Free Clinical Training Opportunity with the Ackerman Institute’s Gender & Family Project

Written by Ackerman Institute. Posted in News Blog

The Ackerman Institute’s Gender & Family Project (GFP), The NYC Unity Project, and the Administration for Children Services (ACS) have joined forces to increase NYC’s capacity for family engagement and acceptance for TGNC youth. GFP is recruiting up to 6 NYC-based clinicians for the Family Engagement and Acceptance Training; a FREE year-long didactic and clinical training in family engagement and family therapy with families of TGNC youth.

Qualifications required:

• Be a NYS licensed mental health professional.
• Practice (at least part time agency or CBO) in one of NYC’s five boroughs.

Clinicians who identify as a person of color, and/or as LGBTQI are strongly encouraged to apply.

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Ackerman Launches New COVID-19 Grief Group Space

Written by Ackerman Institute. Posted in News Blog

This group is for people of color who have lost a loved one due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Guided by an Ackerman Institute therapist, the group will focus on cultural traditions for the healing of grief and pain. Online meetings begin Monday, September 14th.

This virtual group will provide a safe space for participants to (1) talk about and process their grief and loss, anger and resentment associated with the death of loved ones, (2) examine cultural implications of the loss of community support, (3) explore stages of grief and loss and the benefit of mourning, (4) address treatment disparities in the healthcare system, (5) understand the importance of self-care practices, (6) learn stress management relaxation techniques, (7) and engage in traditional rituals that promote healing.

This new offering from the Ackerman Institute founded by Aquilla Frederick, is specifically intended for families, couples, and individuals of color who lack access to mental health services due to limited financial resources.

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Ackerman to Celebrate Juneteenth

Written by Ackerman Institute. Posted in News Blog

Dear Ackerman Community,

As you know, Juneteenth is approaching us. This day is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Every year the celebration is heavy with complex emotions. This year the celebration is tinged with pain as we remember George Floyd and the countless others who have been murdered due to bigotry. Racism is still alive and breathing in our world. Alongside this outrage, our streets are filled with protesters who continue to demand justice and peace. We are reminded that our work continues and that we must all participate in rooting out Anti-Blackness and racism.

Starting this year, Juneteenth will be observed as an official holiday at the Institute on June 19th. Our offices and all business related to Ackerman will be closed. We understand that there is a workshop scheduled for that day and some projects or centers may have scheduled work. If possible, we encourage our community members to take time off. We understand that this one small gesture does not eradicate the inequities felt by our Black community members and by other members of color; their wounds run deep. We are committed to examining past racial injustices and will work with the community to address these.

We invite the entire Ackerman community to observe this day in reflection, celebration, or to participate in activism.

Martha Fling
President & CEO

Kiran Arora
Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

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Statement on LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

Written by Ackerman Institute. Posted in News Blog

The Ackerman Institute for the Family stands with people around the world in marking Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Non-Binary, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual Pride. We honor the trailblazers, many transgender women of color, who stood up for their rights and for the rights of generations of people to follow.

We continue to remain deeply concerned about the inequities LGBTQIA+ communities experience. We must commit to ending violence against the trans community, outlawing conversion therapy, and call out the excessive policing and force against the LGBTQIA+ community. As the nation continues to fight racial injustice and demand that Black Lives Matter and Black Trans Lives Matter, we remember the origin of the LGBTQIA+ rights movement at Stonewall where a series of demonstrations were held after a police raid. Our lives, freedoms, and destinies are truly interconnected. 

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Statement on Black Lives Matter

Written by Ackerman Institute. Posted in News Blog

We are heartbroken and outraged over the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of the police. We hold Ahmaud Arbery in our thoughts, whose life was taken by two White people. We sit with outrage and sadness as we think of the countless other Black people who have lost their lives due to systemic racism. We hold the victims, their families and all those impacted by the senseless acts of bigotry in our hearts. As therapists, we are ready to offer care and support to those in grief and distress over these tragedies.

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Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Written by Ackerman Institute. Posted in News Blog

The Ackerman Institute for the Family celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. We honor the contributions AAPI people have made towards social justice throughout history and we remember and celebrate AAPI members of the family therapy community who have worked and continue to work tirelessly to provide just and culturally sensitive care.

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COVID-19 Press & Media Coverage

Written by Ackerman Institute. Posted in In the Press, News Blog

Ackerman therapists have given voice in the media to the many challenges that couples and families are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Check back for the latest Ackerman therapist interviews.

Latest News:

Navigating Different Risk Tolerances During the Pandemic – (Shondaland)
February 10, 2021

How to Deal With the Psychological Impact of Re-Entering Quarantine – (Well+Good)
July 1, 2020

The Best Advice for the Three Most Common Coronavirus Relationship Issues – (LA Times)
May 28, 2020

Stuck on a Screen, Therapists Rush to Respond to Mental Health Crises Among Foster Youth – (The Chronicle of Social Change)
May 15, 2020

How Do I Get My Neighbors to Respect Social Distancing? – (New York Times)
April 29, 2020

Family Feud: Clashing Over Coronavirus is the New Source of Household Tension, Fighting – (USA Today)
April 9, 2020

Making Plans Defiantly, Amid the Chaos and Madness – (WFMJ)
April 8, 2020

Coronavirus Quarantine: Relationship Space Helps Hold Off ‘Tidal Wave of Divorces’ – (CBS New York)
April 7, 2020

For New Couples, “Want to Quarantine Together?” Is a Relationship Milestone – (Wall Street Journal)
April 1, 2020

Will Divorce Rates Rise With Couples Forced to Spend Time Together? – (Inside Edition)
March 29, 2020

Social Distancing Projects Can Reduce Anxiety – And Trigger it, Too – (Bustle)
March 28, 2020

Couples in Quarantine: Stress, Anxiety, Fear of the Unknown – (AP News)
March 27, 2020

Divorce Rates Jumping in Corona-Quarantined Couples – (Page Six)
March 24, 2020

How to Handle Coronavirus Tension with Relationships and Roommates – (New York Post)
March 18, 2020

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A Letter From Our President & CEO

Written by Ackerman Institute. Posted in News Blog

Dear Ackerman Community,

You and your families are in our daily thoughts, as we join with families and communities around the world in a collective effort to slow, and stop, the spread of the COVID-19 virus. As work, school, and community life are transformed in the face of this pandemic, remaining connected is more important than ever. We are not alone.

While the Ackerman Institute offices are closed, our programming and services continue to operate. We are working and learning from home and actively building virtual community. Our therapy services have transitioned to teletherapy. Our clinicians are available via the telephone and online tools to support families. Our Core Curriculum Training Program has moved to a virtual learning model. Our spring workshops for mental health professionals will be presented live, online. For Ackerman alumni working on the front-line of this crisis, we have multiple formats for community connection and sharing resources.

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