MFT question - was it worth it?

[gradjay123]

I'm about to start an MFT program in the fall, and I wanted to ask those out there who have done it or are doing it if they enjoy it/is it worth it?

 

I have a few fears:

• It is expensive.
• I am not sure how I will pay off all of the debt.
• It scares me that I will dislike my job while paying off all of the debt.

Does anyone who did the MFT (or MSW or Psych Phd) regret their decision and wish they just cashed out working as a dentist or investment banker or lawyer? (Nothing against those fields (except maybe the lawyer one). I'm referring to if you went into those fields without a passion for the job, just to earn a 6 figure salary.)

 

 

[MsDarjeeling]

First let me say that I did not do an MFT program.  I did however consider one years ago and I had the same fears you did so I did a lot of research before commiting to anything.

 

1)  I started talking to people in the field, including just starting, been in a few years, and been in over a decade.  I interviewed them about all aspects of their job including hours, current/past/projected pay, likes, dislikes, ease of finding a job, types of clients, paperwork/billing, work options other than therapist, job perks, burn out, work/life balance, ability to expand interests, continuing education, license requirements, etc.  I also asked them how long it took them to get through school, where they went and how they liked/disliked the program, how they paid for it, if they have loans how they're doing paying them off/when they'll be fully paid off, etc. 

 

2)  I did a lot of research online about MFT related jobs, MFT degree programs, and licensure requirements both in California (where I live) and other states (in case my life shifts and I want/need to move). 

 

3)  I spent 2 years volunteering for an organization that provided therapy to a variety of clients to get more of a behind the scenes look at what they do.

 

After all of that I decided that the MFT (or even LCSW/LPC/etc) route wasn't for me.  Out of everything I had learned about the field I liked less than 10% of it and I knew after a year in the field I'd be miserable and ticked off over the amount of loans I had to pay back while so unhappy.   

 

I tell you this not to discourage you, but to encourage you to thoroughly research this option before you start your program.  Yes your program starts in the fall, but you still have the summer to do some research and then decide if this is the right direction or the wrong direction.  You don't want to dive in head first and then find out after the fact that you hate what you're doing, are up to your eyeballs in debt, and can't find a way out.  You may do some research and fall madly in love with the field.  You may do some research and stumble upon a slightly different path and then can better target your graduate education to meet your new/expanded goals.  You may do some research and come to the same conclusions I did and then start from scratch figuring out what you want to do.  

Edited June 2, 2013 by MsDarjeeling

[gradjay123]

Thank you, MsDarjeeling. That's some great advice. I'll take this time to do a little research and see if the MFT is for me or not.

 

Is there anyone who is in an MFT program or graduated from one that can say how they enjoy it?  One of my questions, too, is is it possible to pay off this debt bomb?