Welcome to the Couple & Family Institute of New England
The Couple & Family Institute of New England is committed to enhancing people’s lives and their relationships to one another. We believe that healthy relationships with those we love are the foundation of our wellbeing.
We are committed to promoting social justice and freedom from oppression, including racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, ageism, and ableism. We aim to embody this commitment in each of the educational programs and clinical services we offer. One concrete step is our Equity Pricing option, available for many of our programs.
Our vision is to offer state-of-the-art:
- Workshops and training programs for mental health professionals interested in working with couples and families
- Couple and family therapy services
- Educational programs for couples’ enrichment
COVID-19 Alert:
CFINE is committed to adhering to current public health standards due to the coronavirus outbreak. Services may be converted to online formats or postponed. In-person services will be limited to fully vaccinated individuals.
When Clients Face Ethical Dilemmas: Our Role as Therapists
When: Thursday & Friday, October 27 & 28, 2022; 12-3:15pm ET
Where: On Zoom
Instructor: William Doherty, PhD
CEs: 6 CEs pending for LMFTs, LICSWs, LMHCs, and Lic. Psychologists
Clients seek our input as they grapple with a wide range of ethical dilemmas. But our field is largely silent on the ethical part of clients’ lives and the therapist’s role in discussing them. In this presentation, participants will discover how to: 1. Identify the wide range of ethical issues wrapped up in what clients bring to therapy; 2. Develop skills in ethical consultation while respecting client autonomy; 3. See how we can make a difference in the broader society via being a “citizen therapist.”
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Where: On Zoom
Instructor: William Doherty, PhD
CEs: 6 CEs pending for LMFTs, LICSWs, LMHCs, and Lic. Psychologists
Clients seek our input as they grapple with a wide range of ethical dilemmas. But our field is largely silent on the ethical part of clients’ lives and the therapist’s role in discussing them. In this presentation, participants will discover how to: 1. Identify the wide range of ethical issues wrapped up in what clients bring to therapy; 2. Develop skills in ethical consultation while respecting client autonomy; 3. See how we can make a difference in the broader society via being a “citizen therapist.”
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The Challenge of De-Escalation: A Review of Stage 1 EFT
When: Wednesday, August 3, 2022; 11am-1pm ET
Where: On Zoom
Instructor: Nancy Knudsen, LMFT
CEs: This program does not offer CEs
The De-Escalation Stage of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) treatment takes couples through the heightened negative cycle of conflict and disconnection to a place of new possibilities based on an emerging capacity for mutual empathy. This 2-hour review of theory and practice will reinforce the road map as you learn to learn to put the pieces together of this elegant model.
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Where: On Zoom
Instructor: Nancy Knudsen, LMFT
CEs: This program does not offer CEs
The De-Escalation Stage of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) treatment takes couples through the heightened negative cycle of conflict and disconnection to a place of new possibilities based on an emerging capacity for mutual empathy. This 2-hour review of theory and practice will reinforce the road map as you learn to learn to put the pieces together of this elegant model.
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Working Effectively with Black Couples
When: Any (Distance Learning/Home Study)
Instructor: Marjorie Nightingale, JD, LMFT
CEs: This program does not offer CEs
This workshop examines the importance of Self-of-the-Therapist work regarding race as a precursor to working with African American couples and encourages participants to consider the impact of their own identities on the building of therapeutic trust.
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Instructor: Marjorie Nightingale, JD, LMFT
CEs: This program does not offer CEs
This workshop examines the importance of Self-of-the-Therapist work regarding race as a precursor to working with African American couples and encourages participants to consider the impact of their own identities on the building of therapeutic trust.
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Sexual Identity, Gender Identity: Staying Current in a Rapidly Changing Landscape — Home Study
When: Distance Learning/Home Study – anytime between August 9, 2021 and August 8, 2022
Keynote Speakers: Sidney Trantham, PhD and Acey Mercer, LMSW
Case Presentation Co-Moderated by: MaryAnna Domokos-Cheng Ham, EdD, LMFT and Nancy Knudsen, LMFT
Panelists: Sidney Trantham, PhD; Acey Mercer, LMSW; Steffani Brandenburg, LCSW, LICSW, CST; Julie Mencher, LICSW; Joseph Winn, LICSW, CST-S; and Jane Fleishman, PhD, MS, MEd, CSE
Workshops by: Acey Mercer, LMSW and Joseph Winn, LICSW, CST-S
CEs: 6 CEs approved for LMFTs, LICSWs, and Lic. Psychologists; approved for AASECT
This distance learning/home study program is from the Couple & Family Institute of New England's 2019 Fall Symposium "Sexual Identity, Gender Identity: Staying Current in a Rapidly Changing Landscape" featuring a keynote presentation, case study, and two workshops.
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Keynote Speakers: Sidney Trantham, PhD and Acey Mercer, LMSW
Case Presentation Co-Moderated by: MaryAnna Domokos-Cheng Ham, EdD, LMFT and Nancy Knudsen, LMFT
Panelists: Sidney Trantham, PhD; Acey Mercer, LMSW; Steffani Brandenburg, LCSW, LICSW, CST; Julie Mencher, LICSW; Joseph Winn, LICSW, CST-S; and Jane Fleishman, PhD, MS, MEd, CSE
Workshops by: Acey Mercer, LMSW and Joseph Winn, LICSW, CST-S
CEs: 6 CEs approved for LMFTs, LICSWs, and Lic. Psychologists; approved for AASECT
This distance learning/home study program is from the Couple & Family Institute of New England's 2019 Fall Symposium "Sexual Identity, Gender Identity: Staying Current in a Rapidly Changing Landscape" featuring a keynote presentation, case study, and two workshops.
