Family and marriage counsellor

Family and marriage counsellors help individuals, couples and families deal with marriage and relationship difficulties. They may develop treatment plans or refer clients to specialists.

Also known as

Family violence counsellor, family therapist, couples' counsellor, marriage guidance counsellor, family counselling psychologist, family and marriage case manager

Work environment

  • Usually work regular business hours
  • Usually work in offices and may travel locally to visit clients
  • May do emotionally demanding work
  • Need to be responsible, identify and solve problems and communicate well

Salary information

MOST COMMON
UPPER
LOWER
$77.1K-$116.4K 77087

Typical tasks

  • Teach life skills or strategies to clients or their families
  • Counsel clients or patients regarding personal issues
  • Develop treatment plans for patients or clients
  • Maintain client records
  • Collect information about clients
  • Interview clients to gather information about their backgrounds, needs, or progress
  • Counsel clients regarding interpersonal issues
  • Confer with clients to discuss treatment plans or progress
  • Collaborate with other professionals to assess client needs or plan treatments
  • Evaluate characteristics of individuals to determine needs or eligibility

Outlook

Demand for relationship and family support is likely to remain important as people seek help with stress, conflict, parenting, separation and changing family circumstances. In New Zealand, the sector is also focused on improving access to culturally responsive and affordable support. Online and blended counselling can increase access, while strong privacy, ethical and safety practices remain essential.

What employers and industry want in graduates

  • Listen carefully and communicate with empathy and respect
  • Build trust while maintaining professional boundaries
  • Work fairly with different cultures, identities and family structures
  • Help people discuss difficult issues without taking sides
  • Follow ethical, privacy and safeguarding requirements
  • Reflect on their practice and work well with other support services

AUT programmes

The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.

Further study options

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This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.