The Changing Face of MFT Continuing Education

There are a number of ways in which Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) can obtain continuing education units (CEUs). They might participate in trainings and seminars, take eligible college courses, or seek out their own classes, such as those provided by online instructors. Traditionally, the majority of continuing education took place in classrooms and conferences. However, many continuing education providers, such as Professional Psych Seminars, are now beginning to focus on distance learning through online MFT CEUs.

What Was Once Offered

Initially, online CEU offerings involved a great deal of independent study and a selection of articles that the therapist would read before taking a quiz to show that the information had been studied. Another source of CEUs include videotaped or CD-ROM courses which were once again followed by a quiz to show that the therapist had listened to the information. These CD-ROM or videotaped courses were and continue to be convenient for a number of reasons, yet they still have significant limitations. They are time intensive, difficult to break into parts, and often include just videotaped lectures.

Today’s providers have started to offer hybrid courses with a combination of video, multimedia, and handouts all in an online setting. This new hybrid way of providing CEUs enhances and facilitates learning. Let’s take a closer look:

Increased Availability

This new system of education has revolutionized the way CEUs are provided - allowing therapists to find the courses that meet their unique educational needs. This is accomplished without requiring the therapist to fly halfway across the country to find a seminar that is compatible with his or her therapeutic style and needs. It has also brought the possibility of obtaining affordable, yet effective CEU training to many individuals. This level of training was often out of reach before due either to time or financial constraints.

Compatible With Tight Schedules

Therapists may now go through a list of available educational training opportunities, finding the options that best meet the CEU needs and work at a pace appropriate for the individual. Training may be completed between client sessions, during missed client appointments, at the office, at home, or at the local library. Training can be broken down into segments, so that the therapist does not have to dedicate an entire day to training, but may work on courses over days or weeks.

Affordable and Appropriate

The days of last-minute rushing to find an appropriate course that fulfills the Mft Ceu requirements should be long gone. The modern professional can schedule inexpensive, appropriate learning opportunities throughout the year. Therapists find themselves working on what they want to learn and take those courses according to their own timetable.

A Focus on Acquisition

Many therapists find that these new hybrid courses, utilizing multimedia result in far better results than traditional classroom lectures or traditional independent study programs. These new multimedia courses utilize audio, video, and computer delivery models, allowing distance learning in nearly any setting. In addition these new multi-media courses allow the users to immediately take quizzes checking their knowledge. In those situations where they did not grasp the information, the system can take the therapist back to the very area of the video or presentation where the information was covered, allowing them to review and correct their responses. This immediate feedback helps the therapist review and learn difficult new material, resulting in greater learning.

Today’s professionals have tight schedules and specific areas of focus. Online providers of MFT CEUsoffer a solution that means training and licensing needs.

John Trinh has been writing for 10+ years. He first delved into the world of writing when he wrote his first article for his university's paper.