Family Engagement and Acceptance Training (FEAT)
A grant funded 30-week didactic and clinical training in family therapy with transgender and gender non-conforming youth
Family Engagement and Acceptance Training (FEAT)
A grant funded 30-week didactic and clinical training in family therapy with transgender and gender non-conforming youth
About the Program
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.
Qualifications for the FEAT program include the following:
- Member of the LGBTQ+ community.
- Licensed NYS mental health professional.
- Full or part-time employment in a clinical setting in one of New York City’s five (5) 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.
Questions
For more information, email the Gender & Family Project at feat@ackerman.org.
What you Need to Apply:
- Read our Admissions Policies
- Completed Application Form
- Resume
- Copy of graduate degree or transcript as proof of degree pending.
- Personal Statement – Answer Both Questions
- FEAT is a fully funded program provided by an Administration for Children Services (ACS) Grant aimed at providing family therapy training to diverse therapists who otherwise would not be able to afford this type of training.
- Q1: Why do you believe you are a fit for a program this program? (Under 500 words)
- Q2: How does the fact that this program is fully funded support your career goals without which they might be compromised? (under 500 words)
Submissions may be a maximum length of two typed pages, uploaded as a single PDF or Word document.
Applicants will be required to attend a remote, group interview with the Ackerman admissions committee.
Family Engagement and Acceptance Training (FEAT) Course Dates
30-week term begins in September 2025.
All sections meet in Eastern Time (ET).
Foundations Section
Mondays | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm (online)
Live Clinical Section
Tuesdays | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm (online)
Tuesdays | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm (in-person)
FEAT Program is grant funded
Pending the finalization of funding from ACS and the Ackerman Institute, all program fees and tuition are fully covered for FEAT participants.
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 also apply for financial aid at that time, but this is not guaranteed.
Learn more about our Clinical Externship in Family Therapy