Marriage and Family Therapy Program Overview
Sentio University offers an integrated and sequential learning experience that provides clinical skill development, personal growth, and professional development necessary for a successful career as a psychotherapist. Through academic coursework, students learn a broad range of evidence-based theories and models, analyze peer-review literature, and conduct empirical research on clinical data. Through Deliberate Practice skill rehearsal , students acquire clinical skills and develop their personal characteristics and professional identity. Through supervised clinical practice, students implement MFT principles along ethical and professional standards with diverse populations of clients. This degree program prepares students for employment in a wide range of settings, including private practice, community mental health, medical settings, and non-profit agencies.
The program uses a cohort model, with a new cohort starting each Fall. Cohorts and classes are limited to sixteen students to maximize personal mentorship and feedback for each student. In their first semester, Sentio students prepare to see their first clients by engaging in hundreds of hours of Deliberate Practice skill rehearsal. The second through fifth semester, students gain supervised clinical experience at our guaranteed practicum site, the Sentio Counseling Center, a 100% online clinical training site. The Sentio University training model emphasizes clinical skill development through close mentorship and video-based feedback from supervisors with advanced training in Deliberate Practice. All students are required to complete a minimum of 500 direct clinical contact hours, 100 of which must qualify as relational hours. All of these hours can be counted toward licensure in the state of California.
The Sentio University 20-month Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program is based in Los Angeles. It provides rigorous and intensive hybrid on-line and in-person training. The program is comprised of five major components:
Five semesters of online coursework in small classes with a maximum of sixteen students per class.
Five Intensive 5-day In-Person Residencies (one Residency at the beginning of each semester).
Over 500 hours of supervised clinical experience at our guaranteed practicum site, Sentio Counseling Center, where students provide online counseling for diverse, low-income clients.
A Clinical Research Project based on student’s personal clinical outcome data from their work with clients.
Therapist career development that prepares students to succeed post-licensure.
“I will recommend Sentio 100x to my peers. The training and skills that I have gained thus far is owed to my experience with Sentio. The supervision and skills lab enable me to conceptualize and think of things to incorporate in my sessions.”
- Jomil Conste, counselor at Sentio Counseling Center
MFT Program Curriculum
| Semester | Course | Credits | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | MFT541: Assessment and Diagnosis | 3 | 10 weeks |
| MFT542: Ethical and Legal Issues | 3 | 10 weeks | |
| MFT543: Substance Use and Addiction | 3 | 10 weeks | |
| MFT551: Theories & Models I | 3 | 10 weeks | |
| Spring | MFT544: Case Conceptualization and Treatment Planning | 3 | 10 weeks |
| MFT545: Trauma & Crisis Intervention | 3 | 10 weeks | |
| MFT552: Theories & Models II | 3 | 10 weeks | |
| MFT591: Practicum I | 3 | 17 weeks | |
| Summer | MFT553: Theories & Models III | 3 | 10 weeks |
| MFT554: Theories & Models IV | 3 | 10 weeks | |
| MFT546: Human & Family Development | 3 | 10 weeks | |
| MFT592: Practicum II | 3 | 17 weeks | |
| Fall | MFT555: Theories & Models V | 3 | 10 weeks |
| MFT556: Theories & Models VI | 3 | 10 weeks | |
| MFT561: Person of the Therapist | 3 | 10 weeks | |
| MFT593: Practicum III | 3 | 17 weeks | |
| Spring | MFT652: Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy & Psychopharmocology | 3 | 10 weeks |
| MFT563: Supervision & Consultation | 3 | 10 weeks | |
| MFT564: Therapist Career Development | 3 | 10 weeks | |
| MFT594: Practicum IV | 3 | 17 weeks | |
| Total Credits | 60 | 0 |
Sentio University's program, based in Los Angeles, uniquely combines hybrid online and in-person residencies. Our career-focused curriculum is designed to equip students for success post-graduation and licensure. With 10-week semesters, students engage in weekly Zoom classes, participating in lectures, group discussions, video demonstrations, and Deliberate Practice skill rehearsals. Our 17-week practicum courses offer hands-on clinical experience. Students utilize client session videos and outcome data for feedback, enhancing their clinical training. To meet California law requirements, practicum classes run concurrently with client sessions, ensuring a continuous and uninterrupted experience throughout semesters two to five. At Sentio University, we prioritize a structured course sequence, and while we don't offer electives, our comprehensive program ensures a focused and dynamic learning journey.
Practicum at the Sentio Counseling Center
Practicum is the period of graduate school where students begin working with their first clients, gaining expirence and developing their clinical skills. While graduate program courses provide a strong understanding of theories within the field, practicum is where students gain hands-on experience and essential training. Selecting the right practicum site is a big decision, arguably the most important part of a therapist's early career.
