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How much do mft intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for mft intern in Tennessee is $15.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.08 and $17.45 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an MFT intern?

MFT interns, or Marriage and Family Therapist interns, are individuals who have completed the required educational coursework in marriage and family therapy and are gaining supervised clinical experience toward full licensure. They work under the supervision of a licensed MFT or other qualified mental health professional, providing therapy to individuals, couples, and families. This internship period allows them to develop practical skills and meet the licensure requirements set by their state. MFT interns are often still in the process of accumulating the hours of experience needed before they can practice independently.

What does an MFT intern do?

A marriage and family therapist (MFT) starts as an intern to gain valuable experience and first-hand training. In this role, you work under the supervision of a licensed therapist or psychologist and provide services to families and individuals. Your responsibilities include conducting pre- and post-assessments, meeting with clients, preparing written reports, and communicating with support teams. You typically complete an MFT internship as a student to become fully licensed. Other duties include tracking your hours and completing the necessary paperwork to obtain a license to practice.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an MFT intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as an MFT Intern, you need a solid understanding of family systems theory, counseling techniques, and a master's degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field, along with registration as an MFT Intern. Familiarity with clinical documentation systems, ethical guidelines, and supervision protocols is essential. Strong interpersonal skills, active listening, and cultural sensitivity help MFT Interns build trust and rapport with clients. These competencies are vital for providing effective therapeutic interventions, ensuring ethical practice, and developing as a competent clinician under supervision.

What are some common challenges faced by MFT interns during their clinical training, and how can they overcome them?

MFT Interns often encounter challenges such as managing a diverse caseload, balancing administrative tasks with client sessions, and navigating complex family dynamics. Building strong supervisory relationships and seeking regular feedback can help interns develop their clinical skills and confidence. Time management and self-care are also crucial, as the emotional demands of the role can be significant. Collaborating with experienced therapists and participating in peer consultation groups can provide valuable support and guidance throughout the internship.

What is the difference between Mft Intern vs Mft Therapist?

AspectMft Intern

Credential RequirementsTypically pursuing or holds a master's degree in marriage and family therapy or related field
Work EnvironmentInternship settings, supervised clinical environments, mental health clinics
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting in therapy sessions, gaining clinical experience, supporting licensed therapists

The main difference between an Mft Intern and an Mft Therapist is experience and licensure status. An Mft Intern is usually still completing their education or supervised training, whereas an Mft Therapist is a licensed professional providing independent therapy services. Interns work under supervision to gain practical experience, while licensed therapists operate independently in clinical settings.

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The most popular types of Mft jobs in Tennessee are:

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Mft Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mft Intern job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 18% Internship, 1% As Needed, 57% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,669 per year, or $15.7 per hour.

Marriage and Family Therapist (Readjustment Counselor)

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Clarksville, TN

$61K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.Qualifications:Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: The basic requirements for employment as a VHA Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(10), as amended by section 239 of Public Law 114- 223, enacted Sept 29, 2016. To qualify for appointment as an MFT in VHA, all applicants must meet the following:
  • Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)
  • Education: Candidates must meet one of the following:
    • Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a program approved by COAMFTE, OR
    • Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a MFT program from a regionally accredited institution, OR
    • Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in a comparable mental health degree (Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, and Psychiatry) that meets the current VA qualification standard of that profession.
  • Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to MFT positions in the GS-0182 series in VHA must hold a full, current and unrestricted MFT license to independently practice marriage and family therapy in a State.
    • Exception: The Secretary, or his/her designee, may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of State prerequisites for licensure examinations for a period not to exceed three years from the date of employment on the condition that MFTs appointed on this basis provide care only under the supervision of a fully licensed MFT with an AAMFT approved license. This exception only applies at the entry grade level (GS-9). For grades at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed.
  • English Language Proficiency: MFTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3j.
  • Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA as a MFT on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education that is part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
    • Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, demoted, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
    • MFTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
    • Employees who are retained as a MFT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a MFT.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade level for each candidate.
Marriage and Family Therapist, GS-09 (Entry Level):
  • Experience, Education and Licensure: The entry level grade is used for non-licensed MFTs or for MFTs (master's or doctoral level) who are graduates not yet licensed at the independent practice level. Unlicensed MFTs at the GS-9 grade level have completed the required education listed above and are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure.
AND
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, candidates must demonstrate the KSAs below:
    • Knowledge of human development throughout the lifespan, interventions based on research and family systems theory and therapy, formal diagnostic criteria, risk assessment, evidence-based practice and assessment tools.
    • Ability to assess, with supervision, the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members.
    • Knowledge to formulate, implement, and re-evaluate a treatment plan through continuous assessment identifying the Veteran's challenges, strengths, readiness to change, external influences and current events surrounding the origins and maintenance of the presenting issue, and interactional patterns within the client system.
    • Ability to provide counseling and/or psychotherapy services, under supervision, to individuals, groups, couples and families in a culturally competent manner that facilitates change through restructuring and reorganizing of the client system.
    • Basic knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case law, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of marriage and family therapy.
    • Ability to draft documents, manage data, maintain accurate, timely and thorough clinical documentation, and track quality improvements.
Marriage and Family Therapist, GS-11 (Full Performance Level):
  • Experience, Education and Licensure: In addition to the basic requirements, the GS-11 full performance level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-master's degree experience in the field of marriage and family therapy work (VA or non-VA experience) and must be licensed in a State at the independent practice level.
OR
  • Experience, Education and Licensure: In addition to the basic requirements, a doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or comparable degree in mental health that meets the current VA qualification standard of that profession (Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, and Psychiatry) may be substituted for the required one year of marriage and family therapy experience in a clinical setting and must be licensed in a State at the independent practice level.
AND
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to meeting the KSA's for the GS-09 grade level, candidates must demonstrate the GS-11 KSAs below:
    • Skill to independently assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members.
    • Ability to provide counseling and/or psychotherapy services to individuals, groups, couples and families in a culturally competent manner that facilitates change through restructuring and reorganizing the client system.
    • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Veterans and their families, colleagues, and other professionals in collaboration throughout treatment regarding clinical, ethical and legal issues and concerns.
    • Knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case law, ethical codes, regulations and VA policies affecting the practice of marriage and family therapy. This includes the ability to assist Veterans and their families in making informed decisions relevant to treatment to include limits of confidentiality.
    • Ability to provide orientation, training and consultation to new MFTs including clinical oversight of MFT graduate students, and/or provide clinical supervision to pre-licensure MFTs.
    • Skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, maintaining accurate, timely and thorough clinical documentation, and tracking quality improvements.
Physical Requirements: The work does not inherently include physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with a workplace accommodation.
References: VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO)Education:Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: OTHER

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