Ackerman Relational Approach (ARA)
The Center for the Ackerman Relational Approach held a full-day introduction to the Ackerman Relational Approach (ARA) workshop on October 5th for practicum students and other clinic therapists. The group engaged enthusiastically with the model and its applications in practice. The Ackerman Relational Approach is a systemic framework that emphasizes relational processes, meaning making, and social location in family therapy. The day was filled with energy, curiosity, and meaningful discussion, and we look forward to seeing how the MFT students integrate these learnings into their clinical work and ongoing training.
Gender Family Project (GFP)
Amid mounting anti-transgender legislation, the Gender & Family Project (GFP) is providing life-saving mental healthcare, trainings and research to families and their networks in the New York City area. GFP has taken on more clients as the demand for gender-affirming family therapy continues to rise, and they are currently accepting new schools, organizations, and professionals seeking gender-inclusive trainings. GFP’s monthly in-person community groups are back in session, and staff are seeking feedback for upcoming virtual community groups. GFP is also excited to welcome the next cohorts of clinicians in the Family Engagement and Acceptance Training (FEAT) program and are seeking a Research Intern to support projects focused on the needs of Black and Latine trans and gender expansive youth and their families. GFP staff have also begun a yearlong partnership with the Anti-Violence Project, strategizing to provide more resources and events for families with transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive children.
Center for Developing Child and Family (CDCF)
Over the past 7 years, a team from the Ackerman’s Center for the Developing Child & Family (led by Christine Reynolds, Project Director, Martha Edwards, and Brenda Nikelsberg) has been developing, researching, and refining a model of reflective group supervision (AckermanRGS).
Reflection is a multi-layered process that encompasses connecting to one’s own and others’ affective and cognitive experience while also contending with the forces from the larger systems that support us or inhibit our growth and development through injustice and/or oppression. In 2025-26, we will conduct a multi-site study of AckermanRGS with supervisors who have participated in AckermanRGS Level 1 and Level 2 training (Brenda Nickelsburg, Man-Tso Wei, Yvonne Ru, Kat Hall, Heti Baker, and Kathleen Irving). We will assess the degree to which participation in AckermanRGS increases clinicians’ reflective capacities, contributes to job satisfaction, and reduces burnout. In addition, we will assess the psychological and cultural safety in the groups and the supervisor-supervisee relationships and examine these as moderators to the development of reflective capacities. Finally, we will do a qualitative analysis of the supervision session transcripts to study the unique features of the supervision as conducted by different supervisors and to assess the degree of fidelity to the AckermanRGS model. We will explore using an artificial intelligence tool to aid in this qualitative analysis.
Latinx Youth and Family Immigration Project (LYFIP)
The LatinX Youth & Family Immigration Project: DÃmelo en Español (LYFIP) supports the mental health and well-being of Latinx first- and second-generation immigrant families and individuals. The program serves families with at least one member born outside the United States, including those seeking therapy through Ackerman or citywide programs and receiving additional services such as case management or legal counsel.
Outreach for LYFIP is conducted in partnership with agencies like Nido de Esperanza and Cabrini Immigrant Services, with support from their dedicated case managers and counselors. The program provides culturally and linguistically responsive psychotherapy while also training community-based clinicians to extend mental health resources across New York City. By combining direct care, community partnerships, and professional training, LYFIP helps Latinx immigrant families navigate trauma, build resilience, and access vital services, ensuring they receive comprehensive support in a challenging social and political environment.