Code of Massachusetts Regulations
262 CMR - BOARD OF ALLIED MENTAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PROFESSIONS
Title 262 CMR 3.00 - Requirements For Licensure As A Marriage And Family Therapist
Section 3.02 - Definitions

AAMFT. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

Approved Supervisor.

(a) A marriage and family therapist designated as an " Approved Supervisor" by the AAMFT to supervise the clinical practice of marriage and family therapists, or

(b) a licensed marriage and family therapist, rehabilitation counselor, educational psychologist, mental health counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, all of whom holds a masters degree in either social work, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, educational psychology, counseling or an equivalent field, or holds a doctorate degree in psychology, or a medical degree with a sub-specialization in psychiatry, and who:

1. has had primary supervisory responsibility for two practitioners providing marriage and family therapy for a period of two years or the equivalent; or

2. holds either a teaching or supervisory position in a recognized educational institution, institute or agency which trains marriage and family therapists, provides clinical services to individuals, couples and families on a regular basis, or offers graduate degrees in marriage and family therapy or a related field.

Board. Board of Allied Mental Health and Human Service Professions.

Clinical Internship or Practicum. A supervised internship or practicum in marriage and family therapy shall be included in the masters or doctoral program of study. The internship or practicum shall include a minimum of 300 hours of direct/face to face client contact with individuals, family groups, couples, groups or organizations (public or private) under the direction of an approved supervisor. The supervision shall consist of 100 face-to-face hours, of which 50 must be individual supervision. In addition, of the 100 hours of supervision, 25 hours must be supervision of direct observation or audio or videotape supervision.

Full-Time. 35 hours per week/48 weeks per year. The full-time practice of marriage and family therapy includes at least ten hours per week of clinical work with individuals, family groups, couples, groups or organizations (public or private).

Graduate Level Course. Three semester credit or four-quarter credit graduate credits from a Recognized Educational Institution.

Group Supervision. A regularly scheduled meeting of marriage and family therapy supervision of not more than six practitioners, plus an approved supervisor, for a period of at least 1½ hours "Peer" supervision will not be considered to be qualifying supervision for these purposes.

Individual Supervision. A regularly scheduled meeting of marriage and family therapy supervision of not more than two practitioners with an approved supervisor for a period of at least one hour.

Licensure Examination. The examination for licensure as a marriage and family therapist shall be the "Examination in Marital and Family Therapy" developed by the Association of Martial and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards. The licensure examination is administered by the Board or its agent. For information on sites, dates, examination, and fees, contact the Board.

Marriage and Family Therapy. The rendering of professional mental health services to individuals, family groups, couples, groups or organizations (public or private) for compensation, monetary or otherwise. Said professional services shall include applying principles, methods and therapeutic techniques to individuals, family groups, couples, groups or organizations (public or private) for the purpose of resolving emotional conflict, modifying perceptions and behavior, enhancing communication and understanding among family members and the prevention of family and individual crises. Marriage and family therapists may also engage in psychotherapy of a non-medical nature with appropriate referrals to psychiatric resources and other mental health professionals and organizations.

Psychotherapy of a Non-medical Nature. The utilization of psychological and interpersonal theories and related practice methodologies to assess, diagnose, treat and interpret to modify conscious and unconscious processes of behavior.

Recognized Educational Institution. An educational institution licensed or accredited by the state in which it is located which meets national standards for the granting of a master's or doctoral degree. " National Standards" shall be deemed to include, but not be limited to, approval by the United States Department of Education.

Related Field. Psychology, social work, counselor education, counseling psychology, theology, law, medicine, nursing, community mental health, education with a concentration in counseling or psychology, or other field determined by the Board to be a related field.

Supervised Clinical Experience (Post-degree). A minimum of 200 hours of supervision in the clinical practice of marriage and family therapy by an approved supervisor. A minimum of 100 hours of the required minimum 200 hours of supervision must be individual supervision.