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Marriage and Family Therapists

SOC 21-1013.00Job Zone 5 · Extensive Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers marriage and family therapy practice across community mental health agencies, outpatient clinics, private practices, and telehealth environments, from supervised post-graduate training through executive clinical leadership.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Active listening techniques — apply during initial client intake sessions under clinical supervisor guidance in a community mental health setting.
  2. Client information — collect through structured interviews, standardized assessments, and direct observation under close supervision in a practicum environment.
  3. Case files and progress notes — maintain accurately using electronic medical records software under the review of a licensed clinical supervisor.
  4. Therapeutic questioning strategies — use to prompt clients to identify feelings and behavioral patterns during supervised individual sessions.
  5. Foundational counseling theories — demonstrate knowledge of by selecting appropriate frameworks when discussing assigned cases in weekly supervision meetings.
  6. Family systems concepts — recognize and describe when observing or co-facilitating sessions focused on relationship dynamics and communication patterns.
  7. Empirically supported treatment protocols — follow step-by-step under direct supervision when delivering structured interventions to individual or family clients.
  8. Video conferencing and telehealth platforms — set up and operate to conduct remote client sessions in compliance with agency privacy and security policies.
  9. Interdisciplinary case notes — contribute to by drafting summaries of client progress for review by supervising therapists and coordinating professionals.
  10. Ethical guidelines and mandatory reporting obligations — identify and apply correctly when handling sensitive disclosures during supervised clinical practice.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Individualized treatment plans — develop and implement addressing family relationship problems and destructive behavioral patterns for a routine caseload with periodic supervisor consultation.
  2. Client feelings and behavioral patterns — explore systematically by constructing tailored open-ended questions adapted to each client's presenting concerns across individual and family modalities.
  3. Problem-solving and coping skills — teach and reinforce by guiding clients to practice constructive strategies between sessions in outpatient therapy contexts.
  4. Posttreatment transition plans — confer with clients to create, identifying community resources and relapse-prevention strategies appropriate to their goals.
  5. Concurrent client concerns — counsel on including divorce and separation, co-parenting challenges, financial stressors, and home management difficulties within ongoing therapeutic relationships.
  6. Progress monitoring — conduct across an active caseload by reviewing session notes, reassessing treatment goals, and adjusting interventions based on documented client outcomes.
  7. Interdisciplinary coordination — participate in by conferring with physicians, psychiatrists, and other counselors to align care plans for shared clients.
  8. Billing and documentation software — use to complete insurance authorizations, treatment summaries, and invoicing accurately in compliance with agency billing procedures.
  9. Cultural and contextual factors — incorporate into case conceptualizations by drawing on knowledge of sociology and anthropology when working with diverse family structures.
  10. Critical thinking — apply to evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing interventions and recommend evidence-based modifications during peer consultation meetings.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Complex, non-routine treatment plans — design autonomously for clients presenting with co-occurring relational dysfunction, trauma, and behavioral health conditions across individual, couple, and family modalities.
  2. Advanced therapeutic questioning — employ across systemic, narrative, and cognitive-behavioral frameworks to facilitate deep client insight without supervisor direction in a full private or agency practice.
  3. Multidisciplinary service coordination — lead by conferring with medical, legal, and social service professionals to integrate comprehensive care for clients with complex psychosocial needs.
  4. Judgment and decision making — exercise independently when evaluating risk, adjusting diagnoses, and determining appropriate level-of-care transitions for high-acuity clients.
  5. Posttreatment and relapse-prevention frameworks — develop collaboratively with clients by synthesizing clinical data, client strengths, and community resource knowledge into durable aftercare strategies.
  6. Destructive behavioral and relational patterns — address through evidence-based modalities such as EFT, DBT-informed family therapy, or structural family therapy across a full autonomous caseload.
  7. Comprehensive written evaluations — produce including psychological assessments, court-ordered reports, and treatment summaries that meet professional, legal, and insurance standards.
  8. Telehealth and in-person service delivery — manage simultaneously by adapting clinical techniques and informed consent processes to ensure therapeutic continuity across both environments.