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Tales From the Licensing Board: Ethical Issues Facing Couple and Family Therapists — Home Study
When: Distance Learning/Home Study – anytime between October 8, 2021 and October 7, 2022
Instructor: I. Scott Cohen, LICSW, LMFT
CEs: 6 CEs approved for LMFTs, LICSWs, and Lic. Psychologists
This online program brings to life the AAMFT Code Of Ethics as well as some of the ethical guidelines issued by the Commonwealth of MA, in an engaging and thought-provoking way. An interview with I. Scott Cohen has been added to make this course relevant to the time of COVID-19.
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Instructor: I. Scott Cohen, LICSW, LMFT
CEs: 6 CEs approved for LMFTs, LICSWs, and Lic. Psychologists
This online program brings to life the AAMFT Code Of Ethics as well as some of the ethical guidelines issued by the Commonwealth of MA, in an engaging and thought-provoking way. An interview with I. Scott Cohen has been added to make this course relevant to the time of COVID-19.
Read More
On Becoming a Family: Clinical Approaches to Fostering Healthy Relationships—Morning Panel
When: Any (Distance Learning/Home Study)
Presenters: Carolyn Broudy, MD; Annette Cycon, LCSW; Charles Daniels, Jr., LICSW; Nancy Knudsen, LMFT; and Mirza Lugardo, LMHC
This distance learning/home study program is from the Couple & Family Institute of New England's 2018 Fall Symposium "On Becoming A Family: Clinical Approaches to Fostering Healthy Relationships" morning panel consisting of five speakers who each address a case study, drawing upon their own theoretical perspective and particular approach to family intervention.
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Presenters: Carolyn Broudy, MD; Annette Cycon, LCSW; Charles Daniels, Jr., LICSW; Nancy Knudsen, LMFT; and Mirza Lugardo, LMHC
This distance learning/home study program is from the Couple & Family Institute of New England's 2018 Fall Symposium "On Becoming A Family: Clinical Approaches to Fostering Healthy Relationships" morning panel consisting of five speakers who each address a case study, drawing upon their own theoretical perspective and particular approach to family intervention.
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The Hold Me Tight® Program: Conversations for Connection
When: October 15-16, 2022; Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm
Where: Smith College Conference Center, 51 College Lane, Northampton, MA
Instructors: Nancy Knudsen, LMFT and Sara Elinoff Acker, MSW, LICSW
This program teaches couples to become more attuned, trusting, and open with each other and to more easily handle day-to-day stress and conflict.
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Where: Smith College Conference Center, 51 College Lane, Northampton, MA
Instructors: Nancy Knudsen, LMFT and Sara Elinoff Acker, MSW, LICSW
This program teaches couples to become more attuned, trusting, and open with each other and to more easily handle day-to-day stress and conflict.
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The Hold Me Tight®, Hold Me Just Right Program: The Dance of Touch and Sexual Connection in Intimate Relationships
When: December 3-4, 2022; Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm
Where: Smith College Conference Center, 51 College Lane, Northampton, MA
Instructor: Nancy Knudsen, LMFT and Michael Moran, LCSW, CST
This workshop uses variations of the Hold Me Tight® conversations to explore how the emotional obstacles to closeness get in the way of our sending clear signals about our fears and longings for physical and sexual intimacy.
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Where: Smith College Conference Center, 51 College Lane, Northampton, MA
Instructor: Nancy Knudsen, LMFT and Michael Moran, LCSW, CST
This workshop uses variations of the Hold Me Tight® conversations to explore how the emotional obstacles to closeness get in the way of our sending clear signals about our fears and longings for physical and sexual intimacy.
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Couple Therapy Intensive
Sometimes there is just no time to waste. For couples in crisis or couples just wanting to get down to work in a concentrated time frame, we offer several options for more intensive couples therapy. Schedule your 1-day (6 hours) or 2-day-plus intensive. Currently offered online as well as in-person.
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The Hold Me Tight® Program: Conversations for Connection
When: February 11-12, 2023; Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm
Where: Location TBD
Instructors: Sara Elinoff Acker, MSW, LICSW
This program teaches couples to become more attuned, trusting, and open with each other and to more easily handle day-to-day stress and conflict.
Read More
Where: Location TBD
Instructors: Sara Elinoff Acker, MSW, LICSW
This program teaches couples to become more attuned, trusting, and open with each other and to more easily handle day-to-day stress and conflict.
Read More
The Hold Me Tight® Program: Conversations for Connection
When: June 3-4, 2023; Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm
Where: Location TBD
Instructors: Sara Elinoff Acker, MSW, LICSW
This program teaches couples to become more attuned, trusting, and open with each other and to more easily handle day-to-day stress and conflict.
Read More
Where: Location TBD
Instructors: Sara Elinoff Acker, MSW, LICSW
This program teaches couples to become more attuned, trusting, and open with each other and to more easily handle day-to-day stress and conflict.
Read More