Faith-Based Couple and Family Therapy Certificate Program
Application deadline is June 30, 2025.
Faith-Based Couple and Family Therapy Certificate Program
Application deadline is June 30, 2025.
About the Program
The purpose of the Faith-Based Couple and Family Therapy Certificate Program is to provide knowledge of couple and family systems theory and therapy with direct application to faith-based functioning and practice. This program is designed to enhance the skills of faith-based leaders in providing guidance and support to individuals, couples, and families experiencing problems. The Faith-Based Couple and Family Therapy Certificate Program requires a one-year commitment to advanced training.
This online course will enhance the skills of clergy, priests, rabbis, imams, and other religious leaders who provide spiritual guidance to families across diverse communities. This training will help clergy support families, couples, and congregation members through life’s joys and challenges.
About the Certificate Program
Classes meet on Mondays from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (ET) starting September 2025.
The Faith-Based Couple and Family Therapy Certificate Program is held online and is comprised of 4 sequential courses, each of which is 10 weeks.
Courses
Fall 2025
Mondays 6:00–8:00 pm (ET)
The Introduction to Couple & Family Systems Theory & Practice course is an introduction to systems theory and various models of couple and family therapy practice, including the Ackerman Relational Approach (ARA).
Winter 2026
Mondays 6:00–8:00 pm (ET)
The Diversity, Social Justice, and Faith-Based Practice course examines the interrelatedness of diversity, social justice, and faith-based practice, including dynamics of power, privilege, and oppression and how they impact individuals, couples, families, and communities.
Spring 2026
Mondays 6:00–8:00 pm (ET)
The Clinical Seminar will provide a learning experience that supports the integration and application of therapeutic skills in faith-based practice through shared participant life and faith-based experiences, including a personal family genogram and case material.
Summer 2026
Mondays 6:00–8:00 pm (ET)
The Person of the Faith-Based Leader Seminar adopts the concept of the wounded healer. It is through our woundedness that we can empathize with and relate to the woundedness of others. Our own wounds can be assets that allow us to feel another’s pain, understand their life struggles, facilitate hope and resilience, and help them to acquire a higher power of understanding and meaning in life.
Program Goals
- Integrate couple and family therapy knowledge and skills with faith-based knowledge and skills.
- Apply a relational approach in faith-based leadership.
- Increase self-awareness and self-management within the emotional system of a faith-based organization.
- Understand the relationship between larger contextual issues (e.g., power and privilege) and faith-based practice.
Teaching Methods
The teaching methods incorporate didactic presentations, discussion of reading materials, case presentations, and/or audio-visual aids.
Certificate Program Course Schedule
Mondays, 6:00–8:00 pm (ET)
Meets over the span of 10 weeks each for 4 courses, beginning in September 2025
The deadline to apply is June 30th, 2025, after which applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Course Format
The Faith-Based and Couple and Family Therapy Certificate Program will meet online.
Tuition
Tuition: $3,995.00
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.
The $100.00 application fee is waived for the 2025–26 academic year.
Eligibility
Applicants must serve as a faith leader or be an aspiring faith leader. A faith leader is defined as anyone in their religious or spiritual environment who has a role in affecting attitudes, behaviors, and/or counseling of faith-based community members or anyone in their religious or spiritual environment aspiring to serve as a faith leader.
Why Should Clergy Train at Ackerman?
As the leader in couple & family therapy for over 60 years, the Ackerman Institute for the Family is uniquely positioned to help faith leaders better support families and communities. We view systems theory as an integral part of working with family relationships. Our goal is to deliver the most effective skills to professionals who make a difference.
We welcome clergy, priests, rabbis, imams, religious leaders, and other allied spiritual professionals to enhance your knowledge and practice.
Applicants must serve as a faith leader or be an aspiring faith leader. A faith leader is defined as anyone in their religious or spiritual environment who has a role in affecting attitudes, behaviors, and/or counseling of faith-based community members or anyone in their religious or spiritual environment aspiring to serve as a faith leader.
FAQs: Faith-Based Couple and Family Therapy Certificate Program
Applications are open for Faith-Based Couple and Family Therapy Certificate Program. The deadline to apply is June 30th, 2025, after which applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Applicants must serve as a faith leader or be an aspiring faith leader. A faith leader is defined as anyone in their religious or spiritual environment who has a role in affecting attitudes, behaviors, and/or counseling of faith-based community members or anyone in their religious or spiritual environment aspiring to serve as a faith leader.
You will need the following:
- Completed online application form
- CV / Resume
- Letter of recommendation
- Personal Statement: In 200 words, please describe your history and work as a faith leader and how the Faith-Based Couple and Family Therapy Certificate Program will enhance your services.
- $100 application fee is waived for 2025–26 academic year.
Financial aid is not provided for this course.
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 at Ackerman 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.
Applicants will be notified of acceptance or denial by email within 10 business days of receipt of the application.
The certificate program does not provide continuing education contact hours.
This course will be presented online via Zoom.
Trainees are required to attend online classes from a computer in good working condition with a strong WiFi connection. For the best experience, we recommend using headphones and a microphone during class meetings.
Most questions can be answered by reading our Faith-Based Couple and Family Therapy Certificate Program Policies.
If you have more questions about applying to the certificate program, contact our admissions department: admissions@ackerman.org
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The Ackerman Institute values diversity, equity, and inclusion and strives to have these values reflected in all operations of the Institute. We strive to create and foster an atmosphere of openness where all dimensions of diversity, beliefs, and values can be explored and discussed. Our focus on providing high quality culturally sensitive services affirm the value and humanity of all people.