The Influence of Professional License Type on the Outcome of Family Therapy

Abstract

While research documents the effectiveness of marriage and family therapy (MFT) as a clinical practice, few studies have focused on the MFT profession. This study examined the influence of the MFT license on family therapy treatment effectiveness. Outcome measures included treatment dropouts, recidivism, and cost effectiveness. Data spanning 2001 to 2004 from CIGNA, a health care insurer in the United States, was examined. Provider types compared included medical doctors (MDs), nurses, psychologists, social workers, professional counselors, and marriage and family therapists. MFTs had the lowest dropout rates and recidivism and were more cost effective than psychologists, MDs, and nurses.

Acknowledgments

Adam M. Moore, M. MFT, Stacy Hamilton, M. S., and David Fawcett, M. S. are doctoral students and D. Russell Crane, Ph. D., is Director of the Comprehensive Clinic and Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy, School of Family Life, Brigham Young University.

The authors would like to express our deep appreciation to our collaborators who made this project possible: Jodi Aronson Prohofsky, Ph.D., LMFT Senior Vice President of Operations, CIGNA: Anthony G. Massey, MD, MBA, Senior Medical Director, CIGNA: and David Bergman, J.D., Former Director of Legal and Government Affairs at AAMFT, now VP of Legal & External Affairs & Chief Legal Officer, National Board for Certified Counselors.