Marriage and Family Therapy
- 60 Credits
- School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Westchester
Marriage and Family Therapy Overview
»Ê¼Ò»ªÈË's MFT program gives you a powerful edge by teaching you to see families not as collections of people or problems to fix, but as meaning-making systems with untapped potential. While most clinical programs focus primarily on pathology and treatment, you'll learn to help families and communities discover and design new resilient possibilities about themselves. Systemic therapy is paradigmatic shift to mental health. It views individuals in the context of their families and other social systems and stories, emphasizing the ways in which relationships and interactions between individuals shape behavior, mental health, and well-being. This is the program for you, if you are interested in learning about shifting human behavior and improving mental/emotional well-being by focusing on the interpersonal, relational and social aspects of our lives!
You'll master cutting-edge approaches that recognize how families create their realities through everyday conversations, cultural influences, and shared meanings impacting behavioral, emotional, mental, and relational health. Instead of just treating symptoms, you'll learn to help families, couples, youth, and individuals identify the interactional patterns and stories that aren't serving them and co-create more generative interactions and empowering narratives together.
This means you'll graduate knowing how to:
- Help families, couples and people move from "we're broken" to "we're co-creating"
- Recognize how socio-cultural and family-of-origin stories shape current struggles
- Actively improve mental health by helping folks move beyond coping to dynamically resist historically and socially depressing stories or belief systems
- Guide clients to craft culturally-resonant ways of being able to navigate their relational and social context
- Create resonant possibilities that taps into their generativity rather than imposing external fixes
- Work collaboratively as families, couples, youth, and individuals become active participants of their preferred futures
You'll enter the field with skills that many therapists take years to develop - the ability to see strength and possibility where others see only problems, positioning you as a systemic therapist who generatively partners with families, couples, youth, and individuals in transformation.
Marriage and Family Therapy’s ethical practice is governed by the code of ethics issued by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Learn more about how MFTs practice and how we are different from other mental health professions from this AAMFT video.
Join us for our Upcoming Graduate Events
Join us for an upcoming graduate admissions event to learn more about our Marriage and Family Therapy program and explore how »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË can help you meet your goals.
Career Opportunities
Our program is designed to prepare expert couple and family therapists to treat families, couples, youth, and individuals in diverse settings such as:
Mental health centers
- Private practice
- Social service agencies
- Online therapy practices
- Outpatient centers and hospitals
- Military organizations
- Residential care facilities
The »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË Advantage
The need for marriage and family therapists is rising, with a from now until 2032. This projected growth means there will be close to 6,000 open positions on average for these therapists each year.
As a marriage and family therapist, you'll help patients navigate their marriage or relationships with their families. Some of the challenges you may address with your patients include stress, depression, anxiety and behavioral difficulties within the context of current or past relationships.
You will learn directly from innovators who are at the forefront of redefining couples and family therapy for the needs of today’s world. Our faculty are nationally and internationally recognized, with several honored by the American Family Therapy Academy for their exceptional contributions to the field. Their groundbreaking scholarship is featured in widely used textbooks, reflecting their leadership in shaping contemporary theory and practice. Learn from leaders to become tomorrow’s leaders!
You will be accompanied and mentored at each step of your clinical training. »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË has a dedicated faculty member who serves as the Director of Clinical Internships. Throughout your internship experience, she provides comprehensive mentorship and support—assisting you with resume development, interview preparation, site selection and placement, professional socialization, and recognition of accomplishments. In your capstone course, you will work with a clinical faculty mentor to integrate your theoretical and clinical skills in a personalized final training experience. Our faculty remains engaged through every stage of your training, including licensure prep and applying for your postgraduate limited permit, ensuring guidance and support at each step.
You will be partners-in-learning. We approach the program as a learning lab for growth, contextualization and responsiveness. We emphasize the culture of learning as much as what we are learning. We create a context with you and for you to experience what you are learning in your everyday interactions with your faculty and peers. Small class sizes with active learning (in-class activities, reflective exercises, self-assessments, role-plays, discussions etc.) provide for engaged learning. Join us to experience what it feels like to co-create a learning community.