  9. Systems evaluation — perform on clinical service outcomes by analyzing aggregate case data to identify effectiveness gaps and recommend program-level improvements.
  10. Continuing education and emerging research — integrate proactively into clinical practice by critically appraising new literature and incorporating validated techniques into existing treatment approaches.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Clinical supervision frameworks — design and deliver for pre-licensed therapists and interns, shaping professional identity and competency development across an entire training program.
  2. Organizational treatment standards — establish for a department or agency by synthesizing best-practice research, regulatory requirements, and population-specific data into policy-level clinical guidelines.
  3. Strategic interdisciplinary partnerships — forge with healthcare systems, legal entities, and community organizations to expand service access and create integrated care pathways for underserved family populations.
  4. Program evaluation methodologies — lead by designing outcome measurement systems that assess treatment efficacy across a full service portfolio and inform executive decision making.
  5. Workforce development initiatives — spearhead by identifying competency gaps across clinical staff and implementing structured training curricula grounded in advanced family therapy and counseling knowledge domains.
  6. Ethical and legal standards — champion at the organizational level by authoring compliance policies, leading ethics consultations, and representing the agency in professional or regulatory forums.
  7. Advocacy and systems change — drive by translating clinical and community data into legislative testimony, grant proposals, or public health recommendations that shape marriage and family therapy policy.
  8. Revenue cycle and administrative operations — oversee by directing billing, credentialing, and documentation practices that sustain organizational financial health while preserving clinical quality and compliance.
  9. Research and scholarship — generate or facilitate by leading practice-based research projects, publishing findings, and presenting at professional conferences to advance the field of marriage and family therapy.
  10. Organizational culture of empathy and integrity — model and institutionalize by embedding core work-style values into hiring, performance evaluation, and team development processes across the entire clinical enterprise.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted documentation drafting — uses an AI writing assistant to generate first-draft progress notes and case file entries from session summaries, then reviews and edits for clinical accuracy and client-specific nuance Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  2. AI-generated psychoeducational content — retrieves AI-drafted handouts on common topics such as communication skills or co-parenting strategies, verifying the material against evidence-based practice standards before sharing with clients.
Developing
  1. Treatment plan scaffolding — prompts an AI tool to outline individualized treatment plan structures based on presenting concerns such as relationship conflict or child-rearing difficulties, then applies clinical judgment to tailor goals and interventions for each family system Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Literature-assisted case conceptualization — delegates background research on therapeutic modalities to an AI assistant, synthesizing the output with direct clinical observation to inform a constructive intervention approach Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. Session preparation support — uses AI tools to surface structured question sets aligned with specific presenting issues (e.g., divorce, financial stress), adapting them through active listening and social perceptiveness during the actual session WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Autonomous note generation with clinical oversight — directs an AI assistant to produce complete session documentation from structured prompts, retaining full clinical authority over diagnostic language, risk indicators, and therapeutic interpretation Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Outcome-tracking analysis — delegates aggregation of client progress data to an AI tool, then interprets patterns across a caseload to inform supervision discussions and treatment adjustments, keeping the relational judgment layer human-held Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Complex problem decomposition — employs AI to map systemic factors in multi-generational family issues, using the output as a scaffold while personally conducting the nuanced judgment and decision-making required to prioritize intervention targets Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  4. Ethical boundary maintenance — evaluates AI-generated recommendations against professional ethics codes and confidentiality requirements, rejecting or correcting any output that misrepresents therapeutic relationship dynamics or client identity.
