MFT stands for Marriage and Family Therapy. LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Most people are familiar with LPC, a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Similarities of MFT and LPC:
- Hold a master’s degree in a mental health field.
- Qualified to evaluate, diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders.
- Trained to work with individuals, couples, groups and families.
Differences in MFT and LPC:
MFT’s:
- Look at a problem or behavior from a social and relational context. A person’s well-being is impacted by their setting and groups, such as family, work, school and social networks. Most people do not exist in a social vacuum.
- Help the client explore how their thoughts and actions are influenced by others.
- Identify problems from past and present relationships.
LPC’s:
- Operate with a broader lens, treating clients from an individual development standpoint.
- Focus on the client’s social and psychological development, identifying the challenges that prevent personal growth and may cause mental health challenges.
- May specialize in career-based counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling.
If you are interested in pursuing a holistic perspective to your health care and want support with the overall, long-term well being of yourself or your family, then working with a MFT would be a wise choice.
