PhD - Doctor of Philosophy in Couple and Family Therapy

The PhD program in Couple and Family Therapy (CFT) aims to develop the next generation of couple and family therapy scholars with a particular focus on research related to family based psychotherapy, families and health and health disparities. Students are trained to advance the knowledge base of couple and family therapy through education, research and clinical services with a particular emphasis on evidenced informed treatment modalities. Graduates of the Couple and Family Therapy PhD program will serve as researchers in public and private institutions, faculty in graduate programs of couple and family therapy, psychology, social work or medical schools, and as clinicians in mental health agencies or private practice. The PhD program in Couple and Family Therapy is rooted in relational and systems theories and therapies. Emphasis is on specialized training in couple and family therapy theories such as Attachment-based Family Therapy and Emotionally Focused Family Therapy and Medical Family Therapy approaches. Students are expected to demonstrate critical and analytical thinking with respect to the broad areas of systems theory and therapy, and have a primary interest in research and scholarship. The Couple and Family Therapy Department is committed to attracting minority scholars as well as training students to be aware and sensitive to contextual issues such as race, class, gender, spirituality and sexual orientation, as well as power and privilege.