What is a registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern (MFTI)?

Every licensed MFT was at one point a registered MFTI. A registered MFTI is a “person who has earned his or her master’s or doctoral degree qualifying him or her for licensure and is registered with the board.” This person is not yet licensed, is considered “license eligible” and may officially be licensed upon the completion of his or her required supervision hours. MFTs and registered MFTIs may work the same amount of hours in a given week and see the same types of clients.

What do you charge for therapy?

My fee is $140 per hour. Accepted forms of payment include:

  • American Express
  • Cash
  • Check
  • Discover
  • Health Savings Account
  • Mastercard
  • Paypal
  • Visa

Do you take insurance?

If you have a PPO, please check with your insurance company for out-of-network benefits. Otherwise, there are a few different reasons why MFTs generally don't take insurance:

  1. Couples and family therapy is often not reimbursed by insurance.
  2. Clients must meet criteria for a mental diagnosis to be covered by insurance.
  3. Only mental diagnoses which are deemed a “medical necessity” are covered by insurance.
  4. Insurance companies will stop covering fees when they decide the client no longer meets criteria for a mental disorder.
  5. Therapists must provide reports revealing what is discussed in sessions. There is little control over who reads these reports.
  6. Having a serious mental diagnosis on record is stigmatizing and may negatively impact one’s relationship with employers, health insurance, life insurance or security clearance.

Do you offer a sliding scale?

Yes. Depending on your level of need and commitment to therapy, your financial abilities will be honored and alternative options for a reduced cost will be provided. Feel free to inquire about this option right away. However, if you can afford to pay full price, this route is encouraged for a few different reasons:

  1. Research shows clients work harder and get better results when they pay full price for therapy.
  2. Price ranges take into account the expense at which it costs to become a MFT.
  3. Marriage and family therapy contributes an invaluable service to individuals
  4. To encourage the growth of the profession, MFTs are encouraged to advocate for sufficient wages.

Are there any clients you don’t you see?

For issues pertaining to safety and best practices, the following clients may be referred out or asked to return at a later time: Thse who enter a therapy session under the influence of alcohol or other substances. Those with whom I have a pre-existing relationship with. Those with whom are related to another client I am working with. When psychotherapy is not right for you, we may have a conversation about where your needs could best be met.

Do the therapist’s personal views and values influence the way therapy is done?

At Huston Therapy, I practice client-centered therapy which means the views and values of the client are the most central and important aspects of the thearpy process.

Can you be a good therapist if you aren’t divorced like I am, have kids like I do or if I am “X” amount of years older/younger than you?

Fortunately, therapists do not need to experience their client’s concerns, nor be similar in age and marital status in order to provide therapy. In fact, therapists are not necessarily more effective when their personal experiences line up with those of their clients. A therapist’s specialization will often indicate where their strengths lie, and their limitations can be discussed in the first session of therapy.

How frequent is therapy and how many sessions are necessary?

Therapy sessions typically occur on a weekly or biweekly basis. They may occur more or less frequently depending on the needs of the client. If you want to come in for a consultation, I can give you a better understanding of how long your treatment may take.

What advice can therapists give that my friends and family cannot?

Rather than give advice, I help you discover the advice that is best for you. With a little help from a trained therapist, you can learn to identiy your inner wisdom and trust it. I use the following metaphor to futher illustrate this point. A mentor once told me that clients are like travelers journeying through a dark room. They want to move forward and explore their surroundings, but they can't see in front of them. Therapists are guides who stand behind them, holding a torch that shines light in front of them. As the client moves about, the client is able to see the ground ahead and determine where to make the next step. Aided by the light, clients will eventually make their way out of the dark room without the therapist having given them any advice per se. Individuals intuitively know what steps to take in their lives. They simply need some extra assistance seeing through the darkness of rough times. Unlike some family members or friends who give advice, therapists are trained in helping clients to see for themselves what they have yet to identfiy in their lives.

Does therapy always work?

Most of the time, therapy helps clients to gain attain a better understanding of themselves and their concerns. However, there are some times when therapy does not always help. Having an open and honest relationship with your therapist increases your chances of avoiding this outcome. Ongoing conversations about the helpfulness of therapy occur throughout the process to ensure that your expectations are being met.

What is a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)?

An MFT is a professional who helps those struggling with personal or interpersonal issues, such as mental illness, relationship distress or family dynamics. The CA Behavioral Board of Sciences defines the practice of marriage and family therapy as “the service performed with individuals, couples, or groups wherein interpersonal relationships are examined for the purpose of achieving more adequate, satisfying, and productive marriage and family adjustments.” A MFT is a trained professional who integrates, uses and applies “marriage and family principles and methods… to enable individuals to mature and grow within marriage and the family.” There a a few reasons why the state of CA provides licensure for this type of service:

  • First, CA recognizes that families and individuals experience difficulty and distress, and are are in need of “wise, competent compassionate, and effective counseling in order to enable them to improve and maintain healthy family relationships.”
  • Second, CA recognizes that “heathy individuals and families and healthy relationships are inherently beneficial and crucial to a healthy society, and are our most precious and valuable resource.”
The state of CA therefore issues MFT licenses to trained professionals so they may contribute to the wellbeing of all those individuals who makeup our beautiful state.