At Sentio University, we understand the significance of this phase in your professional development, which is why we ensure students will get their practicum training at the Sentio Counseling Center (SCC). The SCC is an online counseling center based in Los Angeles and has a mission to provide the most rigorous psychotherapy training in the country, while providing valuable mental health services to marginalized communities throughout California. The SCC’s integrative & outcome-focused training program is the first to fully integrate Deliberate Practice into training and supervision. The practicum training is 100% online, and includes mentorship in skills from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed therapy, systemic therapy, Schema Therapy, and more.
At the SCC all client sessions are videotaped, and outcome data is collected throughout treatment. Session videos and client outcome data is used to provide students with precise clinical feedback. SCC supervision is provided in one-on-one, triadic, and small group formats by supervisors with advanced training in Deliberate Practice. Unlike most training programs, all supervision sessions are videotaped so students can go back and study them, if they wish. Sentio faculty and supervisors engage in ongoing, video-based, intensive professional development.
These videos have descriptions of the Sentio Counseling Center by students. The entire videos are presented without editing. We encourage people who are considering applying to Sentio to attend and observe one of our weekly classes, so you can see if Sentio is a good fit for you. Applicants should ask to visit a class for every graduate program they are considering applying to. This is best way to cut through the marketing and see what a graduate program is really like!
Intensive In-Person Residencies
Intensive In-Person Residencies are immersive, five-day learning experiences in Los Angeles. Residencies are designed to accelerate clinical skill development through concentrated Deliberate Practice and academic study. Residencies include supervised rehearsal of major therapy models & challenging clinical scenarios, lectures on special topics, student presentations, peer discussion, development of the “person of the therapist”, and individual advising. The first residency of each academic year includes an Orientation for new students and has an emphasis on preparing students to see clients in the second semester. Residencies foster community and cohesiveness at Sentio University and provide opportunities to meet students from all cohorts in person. Residencies also feature guest lectures by a select group of prominent mental health experts and offer valuable networking opportunities for career advancement.
Sentio University hosts three Intensive In-Person Residencies per year, at the beginning of each semester (see the Academic Calendar for specific dates). Lunch is provided by the University. Students are responsible for travel, housing, meals (except lunch), and all other expenses.
Clinical Research Project
Students complete their Clinical Research Project (CRP) in their final semester. The CRP is a scholarly endeavor for which students are provided research methods to create an original empirical work at a quality level suitable for peer-review publication. Students are assigned a Faculty Research Advisor and are guided by the Sentio University academic research standards.
Students are given a specific research topic and methodology to use in completing their project. The information studied is based on the student’s individual outcome data at Sentio Counseling Center. The CRP is structured to provide students with first-hand experience transforming outcome data into meaningful information to share with future employers and gain insights into individualized clinical performance and strengths. Examples of CRP deliverables can be found below and on the website of Sentio University President and Program Director Dr. Tony Rousmaniere.
K. Anders Ericsson Memorial Scholarship
Sentio University offers the K. Anders Ericsson Memorial Scholarship, dedicated to honoring Ericsson's legacy and providing support for students in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program. Funding ranges from $1,000 to $69,000 with a handful of scholarships available per tier, per cohort, aimed at easing tuition costs and making training more accessible. This merit-based scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance, relevant experience, and notable accomplishments within the field of mental health. With a limited number of scholarships available, applicants are encouraged to apply early as early applicants will be considered first for the scholarship. Showcase your academic and professional achievements in your application to the Marriage and Family Therapy program to be considered for this prestigious award.
| Scholarship Range | Scholarships Available | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $1,000-$20,000 | 4 Scholarships Available Per Cohort |
| Tier 2 | $21,000-$40,000 | 2 Scholarships Available Per Cohort |
| Tier 3 | $41,000-$69,000 | 2 Scholarships Available Per Cohort |
Jeremy Safran Scholarship
Sentio University offers a need-based scholarship for our Marriage and Family Therapy students, dedicated to honoring Safran’s legacy and providing support for students in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program. The scholarship operates across three tiers of financial assistance. The scholarships are allocated based on the level of demonstrated financial need, with a handful of scholarships available per tier, per cohort. Applications are currently open and prospective students are encouraged to apply early, as funds are limited. Scholarship consideration will be given on a first come first serve basis so apply today as a part of your application to the MFT Program!
| Scholarship Range | Scholarships Available | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $1,000-$20,000 | 4 Scholarships Available Per Cohort |
| Tier 2 | $21,000-$40,000 | 2 Scholarships Available Per Cohort |
| Tier 3 | $41,000-$69,000 | 2 Scholarships Available Per Cohort |
Application Deadlines
Jun
01
The Final Application Deadline is June 1st. Admission acceptances are given out on a rolling basis with priority enrollment and scholarship consideration given out on a rolling basis. Refer to our Admissions Checklist for all required materials.