Advanced
  1. AI workflow integration leadership — designs and standardises AI-assisted documentation and research protocols for a clinical team, establishing review checkpoints that preserve therapeutic integrity and comply with licensing board standards Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Augmentation boundary arbitration — assesses which therapeutic tasks (e.g., active listening, empathic attunement, crisis intervention) fall outside feasible AI augmentation and formally communicates those limits to supervisees and interdisciplinary stakeholders, grounded in the Q2 augmentation profile of the occupation Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. Training and competency development — mentors emerging therapists in critically evaluating AI-generated case conceptualizations, embedding human-technology interaction literacy into clinical training curricula WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  4. Evidence-base contribution — synthesizes AI-assisted analysis of anonymized aggregate outcome data with qualitative clinical insight to produce practitioner-facing guidance on effective family therapy interventions, authoring the interpretive conclusions personally Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
AEI usage
Task observations: 1441
Augment share: 95%
Time saved: 68.5%
AI autonomy: 3.66
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Active Listening
Score: 42.2 / 100
Quadrant: Q2_ai_augmented
precision: exact
WEF cluster
Human-Technology Interaction
human_technology_interaction
Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication12 statements
Emerging
  1. Intake interview communication — gathers basic presenting concerns from clients through structured questions while maintaining a calm and welcoming tone Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Progress note documentation — records session observations and client statements in case files using clear, factual language under supervisor guidance O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Therapeutic vocabulary — uses foundational counseling terminology when discussing symptoms and behaviors with clients in initial sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Clinical interviewing — elicits feelings, behaviors, and relational patterns through open-ended and reflective questions during individual and family sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Multidisciplinary communication — conveys case summaries and treatment updates to collaborating counselors, physicians, and social workers using professional clinical language O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Written treatment documentation — drafts individualized treatment plans and progress notes that accurately reflect client goals, interventions, and outcomes O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Family systems dialogue — facilitates structured conversations among family members to surface relational dynamics, reduce reactivity, and promote mutual understanding across diverse family configurations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Psychoeducational communication — explains psychological concepts such as attachment styles, trauma responses, and communication cycles to clients in accessible, non-clinical language Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Posttreatment planning communication — collaborates with clients to articulate concrete posttreatment goals and relapse-prevention strategies through guided discussion O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Cross-context clinical communication — adapts therapeutic communication style and modality to address culturally diverse clients, crisis presentations, and complex multi-party family systems with precision and sensitivity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Supervisory case consultation — leads case conference discussions with interdisciplinary teams, synthesizing clinical observations into actionable recommendations that guide coordinated care O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Professional publication and advocacy — authors clinical guidelines, case studies, or community education materials that advance the field's understanding of marriage and family therapy practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
2Leadership10 statements
Emerging
  1. Session structure leadership — maintains therapeutic frame by setting agenda, managing time, and redirecting off-topic conversation during client sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Self-directed caseload initiation — takes ownership of assigned cases by proactively reviewing client histories and preparing session plans without waiting for supervisor prompts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Treatment plan authorship — leads development of individualized treatment plans by synthesizing assessment data into prioritized goals and evidence-based intervention strategies O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Group session facilitation — directs therapeutic group dynamics, balances participation across members, and intervenes to maintain a safe and productive group environment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Crisis intervention leadership — assumes clinical authority during acute family or individual crises by rapidly assessing risk, mobilizing safety planning, and coordinating emergency resources Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Interdisciplinary coordination leadership — takes initiative in organizing and leading case conferences that align care across mental health, medical, and social service providers O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Skill-building program leadership — designs and leads psychoeducational workshops or parenting programs that equip families with constructive problem-solving and communication strategies O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Clinical supervision — mentors and evaluates pre-licensed therapists through live observation, case review, and structured feedback that builds their diagnostic and relational competencies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Program development leadership — leads organizational initiatives to design, implement, and evaluate new therapy service models or community outreach programs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Professional community leadership — chairs ethics committees, training panels, or licensing boards that shape standards and practices within the marriage and family therapy profession Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition9 statements
Emerging
