Institute of Family Therapy
The Institute of Family Therapy is a UK charity founded in 1977 that delivers accredited four-year professional training in systemic psychotherapy and family therapy, commissions agency-based training for NHS and social care bodies, and provides clinical therapy services to families, couples, and individuals.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Institute of Family Therapy does
The Institute of Family Therapy (IFT) is a UK charitable independent body and company limited by guarantee, established in 1977 and headquartered in London. It is the country's leading training organisation for systemic practice and family therapy, delivering a structured four-year professional qualification pathway (Year 1 Certificate in Systemic Practice, Year 2 Intermediate Certificate, Years 3–4 Qualifying Level / MSc Equivalent accredited by UKCP), an Advanced Diploma in Supervision, a Post-Qualification Consolidation Course, and short CPD workshops. IFT is unique in offering the only Child Focused Systemic Practice course in the country, and all foundation and intermediate courses are accredited by the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (AFT) under the 'Blue Book' framework.
IFT serves three primary customer groups: individual health and social care professionals seeking accredited training for NHS, social work, or counselling careers; NHS trusts, local authorities, and voluntary sector agencies commissioning agency-based satellite training (delivered in partnership with regional hubs including CPFT in the East of England and, from April 2025, the Centre for Systemic Studies in Wales); and families, couples, and individuals seeking clinical therapy services on a sliding-scale basis. The organisation is led by Co-directors Taiwo Afuape and Sumita Dutta alongside a small central team of 11–50 staff, supplemented by contracted teachers and trainers. Revenue is generated primarily through course fees (ranging from approximately £950 to £8,536 per year), commissioned training contracts, and annual membership fees; therapy services are subsidised on a sliding scale. Approximately 300 people per year are trained across the pathway.
In recent years IFT has executed a deliberate strategic repositioning: it decoupled its qualifying course from universities in 2024 to broaden accessibility, launched a Wales-based Qualifying Level Training satellite in April 2025, and entered a strategic collaboration with Coram in January 2024 to deliver the Supporting Families Practice Model Pilot Study with the UK Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The organisation maintains an international twinning relationship with The Bouverie Centre in Melbourne.
Institute of Family Therapy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Institute of Family Therapy
- Legal name
- Institute of Family Therapy
- Website
- https://ift.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1977
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Institute of Family Therapy is a UK charity founded in 1977 that delivers accredited four-year professional training in systemic psychotherapy and family therapy, commissions agency-based training for NHS and social care bodies, and provides clinical therapy services to families, couples, and individuals.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Institute of Family Therapy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Psychotherapy Training and Clinical Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro industry
- Family & Parenting Support ServicesBusiness & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)Family Advocacy, Parent Training & Support ServicesFamily & Parent Support Services (Parent Coaching, Advocacy)Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Educational Support Services (Tutoring & Counseling)
Keywords
Where Institute of Family Therapy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Institute of Family Therapy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Professional Training Courses: IFT generates revenue primarily through fees for its professional training courses, from certificate level through to qualifying level and supervision courses. Course fees range from approximately £950 to £8,536 per year depending on the programme.
- Therapy Services: Clinical therapy services for families, couples, and individuals using a sliding scale payment model based on income.
- Membership Fees: Annual membership fees providing access to resources, reduced event rates, library access, and professional development opportunities.
- Satellite/Agency Training: Bespoke training programmes delivered to statutory and voluntary sector agencies, structured to meet AFT accreditation requirements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Certificate in Systemic Practice – Year 1 Introductory |
| Subscription | Annual | Intermediate Certificate in Systemic Practice – Year 2 |
| Subscription | Annual | Family and Systemic Psychotherapy Qualifying Level: MSc Equivalent (Years 3 & 4) |
| Subscription | Annual | Advanced Diploma in the Supervision of Family and Systemic Psychotherapy |
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | Post Qualification Consolidation Course |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Family Therapy Services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Institute of Family Therapy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Institute of Family Therapy delivers accredited professional training in family therapy and systemic psychotherapy, structured as a four-year pathway from introductory certificate through qualifying level (MSc equivalent), plus an Advanced Diploma in Supervision and a Post Qualification Consolidation Course. It also provides direct clinical therapy services for families, couples, and individuals on a sliding income-based scale, and delivers bespoke commissioned training programmes to NHS trusts, local authorities, and voluntary sector agencies across the UK.