You will learn how to be a strength-based, culturally-responsive and socially-just focused couples and family therapist. »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË’s program is distinguished by its robust theoretical foundation in systemic and social construction approaches to marriage and family therapy. We provide a socio-relational framework for understanding mental, behavioral, and relational challenges. You will learn how our identities and realities are continuously co-created through the stories we tell and the meanings we negotiate together in our daily interactions within families and communities, while recognizing how dominant cultural narratives shape what becomes possible in our lives and how to rescript our socio-relational narratives. This is accomplished by extensive training in identifying relational processes and themes within families of origin and social narratives to reconstruct them and enhance overall well-being.
We offer a dedicated introductory course on sex therapy. For those interested in getting certified as a sex therapist, our program will be the first step on this journey. We offer the academic requirements towards becoming a licensed mental health professional which is a pre-requisite for becoming a certified sex therapist. Talk with our certified sex therapist faculty member to learn more!
»Ê¼Ò»ªÈË is here to help our students and communities succeed. The new Interdisciplinary Health Education Learning Program (IHELP) fellowship aims to expand internship opportunities that provide services for children, adolescents, and transitional-aged youth who are at risk for behavioral health disorders in high need and high demand areas for graduate Fellows in »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË's School Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or Occupational Therapy programs.
Students who qualify to participate in IHELP can receive a stipend of up to $25,000 to assist their studies. IHELP students also have access to hands-on learning opportunities, like working at local mental health facilities as well as private practice settings.
Dr. Bava runs a Relational Play Lab for the »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË students to experience applied research in relational practices for an inclusive world. The mission of the lab is to explore and implement relational play and intelligence as a generative creative resource for individuals, couples, and organizations. Relational play is the relationally creative process of trial and error by which we co-create the self, the other, and the world around us.
You will learn how to be socio-relationally grounded in helping families and couples in a digitally transforming world. We prepare our students to be adaptive and ready for the AI-revolution that is sweeping our personal and professional lives. We are piloting a tele-therapy clinic.
»Ê¼Ò»ªÈË’s Marriage and Family Therapy program’s coursework is a licensure qualifying program. This means we are a registered degree program that is pre-approved by the New York State Education Department Office of Professional Education and we meet all the coursework requirements towards a licensure as a marriage and family therapist. We meet the education requirements for coursework needed in diagnosis (diagnostic privilege), assessment and treatment implementation plans. This means that future licensed graduates of the MFT program can have diagnostic privileges as part of their practice.
Licensure
This program qualifies graduates to sit for the National Marriage and Family Therapy licensing exam, and they are able to move toward completing the 1,500 clinical hours in a professional full-time position required for licensure, 300 of which are completed during the program and 2000 post-graduate hours for diagnostic privilege. Our program coursework is approved by NY state to meet the educational requirements for licensure and diagnostic privilege.
Students meet licensure requirements through »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË’s affiliated agencies, mental health facilities, hospitals and private practice settings, and benefit from supervision by highly experienced mental health care professionals.
Some of the topics covered in our Marriage and Family Therapy program in New York City include:
- Child and adolescent behavioral issues
- Marital or couple conflicts
- Sexuality and intimacy
- Relationship communication skills
- Domestic violence
- Intimate partner violence
- Issues in the LGBTGEQIAP+ (SAIGE) community
- Grief and loss
- Parental concerns
- Feelings of depression or anxiety
- ADHD
- Stress, trauma and abuse
- Substance use and more
2023 M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy
Daisy Livingstone
I graduated from »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË in 2023 with my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, and the program helped me become the therapist I always knew I could be. I’ve always had a natural instinct to help and connect with others, and »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË gave me the clinical tools and structure to turn that instinct into something I could use in real time to truly support people.
One of the things I appreciated most was the intimacy of the program classes were small, which meant we weren’t just numbers. Professors knew our names, our goals, and how to challenge us in ways that were personal and meaningful. That one-on-one attention created a learning environment where I could grow with clarity and confidence. The professors were dynamic, deeply knowledgeable, and fully invested in our success they poured their hearts into teaching and made sure we left prepared for the real world.
The clinical training gave me hands-on experience in showing up for clients with compassion and competence, and the mentorship throughout the program helped me step into my voice as a therapist. »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË didn’t just educate me it shaped me. I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone ready to do meaningful work in this field.
2024 Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
Victoria Robledo
One of the things I valued most about the »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË MFT program was the deep sense of connection—not just with my cohort, but with the faculty, who remained genuinely invested in our success well beyond the classroom. After completing my internship at Jewish Family Services in Greenwich, CT, I stayed on as a full-time therapist following my graduation in August 2024.
