Synthesis Post

   During this blog project, I learned a variety of different aspects about my career occupation. A marriage and family therapist is a mental health professional who helps with problems such as mental health and substance abuse issues in family contexts, individual settings, or group therapy. Some issues include;

• Child and adolescent behavioral problems
• Depression and anxiety
• Domestic violence
• Marital conflicts
• Etc.

   I have learned about the different requirements the state of Michigan has for those planning to pursue a career as a marriage and family therapist. These requirements include:

• Minimum bachelors degree or doctorate degree
• At least 300 hours of direct clinical contact
• Out of 300, 150 must occur within family settings
• At least 60 hours of supervised clinical experience
• Course and research requirements 

   During this assignment I have also found out about a vast amount of websites, books, and video's that has provided me with a lot of useful information. For example the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy has informed me about what a marriage and family therapist does, the types of places a marriage and family therapist would provide their services, ethics for a marriage and family therapist, and much more. Videos such as the YouTube video titled "Interview with Marriage and Family Therapist, Tina Tessina", has informed me that the bulk of knowledge needed to have a successful career in this field , comes from hands on experience within the field, such as the  clinical supervised experience required. This blog has allowed me to understand the attitudes, personality characteristics, and dedication needed to attain my goal. For example, I will need to be a good listener, critical thinker, complex problem solver, etc. It has taught me about the skills needed for daily task I may face as a marriage and family therapist. For example, using spreadsheet software to conduct my notes on and keep track of work. And most importantly for me, I can now pin point, or detect a lot of different aspects of myself that I need to work on in order to be successful. For example, I learned that people will often air their dirty laundry and no matter how disturbing, I need to be able to practice emotional labor, such as suppressing my feelings because a lot of emotional labor comes with this occupation.
   The most helpful aspect of this blog project was the videos and informative websites. From these sources, I felt that I learned in a more hands on approach. When observing these sources I was able to understand information in a more effective manner. For example, when viewing a typical day of being a marriage and family therapist, u could actually see what the work environment looked liked opposed to imagining it. I found it interesting when observing marriage and family therapist interviews as well. Many of the websites provided me with simple steps to obtain my future degree. They also informed me on issues, advances, and basics about my career field, in which I found very interesting. When provided information in a simple way, it was more easier to understand and know my next moves in my college career. For example , when observing a website for the requirements to become a marriage and family therapist in the state of Michigan, I learned that I will need a bachelors degree in counseling and not in psychology which is a pretty good catch for me.
   The source that interested me the least, was the hands on aspect of the blog project. These aspects were very difficult for me because the lack of communication. I was unable to get into contact with a marriage and family therapist mist of the time which prevented me from getting a interview. It was also very challenging to find hands on experience in this field. I feel that this is because of the amount of confidentiality between a therapist and their client.
   The blog assignment has also contributed to my learning as a writer. For example, I have created a habit for making sure the websites and other sources are worthy of retaining information. I have also learned a lot of new ways of finding information by visiting the msu library website and finding news articles, books , scholarly journals, etc. Which has been really helpful with finding information about prompt posts.
   Overall, i have learned a lot from the blog project. It has provided me with a lot of helpful information about my career occupation and how I would need to go about to become a marriage and family therapist. It introduce me to a new way of learning about a marriage and family therapist, such as reading books, looking at video's, and searching through websii. I now feel that I am equipped with the necessary tools to find out more about my career fiwld , and any other information I  might need in the future on the road to success.
careersinpsychology.org/becoming-a-licensed-marriage-family-therapist-in-michigan/

www.allpsychologyschools.com/psychology-careers/marriage-and-family-therapy job-description/

Free Post #6: Marriage and Family Therapist Working Environments

  People with a marriage and family therapy degree work in a variety of work settings such as...

• Outpatient Care Centers, which is one of the highest levels of employment for marriage and family therapist in the united States. They are hired to treat children, adolescents, adulta , and seniors.
• Schools-  marriage and family therapist  work at all levels of the school system from treating families with troubled elementary students to counseling parents on how to deal with their teenager.
• The military- Marriage and family therapist are employed at clinical resource centers dedicated to assisting and supporting current service members, veterans, and their families. 
• Etc.

