Family Engagement and Acceptance Training (FEAT)

A grant funded 30-week didactic and clinical training in family therapy with transgender and gender non-conforming youth

Family Engagement and Acceptance Training (FEAT)​

A grant funded 30-week didactic and clinical training in family therapy with transgender and gender non-conforming youth

About the Program

The FEAT program is grant funded by the Administration for Children Services (ACS) to train New York State licensed LGBTQ+ mental health practitioners in couple and family therapy. FEAT trainees participate in Ackerman’s one-year Dual (Foundations of Family Therapy and Live Clinical Supervision) program tuition-free. The Live Clinical Supervision course is focused specifically on transgender, gender non-conforming, and nonbinary (TGNCNB) youth clients and their families.

Qualifications for the FEAT program include the following:

  • Member of the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Licensed NYS mental health professional.
  • Full or part-time employment in a clinical setting in one of New York City’s five (5) boroughs.

*Please note that the tuition-free FEAT program depends on ACS funding. Black, indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) are strongly encouraged to apply.

Questions

For more information, email the Gender & Family Project at feat@ackerman.org.

What you Need to Apply:

Submissions may be a maximum length of two typed pages, uploaded as a single PDF or Word document.

Applicants will be required to attend a remote, group interview with the Ackerman admissions committee.

Family Engagement and Acceptance Training (FEAT) Course Dates

30-week term begins in September 2024.
All sections meet in Eastern Time (ET).

Foundations Section

Mondays | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm (online)

Live Clinical Section

Tuesdays | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm (online)
Tuesdays | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm (in-person)

FEAT Program is grant funded

Pending the finalization of funding from ACS and the Ackerman Institute, all program fees and tuition are fully covered for FEAT participants.

Successful completion of the FEAT program qualifies as completion of Ackerman’s Dual Program, making trainees eligible to apply for the Clinical Externship in Family Therapy upon completion. Should FEAT graduates choose to continue training at the Ackerman Institute after completing the FEAT program, tuition for the Clinical Externship will be their responsibility. They may also apply for financial aid at that time, but this is not guaranteed. 

Learn more about our Clinical Externship in Family Therapy

Application Deadline

To be considered for the Family Engagement and Acceptance Training, candidates must complete the application by June 30, 2024.