Frequently Asked Questions

How do I refer a family to the Gender & Family Project (GFP)?

Thanks for thinking of us! You can have the family email our Program Coordinator Sanniel Sanabia at ssanabia@ackerman.org. From there we’ll help determine if we are a good fit and take steps towards our intake process.

**What do you mean by family?**

GFP works with all families, including chosen families, blended, single-parent, adoptive, foster and separated/divorced families.

In order to work with someone under 18, we need consent from each custodial guardian.

For couples’ therapy, we refer to the Ackerman Institute’s general couple and family therapy clinic. We provide targeted referrals for individual therapy.

Does GFP work with trans adults?

Our family therapy services have no age limit; we provide family therapy to families of trans and non-binary folks of all ages. To enter our community groups, youths must be between the ages of 5 and 19 years old. Caregiver groups have no age limit.

Do you offer youth programming without their parent(s)/caregiver(s)?

While our community groups include youth-only spaces, youth cannot come on their own, nor can minors enroll in services without the consent of all custodial caregivers. We can provide referrals for young people seeking care without the consent of their caregivers. Caregivers can come on their own for family therapy and/or groups.

The only exception to this rule are our virtual support groups for youth in the foster care system. Youth in care still need consent from the appropriate parties to participate in GFP services, but youth are able to attend the virtual group even if their caregiver or legal guardian does not participate in the caregiver group.

Does GFP work with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer people?

GFP focuses on the “T” in LGBTQ and works with trans, gender expansive, non-binary and questioning young people and their families. Some transgender people are also gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, etc., and we work with family members with a variety of sexual orientations. To qualify for GFP services, though, there must be a person in the family who is transgender, gender non-conforming, or gender expansive. We give referrals to families seeking services when the young person is cisgender and gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, etc.

What do GFP services cost?

Training

For training options, rates, or to schedule a training, please click here to complete a brief form and we’ll get back to you within 3-7 business days.

Family Therapy

As a part of the Ackerman Institute for the Family, the Gender & Family Project is in network with the insurance plans below. Please contact your insurance for specific details about whether or not you have out-of-network benefits and what your co-pay will be.

If we do not accept your insurance, please contact us to learn more about our sliding scale fee based on your income and family size.

Accepted Insurance Plans

Affinity
Amida Care
Beacon
Center Light
Child Health Plus
Emblem

Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield

Empire Plan
GHI
Health Exchange
Health First
HIP
Hudson Health Plan
Integra Fida Plan
Market Plus
Metro Plus
Metro Plus w/Fida
MHAP
Optum
Oxford
River Spring Fida Plan
Senior Whole Health Plan
United Behavioral Health
United Health Care
United Health Care - Community Plan
Value Options

Community Groups

Community groups are once per month with no obligation to attend consecutively. Its one fee for the whole family, regardless of the number of people who attend. Our community groups are not a clinical service, so we cannot bill your insurance. Below is the scale we use for community group fees based on income.

Income	Fee
$0 - $25,000	$5
$26,000 - $40,000	$15
$41,000 - $50,000	$30
$51,000 - $60,000	$60
$61,000 - $70,000	$70
$71,000 - $80,000	$85
$81,000 - $90,000	$90
$91,000 +	$100

Do you accept insurance?

Yes! We accept insurance for family therapy. Please see the list of in-network insurances accepted under “What do your services cost?”

Because community groups are not a clinical service, we use a sliding scale instead.

Are you in-person or virtual?

As a part of the Ackerman Institute for the Family, we follow the Institute’s policies. Our intakes and other administrative interactions are virtual. Clinical services are virtual. All community groups are back in person.

What virtual platforms do you use?

For training, we are able to use any virtual platform of your choice! For family therapy and virtual community groups we use HIPAA-compliant versions of Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

What are community groups like?

