Free Marriage and Family Therapist Resume Templates & Examples

Marriage and Family Therapist Resume Template (Text)

1. Contact Info

Your contact information should be clear, professional, and easy to find at the top of your resume.

Make sure to include:

• Full name, including any relevant licenses or certifications
• Phone number
• Professional email address
• City and state (ZIP code is optional)
• LinkedIn profile or personal portfolio (if relevant)

PRO TIP

Avoid including sensitive personal information such as your Social Security number, age, or photos unless the job listing specifically requests these details.

2. Resume Profile

A resume profile is a brief introduction, typically two to four sentences long, that highlights your key qualifications and provides a snapshot of who you are as a professional. This section serves as a compelling pitch to hiring managers, designed to capture their interest and motivate them to explore your resume further.

Placed at the top of your resume, the profile can take the form of either a summary or an objective statement, each serving distinct purposes in showcasing your career goals. Understanding these differences can improve how you present yourself:

• A resume summary highlights your relevant experience, skills, and achievements, showcasing your unique qualifications within therapy practices. This format is especially useful for individuals with an established work history or transferable skills who aim to demonstrate their impact in marriage and family therapy.
• A resume objective highlights your aspirations and what you aim to accomplish in your career. It’s particularly beneficial for recent graduates, individuals transitioning into therapy from other fields, or those with limited experience looking to establish their professional identity.

Let’s take a look at an example of each to see how a resume summary and a resume objective differ:

Marriage and family therapist resume summary example:

Marriage and family therapist resume objective example:

3. Work Experience

The work experience on your resume is an important aspect of your professional profile. Employers examine your job history to understand not only where you’ve worked but also how you’ve positively influenced clients and contributed to their well-being.

Your background in therapy highlights how your skills in counseling and conflict resolution qualify you for the marriage and family therapist role.

The work experience section should contain:

• Job title
• Employer name and location
• Dates of employment (month/year)
• 3–5 bullet points describing your relevant responsibilities and achievements

Tailor your content to reflect the unique aspects of marriage and family therapy. Start each bullet point with an action verb (like “Facilitated,” “Assessed,” “Counseled”) to emphasize your contributions and expertise.

Incorporate quantifiable information or metrics when possible. Specific numbers related to client outcomes or session counts illustrate your effectiveness and help distinguish you from other job seekers in this field.

In general, consider following the format of:

[action verb] + [responsibility] = [result/achievement]

For example:

Note that you can also flip the result/achievement with the responsibility:

Explore more work experience examples for marriage and family therapists further down the page.

4. Skills

This skills section offers a concise overview of the professional abilities relevant to marriage and family therapy. It allows hiring managers to quickly assess qualifications and determine fit for the role.

Skills can be categorized into three distinct groups:

• Soft skills are essential interpersonal abilities that shape how marriage and family therapists engage with clients and colleagues. Key qualities like active listening, empathy, conflict resolution, and adaptability foster trust and understanding, which are important for effective therapeutic relationships and promoting a supportive environment for clients’ growth.
• Hard skills are specific, quantifiable abilities acquired through education, training, or experience. For marriage and family therapists, examples include conducting assessments, implementing therapeutic interventions, and maintaining client confidentiality.
• Technical skills refer to the specific abilities required to perform tasks within a profession. In marriage and family therapy, this includes using telehealth platforms, managing client management systems, and understanding assessment tools for effective treatment planning.

In general, aim to include a diverse mix of relevant skills that align with the job description to showcase your professional capabilities. See below for more skills examples for a marriage and family therapist resume.

PRO TIP

If you’re a newer marriage and family therapist, consider placing your skills section higher on your resume, right after your summary. For those with more experience, it’s better to position this section lower and weave your skills into the descriptions of your work history.

5. Education

Understanding how to list education on your resume is essential for showcasing your qualifications. Begin with your most recent or relevant degree, clearly stating the type of degree and the name of the institution.

If you’re a recent graduate, consider including information such as the graduation year, GPA (if it’s 3.5 or above), any honors received, and relevant coursework to further highlight your academic achievements.

Marriage and family therapist resume education section example:

PRO TIP

If you’re advancing from an Associate Degree in Psychology to a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, or have earned another relevant degree, list them both in reverse-chronological order.

6. Certifications

Listing certifications on your resume can fill gaps when you have limited experience, showcasing your skills and expertise. Though they are not always included in traditional resumes, this section is beneficial for many professionals in the field. Employers often require specific credentials for specialized roles, such as a marriage and family therapist needing licensure to practice.

Provide only relevant certifications that improve your candidacy, ensuring they are up to date and clearly formatted. This approach keeps your resume focused and makes it easy for potential employers to verify your qualifications.

Marriage and family therapist certification examples:

• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), California | California Board of Behavioral Sciences | Expires: 12/2028
• Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) | International Association of Trauma Professionals | Expires: 05/2027
• Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist (EFT) | The International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy | Expires: 06/2028
• Advanced Clinical Supervision Certification | National Board for Certified Counselors | Expires: 10/2027

Popular Resume Bullets for Marriage and Family Therapists

These examples are pulled from our most-used entries in the resume builder—based on what hiring managers respond to most.

5 Soft Skills for Your Resume or CV

5 Hard Skills for Your Resume or CV