Couple and Family Therapy Clinic

How do we approach therapy?

The MSU CFTC is operated by the Couple and Family Therapy specialization of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Michigan State University. The MSU CFTC operates to:

Support the health, function and well-being of persons and families in this community;
Facilitate the instruction of students specializing in Couple and Family Therapy (CFT), and
Provide the best therapy possible to persons who seek individual, couple, and family therapy from a family systems perspective.

The goal of therapy is to improve some aspect of your life or decrease difficult emotional symptoms you may be experiencing. Research and experience indicate that the inclusion of partners and family members in treatment yields greater results than when only one member is seen in therapy. Your therapist will work with you on establishing the most appropriate treatment group, e.g., couple, family, or individual combination that will best support your goals.

Therapy is a learning process to help you better understand yourself, others, and the interactions between yourself and others. We would be happy to support you in this process.

How can we help?

We strive to maintain:

A safe environment that recognizes and honors different backgrounds, all kinds of families, and different life experiences.
Complete confidentiality in our records, within the limits of Michigan law.
A pleasant, supportive atmosphere throughout the Clinic.
The highest quality therapy services.

The Couple and Family Therapy Clinic does not discriminate or refuse services to anyone on the basis of age, culture, ethnicity, gender, physical disability, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

Will anyone know that we are coming to therapy?

All information provided by you during therapy sessions is legally confidential to persons or agencies outside of therapy. Such information can only be shared with your written permission. Information provided during therapy sessions will be available to the treatment team, including other therapists at the Clinic, Clinic assistants, and Clinical supervisors.

There are certain situations in which your therapist is legally bound to reveal information obtained during therapy to other persons or agencies without your permission. These situations are as follows:

If your therapist believes you are in imminent danger to yourself.
If you threaten grave bodily harm or death to another person or directly endanger the life of another.
If your therapist suspects abuse or neglect of any child or elderly individual.
If your therapist is ordered to release information by a court of law.
If you pose a threat to national security.

How do I make an appointment?

All inquiries are treated confidentially. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment or learning more about the services, you can reach the clinic by phone at 517-432-2272, email CFTC@msu.edu, or by filling out the new client survey.

MSU Couple and Family Therapy Clinic

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