Marriage and Family Therapy

Philosophical Model

The philosophy of the MFT Program at Hofstra is balanced and integrated. Students are exposed to a wide range of therapeutic models, including Structural, Strategic, Experiential, Object Relations, Solution Focused, and Narrative. This broad approach familiarizes students not only with the traditional models of family therapy, but also with cutting-edge family therapy theory and practice.

The integration of theory and practice occurs during the two-year internship that students begin after the first year of classes. Students are provided during this time with an intense training experience, both academically and clinically. The internship experience begins at the Hofstra Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic, located in the Saltzman Community Services Center on campus. Third-year students are placed outside of the University for their clinical work. These placements are provided and approved by the MFT Program, and can occur at hospitals, mental health agencies, and schools. In total, students spend 900 hours working in clinical settings by the time they graduate.

The approach to MFT at Hofstra is interdisciplinary. For example, Program faculty and students have participated, along with representatives of Hofstra’s Law School, in the development and implementation of the P.E.A.C.E. program, a court-based educational program for divorcing parents. Other departments that collaborate with our Program faculty include the Department of Counseling, Research, Special Education and Rehabilitation (CRSR) and the Psychology Department.

For students who are interested in developing their research skills or having work published, there are opportunities to collaborate with faculty in areas of mutual interest. To date, students have published papers in professional journals and submitted chapters for faculty books. Students are also strongly encouraged to present to community groups and at national conferences; publications and presentations are particularly important for those intending to continue their education in a doctoral program. Occasionally, stipends may be available to help students wishing to attend national and regional conferences.

Other highlights of the program include special workshops and guest speakers. Past speakers have included Carl Whitaker, Harry Aponte, Bill O’Hanlon, Lynn Hoffman, Harville Hendrix, Kenneth Gergen, Virginia Satir, Stephen Lankton, and Karl Tomm.