Application Deadline: April 15th, 2024
Application Deadline: April 15th, 2024
Your Certification Awaits
Steps to become a fully Certified Focus Marital Therapist (CFMT)
What is FMT?
After more than two decades of serving distressed marriages and facilitating their recovery, Focus on the Family (FOTF) is ready to share their discoveries and methods with the broader marriage helping community. The Focus Marital Therapy Certification Program trains professional therapists and counselors to be effective change agents with marriages that are struggling. The insights, principles, and intervention strategies developed in the Hope Restored Intensive programs will equip and inspire mental health professionals passionate about serving struggling marriages.
The Certification in FMT Program Will:
– Establish standards of competency in knowledge and presentation of FMT concepts, principles, skills, methods, and interventions.
– Establish standards of competency in therapeutic engagement when using FMT.
– Provide documentation and verification of FMT certification status from Focus on the Family with proper written request.
– Provide trainees with a thorough and complete understanding of FMT concepts, principles, skills, methods, and interventions.
– Provide trainees with direction on how to utilize FMT in work with distressed couples in marital therapy/counseling practice.
They’re the real deal!
Introducing Your Teachers
Robert S. Paul, MS, LPC
Vice President of the Focus on the Family Marriage Institute
Robert is one of the primary creators of Focus on the Family’s Hope Restored Marriage Intensive counseling programs and Focus Marital Therapy. He received his bachelor’s degree from Evangel University, his master’s degree from Georgia State University, as well as a Diploma in Christian Counseling and an honorary doctorate from Psychological Studies Institute. He holds licenses in the states of Missouri, Georgia, Michigan, and Texas as a Professional Counselor. He is an accomplished speaker who presents regularly at professional conferences and enrichment events both nationally and internationally. He has appeared on numerous radio and television programs and has co-authored six books.
Robert K. Burbee PhD
Licensed Therapist; FMT Training Consultant
Bob has more than 37 years of experience as a licensed psychologist working with individuals, couples, families, and groups. As one of FMI’s therapists, Bob leads both Group and Private Marriage Intensives. In addition to his therapy responsibilities, Bob provides leadership in training other therapists in Focus Marital Therapy. He speaks frequently to groups on marital and family topics in seminars, retreats, and workshops. Bob and his wife, Mary Jo, are active in their church contributing to children and family ministries. Bob and Mary Jo have four grown children and reside in Springfield, Missouri.
Learn more about
The Focus Marriage Model & Focus Marital Therapy
CEU = Continuing Education Unit. All participants will receive a certificate of attendance. Formal CEUs however, are personalized specifically for state license renewal.
Endorsement of
Focus Marriage Therapy
Robert is one of the primary creators of Focus on the Family’s Hope Restored Marriage Intensive counseling programs and Focus Marital Therapy.
Robert K. Burbee PhD
Robert K. Burbee PhD
Benefits of
Certified Focus Marriage Therapy
Possible 32 hours of CE credit (32 possible formal ceu, from workshops).
Inclusion on FMT Referral Network, e.g. inclusion in Focus on the Family Christian Counselors Network (CCN) with special designation as a Certified Focus Marital Therapist (CFMT)
Membership in FMT Association with regular newsletter, etc.
Certificate suitable for office display.
Priority referrals from Hope Restored Alumni Aftercare.
Certification can be verified by FOTF upon request.
Access to FMT consultation at discounted rates.
Requirements of
The Certified Focus Marital Therapy Program
- Endorsement of FOTF Statement of Faith
- Licensed in Mental Health Discipline
- Licensed Psychologist
- Licensed Professional Counselor
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
- Licensed Social Worker
- Provisional Licensure is Acceptable
- Certification Program application and approval by Focus on the Family Marriage Institute (FMI)
- Face to face interview with Certified Focus Marital Therapy Trainer (CFMTT)
- Satisfactory score on Competency Test in Basic Elements of Focus Marriage Model
- Admission to Trainee Cohort
- Completion of FMT Level I Training Workshop
- Advanced FMT Training Workshops
- Satisfactory score on competency exams for each training workshops
- Video documentation of presentation competency of core principles and skills of FMT
- 8 hours of FMT Supervision
- Trainees will Submit a Minimum of 6 Case Examples of Their Use of FMT in Marital Therapy
- CFMTT will document trainees’ submission of case examples for supervision
- Letter of Recommendation and Endorsement from CFMTT
Hear it from others
Have more questions?
Questions & Answers
Every state is a little different in how they approve and credit continuing education activity needed for license renewal. You will need to study the continuing education requirements in your state and perhaps consult with the licensing board to be sure. Focus on the Family is partnering with Evangel University, an accredited institution of higher learning. Most states approve continuing education earned in conjunction with an accredited university. Some states have “formal” and “informal” categories for counting continuing education activity. In states that recognized continuing education from an accredited university your earned continuing education hours in the Focus Marital Therapy Certification Program should count toward your “formal” continuing education requirements for licensure renewal. Again, it is each trainee’s responsibility to know and understand the continuing education requirements for license renewal in the state where they are licensed.
Yes. As long as the video file can be emailed to one of our FMT Trainers for review you can create the videos in any format you choose.
Yes. If you meet the minimum requirements for group and individual supervision you can mix supervision experiences to meet the requirements. There is a minimum requirement of 2 hours individual supervision.
The competency exams are designed to document a trainees grasp and familiarity with each workshop content. The exams are made of 25 multiple choice items drawn from a pool of test items created for each specific workshop. A satisfactory score of 70% or better for each competency exam is required.
Itemized cost of Training
Total Training Cost
$3500 in one payment will cover the following training resources and events:
– FMT Level I Training Workshop, 2 Day training, 13 hours of CEU credit: May 2 – May 3, 2024
– FMT Level II Training Workshop, 2 Day training, 13 hours of CEU credit: July 26 – July 27, 2024
– Advanced FMT Training Workshop, 1 Day training, 6.5 hours of CEU credit: September 13, 2024
– Review of video presentations of FMT concepts and skills
– 8 hours of Supervision with a Certified Focus Marital Therapy Trainer (CFMTT) and other trainees.
1. $3500 one time payment upon acceptance into the training program.
2. Two Installments of $1800, (once upon acceptance into the training program, and the second payment prior to the first workshop.)
3. $1750 up front payment upon accpetnace into the training program with 6 additional monthly payments of $325.
Certification Renewal
Certified Focus Marital Therapists (CFMT) may renew their certification every 3 years by submitting documentation that they have participated in one of the following:
- 1 Advanced FMT Training Workshop
or
- 1 Approved FMT Refresher Experience
Cost of Certification Renewal is $100
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