The BBS recently discussed (Nov 2014 meeting) new experience requirements for MFT candidates. Please note that the BBS has not yet released minutes from the meeting and the information below is based on the discussion that occured at the November meeting as well as documents that were released prior to the meeting. The BBS has indicated that there will be a two year phase-in of the requirements. If you will be completing your hours within the next 2 to 2 1/2 years it is very unlikely that these new requirements will impact you (the exact timing of implementation has not yet been announced).
Below is a summary of the new MFT requirements. The information is color coded as follows:
– Green = no change
– Blue = new requirement
– Red = requirement eliminated
MINIMUMS
Min 3,000 total hours
– Min 1,700 hours post-degree
– Min 104 weeks of supervised experience (individual or group)
– Min 52 weeks of individual supervision
Min 500 hours diagnosing and treating couples, families or children
Min 1,750 hours direct counseling with individuals, groups, couples or families
MAXIMUMS
Pre-degree: max 1,300 hours; max 750 pre-degree combined counseling and direct supervisor contact
Max 1,250 hours of non-clinical practice
– direct supervisor contact (supervision)
– workshops, training and conferences
– administering and evaluating psychological tests, writing clinical reports, writing progress or process notes
– client-centered advocacy
Eliminate category maximum (1,000) for direct supervisor contact, workshops, training and conferences, and personal psychotherapy
Eliminate category maximum (500) for administering and evaluating psych tests, writing clinical reports, progress or process notes and client-centered advocacy
Eliminate category maximum (500) for group therapy
Eliminate category maximum (375) for telehealth
Max 5 hours supervision in a week (this might be increased to 6 hours)
Max 40 hours (experience and supervision) in a week
AGE OF HOURS
Hours must be gained within 6 years of submitting application except 500 counseling and supervision hours earned during practicum
CATEGORY MULTIPLIERS
Eliminate the category of personal psychotherapy hours and the ability to triple count the first 100 hours
Eliminate double counting of 150 conjoint couples/family hours
SUPERVISION REQUIREMENTS
Pre-degree: Minimum one unit of supervision for each week in each setting; one unit of supervision for every five hours of client contact in each setting (may average supervision hours across experience at each setting)
Post-degree: Minimum one unit of supervision each week in each setting; one additional unit in any week more than 10 hours of client contact is claimed in each setting (may not average supervision hours)
From September 29, 2012 forward, workshops, trainings and conferences can be claimed in a week without supervision (supervisor must still approve the experience)
A unit of supervision = 1 hour of individual supervision or 2 hours of group supervision. Group supervision must be a minimum of one 2-hour session or two 1-hour sessions in a week.