Why Choose FRAN's MSc.CFT at University of Guelph as the Place to Learn to be a Couple and Family Therapist?
Integration of theory, research, and practice. Our curriculum is outcome-based, meaning that expected student learning outcomes and professional competencies guide course design and learning context. Learn state-of-the-art relational and systemic psychotherapy in the context of professional accreditation standards for Couple and Family Therapy.
Intense training to become a Couple and Family Therapist in our on-site clinic, beginning four months after your start-date and continuing for twenty consecutive months. Under close supervision, you will gain competencies in collaboratively and sensitively working with clients of diverse backgrounds and ages who are seeking help with a wide range of issues.
Regular and ongoing supervision from highly skilled and accessible core faculty/supervisors who have extensive experience and diverse clinical backgrounds. You will be challenged not only to understand others, but to extend your own self-awareness as you practice.
Learn relational, systemic, developmental, and contextual perspectives on change in therapy. As a budding Couple and Family Therapist, you will learn about working with people in their relational networks, understanding their individual and relational developmental opportunities, as well as appreciating broader systemic influences and the importance of context, including how differences of culture, class, race, age, ability, etc., affect therapy interactions and the change process.
Learner-centered and collegial. With 16 trainees in the program, it is small enough to develop close relationships and large enough to provide diversity. On-site supervisors are student-responsive and highly accessible. Students actively participate in their training. Smaller cohorts allow for greater access to faculty and supervisors, and also require an ability to work closely and collaboratively with colleagues.
"Job-ready" graduates. Employers say that our graduates, in their first job, are equivalent to clinicians with five years of post-graduate experience.
Professional credentials. The CFT Program is the only Program that graduates students with both the 360 didactic course hours required by the CRPO to become an RP Qualifying the 450 direct client contact hours to be eligible to write the National Exam and become a Registered Psychotherapist. The CFT Program also meets the accreditation standards for CAMFT and provides the ground work for graduates to become a Registered Marriage & Family Therapist in Canada (RMFT). The MSc.CFT program has received program recognition from the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and prepares students with entry-to-practice competencies specified by CRPO. Graduates who practice psychotherapy in Ontario will be required to become registered psychotherapists (RP) with CRPO.
Taking an anti-violence position. FRAN’s MSc.CFT program is committed to working toward ending abuse and violence in couple and family relationships. Students gain knowledge in recognizing abuse and working with family members to ensure physical safety and emotional well-being of everyone.
Degree recognition. You will graduate with a M.Sc. degree from a highly recognized Canadian University. The University of Guelph is ranked by external sources as among the top 5 comprehensive Universities in Canada and among the top 50 universities in the world. In today’s social and economic climate a focus on real world application is key to opening doors to further graduate studies and employment alike - a graduate degree in CFT embodies the University’s commitment to turning knowledge into action.
Accountable practices. We provide various mechanisms for students to give feedback and participate in the on-going transformation of the MSc. CFT program.
Accessibility to Prospective Students. Our goal is to ensure that a wide range of students are able to obtain high quality training as therapists. The Claude Guldner Scholarship is one of the steps we have taken with respect to supporting students from specific marginalized groups. Students with learning disabilities or other special needs have been accommodated by utilizing a variety of support strategies available through the University of Guelph.
Accessibility to Clients. Our on-site clinic endeavours to serve people from all backgrounds, family configurations, cultures, religions, incomes, level of health, etc. We are committed to respectful collaborative therapeutic relationships. Our sliding fee scale, evening clinic hours, and accessible building increase the range of clients able to access therapy in our clinic.
Engaging in On-going Dialogue and Debate. FRAN's MSc.CFT program is committed to creating a learning community in which multiple points of view, critical analysis, and full participation in respectful debate are valued and lead to transformative action.
Successful Program Outcomes. In addition to graduates having impressive success in finding meaningful employment and being recognized for their considerable broad-based knowledge in CFT and abilities to effectively apply their skills in a variety of clinical settings, students consistently rate the overall program outcomes highly. The Table below summarizes end of program Student Evaluation of the Program.