Marriage CV Template and Example
A strong Marriage CV for a marriage and family therapist must show licensure, evidence-based modalities, and measurable client outcomes. It should highlight your ability to work with couples and families, your clinical experience, and your understanding of relational dynamics. This sample CV and guide will help you present those elements clearly.
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Marriage CV example (Professional template)
A full-page example built for this role. Use it as a structure reference — replace every line with your own experience.
Skills hiring managers look for in a Marriage
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Family Systems Therapy
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Crisis Intervention
- Treatment Planning
- Group Therapy Facilitation
- Psychological Assessment
- Electronic Health Records (EHR)
- Telehealth Platforms
- Clinical Supervision
What to Include in a Marriage CV
A Marriage CV should include your licensure status, clinical experience, education, and certifications. Start with a professional summary that states your license type and years of experience. Then list your skills, focusing on therapy modalities and tools. In your experience section, detail your work with couples, families, and individuals, using numbers to show impact. Include education, certifications, and any relevant projects or presentations. Finally, add languages and professional achievements if they strengthen your candidacy.
- Licensure and certifications (LMFT, EFT, Gottman)
- Clinical experience with couples and families
- Evidence-based therapy modalities
- Quantified client outcomes and satisfaction
- Education and supervised internship hours
How to Write Experience Bullets for a Marriage CV
Experience bullets should be specific, quantified, and focused on results. Instead of saying 'provided therapy,' say 'provided couples therapy to 25+ clients weekly, achieving a 78% improvement in relationship satisfaction scores.' Use action verbs like 'conducted,' 'developed,' 'facilitated,' and 'implemented.' Include numbers such as caseload size, session counts, improvement percentages, and dropout rates. Tailor each bullet to the setting: private practice, community mental health, or hospital. Avoid vague statements that could apply to any therapist role.
- Start with a strong action verb.
- Include caseload size, session frequency, and duration.
- Quantify outcomes (e.g., % improvement, reduction in conflict).
- Mention specific modalities used (EFT, Gottman, CBT).
- Show compliance with documentation and insurance standards.
Skills Hiring Managers Scan For
Hiring managers in marriage and family therapy look for a mix of clinical skills, soft skills, and technical proficiency. They want to see evidence-based modalities like EFT and Gottman, as well as general therapy skills like CBT and family systems. Trauma-informed care and crisis intervention are highly valued. Familiarity with EHR systems and telehealth platforms is increasingly important. Clinical supervision experience and group facilitation are also strong pluses. List these skills in a dedicated section and weave them into your experience bullets.
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Family Systems Therapy
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Crisis Intervention
- Treatment Planning
- Group Therapy Facilitation
- Psychological Assessment
- Electronic Health Records (EHR)
- Telehealth Platforms
- Clinical Supervision
Common Mistakes in Marriage CVs
Many Marriage CVs fail because they are too generic. Listing duties without results makes it hard for hiring managers to see your impact. Another mistake is not specifying your license type or status, which can disqualify you immediately. Some candidates omit numbers, leaving their achievements vague. Others use jargon without explaining modalities, which can confuse non-specialist HR screeners. Finally, failing to tailor the CV to the setting—private practice versus community mental health—can make you seem like a poor fit. Avoid these by being specific, quantified, and targeted.
- Using vague duties instead of quantified achievements.
- Omitting licensure details or state of licensure.
- Not tailoring to the specific work setting.
- Overloading with jargon without context.
- Neglecting to proofread for typos and consistency.
Formatting and Length for a Marriage CV
For a mid-career marriage and family therapist, a two-page CV is standard. Use a clean, professional format with clear headings: Professional Summary, Skills, Experience, Education, Certifications, and optional sections like Projects or Achievements. Reverse-chronological order is expected. Use bullet points for experience to improve readability. Keep font consistent (e.g., Calibri or Arial, 10-12pt). Avoid graphics or photos unless required by the employer. Save as PDF to preserve formatting.
- Two pages for mid-career, one page for early-career.
- Reverse-chronological experience order.
- Clear section headings and consistent formatting.
- Bullet points for experience, not paragraphs.
- PDF format for submission.
Marriage CV — frequently asked questions
What license do I need for a marriage and family therapy job?
Most positions require a state license as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Requirements vary by state but typically include a master's degree, supervised clinical hours (often 2,000-4,000), and passing an exam. Some roles accept associate or intern status if you are working toward licensure. Always check the job posting for specific licensure requirements.
How do I quantify my experience as a marriage and family therapist?
Use numbers that reflect your caseload, session frequency, and client outcomes. For example, 'provided couples therapy to 25+ clients weekly' or 'achieved a 78% improvement in relationship satisfaction scores.' You can also include reduction in conflict, dropout rates, or attendance percentages. These metrics show your impact and make your CV stand out.
Should I include a photo on my Marriage CV?
In the United States, including a photo is generally not recommended due to anti-discrimination laws and hiring practices. In some other countries, a photo may be expected. Focus on a clean, professional layout without a photo unless the employer specifically requests one.
What certifications are most valued for marriage and family therapists?
Certifications in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Gottman Method Couples Therapy are highly valued. Trauma-informed care certifications and clinical supervision credentials also strengthen your CV. Some employers look for certification in specific modalities like CBT or family systems therapy. List all relevant certifications with the issuing organization and date.
How long should my Marriage CV be?
For mid-career professionals, two pages is standard. Early-career therapists can use one page, while those with extensive experience, publications, or presentations may use three pages. Focus on relevance and readability rather than hitting a specific length. Cut outdated or unrelated experience.