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In simple terms, the differences between Clinical Mental Health Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists are the approaches each take in helping clients, the education each completes, and the amount of practical, supervised experience each program requires (pre- and post- graduate, for Florida licensure). The three are similar, and all can be beneficial to many types of clients, but knowing the differences may help in selecting a helping professional for yourself or your family.
While all three licenses require 1500 hours/ 2 years of post-Master’s supervised experience and a licensing exam, the path to getting there varies (Florida Board, n.d.). The following sections describe the current requirements for the three types; however, professionals licensed for many years may have been ‘grandfathered’ in due to their experience and having been licensed prior to newer requirements. Social Workers Generally speaking, social workers help individuals and families cope with life challenges they may be experiencing, connect their clients with available services for additional assistance, and advocate on behalf of their clients (What Social, 2023). A more complete description is available on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook website. Social Work programs are accredited through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates first apply for Registered Intern status by submitting their transcript, an application, and a letter from a licensed professional who is additionally certified as a “Qualified Supervisor”. Applicants’ transcripts must show 24 hours of “theory of human behavior and practice methods as courses in clinically oriented services, including a minimum of one course in psychopathology” (Florida Board, n.d.). To complete the Master’s, social work students must also complete one semester of a field placement (practicum) in which they are providing services to clients under university and site supervision. Social Workers are eligible to apply for Registered Intern status with the state board after completing 15 semester hours of their required 24 semester hours. After completing at least 18 months of post graduate supervised experience, Registered Interns can apply for full licensure, although the requirement is at least 1 hour of supervision every two weeks for at least 100 weeks and 1500 hours of direct client services. The additional requirements for full licensure include passing a national board exam and completing three courses: an 8 hour Laws & Rules course, a 3 hour HIV/AIDS course, followed by a 2 hour Domestic Violence course within 6 months of licensure. Marriage & Family Therapists Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) work with individuals, couples, and families to help them deal with emotions and resolve issues, with significant attention given to how family and interpersonal relationships affect each person (What Marriage, 2023). For more detailed information, please visit the MFT page on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook website. Marriage & Family Therapists complete programs which are accredited through either the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or through Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). For graduates of COAMFTE programs, the educational requirement is “Minimum of an earned master’s degree with major emphasis in marriage and family therapy, or a closely related field from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)” (Florida Board, N.D.). MFTs also complete a practicum during their program, which must include a minimum of 400 hours total, 300 hours of direct client contact, and 200 hours of which must be “relational” (Florida Board, N.D.). Students are eligible to apply for Registered Intern status when they have met 10 semester hours of coursework, with at least 6 hours in marriage and family systems, theories, or techniques. MFTs from CACREP accredited programs must complete 33 hours of additional coursework. Like Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists must complete 1500 hours/2 years of supervised clinical experience after graduation in order to be eligible for full licensure. Additionally, those hours must consist of at least 1 hour of supervision every two weeks for at least 100 weeks and 1500 hours of direct client services. They must also complete a national licensing exam and an 8 hour Laws & Rules course, a 3 hour HIV/AIDS course, followed by a 2 hour Domestic Violence course within 6 months of licensure. Mental Health Counselors Mental Health Counselors (MHCs), sometimes called clinical mental health counselors, work primarily with individuals or with groups. They may focus on a particular area of treatment, such as substance abuse, or may take a general approach. MHCs assess clients’ mental health and life challenges, work with the client to develop a treatment plan, and help clients develop new skills for coping with the issues they’re facing and the unhelpful behaviors that hinder them (What Substance, 2023). MHCs can also provide career counseling, especially for life transitions, and help clients develop the skills they need to continue to improve their lives after treatment has ended (What Substance, 2023). The Bureau’s description page for Mental Health Counselors provides additional information. Mental Health Counseling graduate programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). These applicants must complete “Minimum of an earned master’s degree from an institutionally accredited program in mental health counseling or a closely related field that consists of at least 60 semester hours or 80 quarter hours and required graduate coursework” (Florida Board, n.d.), plus two additional classes in Human Sexuality and Substance Abuse. The Mental Health Counselors’ clinical requirement is at least 700 hours of practicum and/or internships with at least 280 hours of direct client contact. These hours are not counted towards postgraduate supervision hours for licensure. Students may apply for Registered Intern status with the board after completing “7 of the 11 course content areas, if one of the 7 courses was in Psychopathology” (Florida Board, n.d.). Like the other two professional licensees, Mental Health Counselors must complete 1500 hours/2 years of post graduate qualified supervision. MHCs must complete at least 1 hour of supervision every two weeks for at least 100 weeks and 1500 hours of face to face psychotherapy with clients. They, too, must also complete a national licensing exam and an 8 hour Laws & Rules course, a 3 hour HIV/AIDS course, followed by a 2 hour Domestic Violence course within 6 months of licensure. As one can imagine, there is often overlap between the three professions and in some cases, it may not make a difference which professional is chosen to provide the service. However, knowing the differences between them can be helpful when looking for a professional to provide services specific to you or your family’s individual needs. As examples, whether a client needs a Social Worker to assist them with accessing community services and navigating through a troubled time, a Marriage & Family Therapist to help improve their relationship(s), or a Mental Health Counselor to evaluate and treat their trauma, it is really up to the individual client to determine which of these three professionals best fits them. Heidi Jameson, LMHC is the founder of The Mangroves Seeds of Change, LLC. You can read more about her here. References Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling, licensing and registration. (n.d.). Florida Mental Health Professions.gov. Retrieved November 30, 2023, from https://floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov/licensing/ What marriage and family therapists do. (2023, September 6). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved November 30, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/marriage-and- family-therapists.htm#tab-2 What social workers do. (2023, September 6). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved November 30, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab -2 What substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors do. (2023, September 6). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved November 30, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and- social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health- counselors.htm#tab-2
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 Have you ever wondered why it's so relaxing to sit on a beach in the evening, watching and listening to the waves rhythmically roll in? Or why the scent of crisp, fresh mountain air is so invigorating? According to research, it's because nature contact works on our brains to reduce our stress. By incorporating as much direct nature contact as possible into our home and work environment, we can reduce our stress with little to no effort. Why? It could be due to the Biophilia Hypothesis, which in a nutshell, means our brains are programmed that way. If you'd like to learn a little more about the effects of stress on our minds and bodies, as well as how direct nature contact can be woven into our homes and offices, here's a video presentation to help. Heidi Jameson, LMHC is the founder of The Mangroves Seeds of Change, LLC. You can read more about her here. Direct contact with nature has a statistically significant negative effect on stress. This effect increases with higher and more direct nature contact (Largo-Wight, et al, 2011, p. 129). Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is an evidenced-based psychotherapy practice originally developed by Marsha Linehan. It has four modes, one of which is DBT Skills training. DBT Skills training also has 4 components: mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation. Although there are a multitude of resources available online, I created this one for a specific client, a kinesthetic learner, who wanted to incorporate adult coloring with their therapy "homework". Please enjoy this free resource to use on your own or with clients. Heidi Jameson, LMHC is the founder of The Mangroves Seeds of Change, LLC. You can read more about her here. 
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