The first step to join our community groups is to complete an intake. Families are invited by email once per month and must RSVP in order to get the link to attend. In order for youth to attend, a caregiver must attend the caregiver group, although youth are not required to attend in order for caregivers to join. Though there is no requirement to attend each month, an updated intake will be required if you have not participated in a GFP service in the last 12 months. For info about our fees, please see “What do your services cost?” above. Please see below for details on the community groups we offer.

All community groups are offered monthly on every third Friday of the month (with the exception of August and December) for 2 hours, from 6:00pm - 8:00pm ET.

For information on cost, please see “What do your services cost?”

Gender Creative Kids

ages 5-10

Group starts with names, pronouns, and a fun check-in question. Activities include drawing, virtual games, watching short videos, and some active play. Activities and discussions are designed to build community and explore identity.

Gender Expansive and Transgender Tween Group

ages 10-14

Group starts with names, pronouns, and a fun check-in question. Activities include prompts for art and journaling connected to a topic as well as viewing short videos for discussion. Activities and discussion center on topics such as navigating disclosure among family and peers, connecting to LGBTQ history, and supporting each other. This group meets on the same Zoom link as the Teen group and includes some shared activities.

Gender Expansive and Transgender Teen Group

ages 14-18

Group starts with names, pronouns, and a fun check-in question. Activities include prompts for art and journaling connected to a topic as well as viewing short videos for discussion. Activities and discussion center on topics such as dating & relationships, navigating multiple identities, and current events. This group meets on the same Zoom link as the Tween group and includes some shared activities.

Caregivers and Parents Group (English)

Caregivers and parents of all ages are welcome.

Group begins with an extended introduction called social location, where each name our pronouns, race, gender, etc. allowing us to bring in our full selves and model an inclusive community. Facilitators prompt participants to share their emotional experiences and resonate with each other to create a feeling of being understood. We are occasionally joined by guest speakers from relevant community partners in order to share resources.

Caregivers and Parents Group (Spanish)

Caregivers and parents of all ages are welcome, currently on pause.

This group meets at the same times as the Caregiver of Color group (below) and both groups share the welcome and closing time together to build community. Groups begin with an extended introduction called social location, where each name our pronouns, race, gender, etc. in order to create the inclusive community we seek. Facilitators prompt participants to share their emotional experiences connected to raising children in multiple languages and cultures of gender. Participants are encouraged to connect with each other to offer support and guidance.

Caregivers and Parents of Color Group

Caregivers and Parents of Color of all ages are welcome, currently on pause.

This group meets at the same times as the Spanish-language caregiver group (above) and both groups share the welcome and closing time together to build community. Groups begin with an extended introduction called social location, where each name our pronouns, race, gender, etc. in order to create the inclusive community we seek. Facilitators prompt participants to share their emotional joys and challenges of raising a gender expansive child of color, and to connect with each other for support navigating the nuances of this journey.

Cisgender Sibling Group

Ages 5-14, currently on pause.

This group will resume meeting on a quarterly basis beginning September 2021 and provide a virtual space for exploring cisgender identity in relation to a sibling’s transgender identity. Topics will include connection to the LGBTQ community as aspiring allies, challenges in allyship, and community-building.

What is family therapy like?

The first step for families who are interested in family therapy is to complete an intake with the Ackerman Institute for the Family. Family therapy sessions are held weekly at the same day and time each week. Sessions are currently virtual on a HIPAA-compliant platform and are between 50 and 60 minutes. Your family therapist will work with you to develop goals for therapy and decide on which family members should attend each session.

Our stance is to affirm transgender youth and adults by using their chosen name and pronouns from the very beginning. We support cisgender family members in deepening their connection to their gender expansive family member(s) and each other, connecting to supportive community, and exploring nuances of identity.

We also understand that gender may not be the only thing you’d like to work on! Family therapists at the Gender & Family Project also help with other relational goals. We focus on understanding individuals’ thoughts, feelings and behavior within the context of their families. Our overarching goal is to harness and strengthen family resources to help family members work collaboratively towards solutions to their problems.