marriage and family therapy

Poll results about the family table provide varied results, with some reporting shared family meals still at a high rate (Ferdman, 2014), while others indicate dinnertime is rapidly becoming a dying tradition (Delistraty, 2014). One thing, however, is a certainty: modern families have a litany of hurdles to overcome when it comes to banding together to eat. Factors related to resources such as household income, employment, and the increase in two-parent working families have negatively impacted the family dinner.

Why did you choose to go back to school and pursue a doctorate degree? I set the bar for my personal goals of success at the top, the highest I could go. I didn’t want to go out into the world and find that there were doors that weren’t open to me because I didn’t have a high enough degree. With a PhD, it’s the highest I can go, and it eliminates glass ceilings in the career force. If I want to teach at a university, I have a better chance having a PhD than I do with a master’s degree.

I have been teaching at Northcentral University for nearly 7 years. When I first began, I had a partner, a toddler, an infant, and a yellow lab named Parker. As I met with my students on the phone or through video conferencing, I was struck by the wonderful diversity of people who were showing up to study marriage and family therapy with the purpose of bringing healing to others and to themselves. My students inspire me. They come from all different backgrounds, have unique lives and professional experiences, and they are hard-working.

An online education doesn’t have to be isolating, especially with NCU’s unique learning model which focuses on one-to-one learning and mentorship. Benita Joy, who recently graduated with her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, spoke with us about her experience as an NCU student. One of the highlights of her time at NCU was the relationship she developed with her professors.

Marriage and Family Therapy professionals like those educated at NCU work with families and couples to help them navigate a wide range of behavioral and relationship problems. Quite often, couples from all walks of life experience problems that can be solved using certain techniques. However, if couples aren't sure where to begin the process, the miscommunication can lead to a breakup or divorce. 

For those seeking a master’s in marriage and family therapy, it is more than a degree; it is a calling to make a positive difference in the lives of those who need it most.

We live in a world that seems to be ever changing and evolving. This can lead to multiple stressors for families. One solution for today’s family is to turn to therapists who specialize in marriage and family therapy.

In its landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of the United States declared that “The Fourteenth Amendment requires a State to license a marriage between two people of the same sex,” making same-sex marriage legal across the country. As couples in the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning) community enter marriage, they may experience the same relational issues as heterosexual married couples, and potentially a unique set of challenges as well. For marriage and family therapists who specialize in LGBTQ couples counseling, understanding those challenges is important.

Military families who are exposed to stressors caused by repeated deployments, injuries, and even death may find the need for military family therapy. According to a 2015 study cited in Contemporary Family Therapy, roughly 2.7 million families have experienced significant periods of separation from their military family member since 2001. While children are resilient, and spouses of military members prepare themselves for separations, there can remain significant problems.

Social media is everywhere. Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. Snapchat. LinkedIn. YouTube. There are also dating and gaming sites, and more. Social media is a part of the fabric of our lives today, and can be an integral part of our lives. You may want to consider establishing a few ground rules to avoid any potential dangers of social media on your relationships.

The Pros of Social Media and Relationships