Our Curriculum: An Overview

The Family Institute offers a variety of training opportunities for psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and others. The Family Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association, the National Board for Certified Counselors, the National Association of Social Workers, and the Massachusetts Association for Marriage and Family Therapy to offer continuing education.

As a rule, we seek faculty and guest presenters who have demonstrated excellence as teachers, as opposed to lecturers or researchers. Our programs are generally more creative and experiential than didactic, requiring participants to engage in a variety of exercises as part of the learning process. Broadly speaking, these programs fall into four categories: Core Programs, Workshops, Special Events, and Consultation and Customized Training. In addition, from time to time we host Special Projects of special interest to our faculty.

Core Programs

Core Programs are year-long intensive post-graduate training courses offered by the Family Institute faculty in specific subject areas related to family therapy. We normally limit Core Program enrollment to between 12 and 30 participants. Current offerings include:

Intensive Program in Family Therapy: Collaborative Approaches to Family-Centered Work
Program in Narrative Approaches to Therapy
Program in Family, Trauma, and Resilience: Integrating Biology, Psychology, Family, and Community Perspectives
Program in Couple Therapy: The Art of Facilitating Intimate Relationships
Program for Women's Leadership
Psychodrama and Body Oriented Psychotherapy: A Personal Growth and Advanced Training Intensive

View Core Programs

Special Events

By taking part in Special Events, individuals have the opportunity to explore the innovative approaches presented by experts from around the globe. Training, the exchange of ideas, and networking are the foundation of these sessions. Special Events can range in size from 50 to more than 200 participants, and cover a wide range of topics. View Special Events

Workshops

Workshops are one to five day training sessions offered by the Family Institute faculty or special guests. Workshops might be anywhere from 6 to 40 students in size, depending on the preference of the presenter.

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Community Trainings

Community Trainings These trainings are designed with a non-clinical population in mind, although clinicians are welcome to attend. Generally held in the evening over the course of several weeks, might focus on parenting, couples communication, or some other skill or body of information. We welcome suggestions from the community for additional helpful topics.

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Clinical Consultation Groups

In response to many requests from the community, the Family Institute offers small clinical consultation groups. Each group consists of 4-6 students under the guidance of a Family Institute faculty member. Consultation is offered on a variety of topics, including working with couples, children, adolescents, and families, as well as family of origin issues, working systemically with individuals, and the use of role playing in supervision. These groups offer interactive consultations with some of the most experienced family therapists in the greater Boston area and the opportunity to build clinical skill and perspective in a community of respected colleagues, as well as CE credit. The list of available groups changes from time to time; please feel free to call us to request a group on a topic you don’t see listed here. Our faculty are also available to conduct clinical consultation groups at your site; please contact us if this is of interest.

View Clinical Consultation Groups

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