What is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)?

Recently a potential client called me for an initial session. She began the conversation by asking me about being a marriage and family therapist.

She said, “Dr. Clarke, me and my husband are having relationship and communication struggles. We would like to seek counseling, but aren’t clear if we should see a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Can you succinctly tell me why we should see a LMFT?”

I said, “I’ll try. I compare it to my doctor, who is a general practitioner. I think he is really good at what he does and he understands his lane. However, if I need heart surgery I will go to a cardiologist, not my general practitioner. Not because he isn’t a good guy and understands medicine or the body, but because he hasn’t been trained in understanding the complexity of the heart. So, if I am having relationship struggles (ie. premarital issues, couple conflict, infidelity concerns, etc.), family conflict (ie. parent-child struggles, step-family difficulties, etc.), individual issues (ie. self-worth struggles, anxiety, depression, etc.), I would want to work with someone that specializes in understanding the complexities of relationships. I would want someone that understands the intricate nature of one’s relationship with self, their partner, their family, their community, their society.”