MA MFT Marriage and Family Therapy Statement

Latinx Applicant to MFT Master's program Personal Statement Example

I have a deep affection for my city, San Diego, and I aspire to join the MS Program in Clinical Psychology at ____ University, focusing on Marriage and Family Therapy. I believe this field will allow me to make significant contributions to my community. I am drawn to the profound satisfaction of assisting individuals who have faced numerous challenges and now require professional support, particularly within immigrant communities from Latin America. I view the master's MFT Program at ____ as a blend of neuroscience and psychology aimed at promoting social justice through direct community engagement.

I understand the unique challenges we encounter in San Diego due to our history as a border city. Therefore, ____’s emphasis on serving marginalized and underserved groups is especially appealing to me. I am eager to support individuals and communities that have historically faced societal barriers in achieving their goals and dreams. I also have a keen interest in veterans, particularly those suffering from PTSD.

Our region has significant Latinx populations, especially near the border, where assistance is greatly needed. I have studied Spanish for many years and am eager to use it professionally. Considering the severe physical and social challenges faced by migrant individuals and families as they strive to survive on both sides of the border, there is a substantial need for counseling support, both for marital and broader family issues. I aim to excel in bilingual counseling for Spanish speakers, as migrants from Latin America and the Caribbean often lack fluency in English. 

I am particularly excited about the opportunity to study under Dr. Boyd, due to her work with veterans and her contributions to developing innovative psychotherapy interventions for them. Dr. Boyd’s work resonates with me personally, as my father is a Vietnam combat veteran who has heroically managed chronic PTSD for decades.

At 28 years old, with my father now seventy-six, I look forward to collaborating on a research project about his parenting challenges stemming from PTSD, drawing from both our memories of my childhood. Being raised by my father has provided me with an insider’s perspective on the impact of physical, moral, and psychological trauma on a person’s life, particularly in parenting. My father became an MFT and dedicated his career to serving veterans with co-morbid PTSD and Substance-Use Disorders at the VA. My mother, an LCSW specializing in CBT, is also a psychotherapist. Both serve as role models for me.

I grew up in a small, rural farming town north of San Francisco, close to many mostly undocumented Latinx families working in agriculture and domestic roles. I formed lifelong friendships at school and began learning Spanish early through interactions on the playground, during recess, and after school. I also witnessed the hardships, pain, and injustices faced by many in this community, from ICE deportations tearing families apart to being denied access to basic health care.

As a high school athlete, I initially became a Certified Personal Trainer, helping people achieve their health and fitness goals. My interest in Psychology was sparked by my first class at Mesa College, Physiological Psychology, which led me to UCSD for my bachelor's degree. A highlight was participating in loneliness research. Dr. Rose’s course, ‘Clinical Neuropsychology,’ was particularly exciting, offering insights into the brain's workings, its power, and fragility.

My internship at the National Conflict Resolution Center provided additional experience in facilitating communication and connection between people. Currently, I manage a CBT practice, am working towards becoming a Registered Behavioral Technician, and am in the process of becoming a Therapy Assistant for a Telehealth mental health service provider.

Veterans, individuals struggling with addictions, neurodiverse and disabled populations, as well as immigrants, are at the forefront of my interests.

Thank you for considering my application to the MFT Program at ____ University.

MA MFT Marriage and Family Therapy