Foundations of Family Therapy
Applications are now open! The deadline to apply is April 1, 2023.
Foundations of Family Therapy
Applications are now open! The deadline to apply is April 1, 2023.
About the Program
This 30-week, online, introductory course prepares mental health professionals with the foundation for more advanced training in couple and family therapy.
Family therapy has developed many effective and innovative ways to work with families, couples and individuals. The Ackerman Relational Approach (ARA) incorporates exciting new ideas and practices. In Foundations of Family Therapy, Trainees will learn the:
- History of the field of family therapy, as critiqued through a postmodern lens, with an emphasis on contemporary practice
- Development of systemic thinking, and how it informs interviewing, hypothesizing, and clinical interventions
- Interplay between the interior life of individual family members; the relational interactions of the family; and the influences of the larger social context
- Impact of race, racism, gender identity and sexual orientation on families and family therapy
The course includes didactic presentations, discussions of reading materials, case presentations, experiential exercises as well as observation and discussion of videotaped therapy sessions conducted by experienced family therapists. Trainees learn theory and clinical concepts. They will also work on expanding their own identity development in respect to social contexts of power and privilege and integrate these elements into their current clinical work. CE Contact Hours are not offered for this course.
Did you Know? You can accelerate your learning by enrolling in both Foundations of Family therapy and Live Clinical Supervision at the same time. This is our Dual Program. Learn More.
Learn more about Foundations of Family Therapy by watching this video:
What you Need to Apply:
- Read our Admissions Policies
- Completed Online Application Form
- Copy of graduate degree or transcript as proof of degree pending.
- Resume
- $100 Application Fee
- 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.
The deadline to apply is April 1, 2023
Foundations of Family Therapy Course Dates
30 classes, beginning September 2023.
Meeting time options:
Mondays | 9:30 am–12:30 pm (ET)
Mondays | 5:00 pm–8:00 pm (ET)
Saturdays | 9:30 am–12:30 pm (ET)
Foundations of Family Therapy Tuition
Tuition: $4,975
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.
View our Financial Policies
Foundations of Family Therapy Eligibility
Applicants must hold a master’s, doctorate, or medical degree in social work, psychology, psychiatry or other behavioral health discipline. Applicants with a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy are eligible to apply directly to Live Clinical Supervision.
Recent graduates with pending degrees may submit transcripts as proof of completion.
A professional license is not required for this course.
The deadline to apply is April 1, 2023
Foundations of Family Therapy FAQ
Visit our Core Curriculum FAQ Page.
Read the Core Curriculum Admissions Policies