  1. Countertransference awareness — identifies personal emotional reactions to client material and reflects on how those reactions may influence therapeutic responses in supervision Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Session self-review — evaluates own questioning techniques and listening behaviors after sessions to identify missed clinical opportunities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Theory application monitoring — reflects on which therapeutic modality is guiding clinical decisions in each session and assesses whether that choice aligns with client needs and treatment goals Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Supervision utilization — actively uses supervisory feedback to adjust clinical hypotheses, intervention strategies, and relational stance with specific clients Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Ongoing case conceptualization review — periodically re-examines clinical formulations throughout treatment to determine whether initial assumptions about family dynamics or diagnoses remain valid given emerging client data Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Bias and worldview monitoring — consistently examines how personal cultural background, values, and biases shape clinical perceptions and adjusts practice accordingly to maintain ethical, client-centered care Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Learning strategy adaptation — identifies gaps in therapeutic technique knowledge and selects targeted continuing education, consultation, or reading to address those specific gaps Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Reflective practice modeling — teaches supervisees to examine their own cognitive and emotional processes during therapy through structured reflective exercises that build metacognitive capacity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Model integration metacognition — critically evaluates the evidence base and theoretical assumptions underlying multiple therapeutic models and consciously selects or blends approaches based on client-specific and contextual factors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking9 statements
Emerging
  1. Diagnostic hypothesis formation — generates initial clinical hypotheses about presenting problems by analyzing basic intake information against DSM criteria and relational patterns Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Evidence identification — identifies which client statements and behaviors constitute relevant clinical evidence versus tangential detail during early assessment sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Differential diagnosis reasoning — distinguishes between competing diagnostic explanations for client symptoms by systematically evaluating behavioral, relational, and historical evidence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Intervention evaluation — assesses whether current therapeutic techniques are producing measurable progress toward treatment goals and adjusts approach based on that analysis Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Complex case formulation — integrates psychological, sociological, cultural, and systemic factors into a comprehensive clinical formulation that drives individualized treatment planning for multi-problem family cases Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Risk-benefit clinical judgment — weighs risks and benefits of disclosure, confrontation, or referral decisions by analyzing client stability, therapeutic alliance, and systemic impacts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Assessment instrument analysis — critically interprets results from psychological testing and structured evaluations, identifying convergence and discrepancy with observational and interview data O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Research translation to practice — critically evaluates peer-reviewed outcome research for methodological rigor and applicability, then translates findings into evidence-based modifications to clinical protocols Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Systemic pattern identification — identifies recursive destructive patterns across generations and relational subsystems within complex family systems and constructs testable clinical explanations for their maintenance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration9 statements
Emerging
  1. Interdisciplinary referral participation — engages respectfully with referral sources and collateral contacts by sharing relevant clinical information within appropriate consent boundaries O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Co-therapy observation — participates in co-facilitated sessions by supporting the lead therapist, managing secondary client interactions, and contributing observations during debriefs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Care coordination collaboration — coordinates services with social workers, psychiatrists, school counselors, and legal professionals by sharing case information and aligning intervention goals across systems O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Supervisory collaboration — engages in reciprocal dialogue with supervisors by presenting case questions, receiving feedback, and implementing agreed-upon clinical adjustments collaboratively Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Multidisciplinary case conferencing — contributes clinical expertise as an equal partner in team case reviews, advocating for client-centered care while integrating perspectives from medical, legal, and social service professionals O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Family subsystem alliance management — builds and maintains therapeutic alliances simultaneously with individual family members and the family unit, navigating competing loyalties and confidentiality boundaries Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Community resource partnership — develops collaborative relationships with community organizations to create client referral pathways and coordinate wraparound support services O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Interagency systems collaboration — leads cross-agency coalitions addressing shared client populations, designing joint protocols that reduce service duplication and improve family outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Training partnership — co-develops and delivers collaborative training programs with professionals from adjacent disciplines to build mutual understanding of marriage and family therapy frameworks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
6Character9 statements
Emerging
