Couple and Family Therapy Program
TRAIN WITH THE FOUNDERS OF A FAST-GROWING FIELD
Couple and Family Therapy is one of the fastest-growing disciplines in the field of mental health. The California School of Professional Psychology, a pioneer in this discipline, offers two COAMFTE–accredited graduate degree programs to prepare students for careers as professional marriage and family therapists.
- Master of Arts in Marital & Family Therapy (MA)
Irvine | Los Angeles | Sacramento | San Diego | San Francisco - Doctor of Psychology in Marital & Family Therapy (PsyD)
Irvine | Los Angeles | Sacramento | San Diego
IMPROVE RELATIONSHIPS, MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN DIVERSE LIVES
Couple and Family Therapy students receive intensive theoretical and practical skill-based
training, focusing on relationships and interaction patterns. Mentored by authorities
in the field, students are trained to integrate treatment models in an international,
multicultural environment. Graduates go on to work with individuals and families in
hospitals, clinics, social service agencies, churches, educational institutions and
private practice.
TEN REASONS TO CHOOSE CSPP’s COUPLE AND FAMILY THERAPY PROGRAMS:
If you’re considering a career in couple and family therapy, you will find no finer preparation than at CSPP. We offer:
- COAMFTE Accreditation. Our master’s is one of only seven MFT programs in California accredited by COAMFTE. Our doctoral program is one of only three accredited programs in the state, and it was the first accredited program of its kind in the nation.
- Career-Ready Preparation. Complete academic preparation to apply for the MFT licensing exam, as well as the LPCC licensing exam, in California and most other states.
- A variety of program options. Specializations in gerontology, chemical dependency and Latin American family therapy.
- Extensive real-world training at community-based practicum and internship sites with top supervision and a diverse clientele.
- Mentorship by well-known, highly respected leaders in the field.
- A multicultural, international student body, with 30-40% minority representation.
- A racially, ethnically and culturally diverse faculty with international academic credentials.
- Significant applied research projects driven by student interests.
- Small classes and a warm, supportive environment.
- Convenient evening and part-time schedules.
SELECT FROM THREE SPECIALIZATIONS
We offer specializations in three areas of significant societal focus:
STUDY ABROAD FOR UP TO THREE SEMESTERS
Students in both degree programs have a unique opportunity to study abroad in Mexico City and complete any or all of the first three semesters, including a summer semester of Spanish Language and Cultural Immersion in Mexico City.
LEARN FROM THE BEST-KNOWN NAMES IN THE FIELD
Many pioneers in marital and family therapy have taught at Alliant, including Maurizio Andolfi, Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy, James Framo, Edwin Friedman, Jay Haley, Norman Paul, Virginia Satir and Carl Whitaker.
The tradition continues today with leading CFT faculty including public policy expert Benjamin E. Caldwell, common factors researcher Sean D. Davis, EFT model developer and world renowned couple therapist Sue Johnson, and international EFT trainer Scott R. Woolley.
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE, PART-TIME OPTIONS
The CFT program operates on a semester system, year-round, with 16-week semesters starting in September and January, and a shortened summer semester starting in May.
We offer day and evening classes in San Diego and Irvine, and evening classes in Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Francisco. Part-time attendance is permitted.
MISSION OF THE COUPLE AND FAMILY THERAPY PROGRAM
The mission of the Couple and Family Therapy programs is to provide the highest quality education, training, scholarship and service in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. We train ethical professionals to foster the well-being of individuals, children, couples, families, organizations, and communities primarily through improving relationships. The program specifically focuses on the understanding and respect for the diversity of human relationships across different populations from a variety of multicultural, socioeconomic, international backgrounds. Students are inspired to respect multiple dimensions of human diversity, develop a mature personal and professional identity, stay current with professional knowledge and practice, and make a positive difference for clients and society.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
The Couple and Family Therapy program outcomes flow directly from the four pillars of the university: Practice, Diversity, Community, and Scholarship:
- Practice: The program graduates students who are able to deliver Couple and Family Therapy professional services competently.
- Diversity: The program graduates diverse students prepared to meet the needs of diverse communities.
- Community: The program engages various communities through the application of the knowledge and skills of couple and family therapy.
- Scholarship: The program contributes to both the understanding and creation of couple and family therapy scholarship.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Practice Foundational Knowledge and Skills: Master's and doctoral students comprehend and demonstrate Couple and Family Therapy conceptual, perceptual, executive, evaluative, professional, and theoretical skills.
- Diversity Knowledge and Skills: Master's and doctoral students comprehend and demonstrate knowledge of human diversity with a multicultural and international emphasis.
- Community Knowledge and Skills: Master's and doctoral students comprehend and demonstrate knowledge of how to engage community behavioral health care systems.
- Scholarship Foundation Knowledge and Skills: Master's and doctoral students demonstrate a basic knowledge of Couple and Family Therapy research methodologies and scholarship.
- Practice Supervision Knowledge and Skills: Doctoral students comprehend models and methods of Couple and Family Therapy supervision.
- Practice Specific Knowledge and Skill: Doctoral students articulate and demonstrate the application of a personal Couple and Family Therapy model of therapy.
- Scholarship Application Knowledge and Skills: Doctoral students demonstrate the ability to understand and apply Couple and Family Therapy research methods.