically take courses involving topics such as family therapy theory; couples and sexual therapy; treatment of drug and alcohol problems; developmental psychopathology; and family studies.
Marriage counselors meet separately and jointly with married couples experiencing difficulty in their relationships. Counselors are meant to be an objective third party. They typically use a variety of counseling techniques and dissect the structure of a relationship, assess the problems and establish a realistic plan for resolving issues. Marriage counselors can help couples establish better communication patterns and understanding, and help them to prevent further crises and problems. Counseling often involves talking sessions and activities both in counseling and at home to help clients discover their fears, issues and needs.
Marriage counselors are required to complete continuing education courses every year to maintain their license. They can participate in conferences, workshops and graduate studies to do so. Marriage counseling is an ideal career choice for those who want to help others work through their marital problems. Counselors typically require excellent communication and interpersonal skills. As well, they need to be compassionate and sensitive to any issues that may arise. Patience is a definite asset, as is the ability to inspire and encourage others. Counselors should be able to instill respect and trust in their clients.