Short Conversation with Martha Edwards

"Short Conversations" is a weekly video series that premiered in January 2012, and features the renowned faculty of the Ackerman Institute for the Family talking about a variety of subjects relevant to family life.

Martha Edwards makes her debut in this month's "Short Conversations," as she discusses how parents can instill values in their children. This is the first of six "Short Conversations" with Martha on raising children.

"Short Conversations..." will explore subjects across the entire range of the family experience, including marriage, child rearing, aging, substance abuse, sexuality and so many other issues that impact our happiness and understanding of ourselves.

Alumni Lecture on Borderline Personality Disorder

Dr. Perry Hoffman presenting at the Alumni lecture

Ackerman Institute for the Family hosted a presentation by Dr. Perry Hoffman, an expert in Borderline Personality Disorder, on Friday, January 27, 2012. The lecture is part of the quarterly Alumni Association meetings, when Ackerman Alumni gather at the Institute to learn about the latest advances in family therapy and enjoy  a presentation from therapists at the forefront of the field.

During the talk, entitled “If Only We Had Known: Borderline Personality Disorder,” Dr. Hoffman discussed the current thinking on this psychological condition characterized by a pattern of instability in relationships, self-image, and emotions.

The presentation familiarized the attendees with the range of Borderline Personality Disorder symptoms, along with the frequent co-occurring illnesses that can complicate recovery and treatment.  Dr. Hoffman also described “Family Connections,” a psycho-educational training protocol she developed, designed for families with a relative who has been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.

Dr. Perry Hoffman trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and is now in private practice in New York City and Westchester County. She is co-editor, with John G. Gunderson, MD, of the book Understanding and Treating Borderline Personality Disorder: A Guide for Professionals and Family Members and co-editor of Borderline Personality Disorder: Meeting the Challenges to Successful Treatment.

Ackerman in the News

Ackerman Institute for the Family's distinguished faculty is once again in the news!

Jean Malpas, Director of the Gender and Family Services, is the expert launching the Professional Health series of The Atlantic's health section, with an article entitled "Professional Help: 5 tips for Those Raising Transgender Children."

To read the article, click here.

In the article, Jean shares some essential lessons for parents of children who may not conform to gender norms.

Ackerman Insitute is proud of its faculty. They continuously seek the most cutting-edge and innovative treatment practices, training, and research in family therapy, making Ackerman the most highly regarded Institute in the field.

Introducing Short Conversations

Starting in January 2012, Ackerman Institute for the Family is introducing a new online series called "Short Conversations..."

Every week, viewers will be treated to ideas for living from the world renowned Ackerman faculty.

"Short Conversations..." will explore subjects across the entire range of the family experience, including marriage, child rearing, aging, substance abuse, sexuality and so many other issues that impact our happiness and understanding of ourselves.



"Short Conversations..." are your chance to connect with the finest family therapists in the world. Concerned about your child’s behaviors? Frustrated with your partner’s distance? Looking for ideas to deal with an aging parent? If so, then "Short Conversations..." will soon become a welcome part of your day. 

This week's "Short Conversation" is about chores and children, featuring faculty member Fiona True.

Welcome to the conversation.

Faculty News: Jean Malpas & Andrea Blumenthal Receive Family Process Institute Grant

Join us in congratulating Jean Malpas and Andrea Blumenthal, who recently received the Family Process Institute Early Career/Training Grant. They are the first to be awarded this grant which will support the development of innovative clinical activities in regards to the Gender and Family Project (GCP). Family Process, the granting institution, is an organization dedicated to developing and sharing new theory, research, practice, and policy related to families and systems.

Jean Malpas describes what the grant will be funding in the following:  

"We are honored that the Family Process Institute has chosen to recognize and support the work of the Gender and Family Project (GFP). The grant will be used to implement acutely needed services for families with a gender nonconforming youth. Groups for parents and gender nonconforming children will be provided.  It will help us reach out to more families and provide training to clinicians and agencies aiming to improve their competencies with these families. As an academic institute, we also seek a better understanding and documentation of the needs of families with a gender nonconforming member. Finally, the GFP looks forward to identifying and developing a network of providers who can support families in a similar situation."

Jean Malpas, LMFT, LMHC graduated from Brussels University's department of psychology with a master's degree in clinical psychology and a post-master's degree in psychotherapy. He completed his family therapy training at the Ackerman Institute for the Family. Mr. Malpas was initially trained in the Belgian school of social constructionism and since then, along with his relational training at the Ackerman Institute, has cultivated an integrative practice inspired by narrative and experiential relational frameworks. He believes in the impact of larger systems on the emotional, cognitive and relational resources of each family. Mr. Malpas is an "Early Career Member" of the American Family Therapy Academy and has presented nationally on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples and families and social justice. His work on transgender couples in therapy has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Family Studies. His relational work on crystal methamphetamine addiction and community-based approach has also been published.