  1. Confidentiality adherence — maintains strict client confidentiality in session documentation, verbal communications, and case file handling in accordance with HIPAA and professional ethics codes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional boundary maintenance — consistently observes appropriate dual-relationship boundaries with clients, family members, and referral sources from the outset of clinical practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Mandatory reporting accountability — identifies reportable concerns such as child abuse, elder abuse, or imminent danger and fulfills legal reporting obligations accurately and without delay Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Informed consent integrity — ensures clients receive complete, comprehensible information about therapy processes, limitations, fees, and confidentiality before treatment commences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Ethical dilemma navigation — resolves complex ethical conflicts involving competing duties to individual clients, family systems, and third parties by applying professional ethics codes and documented clinical reasoning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cultural humility in practice — demonstrates consistent accountability for recognizing and addressing personal cultural assumptions that could disadvantage clients from marginalized or underrepresented communities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Professional accountability under difficulty — acknowledges clinical errors or therapeutic ruptures openly in supervision and with clients where appropriate, taking corrective action without minimization Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Ethics consultation and guidance — serves as an ethics resource for colleagues and agencies by providing consultation on complex dilemmas and contributing to the development of institutional ethics policies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional integrity modeling — upholds the highest standards of clinical and personal conduct in public, supervisory, and peer contexts, establishing a reputational example that elevates the profession Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
7Creativity9 statements
Emerging
  1. Therapeutic analogy use — employs metaphors and storytelling to help clients reframe problems and access new perspectives on their relational patterns Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Culturally adapted exercises — modifies standard therapeutic exercises to better fit a specific client's cultural background, communication style, or developmental stage Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Individualized intervention design — creates novel session activities, homework assignments, and skill-building exercises tailored to each client's unique strengths, barriers, and systemic context Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Treatment modality integration — combines elements from multiple therapeutic frameworks such as narrative therapy, structural family therapy, and CBT into creative hybrid interventions suited to specific client needs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Therapeutic impasse navigation — generates innovative clinical approaches to break treatment stagnation, including reframing, externalization, or sculpting techniques that open new avenues for client insight Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Psychoeducational material creation — develops original group curriculum, client handouts, and skill-building tools that make complex relational concepts tangible and engaging for diverse client populations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Systemic intervention design — creates creative structural interventions that reorganize problematic family hierarchies, boundaries, or communication patterns to produce lasting systemic change Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Novel treatment protocol development — designs, pilots, and evaluates original therapeutic protocols addressing underserved clinical populations or emerging social phenomena such as technology-mediated relationship problems Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Creative supervision methodology — develops innovative supervisory activities such as role-play intensives or video analysis formats that accelerate supervisee skill acquisition and reflective capacity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset9 statements
Emerging
  1. Supervision feedback receptivity — receives critical feedback about clinical technique from supervisors without defensiveness and identifies specific behavioral changes to implement in subsequent sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Competency gap acknowledgment — recognizes limits of current clinical training and proactively requests support or referral when client needs exceed current skill level Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Continuing education engagement — pursues advanced training in evidence-based therapeutic modalities, cultural competency, or specialized populations to expand clinical repertoire beyond initial licensure preparation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Clinical setback analysis — examines cases where therapy did not achieve desired outcomes to extract specific lessons about assessment, alliance, or intervention choices Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Complex case persistence — sustains therapeutic engagement and creative problem-solving through prolonged treatment-resistant cases, viewing slow progress as information to refine rather than as failure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Feedback integration practice — systematically solicits client feedback on therapeutic alliance and session usefulness, uses that input to adjust approach, and tracks the impact of those adjustments over time Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Evolving clinical identity — continuously refines personal theoretical orientation and clinical identity based on accumulated case experience, research engagement, and supervisory reflection Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Field advancement commitment — contributes original thinking to the profession through research, writing, or training that reflects years of iterative learning from clinical successes and failures Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Growth culture cultivation — creates supervisory and team environments where admitting uncertainty, experimenting with new techniques, and learning from mistakes are explicitly normalized and rewarded Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness9 statements
Emerging
