Celebrating 40 Years of Impact: The OSU Couple & Family Therapy Program and Clinic

For four decades, The Ohio State University’s Couple and Family Therapy (CFT) Program and the OSU Couple and Family Therapy Clinic have transformed lives—training future therapists, strengthening families, advancing research, and serving communities across Ohio and beyond.

A Legacy of Excellence in Training the Next Generation of Therapists

Founded in 1986, the doctoral specialization in Couple and Family Therapy at Ohio State has long been recognized for its emphasis on rigorous research training, high-quality clinical preparation, and leadership development in the field. Students engage deeply in scientific writing, grant development, ethics, theory-building, and advanced supervision training, positioning them to become faculty, researchers, supervisors, and leaders in Couple and Family Therapy nationwide. 

In 2019, OSU expanded its impact by launching our Master of Science in Human Development and Family Science, Specialization in Couple and Family Therapy, welcoming its first cohort the same year. The master’s program prepares students to become ethical, effective clinicians capable of working with diverse individuals, couples, and families in community and private mental health settings. Students complete 500+ clinical hours, receive more than 100 hours of AAMFT-approved supervision, and train directly in OSU’s state-of-the-art Couple and Family Therapy Clinic. 

Our doctoral and master’s programs hold full accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), underscoring our dedication to developing clinicians and scholars who excel in clinical care, research, teaching, supervision, and mentorship. Both programs share a mission grounded in excellence, ethical clinical practice, and a commitment to inclusive, responsive care that supports individuals, couples, and families across varied identities and life experiences.

Transforming the Field Through Clinical Innovation and Research

Across its history, OSU’s CFT programs have influenced the broader discipline through nationally recognized scholarship and evidence-based clinical training. Doctoral students gain extensive research experience, present at national conferences, and complete over 1,000 hours of face-to-face clinical contact, supported by faculty who are licensed clinicians and AAMFT-approved supervisors. 

This deep integration of research and practice ensures that graduates are equipped not only to provide effective therapy, but also to shape policy, contribute to the scientific literature, and advance the profession.

Serving the Columbus Community and the State of Ohio

The OSU Couple and Family Therapy Clinic is a cornerstone of the program’s community impact. Located in Bevis Hall, the Clinic provides affordable, high-quality therapy services to individuals, couples, families, children, and adolescents across the Columbus metropolitan area and throughout Ohio via telehealth. 

Clinicians—master’s and doctoral students under the supervision of nationally certified and licensed faculty—provide:

• Individual, couple, and family therapy
• Premarital counseling
• Group therapy and psychoeducation
• Community outreach
• Training and continuing education for the local therapy community 

The Clinic is grounded in values of equity, inclusion, and cultural responsiveness, offering care to people of all backgrounds, identities, and life experiences. 

With a sliding-scale fee structure and a mission to make therapy accessible, the Clinic ensures that ability to pay never prevents individuals or families from receiving care. 

A Statewide and National Impact

For 40 years, OSU’s CFT programs have shaped the future of family therapy—educating clinicians and scholars who now practice, teach, and lead across the country. Through its clinical services, research contributions, and alumni influence, OSU’s CFT community has strengthened families, supported mental well-being, and advanced the field of Couple and Family Therapy.

As one of Ohio’s few COAMFTE accredited training programs, OSU continues to set the standard for excellence in marriage and family therapy education statewide. 

Join Us in Building the Next 40 Years

Your support helps us continue this essential work—expanding access to mental health care, funding student scholarships, investing in clinic technology, and sustaining the research and training that define our impact.

Together, we can ensure that the OSU Couple and Family Therapy Program and Clinic continue to serve as leaders in training compassionate therapists, supporting Ohio’s communities, and advancing the future of family therapy.