The term Marriage and Family Therapy is inherently somewhat confusing. Do we not deal with issues outside of the marriage and family? What about individuals struggling with other emotional disorders like depression and anxiety? Are Marriage and Family Therapists able to help them? Simply put, MFT’s are one group of professionals, among many others, that belong to the psychotherapist category. Within the psychotherapist group, there are psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, licensed professional counselors, and of course, MFT’s. All of us are able to treat psychological and emotional issues.
So what sets MFT’s apart from the rest of the group? It’s our expertise in the understanding and treatment of RELATIONSHIPS. While everyone listed above has the ability to diagnose and treat emotional disorders, MFT’s are trained specifically to help people with their relationship issues, be it personal, interpersonal, romantic, or parental. The fact that humans are social animals, how we relate to one another plays a crucial role in how satisfied we feel about our lives. And when problems arise out of the important relationships that we value, learning the right tools to get back on track with our loved ones becomes a necessity.
As an MFT, I see my role as very versatile. I’m a listener when clients need that space. I’m a coach and facilitator when I help couples see how they’re unintentionally hurting each other. I’m a guide when someone needs support and advice. Regardless of the different hats I put on in different situations, my focus is often on helping the person(s) in front of me get more out of their relationships, as that’s my mission as a Marriage and Family Therapist.
Kin Leung specializes in Couples Therapy Burlingame