Message From the President

On behalf of the faculty, supervisors, and administration of Sentio University, welcome to the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program. Based in Los Angeles, California, Sentio University is a nonprofit, public benefit institution with a singular mission: to advance the art and science of psychotherapy training. Whether you are exploring MFT programs for the first time or comparing graduate schools across California, I want to share what makes Sentio different and why our students consistently describe this program as a transformative experience.

Why Sentio University Is Redefining MFT Training in Los Angeles and Across California

Most MFT graduate programs in California follow a familiar model: large lecture classes, loosely coordinated practicum placements, and supervision that varies widely in quality. At Sentio, we built something different from the ground up. Our entire curriculum is organized around Deliberate Practice, an evidence-based method of skill development drawn from decades of research on how top performers in medicine, athletics, music, and other fields achieve and maintain expertise. We are the first graduate psychotherapy program to thoroughly integrate this approach, and we remain the only program where half of nearly every class is devoted to hands-on Deliberate Practice skill rehearsal.

The result is a 20-month hybrid program that combines weekly online Zoom classes with intensive in-person residencies held three times per year in Los Angeles. Cohorts are capped at just 16 students, ensuring that every student receives close mentorship, individualized feedback, and the kind of personal attention that larger California programs simply cannot offer. To see what this experience looks like day to day, visit our Week in the Life page, and for a full overview of the curriculum, visit our MFT Program Overview.

Guaranteed Clinical Experience at the Sentio Counseling Center

One of the most stressful parts of any MFT program is finding a practicum placement. At Sentio, that concern is eliminated entirely. Every student receives guaranteed placement at the Sentio Counseling Center, our nonprofit practicum site that provides high-quality, low-fee online counseling to diverse and underserved communities throughout California, from Los Angeles and San Diego to Sacramento, Fresno, and the Central Valley. Students complete over 400 hours of direct clinical experience, all of which count toward the 3,000 supervised hours required for LMFT licensure in the state of California. For more on licensure requirements, visit our Licensure Information page.

At the Sentio Counseling Center, all client sessions are recorded on video, and clinical outcome data is collected throughout treatment. This means students receive specific, evidence-informed supervision rather than general advice. Our supervisors hold advanced training in Deliberate Practice and participate in a rigorous Sentio Supervision Residency before working with students. Each week, students engage in two hours of group supervision, one hour of individual supervision, and an additional hour dedicated to couples therapy. You can explore the practicum experience in detail on our Practicum page.

A Faculty of Leading Scholars and Clinicians

Sentio's faculty are not just experienced clinicians. They are active researchers and authors whose work appears in peer-reviewed journals and academic textbooks published by the American Psychological Association. Our faculty and supervisors bring expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Schema Therapy, psychodynamic approaches, and more. Many serve in leadership roles within national and international professional organizations.

Pioneering Research at the Intersection of AI and Mental Health

Sentio University is at the forefront of one of the most important questions in the field today: how artificial intelligence is reshaping mental health care. The Sentio AI Research Team conducts original research on AI applications in mental health, with publications in high-impact journals including Nature. Sentio is also an affiliate of the International Association for Safe and Ethical AI, and our MFT program is the first in the country to formally integrate safe and ethical AI training for clinical students. This is not a theoretical add-on; it is a core part of preparing students for the realities of clinical practice in a world where millions of people already turn to AI for emotional support. Visit our Statement on AI to learn more about this work.

Free, Open-Source Training Resources for the Global Community

Beyond the MFT program, Sentio is committed to improving psychotherapy training everywhere. All training materials produced at the Sentio Innovation Lab are released under an open-source format, meaning they can be used at no cost by training programs anywhere in the world. Our growing library of free resources includes:

• The Learn Psychotherapy Podcast, offering skill-building episodes for therapists, students, and anyone interested in learning fundamental psychotherapy techniques.

• Webinars with world-class guest experts.

• Deliberate Practice training videos and exercises for multicultural therapy and other approaches.

• The Practice Time! YouTube series, showcasing authentic Deliberate Practice sessions.

• Training in the Inner Skills of Psychotherapy and development of the Person of the Therapist.

We also co-author The Essentials of Deliberate Practice book series published by the American Psychological Association, which is used by graduate schools and practicum sites worldwide. Browse our full catalog on our Books by Sentio page.

A Nonprofit Committed to Transparency and Accessibility

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit institution, Sentio operates with full transparency regarding our governance, finances, and operations. Our Transparency page provides access to IRS Form 990 filings, financial information, and board-approved governance policies, including those related to conflicts of interest and whistleblower protections. We believe that students considering an investment in their education deserve to see exactly how an institution operates and how resources are stewarded.

Sentio also offers generous scholarship opportunities through the K. Anders Ericsson Memorial Scholarship, with merit-based awards ranging from $1,000 to $67,200. Scholarship consideration is included in the application to the MFT program, and early applicants are considered first. Visit our Scholarships page and Tuition and Fees page for details.

A Culture of Growth, Feedback, and Belonging

Above all, Sentio strives to foster a training culture where students feel safe to experiment, show their mistakes, and receive feedback in a context that is respectful and compassionate. We are very serious about rigorous training, but we do not take ourselves too seriously, and we find opportunities to have fun along the way.

If you are considering MFT programs in Los Angeles or anywhere in California, I encourage you to attend one of our upcoming Open Houses, where you can meet faculty, ask questions, and get a real sense of what Sentio is like. You can also request more information or start your application today. Applications for Fall 2026 are open now, and cohorts fill quickly.

I look forward to welcoming you to our community.

Sincerely,

Tony Rousmaniere, PsyD

President and Program Director, Sentio University

Past-President, Psychotherapy Division of the American Psychological Association