The Marriage of Couple and Relationship Education to the Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy: A Primer for Integrated Training

Abstract

There is a high degree of overlap in the goals and strategies of couple and relationship education (CRE) and the practice of marriage and family therapy (MFT). Given these similarities, there is great potential benefit for the integration of MRE into the formal training of future MFTs. In this article, the authors focus on how CRE can complement both training in, and the practice of, MFT. In addition to highlighting both the similarities and differences between the disciplines, we explore potential benefits of this type of integration for both therapist and clients. We conclude by outlining a two-phase developmentally appropriate approach for integrating healthy relationship curricula into COAMFTE training programs. In phase one, MFT students get direct experience learning about, observing, and then directly facilitating CRE programs. In phase two, student therapists integrate CRE skills directly into their clinical practice of individual, couple, and family therapy.