Open Houses
Learn more about our Marriage and Family Therapy Program. Sentio Faculty will be in attendance to discuss their passion for the field and answer questions.
May
15
Learn more about our Marriage and Family Therapy Program Sentio Faculty will be in attendance to discuss their passion for the field and answer questions.
May
02
Is Sentio University a Good Fit for You?
Sentio is a brand-new training program that has significant differences from other schools regarding student experience, cost, limits on licensure, and more. We recognize that Sentio will not be a good fit for many students. We encourage you to compare Sentio to other MFT programs in California and carefully consider which program will be the best fit for your personal preferences and needs.
| Sentio may be good for you if… | Sentio may not be a good fit for you if… | |
|---|---|---|
| Intensity | You are looking for an immersive, full-time 20-month program. | You want to attend graduate school part-time or spread your graduate training out over a longer period. |
| Clinical Experience | You want to achieve at least 500 hours of clinical experience in your graduate program. (These hours count towards BBS requirements for licensure.) | You are fine having less clinical experience in your graduate program. |
| Videotape | You are ok with your work with clients being videotaped for precise supervision and clinical feedback. | You don’t feel comfortable with your clinical work being videotaped. |
| Outcome data | You want to see empirical data regarding your clients’ progress in therapy. | You don’t feel comfortable with using outcome data in therapy. |
| Employment | You do not need to have full-time employment while you attend graduate school. | You need to have full-time employment while you attend graduate school. |
| Rigorous and intensive | You are looking for rigorous and intensive experiential training that includes over 500 hours of Deliberate Practice skill rehearsal. | You prefer a less-demanding graduate program. |
| Academic formats | You want a hybrid model of academics that include in-person intensives and weekly online coursework. | You prefer either fully in-person or fully online academic formats. |
| Financing | You can pay tuition out-of-pocket or qualify for an institutional merit or need based scholarship. | You need federal student loans to pay for graduate school. We do offer both need and merit based scholarships. |
| Residency & Licensure | You will be a resident of California while you attend graduate school, and you intend to get licensed in California. | You are unsure where you will reside while attending graduate school and/or where you want to get licensed as a therapist. |
Accreditation Information
The Sentio MFT program, based in Los Angeles, has a completely new graduate program with training philosophy and methods that are significantly different than traditional therapist training. Being a new graduate program permits us the flexibility to maximize experiential training in small cohorts and provide mentorship with personalized feedback for each student. We founded Sentio in California because the California therapist licensing rules are more friendly to new training programs than most other states. Importantly, the rules for therapist licensing in most other states are more conservative in that they do not recognize degrees from a new graduate program until it receives national or regional accreditation. Sentio is approved to operate in California by the BPPE, and we are pursuing national and regional accreditation. However, this process is designed to be lengthy and cannot be completed within a few years of founding. This means that students who graduate from the Sentio MFT program may not qualify for licensure in states other than California. Thus, Sentio only accepts applicants who live in California and intend to obtain licensure in California. To learn more about accreditation, we recommend www.mftcalifornia.com/accreditation.
“I've had a wonderful experience at Sentio! The support and learning I have experienced is beyond what I expected at a site. Everyone feels like family.”
- Nawal Rashid, counselor at the Sentio Counseling Center
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Take the Next Step
Get in Touch
Fill out our Request Information form, to learn more about our program and be put in contact with an admissions advisor.
Start Your Application
The final application deadline is June 1st with priority enrollment and scholarship consideration given on a rolling basis!
Attend an Open House
Register for an Open House to learn more about the MFT program, Deliberate Practice, and meet Sentio Faculty.
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“Notice to Prospective Degree Program Students
This institution is provisionally approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education to offer degree programs. To continue to offer this degree program, this institution must meet the following requirements:
• Become institutionally accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education, with the scope of the accreditation covering at least one degree program.
• Achieve accreditation candidacy or pre-accreditation, as defined in regulations, by 7/25/2025, and full accreditation by 7/25/2028.
If this institution stops pursuing accreditation, it must:
• Stop all enrollment in its degree programs, and
• Provide a teach-out to finish the educational program or provide a refund.
An institution that fails to comply with accreditation requirements by the required dates shall have its approval to offer degree programs automatically suspended."
The California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education can be reached at https://www.bppe.ca.gov/
(CEC §94913 and 5, CCR §74117)