Andrea Blumenthal, LCSW, is a member of the teaching faculty at the Ackerman Institute for the Family and a clinical member of Ackerman’s Center for Families and Health and the newly launched Gender and Family Project (GFP). She has extensive practice experience working with children of all ages and diverse families in a variety of mental health and child welfare agency contexts. As a clinician working in community-based settings, she has focused on working with individuals and families affected by physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence, and other forms of trauma. She has completed a post-graduate training program in the Treatment of Interpersonal Trauma at Fordham University and is a graduate of the clinical Externship training program at Ackerman. Ms. Blumenthal maintains a private practice specializing in attachment traumas and relationship issues with couples and families.

"Tribute to the Families" Gala 2011

It was an evening of generosity, laughter, elegance and pride.

On Tuesday night, October 25th, the Ackerman Institute for the Family reached out to its friends and supporters at its fundraising event of the year, the "Tribute to Families" gala. Guastavino’s, the beautiful hall tucked beneath the 59th St. Bridge, was sparkling.

During the cocktail hour, guests were treated to a fascinating silent auction, which included artwork, dinners, jewelry, professional consultations and fashions. And while people mingled, ran into old friends and got their picture taken, they were able to wander by the Ackerman book table and watch clips from Ackerman's exciting new video series "Short Conversations." And then it was upstairs to dinner.

The celebrity emcee for the evening was the fabulous Natalie Morales, one of the co-hosts of the Today Show. With grace and sparkle, she guided the audience through a series of videos and then set the stage for the new Board President, Alec Haverstick. After a thoughtful, challenging set of remarks on families and the American economy, Alec led into the first big emotional moment of the evening: the Ackerman Service Award to John O'Neill, long time board member and Treasurer. His response was both heartfelt and humble.

Then came the live auction hosted by comedienne Jane Condon. Jane pulled out every trick in her comic arsenal: jokes, insults, self-mockery, and while the audience was howling with laughter, they managed to bid up two fantastic beach house weekends, dinner at the legendary Rao's, and a backstage tour and taping of the Today Show. All of this before dinner!

After dinner, Lois Braverman, President and CEO of Ackerman Institute, took the audience on an intellectual tour de force. Using powerful scenes from two contemporary films, Lois deconstructed the emotional underpinnings of the characters and situations. Her analysis laid bare what the scenes revealed about families, about our culture, and how they relate to the work of the Institute. She tied it together with perfection . . . because both of the clips Lois showed were from the work of the renowned film producer Christine Vachon. Lois then introduced Ms. Vachon as the first ever recipient of the Ackerman Media Award. Ms. Vachon, producer of many films including Boys Don't Cry, Far From Heaven and Mildred Pierce, shared with the audience how honored she was, and how deeply connected she felt to Ackerman and its mission.

As the evening came to a close, the guests lingered on, somehow unwilling to let such an important event end.

More Gala: Honoring John O'Neill

For 10 years, John O'Neill has been a member of Ackerman's board, generously giving his time, expertise and money to further the work of the Institute. For the past 6 years, he has also served as its Treasurer. During the challenging economy of the last decade, John has called upon his brilliant background as a senior partner at the accounting firm of Ernst + Young to ensure that Ackerman stays on firm footing. For all of that work and more, the Institute used this year’s Gala as an opportunity to say thank you by honoring him with the Ackerman Distinguished Service Award.

To a standing ovation, he ascended to the dais to receive the award from Board Chairman Alec Haverstick. A heartfelt video from his friends and family played on a large screen, congratulating him, teasing him, and saluting him. With his signature humility, John O'Neill used the opportunity to once again, point the spotlight where he has always believed it belongs: on Ackerman and its work.

Remarks from John O'Neill at Gala

Thank you, Alec and thanks to everyone here tonight for helping make this a successful Gala. I'd also like to give a special thanks to my wife, Kathy, and my daughter, Shannon, for their help on the Gala Committee. Also, I know there are a number of my friends who have made contributions, some of whom have traveled far to be here tonight. I thank you all.

I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this award, especially knowing all the deserving honorees who have come before me. I would also like to congratulate Christine Vachon, tonight's other honoree.

I've always believed in the importance of giving back to the community and to organizations like Ackerman that have helped me and my family. We each have an obligation to lend our expertise where needed and to give back financially within our means. The chance to help strengthen Ackerman, to share my expertise and my time, is something I consider a privilege, and a welcome responsibility.

As I have said at many Ackerman board meetings, Ackerman Institute for the Family is still a well kept secret outside the family therapy community, where we are well known and revered around the world.

This Gala lets the world know that we are Moving Families Forward.

One of the many areas Ackerman excels in relates to family and business. Strong family relationships help employees build strong work related relationships and perform better at their jobs. I want each of you to think about how Ackerman's Center for Work and Family, led by Dr. Peter Fraenkel, could be helpful to your business.

That you are honoring me tonight is very generous; it's a great moment for me. But the fact that we are all here, doing whatever we can to ensure that the Ackerman Institute for the Family continues to move families forward...well, that's what makes this evening truly special for me. Thank you.