Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT's) are mental
health professionals licensed by the State of Colorado. We must meet
stringent educational and clinical standards set by the state to achieve
licensure. MFTs offer a wide range of productive and cost-effective
services to individuals, couples and families. MFTs pioneered brief,
solution focused and family-centered treatment more than half a century ago.
Marriage and Family Therapists are a distinct
discipline from psychiatry, psychology and social work. MFTs utilize a
"systems" approach to specifically treat the problems of individuals,
children and families. mental, emotional and behavioral disorders are
treated within their social context. This may be the family, the workplace
or other relationships systems.
Marriage and Family Therapists recognize that none of
us live in a vacuum. We are all affected by our environment. Social
systems affect our overall mental health. The "family system"
has unique dynamics that can profoundly affect the individual system.
The "family system" gives us our first
picture of reality and becomes the foundation of future learning. MFTs
work with family of origin issues. The past can not be changed, but how we
perceive and process in the present, resolving the issue can free them to
function more effectively. EMDR is one treatment method that has greatly
shortened this type of treatment.
Whenever possible, MFTs focus on current issues in the
here and now. We are solution focused and practical in our
application. Working with individuals and families, MFTs focus on changing
current relationship systems to achieve successful outcomes. A small
change in the family system can bring significantly larger changes with
presenting problem.
When you have difficulty dealing with the stresses of
daily life, a Marriage & Family therapist (MFT) is trained to assist
you. Therapy helps give you the tools to address those problems more
effectively. An MFT is trained to focus on strengths and solutions.
You can expect to deal with problems honestly and
openly. MFTs are goal oriented and focus on finding solutions to problems
in a compassionate, accepting and safe environment.
The average length of treatment by MFTs in Colorado is
12 sessions. This may differ with each individual, couple or family.
Treatment length depends on the goals for therapy. Because of the
"systems" approach, treatment usually has a shorter duration than
other therapy models.
Marriage & Family therapists are trained to treat a
wide variety of mental and emotional problems. They include:
Depression/Anxiety - Parenting Problems -
Sexual abuse/incest - Children and families in foster care systems - Juvenile
offenders - Relationship and communications problems - Crisis therapy - marital
issues - Divorce and custody issues - Adolescent difficulties - Grief and loss -
AD/HD and Conduct disorders - step family issues.
Will My Insurance
Cover These Services?
The majority of Insurance Companies in Colorado cover
Marriage & Family Therapists. Check with your insurance company to be
sure.
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Services
Offered
Family Therapy - Marital therapy -
Adolescent Therapy - Seminars - Individual Therapy - Child Counseling -
Psychometrics - Pastoral Groups - Personal Coaching for Marriage and Troubled
Teen issues. For further information, please feel free to call at
719.471.1225.
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Earl Friesen, MA, LMFT
Copyright © 2002 Colorado Center for Families. All rights reserved.
Revised:
October 16, 2014
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