Clinical Externship in Family Therapy

Our signature externship in couple and family therapy can be completed in two years.

Application deadline is June 30, 2024

Clinical Externship in Family Therapy​

Our signature externship in couple and family therapy can be completed in two years.

Application deadline is June 30, 2024.

About the Externship Program

Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are now open.

Ackerman’s most intensive program, the Clinical Externship in Family Therapy, is designed for experienced practitioners. It provides rigorous clinical training in family therapy, with an emphasis on creating a relational understanding and practice that connects the presenting problem to the family members’ current relationships and their relationships over time. 

The externship is a two-year program that includes ample vacation time and holidays. Classes are scheduled once per week. An additional four (4) hours per week of clinical work with families are scheduled during evenings or on Saturdays. The Clinical Seminar complements the trainee’s clinical and supervisory experience.

Trainees who complete the Clinical Externship receive a certificate of completion at graduation and are invited to continue their professional and educational relationship with the Institute as Ackerman alumni.

The fastest way to become eligible for the Clinical Externship is by completing our Dual Program. After successful completion of this prerequisite, trainees can apply to the Clinical Externship but must be New York State-licensed prior to enrollment.

Program Components:

Clinical Practicum and Supervision:
Intensive supervisory groups meet weekly throughout the year. In these group meetings, trainees observe treatment sessions, review the video recordings of other trainees and discuss their cases in detail.

The Clinical Externship program’s group supervision component gives trainees the opportunity to receive supervision of individual cases and observe the supervision of others. These interactions highlight issues in the family and situate them in larger socio-cultural contexts.

Treatment Hours:
Working in Ackerman’s treatment clinic, externs are assigned four clinical cases for ongoing family therapy. Externs are expected to complete a minimum of 250 clinical hours while enrolled at Ackerman.

Professional Skills Training:
Externs will master practical skills required by the family therapy profession. These include treatment plans, progress notes, ethical practices, navigating financial conversations with clients, and more. Externs will:

  • Solidify clinical skills in the ARA approach to couple and family therapy
  • Adhere to professional standards (e.g., treatment plans, progress notes, financials, and more)
  • Participate in weekly group seminar meetings to enhance their learning experience.
  • First and second year Externs participate in a weekly Clinical Seminar.

Group Seminar Learning:
Externs participate in weekly group seminar meetings to expand their learning experience.

About Course Meetings:

The Ackerman Externship will offer instructional formats in person and via live stream.

What you Need to Apply:

Clinical Externship Course Dates

Begins September 2024
All meetings are in Eastern Time (ET)

Supervision Sections:

Tuesdays | 10:00 am–2:00 pm
(in-person/live stream)
Thursdays | 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
(in-person/livestream)

Clinical Seminar:

Wednesdays | 3:15–4:45 pm (in-person/live stream)
First and Second Year Externs

Treatment Hours:

Externs will treat four family therapy cases in the Ackerman clinic. Externs are expected to complete a minimum of 250 clinical hours while enrolled at Ackerman.

Clinical Externship Tuition

Tuition: $9,500.00 per year

About Tuition Fees:

The Ackerman Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on donors and earned revenue to work toward our mission. The full expense of training an Ackerman therapist is subsidized by the generosity of our donors. Your tuition fees cover only a small portion of this expense. We thank you for investing in your professional future and for supporting the Ackerman Institute for the Family.

Advertised tuition rates are for the current academic year and are subject to change annually.

View our Financial Policies.

The application for financial aid will be open beginning May 1, 2024.

Clinical Externship Eligibility

Prerequisite: Successfully completion of Live Clinical Supervision or the Dual Program. Applicants must submit a recommendation from their Live Clinical supervisor.

Applicants must hold a Master’s Degree in social work, marriage and family therapy, psychology or any other mental health profession.

Externs must hold New York State Licensure in a mental health discipline.

Clinical Externship FAQ