Family Therapy Training Institute

Premier Training For Couple, Marriage And Family Therapists

The Family Therapy Training Institute (FTTI) is a post-graduate certificate program designed to accelerate your development as a therapist working with individuals, couples and families. 

As a program of Aurora Family Service, we emphasize real-world learning and best-practice approaches that are trauma-informed and culturally humble. We are a diverse community of learners, dedicated to strengthening our broader community.

Classes and supervision are aligned with Wisconsin licensure requirements, available for Continuing Education Units, and offered on evenings and weekends to accommodate working professionals.

We now offer two tracks, including full-time and part-time options, to fit your professional development needs:

MFT Licensure Track

This two-year, full-time program is intended for professionals with a Masters degree in Human Services or a related field, including those in medical professions who are seeking licensure as a psychotherapist in Wisconsin.

Accelerated CEU Track in Foundational Systemic Therapy

This one-year program (including coursework and supervision and practice) is designed for currently licensed psychotherapists and psychologists who are seeking additional intensive training in working effectively with couples and families, using evidence-based, systemic approaches.

Get an overview of our program, including marriage and family therapy course descriptions and an introduction to our faculty and supervisors.

View Program Handbook  [PDF]

Our Philosophy

We use a competency-based approach to teach relational or systemic approaches to change. Our students focus on learning ways to assess, conceptualize, plan and intervene to enable change in problematic patterns — and to recognize and use the strengths of individuals, couples, families as well as societal systems. We emphasize the promotion of socially just, trauma-sensitive family and community relationships.

As a student at FTTI, you will strengthen your therapeutic skills through intensive individual and group supervision in a team-based clinical setting. You will also integrate academic, clinical and life experience into a well-defined personal practice style.

Eligibility

To apply for the program, you must have:

• A graduate degree in a counseling–related field (e.g., master's or doctorate degree in social work, psychology, nursing, pastoral counseling, or similar area of study) or a medical degree from an accredited institution. Please contact us if you have any questions about whether your degree is eligible for consideration.
• Desire and sufficient maturity to engage in family therapy.
• Capacity for self-awareness and self-reflectiveness.
• Eligibility for a Marriage and Family Therapy Training License.

In addition to the above requirements, postgraduate clinical experience is recommended.

MFT Certificate Program Graduation

Graduation criteria for this program track include:

• 360 class hours in six specified areas of marriage and family therapy studies. In some cases, classes may be transferred from former graduate studies.
• 500 clinical hours* — face-to-face, direct contact with clients (counted toward licensure if entering Institute with qualifying degree).
• 100+ hours of individual and group supervision.
• Passage of final competency-based portfolio assessment (presented to faculty in summer of graduation year).

*A total of 1,000 hours is required for an MFT license.

Accelerated CEU Foundations in Systemic Therapy Certificate Program Completion

Completion criteria for this program track include:

• 165 class hours and demonstrated competency in marriage and family therapy courses.
• 300+ clinical hours — face-to-face, direct contact with clients.
• 50+ supervision hours — including at least 25 individual supervision hours.
• Passage of final competency-based portfolio assessment.

The Family Therapy Training Institute is accredited by the Council on Accreditation in Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Through this rigorous program, we are committed to continually improving the quality of education offered to our students.

COAMFTE provides up-to-date information about the core educational outcomes of all accredited MFT training programs, including FTTI. These student achievement outcomes include rates of graduation, passage of the national exam, and state licensure. 

View FTTI Outcomes [PDF]

We offer a competitive cost compared to other intensive post-graduate certificate programs. Contact us to discuss the current program cost.

Scholarships are available to support qualifying students, and FTTI is eligible for most employer tuition reimbursement programs.

All Advocate Aurora employees are eligible for a 20% discount on tuition.

Most students maintain full- or part-time employment during the program. If needed, arrangements can be made for tuition payment in monthly installments.

Call the Program Director at (414) 342-4560, or apply online to get started. 

The application process is designed to collect the information necessary to ensure that we make an appropriate match between the training experience and your professional development needs.

1. Complete the online application or request a hard copy from the Program Director.
2. Submit a resume, two letters of professional recommendation, and a non-refundable $50 application fee. Credit card processing available by request. Check made payable to Aurora Family Service can be mailed to:
   • Aurora Family Service
     Attn: Family Therapy Training Institute
     3200 W. Highland Blvd.
     Milwaukee, WI 53208
3. Contact your graduate institution to request that an official transcript of graduate studies be sent directly to FTTI at the address listed above.
4. The FTTI Admissions Committee will contact you to schedule an admissions interview.

FTTI is committed to the policy of equal opportunity in all of its training activities and admission process. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender/gender orientation, sexual orientation, age, handicap or marital status.

FTTI offers a variety of rich training and classes throughout the year. And you can even complete your continuing education credits (CEUs) by participating in our events. Examples include solution-focused case management, FTTI’s annual lecture series on contemporary issues, trauma and attachment, or essential family therapy skills and approaches.

View Current Classes & Events and Register