Our summer Virtual Open House will take place on Thursday, July 30 at 6 PM Eastern time, via Zoom. Please CLICK HERE to register free of charge, or email hfi.admin@harlemfamilyinstitute.org for more information!

UPDATE: For anyone interested in viewing a video recording of this presentation which took place on May 28, 2026, you can access the file HERE (click)

The nonprofit Harlem Family Institute, founded in 1991, trains aspiring psychoanalysts for careers in clinical mental health care with a focus on community-based, socioculturally-informed theory and practice.

Training programs are open to those holding an advanced degree (at least a Master’s) recognized by the New York State Education Department in any field, as well as to those already licensed in mental-health care. We also offer affordable, long-term therapy to children, families, adolescents and adults, especially in underserved areas of Upper Manhattan.

Our Spring Open House will be held on Thursday, May 28 at 5:30 PM at HFI’s new headquarters at the Interchurch Center. The event is an opportunity to learn more about our psychoanalytic training programs, our philosophy, and our community involvement. Faculty member Robin Rayford will present her recent paper “Love as a Psychoanalytic Tool: Like Flowing Water” in conversation with Ernest P. Smith, LCSW and Dr. Lee Jenkins, PhD.

This is now a virtual event – ZOOM LINK HERE. This event is free of charge.

On March 26 at 5 PM, the Margaret Morgan Lawrence Family and Child Development Center will officially open its doors at 20 East 110th Street, Suite 201. Operated by HFI’s subsidiary Harlem Family Services, this clinic will offer socioculturally informed mental health care to children, teens and adults.

Come join us to celebrate our Grand Opening and learn more about the clinic, the intertwined missions of HFI and HFS, and our commitment to bringing health, healing, and empowerment to underserved communities and neighborhoods. RSVP by email: hfs@harlemfamilyservices.org

The Harlem Family Institute welcomes friends, neighbors and colleagues to our annual benefit evening. Registration here via Eventbrite.

The Institute trains aspiring psychoanalysts through affordable work in marginalized communities helping children, teens, parents and others.

The evening will feature an introduction to our work, as well as a conversation with Pulitzer prize nominee author Lee Hawkins, discussing his new book I Am Nobody’s Slave and the importance of mental health awareness and care for marginalized communities.

REGISTRATION:
All proceeds from this event will go to supporting the Harlem Family Institute in its mission of providing affordable, culturally sensitive psychoanalytic training and clinical mental health care in underserved communities of New York City.

REGULAR TICKET: $80

PATRON TICKET: $180
Includes a signed copy of Lee Hawkins’ I Am Nobody’s Slave

If you need special consideration, we welcome other monetary amounts below suggested pricing. Kindly contact us at hfi.admin@harlemfamilyinstitute.org for further information.
For large individual or corporate donations, please contact us at  hfi.admin@harlemfamilyinstitute.org.

Last Friday, October 31, WNYC’s Michael Hill spoke to our colleague, author Lee Hawkins, on air about his new book, “I Am Nobody’s Slave” and the scars that slavery still leaves on the contemporary Black psyche. HFI’s own Sheila Johnson and Michael Connolly spoke about the Harlem Family Institute’s efforts to respond to the generational trauma faced by Black communities by training culturally sensitive and community-based psychoanalysts and opening our new mental-health clinic, the Margaret Morgan Lawrence Family and Child Development Center. Listen here:

Join us on Friday, May 9 at the Schomburg Center to learn about the Harlem Family Institute at our annual Open House. Learn more about our training programs for aspiring psychoanalysts and our affordable clinical mental health care work in the Harlem community. As part of the the information session, journalist Lee Hawkins will discuss his critically acclaimed new book, I Am Nobody’s Slave: How Uncovering My Family’s History Set Me Free, with two leading psychoanalysts, Dr. Lee Jenkins and Dr. Kirkland Vaughans. Doors open at 6:30 PM for refreshments and the event begins at 7 PM. CLICK HERE for free registration (in-person and virtual options available) and more info!

The Harlem Family Institute will pay tribute to Stephen A. Kurtz, one of the Institute’s founders, on March 14, the first anniversary of his passing. A memorial Mass will be celebrated by Rev. Fr. Ted Parker, a psychoanalyst graduate of HFI and close colleague of Stephen, at 10 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (211 West 141st Street, New York NY.)
All are welcome, and all are encouraged to share any memories or photos of Stephen or commentaries on his work at the reception.