Having previously pursued a mental health career in Argentina, choosing »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË was an easy decision—not only because of the quality of its systemic and culturally attuned training, but also because of the close-knit, supportive environment that allowed me to thrive both personally and professionally.
Thanks to »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË, I deepened my understanding of systems thinking and was able to successfully launch my clinical career in the U.S.—something I’ll always be proud of.
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How to Apply for Our Marriage and Family Therapy Degree
At »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË, we make applying to our MFT program in New York City a breeze. Our three-step application process includes:
- Review our admissions requirements to make sure you have all of the correct supporting documents.
- Submit your application online and pay the $40 application fee.
- Submit your official baccalaureate transcripts from any previous colleges.
If you have any questions during the application process, our graduate admissions team is here to help!
Financial Aid Options for All Students
As a grad student at »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË, you have financial aid options like tuition remission programs and the . The PLUS loan is a federally guaranteed borrowing option to help cover part or all of your education expenses. If you have any questions, our team is here to help you determine which financial aid options are on the table as well as understand your bill.
Admissions Requirements
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher. Applicants with a GPA lower than 3.0 may be considered for provisional acceptance. Students must have taken at least one course in Research Methods or Statistics at the undergraduate or graduate level and received a B or above
- Two (2) detailed written signed letters of recommendation from instructors in the major area of study or professional contacts. If you graduated with your bachelor’s degree within the last 5 years at least one letter must be from a professor on University/College letterhead.
- An up-to-date Résumé
- A 5 page essay on the applicant’s reasons for pursuing the Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Shorter essays will not be accepted.
- The essay should detail:
- Why the applicant wants to be in the MFT program
- What personal and professional attributes the applicant brings to this endeavor
- The applicant’s career goals
- This essay should reflect the applicant’s knowledge of what the field of MFT involves, include specific ideas and demonstrate the good writing skills required in graduate school.
- The essay should detail:
Frequently Asked Questions
No, prior experience in psychology or counseling is not required. A background in psychology or behavioral sciences will be considered but not required. We are a program known for working with second career people, including the performing arts, case management, law, journalism, education, homemakers, and other professions.
Statistics for Social and Behavioral Sciences or Psychology is a pre-requisite course for admission, which will need to be taken prior to graduate coursework beginning.
Qualified candidates are considered for admission in the fall, spring and summer semesters.
The MFT program is offered at the Dobbs Ferry Campus in Westchester County. Courses meet once a week at either 4:15 pm or 7:15 pm. Some courses are available online and at our Manhattan campus, but students need to be available at 4:15 pm and 7:15 pm, and will need to come to the Dobbs Ferry campus for the majority of their courses.
The 60-credit MFT program can be pursued on a part-time or full-time basis. Full-time students can complete the program in 2.5 years, including two Summers. Part-time students may take up to 5 years to complete the Masters, however, we recommend the program be completed in three years, including three Summers.
A year-long clinical placement is required for the MS in MFT. Usually in the second year, from September through August of the following year covering three semesters of coursework. 200 hours of field work per term, which includes 100 hours of direct patient contact. 300 hours of direct client contact will accrue in total. An additional 1200 hours of clinical experience can be completed post Master’s to satisfy requirements for licensure.
Yes, we have a dedicated faculty member, the Director of Clinical Internships, who works individually with each student to assist them in finding an excellent site that is a good match for them. They work on the student’s resume, letter of application, interviewing skills, and searching for a site that fits the student’s needs.
The one-year clinical internship is located in community clinics, private practice, mental health clinics, and hospitals. The placements are located in Queens, Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, and Westchester, Orange County. On a case-by-case basis, we place students in New Jersey and Connecticut.
The Interdisciplinary Health Education Learning Program (IHELP) expands learning about services for children, adolescents and transitional aged youth at risk for behavioral health disorders. Participants receive enhanced academic coursework, experiential interpersonal training along with stipend support. A limited number of students are selected. More information can be found here: /academics/school-social-behavioral-sciences/ihelp
Each student is mentored by an individual faculty member to complete their capstone.
The internship prepares students for post graduate clinical work and professional development. Also, students receive orientation on job searches, interviewing, and negotiating salaries. Many students, depending on job openings and fit, receive job offers from their internship sites.
