The Family Institute at Northwestern University: Pioneering Education, Research, and Clinical Practice in Behavioral Health

Introduction

The Family Institute at Northwestern University stands as a leading relationship-based behavioral health organization, dedicated to strengthening and healing children and adolescents, couples, families, and individuals. Celebrating over 50 years of education, research, and clinical practice, the Institute is committed to providing access to quality mental health care, regardless of financial circumstances. Through its partnership with Northwestern University, the Institute offers comprehensive Master’s-level programs, postdoctoral fellowships, and continuing education opportunities, shaping the next generation of mental health professionals and driving innovation in the field.

Master’s-Level Programs: Shaping Future Clinicians

The Family Institute offers two distinguished Master’s-level programs: Marriage and Family Therapy (MSMFT) and Counseling (MAC). These programs are available both on-campus and online, providing flexibility for students from diverse backgrounds, including undergraduates, career changers, established professionals, and international students.

Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (MSMFT)

The Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy program is a clinically focused, research-informed program designed to develop competent and ethical marriage and family therapists. The curriculum is carefully structured to ensure students develop a strong professional identity as marriage and family therapists.

Curriculum Structure and Key Courses

The MSMFT program is a two-year cohort program, with new students joining in the fall quarter. Over the two years, students complete 26 courses, comprising 20 academic courses and 6 internship courses. These courses cover a wide range of topics essential for effective practice.

The curriculum includes courses such as:

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Integrative Systemic Therapy (IST): An introduction to the theoretical underpinnings of systemic family therapy, providing a framework for assessment and intervention. Students learn how to define systemic assessment and integrate it with individual assessment.
Legal and Ethical Issues in MFT: This course explores legal issues and areas of family law relevant to Marriage and Family Therapy, including confidentiality, duty to protect, malpractice, and expert testimony. It also covers the AAMFT Code of Ethics and state requirements for ethical practice.
Beginning Systemic Therapy: This course introduces the basic administrative and clinical aspects of conducting systemic therapy, using the Integrative Systemic Therapy (IST) perspective. It focuses on essential skills needed for initial sessions with individuals, couples, and families.
Methods of Systems Therapy: An introduction to a range of methods used in systems therapy.
Individual and Family Development: This course utilizes the development metaframework to understand individual, relational, and family development across the life span.
Cultural Diversity in MFT: This course sensitizes students to the influence of race, class, culture, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, and ability on lived experience and the practice of marriage and family therapy.
Intimate Relations I & II: These courses elaborate on the Integrative Systemic Therapy (IST) approach for working with couples, focusing on interaction sequences, affective intensity, and communication.
Major Models of Systemic Therapy: An examination of the major treatment models that have emerged through the development and history of systemic therapy.
Group Therapy: Trainees learn the theoretical basis of group therapy and develop a framework for group work through didactic, experiential, and clinical elements.
Working with Children and Adolescents: This course provides theoretical and practical knowledge in working with families with children and adolescents, employing a systemic framework for assessments and therapeutic objectives.
Transgenerational Models: This course offers an in-depth understanding of transgenerational models, including a system perspective on the development of intrapsychic structure and function.
Addiction and the Family System: This course reviews disease model distinctions versus systemic views of addiction and treatment, discusses abuse and dependence markers, illuminates various therapeutic approaches, and explores the efficacy of family therapy approaches.
Specific Problems and Populations in MFT: This course provides the concepts and skills necessary for working with particular client-lived experiences and problems, addressing unique considerations for diverse populations.
Sexuality in MFT: A multidimensional, biophysical approach to the diagnosis and treatment of sexual difficulty in individuals and couples.

Clinical Internship

Students begin their clinical internship in the winter quarter of their first year, engaging in 10-15 hours per week under the supervision of clinical faculty. This practical experience involves providing systemic, integrative assessment and treatment for clients. Advanced Internship takes place in the second year, increasing to 15-20 hours per week. Clinical faculty provide weekly group and individual supervision, focusing on case discussions, direct observation, and recordings of therapy sessions.

Capstone Project

In the winter and spring of their second year, students work intensively on their capstone project. This project involves synthesizing and applying what they have learned in the program, demonstrating their acquisition of clinical competence within the Integrative Systemic Therapy framework.

Research Opportunities

The MSMFT program is rooted in a research-informed approach to therapy, woven throughout coursework and clinical training. All students take a course in marriage and family therapy research, covering both conducting research and applying research in clinical practice. Students interested in research can explore opportunities in research labs with faculty or staff at The Family Institute or other departments at Northwestern University.

Professional Development Seminars

The program includes seminars focused on professional identity development and preparation for doctoral programs. These seminars address personal and professional issues in becoming a marriage and family therapist and provide strategies for applying to Ph.D. programs.

Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC)

The all-inclusive Master of Arts in Counseling prepares future professional counselors to intervene in relation to both individual and social systems functioning within family, work, academic and community settings.

Postdoctoral Fellowships: Developing Future Leaders

The Family Institute's Postdoctoral Fellowships are designed to develop the next generation of leaders and innovators in couple and family therapy and psychology. Two fellowship opportunities are available: the Postdoctoral Clinical Scholar Fellowship and the Postdoctoral Clinical Research Fellowship.

Continuing Education: Lifelong Learning and Professional Growth

The Family Institute is committed to providing continuing education opportunities for mental health professionals. These programs offer access to the latest research, therapeutic techniques, and networking opportunities among fellow alumni, ensuring practitioners stay current in their field.

Research Initiatives: Advancing Knowledge in Behavioral Health

Research is a core component of The Family Institute's mission. The Institute's team of mental health researchers, licensed therapists, and graduate students collaborate to drive innovation in behavioral health. Research initiatives focus on understanding and addressing the complex challenges facing individuals, couples, and families.

Current Research Studies

The Family Institute actively conducts research studies to explore various aspects of mental health and family dynamics. Recent studies include:

Exploring the Benefits of Parental Apologies to Their Children: This online research study examines the emotional challenges new parents face and the impact on family relationships.

Community Engagement and Outreach

The Family Institute is deeply committed to serving the community through various outreach programs and initiatives.

Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic

The Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic provides no-cost therapy services to individuals, children, and families who cannot afford mental health care. This clinic ensures that quality mental health services are accessible to all, regardless of their financial situation.

Community Events and Workshops

The Family Institute hosts various events and workshops to engage with the community and promote mental health awareness. These events feature expert speakers and provide opportunities for dialogue and learning.

In Session with The Family Institute: This event brings together mental health professionals, community members, and thought leaders for conversations on important topics related to family dynamics, identity, and relationships.

Addressing Contemporary Issues in Mental Health

The Family Institute is dedicated to addressing contemporary issues in mental health, including the impact of social media, cultural diversity, and systemic disparities.

Social Media and Mental Health

The Institute recognizes the complex relationship between social media and mental health. While social media is often associated with negative outcomes, emerging research highlights conditions under which it can enhance well-being, strengthen social support, and promote positive psychological functioning.

Cultural Competence and Inclusion

The Family Institute emphasizes cultural competence and inclusion in all its programs and services. The Institute recognizes the ongoing impact of racism, trauma, and systemic disparities on mental health and is committed to providing culturally sensitive and responsive care.

Supporting the Future of Mental Health Care

The Family Institute relies on the support of individuals, families, and foundations to fund its education programs and provide scholarships for graduate students. These contributions help ensure that the Institute can continue to provide high-quality training and services to the community.

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