Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) vs. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

While LMFTs and LPCs share common goals in helping individuals improve their mental health, their education, licensing, and job scope vary significantly.

• LMFTs are trained to work with couples, families, and individuals, with an emphasis on how relationships impact mental well-being. Their therapy approach is systemic, meaning they look at issues within the context of relationships rather than in isolation. LMFTs often help clients with marital conflicts, parent-child issues, and family communication struggles.
• LPCs, on the other hand, provide a broader range of mental health services for individuals. They diagnose and treat various mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance abuse. LPCs use individual-focused therapy techniques, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-focused therapy.

When comparing Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), the biggest differences lie in their therapeutic focus, training, and job roles. While both professionals help clients improve mental health and emotional well-being, they approach therapy from distinct perspectives.

Focus & Approach:

LMFTs specialize in relationship counseling, addressing marriage, family, and interpersonal conflicts using a systemic therapy model. Their work often involves helping clients understand how family dynamics and relational patterns influence their mental health. LPCs, on the other hand, focus on individual mental health treatment, diagnosing and treating disorders such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and addiction. They use evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and crisis intervention strategies to help individuals improve their emotional well-being.

Client Population:


LMFTs primarily work with couples, families, and individuals navigating relationship difficulties, while LPCs work with a broader range of clients, including individuals, groups, and those struggling with severe mental health conditions. While LMFTs can provide one-on-one therapy, their interventions typically incorporate relational and family systems approaches. LPCs, however, focus more on personal mental health struggles and behavioral patterns.

Education & Licensure:


Both LMFTs and LPCs must earn a master’s degree in counseling or a related field. LMFTs typically obtain a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), while LPCs complete a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. LMFTs take the National MFT Exam, while LPCs usually take either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). In terms of clinical training, LMFTs complete 2,000 – 4,000 supervised hours primarily in family and couples therapy, while LPCs must complete 3,000+ hours focusing on individual counseling and general mental health disorders.

Work Settings & Career Opportunities:


LMFTs frequently work in private practice, family therapy clinics, outpatient mental health centers, and healthcare settings where relationship dynamics are central to treatment. They often help clients with marriage counseling, parenting challenges, and family conflicts. LPCs, on the other hand, have broader career opportunities, working in private practice, community mental health centers, schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation facilities. Many LPCs specialize in areas such as substance abuse counseling, trauma therapy, or crisis intervention.

While both LMFTs and LPCs play critical roles in mental health care, LMFTs focus on relationships and family systems, while LPCs provide broader mental health counseling for individuals and groups. Understanding these differences can help aspiring therapists determine which career path best aligns with their interests and goals.