Are You Looking for a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Kansas City, MO?

What is an LMFT? Why should you see one in Kansas City, MO? Let’s Discuss.

What is an LMFT?

A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) is a mental health professional who has obtained a license to practice therapy and counseling with a specific focus on systems theory, or training and understanding of relationships, couples, and families.

LMFTs are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of mental and emotional issues, with an emphasis on how these issues affect individuals within the context of their relationships and family systems.

To become an LMFT, individuals typically need to complete a master's or doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy or a related field, followed by a period of supervised clinical practice and successful completion of licensing exams. The specific requirements for licensure can vary by state or region.

Once licensed, LMFTs are authorized to provide therapy and counseling services to individuals, couples, and families, helping them navigate and improve their relationships and overall mental health.

Can an LMFT Prescribe Medication?

No, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) cannot prescribe medication. LMFTs specialize in providing therapy and counseling services but do not have the authority to prescribe medications.

Medication management for mental health conditions typically falls under the purview of psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, or other medical doctors who have specialized training in psychopharmacology. However, LMFTs often collaborate with psychiatrists or primary care physicians to ensure a comprehensive treatment plan for their clients.

As an LMFT myself, I collaborate with my clients to determine if medication may be beneficial as a supplement to our therapeutic work. For my clients who need medication, I partner with Sue Clavette, an Integrative Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NP), at Empower Mental Health & Wellness with an office located in Overland Park, KS. Sue and I collaborate often to provide holistic mental health and psychiatric care for our mutual clients.

Can an LMFT Diagnose?

Yes, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) has specific training from their Master’s Degree to utilize the latest DSM-5-TR to evaluate, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders. Some LMFTs may pursue additional clinical training to diagnose and address specific disorders they specialize in. Others may prefer to collaborate with clients to determine whether a particular diagnosis is necessary for treatment, or unnecessary if the client does not meet diagnostic criteria for any particular disorder. Some LMFTs may offer to do a psychological evaluation formal assessment to determine if a client fits the diagnostic criteria for a diagnosis. Other LMFTs may choose to refer out to a clinical psychologist for psychological testing, assessments, and evaluations if symptoms are severe and specialized treatment is needed. LMFTs may evaluate and diagnose by also taking into account the context of a client’s life and relationships while a clinical psychologist may focus more on the individual and their symptoms.

Hear it directly from my clients! Here are some voluntary testimonials that my clients have asked me to share with you!

  • "When I was searching for a counselor, I didn't know what all the letters behind their names meant, but I'm so glad I found Liz because she really understands relationships."

    — Anonymous

  • "Liz had to explain to me what an LMFT is, but once I understood , her approach made so much sense. I not only understand myself better, but also my family and where I come from."

    — Kathleen K.

  • "After working with Liz for a couple years, she helped me realize I wanted to be a therapist too! I start my LMFT training at Friends University next Fall!! I'm seriously so excited to be a therapist too one day."

    — Anonymous

LMFT Specialties.

Expertise in Relationships and Family Dynamics

MFTs are uniquely trained to focus on relationships and family dynamics. If your primary concern revolves around family issues, communication problems, or relational conflicts, an MFT is specifically equipped to address these challenges.

Conflict Resolution and Communication Skills

MFTs are skilled in helping individuals and families resolve conflicts and improve communication. They can teach valuable skills that enhance the quality of family interactions, leading to healthier relationships.

Preventive Care

MFTs not only address existing issues but can also help families develop preventive strategies to maintain strong and healthy relationships in the long term. This can help avoid future problems.

Collaborative Approach

MFTs often work closely with other mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists or psychologists, when medication or specialized testing is needed. This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive care.

Holistic Approach

MFTs take a holistic approach to therapy. They understand that individual mental health is closely connected to the health of family relationships. By considering the family unit as a whole, they can help improve the well-being of each family member.

Tailored Solutions for Your Family

MFTs provide personalized treatment plans that are uniquely tailored to the specific needs of your family. They understand that every family is different and will work to address your family's unique challenges.

Fostering Supportive Environments

MFTs aim to create supportive and nurturing family environments that can contribute to individual and collective well-being. They can guide families in becoming a source of strength for one another.

Cultural Sensitivity

MFTs are typically trained to be culturally sensitive and can help clients from diverse backgrounds navigate the unique challenges and expectations that may arise within their families.

Why Did I Decide to Become a Marriage and Family Therapist in Kansas City, MO?

