Director, Center for the Developing Child and Family
Director of Research
Martha E. Edwards, PhD, is the Founder and Director of the Ackerman Institute’s Center for the Developing Child and Family and the Institute’s Director of Research. Her interests include: child development in the context of the family and culture; the collaboration of families and schools; the determinants, processes and outcomes of parenting; and the integration of body, mind, and spirit in individual, couple and family therapy. Dr. Edwards created The Bright Beginnings Parent-Child Program, a curriculum that enhances the parent-child relationship and promotes school readiness and mental health in infants and toddlers. She received the 2015 award from the American Family Therapy Academy for “Innovative Contributions to Family Therapy.” She presents nationally and internationally and maintains a private practice in New York City. She has served as Board Member and Vice-President for the American Family Therapy Academy. Currently she is a Board Member and Program Chair for the NY Zero to Three Network, and advisory editor for Family Process.
As Director of Research, Martha is working with the clinic team on developing the clinic data base and thinking through how that information can be used to enhance treatment and understand therapy outcomes. She chairs the Ackerman’s Institutional Review Board and provides guidance to projects on research questions they may want to pursue.
