Clinical Externship in Family Therapy
Our signature externship in couple and family therapy can be completed in two years.
Application deadline is June 30, 2025.
Clinical Externship in Family Therapy
Our signature externship in couple and family therapy can be completed in two years.
Application deadline is June 30, 2025.
About the Externship Program
Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are now open.
The Clinical Externship in Family Therapy is the most advanced training offered at the Ackerman Institute for the Family. This two-year (2) externship requires 250 clinical hours in order to graduate. Clinical externs maintain a caseload of four (4) cases a week and participate in four (4) hours of group supervision weekly.
The Clinical Externship in Family Therapy comprises a 90-minute weekly Clinical Seminar. This seminar explores theory and conceptual frameworks, and their implementation in family therapy. A critical analysis of ideas and practices, including the ARA, is accomplished through an examination of faculty and trainees’ clinical work. Consideration is given to intersectionality, social justice, and self of the therapist in all aspects of the seminar.
Graduates of the Clinical Externship in Family Therapy join Ackerman’s selected professional network and listserv as alumni.
What you Need to Apply:
- Read our Admissions Policies
- Completed Application Form
- Resume
- Completion date of prerequisite courses
- Copy of License & NPI number
- Record of Malpractice Insurance (Psychiatrists Only)
- Written recommendation from your Live Clinical supervisor
- $100 Application Fee
- Personal Statement – First Year Externs Only:
- Describe a family or a couple you have worked with. Include the presenting problem, hypothesis, and how power, privilege, and self-of-the-therapist, intersects with this specific family.
Clinical Externship Course Dates
Begins September 2025
All meetings are in Eastern Time (ET)
Supervision Sections:
Tuesdays | 10:00 am–2:00 pm
(in-person/live stream)
Thursdays | 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
(in-person/livestream)
Clinical Seminar:
Wednesdays | 3:15–4:45 pm (in-person/live stream)
First and Second Year Externs
Clinical Externship Tuition
Tuition: $9,500.00 per year
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.
The application for financial aid will be open until June 30, 2025.
Clinical Externship Eligibility
Prerequisite: Successfully completion of Live Clinical Supervision or the Dual Program. Applicants must submit a recommendation from their Live Clinical supervisor.
Applicants must hold a Master’s Degree in social work, marriage and family therapy, psychology or any other mental health profession.
Externs must hold New York State Licensure in a mental health discipline and a National Provider Identification (NPI) number..
Clinical Externship FAQ
Visit our Core Curriculum FAQ Page.
Read the Core Curriculum Admissions Policies