Promoting health and well-being of students in a marriage and family therapy program: A study of the development and utilization of therapy services for future therapists

A model program for providing therapy services for graduate marriage and family therapy students is presented. The utilization of therapy services by MFT students in the COAMFTE-approved Masters in Family Therapy Program of the Mercer University School of Medicine was evaluated. A survey assessing utilization of therapy services was administered. The survey evaluated student therapy utilization as correlated with multiple demographic variables. Descriptive data of the survey results are presented. Statistical treatment of the data indicated one significant correlation-the utilization of therapy services by MFT students increased significantly with the amount of time spent in the program, especially increasing at or around the time that clinical practicum experiences were begun. Recommendations for providing therapy services for graduate MFT students and for further studies on this issue are made.