You may enroll in both Foundations of Family Therapy and Live Clinical Supervision in the same year. These two courses taken concurrently are the Dual Program.
Foundations of Family Therapy:
This 30-week introductory course prepares mental health professionals with the knowledge base for systemic thinking and practice in couple and family therapy. The Foundations of Family Therapy course also is a precursor to more advanced training in couple and family therapy at Ackerman.
The Foundations of Family Therapy course is grounded in the Ackerman Relational Approach (ARA). The ARA is a unique integrative approach that incorporates principles and techniques from various models of couple and family therapy that are consistent with Ackerman’s values, research, and innovative practices.
In the Foundations of Family Therapy course, Trainees will learn the following:
- History of the field of family therapy, as critiqued through a postmodern lens, with an emphasis on contemporary practices.
- Development of systemic thinking, and how it informs interviewing, hypothesizing, and conducting clinical interventions.
- Interplay between the interior life of individual family members, the relational interactions of the family, and influences of the larger social context.
- Impact of social identities/locations (e.g., race, racism, gender identity, class, sexual orientation, etc.) on families and family therapy.
This course is offered in-person and online. It includes didactic presentations, discussions of reading materials, case presentations, experiential exercises as well as observation and discussion of videotaped therapy sessions conducted by experienced practitioners of couple and family therapy.
Live Clinical Supervision
This 30-week Live Clinical Supervision course consists of four (4) weekly hours of group supervision, integrating the theoretical knowledge gained in the Foundations of Family Therapy course with direct face-to-face practice with couples and families. Trainees work as a solo therapist or as co-therapists in front of a one-way mirror with live supervision. Trainees also participate as members of a reflecting supervision team when fellow trainees are in front of the one-way mirror as therapists.
Trainees are supported in exploring their own family of origin and social identities/locations (e.g., race, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc.) and the effect on practice. Relevant self/person of the therapist issues are acknowledged and addressed in supervision toward therapeutic efficacy.
* Please note that Foundations and Live Clinical sections cannot be scheduled for the same day and time.
Take Your Clinical Training Further: New Specialty Tracks Now Available
Ackerman’s acclaimed Live Clinical Supervision program just got even stronger. In addition to our renowned Core Track in relational/systemic family therapy, we now offer Specialty Tracks that allow you to dive deeper into areas of particular clinical interest—while still mastering the foundational methods that set Ackerman apart.
Choose Your Focus. Expand Your Impact.
Whether you select a Specialty Track or stay on the Core path, every trainee is immersed in Ackerman’s relational approach—moving beyond individual treatment models to understand people within their family and cultural systems. Specialty Tracks give you the opportunity to sharpen your skills with targeted populations and issues.
Real-Time Supervision. Real Clinical Growth.
With live, in-the-room supervision and deep reflection on therapeutic practice, you’ll gain confidence, nuance, and real-world skills that elevate your work with couples and families.
Train with Purpose. Graduate with Perspective.
Our Specialty Tracks are designed for clinicians who want to hone their skills with certain populations, for focused impact—while staying rooted in a powerful, flexible model that encompasses the full range of couple and family dynamics across all clinical work.
Specialty Tracks:
Core
Core offers comprehensive training in Ackerman’s relational/systemic model. Trainees develop a strong relational/systemic lens while working with a broad range of couple and family dynamics and clinical presenting problems in our outpatient clinic.
📍 In-person | Mondays, 1:30–5:30pm | Supervisor: Christine Reynolds
🖥️ Online | Tuesdays, 5–9pm | Supervisor: Cadmona Hall
Substance Use Disorders (SUD)
Substance use affects entire family systems—not just individuals. This track takes a relational approach to supporting couples and families facing these challenges.
📍 In-person | Tuesdays, 5–9pm | Supervisor: Frank Wells
Transgender & Gender Diverse
With rising demand for affirming mental health care, this track focuses on gender-affirmative practices with transgender and gender-diverse couples and families.
🖥️ Online | Wednesdays, 5–9pm | Supervisor: Alexsis Diaz
Spanish-Speaking
Culturally relevant therapy in Spanish for Latinx families is more important than ever. This track is for fluent Spanish-speaking trainees ready to serve diverse communities.
🖥️ Online | Fridays 9am–1pm | Supervisor: Genoveva Garcia
Adoption & Identity
Explore themes of identity, trauma, attachment, and cross-cultural dynamics unique to adoptive families. A space for deep, nuanced learning.
📍 In-person | Tuesdays, 5–9pm | Supervisor: Andrea Blumenthal
Couples
Issues that affect couples intimacy, including power and privilege, will be the focus of this track.
🖥️ Online | Wednesdays, 5–9pm | Supervisor: Cadmona Hall
Dual Program Dates
30 weeks (2 courses per week), beginning September 2025.
Foundations Sections:
Mondays | 9:30 am–12:30 pm (in-person)
Mondays | 5:00 pm–8:00 pm (online)
Wednesdays | 5:00 pm–8:00 pm (in-person)
Saturdays | 9:30 am–12:30 pm (online)
Live Clinical Sections:
Mondays | 1:30 pm–5:30 pm (in-person)
Tuesdays | 5:00 pm–9:00 pm (online)
Tuesdays | 5:00 pm–9:00 pm (in-person)
Wednesdays | 5:00 pm–9:00 pm (online)
Fridays | 9:00 am–1:00 pm (online)
All sections meet in Eastern Time (ET). All course sections are subject to a minimum enrollment number.
Dual Program Tuition
Tuition: $9,950.00
Clinical Hours: Variable
Continuing education contact hours are not offered for this course.
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.
Monthly payments plans are available. View our Financial Policies for more details.
The application for financial aid will be open until June 30, 2025.
Dual Program Eligibility
Applicants must hold a Master’s Degree in social work, marriage and family therapy, psychology, or other mental health profession. Recent graduates with pending degrees may submit transcripts as proof of completion.
A professional license is not required for this course.
Applicants are required to attend a remote, group interview with the Ackerman admissions committee.
Dual Program FAQ
Visit our Core Curriculum FAQ Page.
Read the Core Curriculum Admissions Policies
What you Need to Apply:
- Read our Admissions Policies
- Completed Online Application Form
- Copy of Master’s Degree or transcript as proof of degree pending
- Record of Malpractice Insurance (Psychiatrists Only)
- Resume
- $100 Application Fee
- 200 Words Explaining interest in Live Clinical Track
- Personal Statement – Answer the Following:
- Q1: Please describe your interest (new or ongoing) in family therapy training, and why you wish to train at the Ackerman Institute for the Family?
- Q2: How do you understand the intersection of family therapy and social justice?
- Q3: How do you understand the importance of your social locations/identities in your role as a therapist?
- Q4: How do you envision your training in family therapy influencing your future work?
Personal statements may be a maximum length of two typed pages, uploaded as a single PDF or Word document.