After learning about these different job settings, I feel that it would be helpful to know the language of a lot of different occupations since I could possibly work with some of these people. Its comforting yo know that there is a possibly to work in a variety of different places in case one does not work for me.

careersinpsychology.org/where-people-mft-degrees-work/

Free post #1: Interview with a Marriage and Family Therapist

    I viewed a YouTube video titled "Interview with Marriage and Family Therapist Tina Tessina". She talked about different aspects of being a marriage and family therapist and shred the most important aspects from her point of view. For example she stated that the hands on experience is what prepares you for the job more than education or any other thing you may participate in. She said hands on experience gives you the most help with the job. I found this really interesting because I never had hands on experience just yet and I believe I really need to participate in it. I was also surprised with the fact that marriage and family therapist are offered some hours of counseling themselves. This is to help them with their problems so they won't effect them during their clients counseling sessions.

Free post #10: The myths They Tell

    I found  this you tube video called "Dispelling Marriage and Family Therapy Myths" very interesting. I was not aware that there were so many unbelievable myths about my chosen career field. The fact that only 31% of problems dealt with in marriage and family therapy sessions are solved was very stunning to me. I guess its really true that you must forgive and try your best to move forward in most of your problems dealing with a spouse!!!
 

Prompt Post #10: Recognizing Truth

  I found a video titled "Dispelling Marriage and Family Therapy myths". There were a lot of different myths stated such as...

• You have to be rich to see a marriage and family therapist
• Therapy never ends
• You can only see a marriage and family therapist if you are married
• Your problems are usually solved after therapy
• Marriage and family tgerapist only deal with extreme situations

   Based on the knowledge I have obtained from recent blogs I can dispell most of these myths myself. For example, the myth that you can only see a marriage and family therapist if you are married. Marriage and family therapist work in different kinds of sessions. For example, in individual sessions, where they talk one on one with a certain individual having difficulties in everyday life. They may interact with a family as a whole depending on the family. But they also work with married couples but it is not limited to that option.
    Another example is the myth that marriage and family therapist only dealwith extreme situations. The truth is that marriage and family therapist work with situations as simple as family problems. Ranging from teenage rebellion to finacial issues. You do not have to be completley crazy, in which I find very interesting and hope to deal with in the near furure, to see a marriage and family therapist.

Free post #9: Qualifications and Training for MFT

I am some what aware of the steps needed to become a marriage and family therapist, for example I have to attend graduate school for a Master's degree. But I would like to get a more specific and better understanding of what is actually needed to complete this process.
According to the article " Training and Other Qualifications and Advancements for Marriage and Family Therapist ", education requirements vary by state and a masters degree is required for licensure. Accredited master degree programs include up to 60 hours of graduate study semester hours including a supervised internship.
To keep a licenses a marriage and family therapist would have to stay active. Meaning participating in things like workshops, personal studies, and graduate studies. A marriage and family therapist will also have to have some form of a counseling license required by all states.
I find this information more informing and direct. Now that know that there is a lot of extra schooling in training involved to become a marriage and family therapist and stay one.

Prompt Post #9: Recognizing Significance

    According to the news story " The Importance of a fathers in the family ", there is a real importance of having a father figure within the family unit. Salem reported that a fathers affection and increased involvement in thongs such as family activities, or being involved with the family in general, can add to the promotion of children's social and emotional development. Marriage and family therapist recognize this importance. This importance is one of the main goals of a marriage and family therapy session, which is keeping the family together and building relationships between members of families. For example, if a couple with children seperates, a marriage and family therapist would help those children develope relationships with each parent even though their parents have differences. This would enable both parents to be involved in their child's lives, benefiting the children for having both family figures. Marriage and family therapy is important to the family unit because it enables the family to stay together, communicate, and understand each other. This benefits the children and possibly the family as a whole.
myfox8.com/2015/03/03/the-importance-of-a-father's-in-the-family/