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.
The deadline to apply was August 19, 2022.
Qualifications for the FEAT program include the following:
- Be LGBTQ
- Be a New York State licensed mental health professional
- Practice at least part-time in an agency or CBO in one of NYC’s five 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.
The FEAT program is scheduled to start in September 2022 and includes two components:
- The Ackerman Institute’s Foundations in Family Therapy course which runs virtually for 30 weeks starting September 19th, 2022. Course meeting time TBD (currently anticipated Mondays from 5-8pm ET).
- A Live Clinical Supervision course specializing in family therapy with TGNCNB youth. This virtual 30-week course meets on Tuesdays from 5-9pm EST. Using the knowledge of family systems gained from the Foundations of Family Therapy course, trainees use a teletherapy platform to observe and work as part of a treatment team with families with live supervision. This Live Clinical course includes an emphasis on models of care for working with LGBTQ youth, as well as clinical framework, interventions and clinical tools for working with TGNCNB youth and their families. Trainees will also explore their own family’s culture of origin and its effect on practice. This course includes review of trainees’ video-recorded sessions to increase clinical skills and address relevant personal issues.
The FEAT program is grant funded. 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 apply for financial aid at that time, but this is not guaranteed.
To be considered for the Family Engagement and Acceptance Training, candidates must complete the application by August 19, 2022. For applicants who advance to the interview stage, interviews will be conducted the week of 8/22/22.