There are no scholarships for students in the MFT program, except for those chosen for the IHELP program who will receive a stipend for the year in training.
Yes, post graduate scholarships are available through the Ackerman Institute. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Saliha Bava: sbava@mercy.edu
There are three major requirements: 1) completion of a Master's degree in MFT, 2) passing the national licensing exam for MFT and 3) accrued 1500 hours of clinical experience.
Employment of Marriage and Family Therapists is expected to grow 14% from 2021 – 2031. Our graduates do very well in receiving employment. Many receive offers from their internship site on completion.
MFT therapists work in hospitals, agencies, court systems and private practice.
Family Services of Westchester, The Veterans Administration Clinic, Equity Therapy in NYC, Roberto Clemente Family Guidance Center, NAFI-NY, Tree House, Green Chimneys, Child Center of NY, North Brooklyn MFT, and many other places around the region.
We guide our students through their program of study with four orientations spread over their course of study. Guiding them through the process of graduate studies, internship readiness and placement, teletherapy and post-graduate orientation to licensure preparation.
We also offer free workshops every semester to expand upon their clinical and professional development skills. The workshops consist of leading figures in Couple and Family Therapy.
And, we run the Relational Play Lab where students learn about systemic and relational practices by applying it to action research projects, preparing them for both clinical and research practice.
Interim Program Director Dr. Saliha Bava, LMFT is an AAMFT-approved Supervisor and advisor at the Taos Institute’s Doctoral and International Diploma Program. She was the Associate Director of the world-renowned Houston Galveston Insitute, a founding home for postmodern therapy. She is the Director of Research and Consultant to the International Trauma Studies Program and a Taos Institute Associate and advisory board member. She co-founded the International Certificate in Collaborative-Dialogic Practices and is the founding editor of the International Journal of Collaborative-Dialogic Practices. Dr. Bava served on the American Family Therapy Academy Board (2012-2017). She has numerous articles and over 100 national and international presentations to her credit in the area of Trauma, couples therapy, parenting, disaster mental health, collaborative practices, relational play, training, pedagogy, research, DEI and social justice approaches. She co-authored the Relational Book for Parenting and the upcoming Relational Practices for Workplaces. She is in private practice in NYC, working with couples and as an ADEI consultant.
Maria Vilanova, LMFT an Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Internship in the MFT program. Maria has provided clinical services to individuals, couples, and families in both the public and private sector. Maria specializes in providing therapeutic services to those who have experienced trauma and life cycle transitions using family therapy and family systems theory. Maria also specializes in cross-cultural relationships, and leadership. For the past eight years, Maria's work has been dedicated to working with our country's military personnel, our veterans, and their families struggling with mental illness and addiction. She recently joined SFCS as the agency’s Assistant Director. In her role, Maria supervises all aspects of the Scarsdale Community Youth Services Project and provides direct clinical services to adults, teens, and families through the family counseling division. She has a private practice in Westchester County.
Program Details & Curriculum
The 60-credit Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy Degree is organized as follows:
Human Development: 3 Credits
Clinical Knowledge: 18 Credits
Theoretical Knowledge: 18 Credits
Family Law: 3 Credits
Research: 3 Credits
Professional Ethics: 3 Credits
Internship: 9 Credits
Capstone Experience: 3 Credits
Total: 60 Credits
Completion of at least 21 credits, including: PSYN 639-Pre-Practicum; PSYN PSYN 653 - Family Systems Assessment; 644 - Group Experience (cc); PSYN 654 - Psychopathology; PSYN 665- Professional Issues and Ethics; and PSYN 605: Couples Therapy: Theory and Practice or PSYN 657: Contemporary Family Therapy
The Practicum course must be applied for the semester prior to course registration. A 3.0 GPA and minimum of 21 credits is required to register in and .
Download a copy of the sequence map for:
ARCHIVE
- 2024 - 2025 M.S. Marriage and Family Therapy
- 2023 - 2024 M.S. Marriage and Family Therapy
- 2022 - 2023 M.S. Marriage and Family Therapy
- 2021 - 2022 M.S. Marriage and Family Therapy
2020 - 2021 M.S. Marriage and Family Therapy
Full-Time Faculty
Saliha Bava
- MaH Cottage
- sbava@mercy.edu
- (718) 678-8214
Part-Time Faculty
Admissions Counselor
Debra E Greig
- Main Hall 216B
- DGreig@mercy.edu
- 914-674-7462