Living in Illinois offers a variety of benefits. According to an article by NBC Chicago, Illinois recently had five cities listed among the top 100 places to live in the United States. One of these reasons is its rich cultural scene in cities like Chicago. This makes it a hot spot for tourists, who flock there for the museums, theaters, music festivals, and sporting events. The tourism aspect keeps the economy in the state boosted and thriving.
Illinois also provides job opportunities across various industries, including healthcare and more specifically, behavioral health care. This along with Illinois’s outstanding educational institutions, such as Northwestern University, contribute to Illinois’s reputation for being one of the top states to live in in the nation. These factors make the state a strong contender for Marriage and Family Therapists who are considering receiving licensure there.
Educational Requirements
Undergraduate Education
The path to becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Illinois begins with obtaining the appropriate education. First, this involves undergraduate studies at a four-year program to obtain a Bachelor’s degree. MFTs would do best to seek an undergraduate degree that teaches about the fields of counseling, social work, human development, or sociology. Many undergraduate students can also seek opportunities to volunteer or do work study for an organization that is related to these fields to gain first hand experience.
Graduate Education
The state of Illinois requires aspiring MFTs to hold a Master’s degree in marriage and family therapy or other closely related field from an accredited institution. In Illinois, the degree must be earned from a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). The COAMFTE accreditation ensures that the program meets high standards for preparing students for professional practice in marriage and family therapy. The COAMFTE-accredited schools in Illinois include Adler University in Chicago, Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Northwestern University in Evanston, and Wheaton College Graduate School in Wheaton.
Most MFT Master’s programs take two to three years to complete and include both academic coursework and supervised clinical training. Core coursework in these programs typically includes subjects such as:
- Theories of marriage and family therapy (the understanding of different therapeutic models such as systemic, structural, strategic, and narrative approaches)
- Human development (how individuals and families grow and change over the lifespan)
- Psychopathology and diagnosis (recognizing and differentiating between mental health conditions and the use of diagnostic tools)
- Ethics and legal issues (familiarizing oneself with the ethical considerations and legal responsibilities of therapists)
- Cultural competence (addressing the importance of diversity and inclusivity in therapy practice and learning how to recognize personal bias)
- Therapeutic techniques (learning and practicing evidence-based therapeutic approaches and interventions)
In addition to coursework, students will be required to complete an internship or practicum experience that provides at least 300 supervised clinical hours. These clinical hours provide face-to-face experience in working with clients under the supervision of licensed therapists, giving students practical training in assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and therapy provision. Students are encouraged to choose an internship site that reflects the client population that they hope to work with once they are licensed.
Post-Graduate Experience
After completing the necessary coursework, aspiring MFTs must accumulate clinical experience through supervised post-graduate work. Illinois requires at least 1,000 hours of supervised clinical experience to qualify for the first step toward full licensure. Clinical experience can be obtained through a variety of settings, such as mental health clinics, private practices, community organizations, hospitals, school counseling centers, and family service agencies. You will then be considered an Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (ALMFT), and can practice as such for up to five years. During your time as an ALMFT, you will need to accumulate 3,000 more hours of field experience to continue on to being fully licensed.
Supervision is a critical component of the post-graduate and ALMFT phase. In Illinois, therapists must be supervised by a licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed professional counselor, or another licensed mental health professional that is approved by the Illinois Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing and Disciplinary Board. The supervisor is in charge of overseeing your work as a therapist-in-training and ensures that you are following ethical standards. They will also be the judge of your capability to take on more advanced clinical responsibilities and ultimately will be the reference for attesting that you are ready for full licensure. Your ALMFT license is only good for five years and may not be renewed, so it is important to work hard to gain as many hours of clinical experience during this time as you can.
During this phase, you should also apply for and take the National MFT Exam. This exam is administered by a proxy-monitored testing site and tests your knowledge of the various aspects of the field of marriage and family therapy. There is generally a fee associated with taking the exam, which varies by state. It is often wise to also seek an exam study program to help you ensure you are prepared for the exam, as it is necessary to pass this to receive your MFT license.
Applying for Licensure
Once you have completed your educational and clinical requirements, you can begin the application process for full licensure. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) oversees the licensing process for MFTs in the state. To apply for licensure, candidates must:
- Complete the application form provided by the IDFPR
- Provide transcripts and syllabi from your Master’s degree classes
- Show verification of clinical hours
- Submit proof of supervision, including your supervisor’s contact information and signature as an attestation of your completed hours
- Pass the national exam
- Complete a clear background check
Maintaining Licensure
Once your application is approved, and you have successfully passed the national exam and completed the background check, you will be issued a license to practice as an LMFT in Illinois. This license is valid for two years, and you must renew it on an annual basis. Just as with the exam, there is typically a fee associated each time you renew your license.
Continuing Education
Part of maintaining your LMFT license will entail you to complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) credits every two years. These continuing education credits ensure that therapists stay up-to-date on the latest research, techniques, and ethical standards in the field of marriage and family therapy. CE credit opportunities may include workshops, seminars, conferences, and online courses that focus on professional development and expanding clinical knowledge. Additionally, Illinois requires licensed marriage and family therapists to complete a mandatory 3-hour ethics training every renewal cycle. This is designed to ensure that MFTs adhere to ethical standards in their practice and remain informed about any legal or regulatory changes.
Career Outlook for MFTs in Illinois
The demand for marriage and family therapists in Illinois, as well as across the United States, is expected to grow in the coming years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of marriage and family therapists is projected to grow by 16% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for the majority of occupations. This growth is driven by the increasing awareness of mental health issues, the desire for relationship counseling, and a growing acceptance of therapy as a means of self-care.
Illinois, with its large population and diverse urban and rural communities, offers a variety of opportunities for MFTs. The Chicago metropolitan area, in particular, has a high demand for mental health professionals, including marriage and family therapists. Therapists with a specialization in a particular therapeutic model or population may have even greater earning potential and job opportunities. For example, some therapists may become certified in particular evidence-based approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), to further enhance their skill set and marketability.
The median annual wage for marriage and family therapists in the United States was $58,510 last year, though this can vary by geographic region, education, experience, and work setting. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for MFTs in Illinois is higher, particularly in the larger cities like Chicago where the demand for mental health services is higher.
Conclusion
Becoming a marriage and family therapist in Illinois requires a significant investment of time and effort, including completing an accredited master’s degree program, gaining clinical experience, passing the national exam, and obtaining licensure through the state’s regulatory board. However, the time and effort invested is well worth it for individuals who are passionate about helping others navigate relationships and overcome mental health challenges.
The field is expected to grow rapidly, and Illinois provides both competitive wages and a wealth of career opportunities for MFTs, from urban areas to smaller communities. With the right education, experience, and commitment to ongoing professional development, becoming an LMFT in Illinois can lead to a fulfilling and impactful career helping individuals, couples, and families build stronger, healthier lives.
