An LMFT in Massachusetts has to have a two-year master's in counseling psychology with a specialization in marital and parenting issues, including four semesters of internship, then pass a national examination and complete two years of supervised experience working in the field.

A licensed therapist has to take continuing education courses to maintain the license, so keeping up to date is required.

Your counselor also consults with another experienced therapist for advice on difficult cases. Of course, cases are discussed without mentioning clients' names or anything that might identify them.

If you are found to need specialized help outside your therapist's areas of expertise, you will be referred to an appropriate provider.