Product overview
The Institute of Family Therapy operates as a training organization offering a structured four-year professional qualification pathway in systemic practice: Year 1 (Certificate in Systemic Practice), Year 2 (Intermediate Certificate), and Years 3-4 (Qualifying Level/MSc Equivalent). Beyond the core training pathway, IFT provides the Advanced Diploma in Supervision for qualified practitioners and a Post-Qualification Consolidation Course for recent graduates. The organization also delivers clinical therapy services through its Family Therapy Services, and offers a Satellite Training Programme for external organizations. All professional courses are accredited by either the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (AFSP) or the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Certificate in Systemic Practice – Year 1 Introductory First year of a four-year pathway to becoming a professional Family and Systemic Psychotherapist, covering introduction to systemic theory and practice. Available in London, East of England (in partnership with CPFT), and online formats.
- Intermediate Certificate in Systemic Practice – Year 2 Second-year intermediate level course in systemic practice, available in London and East of England. Includes two specializations: Families and Couples or Child Focused Systemic Practice. Accredited by AFSP.
- Family and Systemic Psychotherapy Qualifying Level: MSc Equivalent – Years 3 & 4 Two-year professional qualifying level training that enables graduates to practise as UKCP-registered family and systemic psychotherapists. Accredited by UKCP.
- Advanced Diploma in the Supervision of Family and Systemic Psychotherapy One-year advanced training for qualified systemic psychotherapists to develop supervision skills using systemic, social constructionist, and educational learning theories.
- Post Qualification Consolidation Course Eight-month programme for qualified Family and Systemic Psychotherapists who have graduated within three years or are returning after a career break. Offers core curriculum plus optional coaching and professional/personal development packages.
- Family Therapy Services Therapy and counselling services for couples, families, and individuals delivered by clinical associates (senior trainees) under supervision. Includes sessions on life cycle changes, stress, trauma, LGBTQ+ family issues, divorce, and parenting.
- Satellite Training Programme Agency-based external training programmes for statutory and voluntary sectors, including Action Learning Sets, Consultation and Supervision, Leadership and Management Training, Systemic Supervision Courses, Foundation Courses, and Bespoke Courses tailored to organisational needs.
Companies that use Institute of Family Therapy
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Institute of Family Therapy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Institute of Family Therapy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Centre for Systemic Studies (CSS)coreFrom April 2025, IFT is collaborating with the Centre for Systemic Studies (CSS) in Wales to run a UKCP-accredited 2-year Professional Qualifying Level Training in Family and Systemic Psychotherapy. CSS operates as a satellite base for IFT, running clinical supervision groups and in-person teaching days in Wales as part of IFT's QLT course.
- CoramcoreIFT announced collaboration with Coram to deliver the Supporting Families Practice Model Pilot Study with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. This is a significant partnership involving systemic practice implementation in family support services.
- The Bouverie Centre, MelbourneminorIFT formed a 'twinning' relationship with The Bouverie Centre, Melbourne, Australia's leading family therapy training centre. This international partnership supports knowledge sharing and collaboration in systemic practice training.
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT)coreIFT partners with CPFT to deliver the East of England Systemic Learning Hub, providing satellite training locations in Cambridge and Huntingdon for systemic practice courses.
- Barnardo'sminorListed as a partner organisation working with IFT in supporting families and communities through systemic practice training and interventions.
- UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy)coreIFT's Qualifying Level course is accredited by UKCP. UKCP is the leading organisation for regulating psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors in the UK. IFT can facilitate UKCP registration for members through its UKCP committee.
- Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (AFT)coreIFT's Foundation and Intermediate courses are accredited by AFT. The AFT 'Blue Book' accreditation framework underpins IFT's agency-based training programmes. AFT is the professional organisation for systemic training in the UK.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Institute of Family Therapy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Family Action: UK charity delivering family support services including parenting programmes, counselling, and family therapy from offices that IFT shares (Wharf Road, London). Operational partner and adjacent service provider, not a direct training competitor.
- Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (AFT): UK professional body for family therapy that accredits IFT's foundation and intermediate courses under the 'Blue Book' framework. Not a competitor but the upstream regulator and convening body that mediates access to AFT-accredited training across the UK.
Direct peers
- Relate: UK's largest provider of relationship support and counselling for couples, families, and individuals. Direct peer in the family/couple therapy space, training its own counsellors and serving a similar end-customer base, though with a more consumer-facing brand.
- Anna Freud Centre: UK charity providing family therapy training, child mental health clinical services, and professional development for clinicians working with families. Direct peer in family therapy clinical and training services, with similar charity structure and NHS-facing delivery model.
- Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust: London-based NHS foundation trust offering postgraduate training in psychotherapy, including systemic and family therapy pathways accredited by UKCP. Direct peer as systemic psychotherapy training provider serving overlapping NHS and social care customers.
- Child and Family Practice (London): London-based psychotherapy training and clinical practice offering family therapy and systemic training programmes accredited by AFT/UKCP. Direct peer competing for the same cohort of social workers, psychologists, and counsellors seeking systemic practice qualifications.
- Centre for Family and Couples Therapy (London): UK private training and clinical practice offering AFT-accredited family and couple therapy courses alongside clinical services. Direct peer competing for postgraduate trainees and commissioning agencies in the family therapy market.
- Mosaic Family Therapy Centre: UK-based family therapy training provider delivering AFT-accredited foundation, intermediate, and qualifying level courses alongside clinical services. Direct peer in the systemic practice training market with similar course portfolio and NHS/social care training clients.
Broad incumbents
- University of Exeter - Department of Psychology: Offers MSc Psychological Therapies (clinical and research) pathways with supervision training and a long-standing record in family therapy research. Broad incumbent competing for postgraduate trainees; IFT's QLT Theory Module Lead was previously MSc Course Tutor at Exeter.
Regional players
- The Bouverie Centre (Melbourne): Australia's leading family therapy training centre, formally partnered with IFT since 2013 through a 'twinning' relationship. Regional peer in family therapy training with shared curriculum traditions but operating in a different geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Institute of Family Therapy compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Institute of Family Therapy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Institute of Family Therapy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Institute of Family Therapy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Institute of Family Therapy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Institute of Family Therapy
What does Institute of Family Therapy do?
The Institute of Family Therapy delivers accredited professional training in family therapy and systemic psychotherapy, structured as a four-year pathway from introductory certificate through qualifying level (MSc equivalent), plus an Advanced Diploma in Supervision and a Post Qualification Consolidation Course. It also provides direct clinical therapy services for families, couples, and individuals on a sliding income-based scale, and delivers bespoke commissioned training programmes to NHS trusts, local authorities, and voluntary sector agencies across the UK.
Is Institute of Family Therapy a public or private company?
Institute of Family Therapy is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Institute of Family Therapy founded?
Institute of Family Therapy was founded in 1977. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Institute of Family Therapy based?
Institute of Family Therapy is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Institute of Family Therapy make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Professional Training Courses are the primary driver. The others are therapy Services, membership Fees and satellite/Agency Training.
Who are Institute of Family Therapy's main competitors?
Others on record are Family Action and Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (AFT). Direct peers are Relate, Anna Freud Centre, Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust, Child and Family Practice (London), Centre for Family and Couples Therapy (London) and Mosaic Family Therapy Centre. University of Exeter - Department of Psychology is listed as a broad incumbent. The Bouverie Centre (Melbourne) is listed as a regional player.
Does Institute of Family Therapy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Institute of Family Therapy.
What industry is Institute of Family Therapy in?
Institute of Family Therapy's product category is Professional Psychotherapy Training and Clinical Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAC, Family & Parenting Support Services, with a secondary code of EDAJAKAK, Family Advocacy, Parent Training & Support Services. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.