Perceptions of Effectiveness Among College Students: Toward Marriage and Family Counseling and Therapy

Abstract

Unlike perceptions toward professional counseling, public opinions do not typically associate marriage and family counseling or therapy with treatments of mental disorders. The current survey of college students in this sample confirmed that most would not recommend, specifically, marriage and family therapists (MFTs) for mental health evaluations, psychiatric symptoms, intelligence and personality assessments, drug abuses, among others. The only situation for which students would most recommend an MFT is issues pertaining to marriage and the family. Implications for professional promotion and credentialing include enhancing the visibility, availability, and qualifications of marriage and family counselors (MFCs) or therapists especially through educational venues such as schools as well as media outlets.

Mental Health Service Providers: College Student Perceptions of Helper Effectiveness

“…Clients who are seeking mental health services often perceive their primary care physicians and pediatricians as competent in providing mental health services, despite their lack of training on these specific issues. Moreover, many individuals suffer needlessly due to their primary care physicians' lack of education regarding mental disorders (Tse, Wantz, & Firmin, 2010).…”

Undergraduate College Students’ Perceptions of Psychiatric Nurses

“…However, due to space constraints, in this present journal article we will only examine the reported student perceptions regarding psychiatric nurses. Elsewhere (Firmin, Wantz, Firmin, & Wantz, 2012;Tse & Firmin, 2010;Wantz & Firmin, 2011) results were reported regarding the students' perceptions for marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, psychologists, and school counselors.…”

Undergraduate Students’ Perceptions of Practicing Psychiatrists

“…Results regarding students' perceptions of marriage and family therapists, psychologists, social workers, and professional counselors have been presented elsewhere. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15] …”