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.

No posts found.

EFT Supervision

EFT Supervision
Nancy Knudsen, LMFT offers clinical supervision for therapists working with couples and families. For group or individual supervision, email Nancy at nancy@coupleandfamilyinstitute.com.
beautiful young african american couple with water drops on faces posing isolated on black

Navigating the Complexities of Race and Gender for African American Couples

When: Anytime (Distance Learning/Home Study)
Presenters: Nalini Calamur, LMFT; Paul T. Guillory, PhD; James Hawkins II, PhD, LPC; and Marjorie Nightingale, JD, LMFT
Moderator: Nancy Knudsen, LMFT
CEs: 4 CEs approved for LMFTs, LICSWs, LMHCs, and Lic. Psychologists
This home study program is designed for couple and family therapists to hear from four experts who each speak to how Black men and women's experiences of racism in the larger culture impact their most important relationships.
white man and black woman facing each other on couch arguing

The Challenge of De-Escalation: A Review of Stage 1 EFT – Home Study

When: Any (Distance Learning/Home Study)
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. Sound easy enough? This 3-hour review of theory and practice reinforces the road map for participants learning to put the pieces together of this elegant model.
Two of Them, One of Me: The Art of Holding Two Perspectives in Couples Therapy

Two of Them, One of Me: The Art of Holding Two Perspectives in Couples Therapy

When: Any (Distance Learning/Home Study)
Instructor: Nancy Knudsen, LMFT
CEs: 1.5 CEs for LICSWs, LMHCs, and Lic. Psychologists
This course explains how doing effective therapy with more than one person in the room is a whole different endeavor from working with an individual. This webinar is based on the basic concepts of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), an evidence-based approach that has been shown to be highly effective in helping distressed couples repair and create a secure bond.
African American couple smiling, looking at each other, lying on couch

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.
Sexual Identity, Gender Identity: Staying Current in a Rapidly Changing Landscape

Sexual Identity, Gender Identity: Staying Current in a Rapidly Changing Landscape

When: Anytime (Distance Learning/Home Study)
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: This program does not offer CEs
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.
Tales From the Licensing Board: Ethical Issues Facing Couple and Family Therapists

Tales From the Licensing Board: Ethical Issues Facing Couple and Family Therapists

When: Anytime (Distance Learning/Home Study)
Instructor: I. Scott Cohen, LICSW, LMFT
CEs: This program does not offer CEs
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.
On Becoming a Family: Clinical Approaches to Fostering Healthy Relationships—Morning Panel

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.

Couple Therapy Intensive

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 plus (7.5 hours) or 2-day-plus intensive. Currently offered in-person or a hybrid of online and in-person.

The Hold Me Tight® Program: Conversations for Connection

The Hold Me Tight® Program: Conversations for Connection
When: October 28-29, 2023; Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm
Where: Amherst Women’s Club, 35 Triangle St., Amherst MA
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.

The Hold Me Tight® Program: Conversations for Connection

The Hold Me Tight® Program: Conversations for Connection
When: April 6-7, 2024; Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm
Where: Amherst Women’s Club, 35 Triangle St., Amherst MA
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.