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Georgia PACEs Connection (GA)

Graduate Trends for One Marriage and Family Therapy Program in an Interdisciplinary Setting

It is an important matter when discussing licensure and credentialing in the mental health profession. The literature goes on to describe three mental health graduate programs at The University of Houston Clear Lake. These programs are in the area of school and clinical psychology, and family counseling. This university has prepared some of the most professional marriage and family therapy counselors. It is essential for counselors to work together with clinical and school psychologist as a team when needed. There is a demand for mental health professionals in the school system, hospitals, and agencies.

Throughout practice, it is very important for counselors to be creditable, ethical, and be aware of accountability in the mental health profession. There has been several changes within the mental health profession with emphasis placed on accountability. A questionnaire was developed to track the credentialing of new graduates within the mental health profession and credentialing of graduates within the mental health profession several years later. The mental health profession has grown tremendously over the years with an emphasis in the state of Texas.

The University of Houston Clear Lake surveyed graduates of each of their professional graduate programs in clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy, and school psychology (Sutter E., Mize, L. & Eisner H., 1992). The survey was sent out in the spring of 1993, and was modeled on an earlier 1981 survey to allow some similarities (Sutter E., Mize, L. & Eisner H., 1992). The survey viewed credentialing, employment, patterns, annual income, predictions concerning accountability, and program evaluations in post-graduate experiences (Sutter E., Mize, L. & Eisner H., 1992). In 1993, the survey was mailed to all graduates of the program approximately 380 individuals. This study covered15 years of graduates (Sutter E., Mize, L. & Eisner H., 1994). Approximately 40 surveys were returned as undeliverable (Sutter E., Mize, L. & Eisner H., 1992). Of the 340 remaining questionnaires, 237 were completed and returned, yielding a 70 % return rate (Sutter E., Mize, L. & Eisner H., 1992). The 1981 survey had a 40% return rate (Sutter E.,Mize, L. & Eisner H., 1992).

According to the literature, the Licensed Practical Counselor and family counselor are the most favorable graduate programs to be enrolled in. The University of Houston Clear Lake graduates are most often employed in private practice and community organizations, which shows a more promising salary. The literature also showed that the majorities of graduates in psychotherapy have distinguished studies within their profession, and are able to be productive and ethical mental health professional advocates for their clients.

Sutter, E., Mize, L., & Eisner, H. (1992). Credentialing for master's level psychology majors. Thxas Psychologist, 44, 14-16.

Sutter, E., Mize, L., & Eisner, H. (1994). Whither graduates of master's psychology programs? Texas Psychologist, 46, 5-9.

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