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 Family Engagement and Acceptance Training (FEAT) Program is grant funded by the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) to train New York State licensed LGBTQ+ mental health practitioners in couple and family therapy. FEAT trainees participate in a one-year training experience at Ackerman that includes Foundations of Family Therapy followed by Live Clinical Supervision, offered at no cost.
The program is structured in two phases. In the first phase, trainees build a strong foundation in family therapy through coursework grounded in the Ackerman Relational Approach. In the second phase, trainees transition into Live Clinical Supervision, where they apply their learning in direct work with clients.
The Live Clinical Supervision component focuses specifically on working with transgender, gender non-conforming, and nonbinary (TGNCNB) youth and their families, preparing clinicians to engage in affirming, relationally grounded care.
Qualifications
To be considered for the FEAT Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community
- Be a licensed New York State mental health professional
- Be employed full-time or part-time in a clinical setting within one of New York City’s five boroughs
Please note: The tuition-free FEAT Program is contingent upon ACS funding. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are strongly encouraged to apply.
Requirements
- Applications must be submitted by June 30th
- Mandatory interviews will take place during the last two weeks of July
Application Deadline
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage candidates to apply as early as possible.
The final deadline to submit your application is August 15, 2026.
Program Structure & Schedule
The FEAT program is a one-year training experience divided into two 14-week phases:
- Foundations of Family Therapy (Fall 2026): A 14-week course focused on building a strong clinical foundation grounded in the Ackerman Relational Approach.
- Live Clinical Supervision (Spring 2027): A 14-week clinical training experience where participants engage in direct client work under supervision, with a focus on TGNCNB youth and their families.
Successful completion of the FEAT program fulfills the training components of Foundations of Family Therapy and Live Clinical Supervision, preparing trainees for continued advanced training at the Ackerman Institute.
Should FEAT graduates choose to continue their training, they are welcome to apply to any of Ackerman’s training offerings. Tuition for subsequent programs will be the responsibility of the participant. Applicants may also choose to apply for financial aid at that time; however, funding is not guaranteed.
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 August 30, 2025.
What you Need to Apply:
- As part of the application, you will be asked to respond to several questions directly within the application form. The primary questions include:
- Q1: Why do you believe you are a strong fit for the FEAT Program, and how does your clinical experience and perspective align with its mission? (Maximum 500 words)
- Q2: In what ways does access to a fully funded training opportunity support your professional growth and long-term career goals, particularly in serving communities that may otherwise face barriers to care? (Maximum 500 words)
Additional questions will also be included as part of the application. All responses must be entered directly into the application and should not exceed the stated word limits.
Interview Process
Applicants selected to move forward will be invited to participate in a remote group interview with the Ackerman admissions committee.
Questions
For more information, please contact the Gender & Family Project at feat@ackerman.org.
Attend an Information Session
-
Ackerman Core: Training Overview
August 4, 2026
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Online
Online events are held in Eastern Standard Time (ET). A link will be emailed 1 day before the event.