Curriculum
MedFT 2+1 year program plan (PDF)
MedFT 3-year program plan (PDF)
MedFT 3+1 year program plan (PDF)
MFT graduates
If you hold a graduate degree in marriage and family therapy, you will only need to complete the core courses and internship (16 credits) to receive the Medical Family Therapy certificate. Classes may be taken individually, as well.
Physicians, allied health, and clergy
If you have received graduate training in social work, behavioral science, theology, nursing, or medicine, we will review your prior classes. Depending upon past coursework, additional credits in systems theory and family therapy may be needed.
For most students, the certificate can be completed over a two-year period with two to three classes per quarter during the first year and practicum during the second year.
Internship
In the late summer or early fall after all coursework is complete, you will be placed in a yearlong internship for 10 hours a week in an outpatient medical clinic. You will have a chance to discuss internship placement possibilities prior to placement.
Clinics specialties range from family medicine, oncology, rheumatology, women’s health, and other specialty medicine sites. You will work alongside physicians, nurses, and staff providing on-site psychosocial care. You will be actively involved in charting, consulting with the medical team, program development, and clinical treatment.
Clinic schedule will be determined in consideration of clinic need, space restrictions, and your availability. During the internship year, you will also be enrolled in the practicum supervision course.
Continuing education
Professionals looking to keep up-to-date with the latest information on specialized topics in medical family therapy may register to take MDFT classes as seminars for continuing education credits. We invite you to campus for the day to participate in a seminar and discussion, and we offer 5 hours of CEU credit per course at no additional cost.
For more information about individual seminars, or to register for a seminar, visit our Medical Family Therapy website.
Professional Training Seminars
Offered twice per quarter, these seminars are designed for busy professionals. We invite you to come for a day and immerse yourself in stimulating ideas and discussion. You will be able to apply the information to your practice — and beyond — and receive 5 hours of CEU credit. For more information, email mdft@spu.edu.
Collaboration Between Therapists and Physicians - The Basics
This seminar covers the core concepts needed for psychotherapists to collaborate successfully with physicians. Topics covered will include: Brief history of medicine, the new paradigm emerging in medicine, primary care vs. specialty care, continuity of care, core skills in collaboration, review of models of best practice, complex cases and high medical utilization, the medical home. Email mdft@spu.edu to register.
Friday, October 11, 2019
9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Marston Watson 255
Interviewing for Biopsychosocial and Spiritual Care
This seminar reviews the nature of the therapeutic interview versus the biomedical interview. We will cover various areas of import for therapists who wish to work successfully with physicians in service of their clients dealing with illness. Topics covered will include: understanding physician training, focus and language, evidenced based practice, outcome based practice, levels of collaboration and an introduction to motivational interviewing framework and concepts. Email mdft@spu.edu to register.
Friday, November 1, 2019
9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Library Seminar Room
Motivational Interviewing for Patient and Family Health
This seminar will focus on the impact of harmful health behaviors on health and wellness. It will review the need for psychosocial providers who can work with physicians to help patients as they make a significant lifestyle change. Topics will include: US statistics of diseases caused largely by lifestyle, the frustration of physicians who have time only for medical mandates, assessing motivation to change of patient and family, and motivational interviewing techniques used in both medicine and psychotherapeutic environs. Email mdft@spu.edu to register.
Friday, December 6, 2019
9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Library Seminar Room
Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Professionals
This course will provide a basic foundation of the neuromechanisms relevant to understanding the pharmecodynamics of psychotropic medications commonly prescribed in primary care settings. Current medications used for the treatment of depression, anxiety, bi-polar, attention deficit, and some mental illnesses with psychotic features will be covered as well as common side effect profiles that patients may experience. Additionally, effective strategies for interacting with prescribing providers and their patients as a mental health care provider on the topic of medication will be covered. The seminar will also focus on the particulars of child and adolescent psychotropic medication and medication management. Email mdft@spu.edu to register.
Friday, January 10, 2020
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Library Seminar Room
Brain Savvy Therapist
Review the latest information in brain science as it relates to psychotherapy. Learn about the basics in brain physiology and neurobiology; how to use the understanding of brain science to facilitate interventions with clients and families; treatment ideas; case reviews; and why therapists need to understand how a brain learns, changes, and functions. Email mdft@spu.edu to register.
Friday, February 7, 2020
9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Library Seminar Room
Family Therapy Tools for Treating Medical Illnesses
This seminar covers the most prevalent types of illnesses in children and adults, with a focus on their impact on the patient and family. Topics will include types of illness from a psychosocial perspective, family life-cycle implications, family structure implications, childhood diabetes and cancer, breast and prostate cancer, chronic progressive illness such as multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain. Email mdft@spu.edu to register.
Friday, March 6, 2020
9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Library Seminar Room
Marketing Your Practice to Physicians
What is the best way to present and market your services to a physician? We’ll cover various topics, including how to identify differing areas of medicine, cultural differences in medicine to be considered before approaching a physician, what medical family therapy covers that is not represented in other behavioral science fields, strategic connections in specialty and primary care, insurance obstacles and bridges, and the development of marketing products. Email mdft@spu.edu to register.
Friday, April 3, 2020 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Library Seminar Room
Spirituality and Health
Explore research regarding spirituality and health that encourages a biopsychosocial-spiritual paradigm of health care practice. We’ll examine the effects of prayer, meditation, and other spiritual practices, and spiritual communities/professionals within the contexts of health and longevity outcomes, mental health, stress-related diseases, substance abuse, and the management of chronic illnesses. Ethical and culturally sensitive interventions will be highlighted. Email mdft@spu.edu to register.
Friday, May 8, 2020 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
McKenna Conference Room