Clinical Experience

Learn about the clinical experience in the Couples and Family Therapy program at SU.

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In the second year of the program, our students begin a 12-month internship providing therapy for families, intimate relationships, and individuals.

During the internship students:

  • Spend 15 to 20 hours per week at a clinical site for in person or virtual client contact, supervision, and other clinical work.
  • Must accrue 400 clinical hours, including 200 relational hours (seeing couples, families and other relationship forms).
  • Interns see brief and long-term clients to develop a range of skills to utilize after graduation.
  • Participate in weekly on campus faculty-led group supervision with an AAMFT approved supervisor.
  • Are required to become members of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and the Washington Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (WAMFT). WAMFT and AAMFT offer robust networking opportunities and clinical resources.

Our students take a year of classes before starting the clinical sequence. To demonstrate clinical readiness, they must pass prerequisite classes and receive passing grades on clinical skills rubrics. Our site supervisors report that our interns are well prepared to start seeing clients. MACFT pre-interns work directly with our clinical coordinator to secure an internship that meets program requirements and matches student interests. Securing an internship requires effort and initiative. While our clinical coordinator will offer guidance and a list of approved sites, students are expected to take the lead in researching, applying to and securing internship opportunities. This includes completing necessary paperwork, communicating with potential sites, and fulfilling any requirements set forth by the hosting organizations. Required clinical orientations provide additional instruction and resources regarding site placement and clinical expectations (handbook provided). Since 2014, 100% of interns have completed clinical requirements either by the end of Clinical IV (77%) or Clinical Extension (23%).

AAMFT Approved Supervision

Tevera

The process of becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist requires skill development, knowledge of theory, and a lot of paperwork. To ease the burden of collecting, organizing, and reporting clinical and program details, the program uses Tevera, the first subscription cloud-based platform developed for managing practicums, internships, and accreditation for clinical training programs.

Students use Tevera to secure internships, record signed clinical and supervision hours, and track progress towards our MACFT student learning outcomes. Graduates have lifelong access to their Tevera training record, which can be very helpful when applying for licensure or employment.

The cost is indicated in the policies, assessment and procedures document below. Eligible students can use financial aid. Tevera is required for all MACFT students.

Policies and Assessment Procedures

MACFT Policies, Assessment and Procedures gives an overview of the program’s demographics, policies, costs and assessment procedures.

From Our Alumni

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Arynn Prescott

This program is transformative, filled with space for reflection and growth, and the leadership team provides a structure that will give you exactly what you need, at the time you need it.

LMFTA, 2022 Graduate

Get in Touch

If you have any questions about the program or application, we’re here to help!

Ashley Miller

Senior Admissions Counselor

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