I’ve known I’ve wanted to be a therapist since I was fourteen years old, when I saw my first therapist! When deciding what type of therapist to be, I had lots of options. It was so confusing! After doing some research, I decided to become an LMFT. Read below to discover why!

Liz Davis is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Liz Davis, M.S., LMFT in Kansas City.

My LMFT Journey.

There are so many types of mental health professionals! When deciding to go to graduate school, I had to determine whether I wanted to be a psychologist, a clinical social worker, a licensed professional counselor, or an LMFT or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I truly didn’t know the difference between them!

After some research, I learned that the graduate school training for each profession was slightly different. When researching LMFTs, I learned that they are trained in “systems theory” or basically learning how to work with multiple clients in the room, whether that be individuals, couples, groups, or families. I knew I wanted my training to include learning theories about family dynamics because I believe we are all shaped in part by our pasts and our childhoods. To better serve my clients, I wanted to be trained to understand relational dynamics because even when working with individuals, we all have important relationships in our lives, and I wanted the training and skill to help all of my clients learn to better navigate their relationships in a healthy way.

As an LMFT, I am equipped to not only help individual clients navigate their relationships, but also process their pasts and childhoods, assist with processing present-day mental health symptoms and life stressors, and collaborate with them to activate mental, emotional, and behavioral change that will help them manifest their ideal future.

I am so grateful that my graduate school training equipped me to not only comfortably work with individuals in therapy, but also received specific training to work directly with couples and families.

I decided to attend Friends University in Kansas City for a two-year graduate school program which included an extensive internship program where I got to work with incredible clients during my training while under supervision, many of whom I still see to this day! While the program was rigorous, I survived! In many ways, I even thrived! I was able to work part-time at Friends University as the Graduate Student Assistant of Recruitment, helping to support and consult with individuals who were curious about attending the Friends University program. I was honored to represent the university to incoming new students and provide information and guidance to help them make their decisions. I am proud to say that I graduated as a member of the Delta Kappa Honor Society, and was selected by the faculty to be a recipient of the Sheldon Louthan Award for exceptional representation and contribution to the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. That was quite a surprise and an honor!

I am passionate about my profession as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and am honored to serve my dear clients in Kansas City, MO! Read more below to discover more information about the different types of mental health professions, and what truly makes MFTs distinct!

Different Types of Mental Health Professionals.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

  • I specialize in helping individuals, couples, and families navigate relationship and family challenges.

  • My training equips me to enhance communication, resolve conflicts, and improve overall relational dynamics.

  • With my specialized expertise, I'm here to help you build stronger, healthier connections within your family, friends, colleagues, and any other loved ones in your life.

  • Marriage and Family Therapists can not prescribe medication, but I collaborate with clinicians who are licensed to do so.

Psychiatrist

  • A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose and treat mental health conditions, often using medication as part of their treatment approach.

  • If you're looking for a provider who can prescribe medication and address the biological aspects of mental health, a psychiatrist may be the right choice.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

  • A Licensed Clinical Social Worker is skilled in providing counseling, case management, and advocacy. They are also trained to help clients find and navigate social services.

  • If you need support for emotional and social challenges, an LCSW can help you navigate these aspects of your life.

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)

  • A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor is trained to offer counseling and psychotherapy services.

  • They provide guidance and support using various therapeutic techniques such as CBT and DBT to help you overcome your personal challenges.

Other Mental Health Providers

  • There are additional professionals such as psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and clinical psychologists who offer evaluations, assessments, diagnoses, and counseling and therapy services.

  • Psychologists have at least four years of post-graduate education and may specialize in psychological testing, assessment, diagnosis, and therapy, typically with four years of training in a variety of areas.

  • Clinical Psychologists are psychologists with an additional two years of post-study training under supervision who tend to specialize in psychological testing, assessment, and treatment of more severe psychological disorders.

  • Psychiatric nurse practitioners can diagnose and treat mental health conditions and prescribe medications in some states.

  • LMFT stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Unlike other mental health professionals, LMFTs are trained in "systems theory," focusing on working with multiple clients in the room, such as individuals, couples, groups, or families. This specialized training helps them understand and navigate relationship dynamics.

  • I decided to become an LMFT because of my passion for understanding family dynamics. The training equipped me to help individuals navigate relationships, process past experiences, and collaborate with clients to bring about positive mental, emotional, and behavioral changes.