  1. In-session presence — maintains consistent attentional focus on client verbal and nonverbal communication during sessions, resisting distraction from external pressures or personal preoccupations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotional baseline awareness — recognizes own emotional state before entering sessions and applies basic self-regulation techniques to maintain therapeutic neutrality Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Somatic cue attunement — notices subtle shifts in client body language, vocal tone, and affect in real time and uses those observations to guide therapeutic pacing and inquiry Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Therapeutic pause utilization — intentionally uses silence and deliberate pacing in sessions to allow clients processing space rather than filling discomfort with premature intervention Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Crisis emotional regulation — maintains calm, grounded presence during high-intensity family conflict or acute crisis disclosures, modeling regulated affect that reduces client escalation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Secondary trauma self-monitoring — consistently monitors for signs of vicarious traumatization or compassion fatigue and implements targeted self-care and clinical consultation practices proactively Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Intentional therapeutic stance — makes conscious real-time decisions about when to join, challenge, or witness client experience based on present-moment attunement to relational and systemic dynamics Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Mindfulness-based intervention expertise — integrates formal mindfulness-based techniques into treatment for appropriate clients, guiding in-session practices and assigning between-session exercises with clinical precision Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Mindfulness culture modeling — teaches supervisees and colleagues to develop present-moment awareness and emotional self-regulation as core therapeutic tools through modeling, instruction, and structured practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude9 statements
Emerging
  1. Exposure to difficult disclosures — maintains professional composure and therapeutic presence when clients disclose trauma, violence, or abuse for the first time in session Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. High-stakes session endurance — completes emotionally demanding sessions without withdrawing relationally or truncating therapeutic work due to personal discomfort Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Treatment resistance persistence — continues applying evidence-based strategies and seeking supervision consultation when clients show limited progress rather than abandoning the therapeutic approach prematurely Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Organizational adversity navigation — sustains high-quality clinical practice during periods of institutional instability, high caseload volume, or inadequate administrative support Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Mandated and resistant client engagement — sustains consistent therapeutic engagement with court-mandated or involuntary clients who express hostility or disengagement, maintaining alliance-building efforts across prolonged periods of resistance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Repeated trauma exposure management — sustains long-term clinical effectiveness and personal wellbeing while working with caseloads containing high concentrations of trauma, abuse, or crisis presentations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Ethical courage under pressure — maintains adherence to professional ethics and client advocacy positions even when pressured by employers, referral sources, or family members to act contrary to client best interests Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Systemic advocacy perseverance — pursues long-term advocacy for underserved client populations or policy reform in mental health systems despite institutional resistance and slow progress Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Resilience leadership — models and explicitly teaches resilience strategies to supervisees and clinical teams, building collective fortitude within organizations serving high-acuity populations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Show O*NET source anchors62 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
ABA Behavior Therapist (Applied Behavior Analysis Behavior Therapist) · Behavior Intervention Specialist · Behavior Specialist · Behavior Support Specialist · Behavior Technician (Behavior Tech) · Behavior Therapist · Behavioral Analyst · Behavioral Health Clinician · Behavioral Specialist · Behavioral Therapist · Bilingual Clinician · Child and Adolescent Therapist
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
Active ListeningSocial PerceptivenessSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingReading ComprehensionWritingService OrientationCritical ThinkingActive LearningPersuasionNegotiationMonitoringCoordinationInstructingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisTime ManagementLearning StrategiesManagement of Personnel Resources
Knowledge domains
Therapy and CounselingPsychologyCustomer and Personal ServiceSociology and AnthropologyEnglish LanguageAdministrativeLaw and GovernmentPhilosophy and Theology
Abilities
Oral ComprehensionOral ExpressionSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionInductive ReasoningDeductive ReasoningWritten ExpressionWritten ComprehensionProblem SensitivityCategory Flexibility
Work styles
EmpathySincerityCooperationIntegrityDependabilitySelf-Control
Technology
Medical softwareBilling and invoicing softwareVideo conferencing softwareWeb platform development softwareAccounting softwareData base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwarePresentation software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Encourage individuals and family members to develop and use skills and strategies for confronting their problems in a constructive manner.
  2. Ask questions that will help clients identify their feelings and behaviors.
  3. Develop and implement individualized treatment plans addressing family relationship problems, destructive patterns of behavior, and other personal issues.
  4. Maintain case files that include activities, progress notes, evaluations, and recommendations.
  5. Counsel clients on concerns, such as unsatisfactory relationships, divorce and separation, child rearing, home management, or financial difficulties.
  6. Collect information about clients, using techniques such as testing, interviewing, discussion, or observation.
  7. Confer with clients to develop plans for posttreatment activities.
  8. Confer with other counselors, doctors, and professionals to analyze individual cases and to coordinate counseling services.
CIP education codes
44.070151.150551.150651.151051.1511

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.