  • LMFTs specialize in enhancing communication, resolving conflicts, and improving overall family dynamics. This unique focus on relationships, along with a collaborative approach, distinguishes LMFTs from other mental health professionals in the Kansas City area.

  • While LMFTs cannot prescribe medication, I collaborate closely with licensed clinicians, such as psychiatrists, who can. This ensures comprehensive care, addressing both the relational and biological aspects of mental health. In fact, when my clients and I collaborate to determine that medication is necessary to supplement the work we are doing in therapy, I have a holistic psychiatric nurse practitioner that I typically refer to because I trust her and she provides quality care. If a client signs a Release of Information (ROI), I can also speak and collaborate with their existing psychiatrist or primary care physician already prescribing their medication if the client thinks this would promote more continuity in their healing journey.

  • LMFTs specialize in navigating relationship and family challenges. I help enhance communication, resolve conflicts, and improve overall family dynamics, providing tailored solutions for the unique needs of each client. I am also trained to work on a variety of individual issues such as depression, self-esteem, anxiety, trauma, etc.

  • Absolutely! In addition to addressing existing issues, LMFTs can help families develop preventive strategies to maintain strong and healthy relationships in the long term, minimizing the likelihood of future problems.

  • LMFTs understand that individual mental health is interconnected with family relationships. By considering the family unit as a whole, they can improve the well-being of each family member, fostering a more comprehensive and lasting impact.

  • LMFTs are trained to be culturally sensitive. This enables them to help clients from diverse backgrounds navigate unique challenges and expectations within their families, ensuring a supportive and inclusive therapeutic environment.

  • LMFTs undergo specialized graduate school training, with a focus on systems theory. I received my training at Friends University in Kansas City, a rigorous two-year program that included extensive internship experience and prepared me for a fulfilling career in Marriage and Family Therapy.

  • While LMFTs specialize in relationships and family dynamics, they are equipped to help individuals as well. I am passionate about assisting individuals in navigating their pasts, processing mental health symptoms in the present, and collaborating to achieve their ideal futures. LMFTs are trained in addressing individual concerns. Whatever you are facing in life, I am here to support you on your unique journey.

  • Absolutely. LMFTs are trained to address a wide range of challenges, including grief and trauma. I provide a supportive space to process and navigate these difficult experiences, helping individuals, couples, and families heal and move forward.

  • LMFTs are adept at working with individuals of all ages, including children and adolescents. At Liz Davis Therapy, I choose to work with adults ages 18 years and older; however, I have experience working with children and adolescents during my graduate school clinical internship. My approach involves tailoring therapeutic strategies to meet the unique needs of adult clients, fostering positive development and overall wellness for adult individuals, couples, and families.

  • The duration of therapy varies depending on the needs of the client. I collaborate with new clients to determine the appropriate frequency of therapy for them in the beginning, and I allow my clients to determine whatever duration feels appropriate to them. My clients are free to let me know when they feel their needs have been adequately addressed and if they would like to complete therapy. I also foster the types of relationships with my clients where they always know they can come back to therapy in the future if they ever want or need to. In my experience, many of my clients who have met their clinical goals tend to want to move to “maintenance” with me, where they no longer have regular sessions at the same frequency, but rather they can just schedule an appointment in the Client Portal whenever they feel like they want or need a session to process through a life event or a specific issue.

  • LMFTs employ a variety of therapeutic techniques tailored to each client's unique situation. These may include communication skills training, conflict resolution strategies, and interventions to improve overall family dynamics, fostering healthier relationships. LMFTs in Kansas and Missouri are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years, so we stay up to date on current evidence-based therapeutic models, theories, and interventions to best serve our clients.

  • Absolutely. Co-parenting can present unique challenges, and LMFTs are trained to help navigate and improve these dynamics. I provide support and strategies to foster effective communication and collaboration for the well-being of the children involved.

  • Liz Davis Therapy stands out for my commitment to personalized, client-centered care. I bring a wealth of experience, a passion for fostering strong relationships, and a dedication to the well-being of individuals and families in the Kansas City community. I also stand out in that I bring my own personality and style into my therapeutic work. My clients don’t feel like they are talking to a blank slate who just asks them questions. They truly get to know me and we work collaboratively and have active dialogue in sessions!

  • While I love seeing my clients in person, yes, I offer virtual therapy options to accommodate the diverse needs and preferences of clients in the Kansas City metro area. Virtual sessions provide flexibility and accessibility for those who may find it challenging to attend in-person appointments.

 Frequently Asked Questions about LMFTs.