The Ackerman Institute for the Family, established in 1960 by Dr Nathan Ackerman, stands as one of the oldest and most respected family therapy institutes in the United States. Ackerman pioneered the integration of systemic insights into group settings, emphasised the crucial role of family in therapy, and advocated for the advancement and acceptance of family therapy. ‘The Ackerman’ played a pivotal role in launching Family Process, the first journal dedicated to academic activities in family therapy. Diversity and inclusion have been central tenets of Ackerman philosophy, evident in its programs, training courses, and staff composition. This commitment has produced a veritable cadre of family therapy leaders who have contributed significantly to both the Ackerman Institute and the profession, influencing policy decisions and clinical practices. One of the most esteemed and respected thought leaders and innovators of our field, who played a vital role in the legacy of several institutions, including the Ackerman, is Dr. Evan Imber-Black. She served as a long-time faculty member and director of the Ackerman Center for Families and Health. Her expertise encompasses the exploration of family rituals and family secrets, with a focus on the importance of rituals in providing meaning, identity, and connection across diverse cultures and family life cycles. As editor of Family Process for 8 years, she highlights the importance of examining scholarly work in the context of cultures as a requirement – we do not stand outside the culture – we are active participants. This paper is based on a conversation with Dr Evan Imber-Black, held in June 2023, delving into her personal and professional experiences, her connection to the Ackerman Institute, and her influential work on family rituals and secrets. Through this exploration, the paper sheds light on her commitment to diversity and the lasting impact of Dr Imber-Black's contributions to family therapy.

中文翻译：

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阿克曼研究所：六十年来的文化和多样性之旅。与埃文·安伯-布莱克的对话

阿克曼家庭研究所由内森·阿克曼博士于 1960 年建立，是美国最古老、最受尊敬的家庭治疗机构之一。阿克曼率先将系统性见解融入团体环境中，强调家庭在治疗中的关键作用，并倡导家庭治疗的进步和接受。 《阿克曼》在《家庭进程》的发行中发挥了关键作用，这是第一份致力于家庭治疗学术活动的期刊。多元化和包容性一直是阿克曼哲学的核心原则，这在其项目、培训课程和员工构成中得到了体现。这一承诺造就了一支名副其实的家庭治疗领导干部队伍，他们为阿克曼研究所和该行业做出了重大贡献，影响了政策决策和临床实践。埃文·因伯-布莱克 (Evan Imber-Black) 博士是我们领域最受尊敬的思想领袖和创新者之一，他在包括阿克曼在内的多个机构的遗产中发挥了至关重要的作用。她长期担任阿克曼家庭与健康中心的教员和主任。她的专业知识包括探索家庭仪式和家庭秘密，重点关注仪式在跨文化和家庭生命周期提供意义、身份和联系方面的重要性。作为《Family Process》杂志的编辑8 年，她强调了在文化背景下审查学术工作的重要性——我们并不站在文化之外——我们是积极的参与者。本文基于 2023 年 6 月与 Evan Imber-Black 博士的一次对话，深入探讨了她的个人和职业经历、她与阿克曼研究所的联系，以及她在家庭仪式和秘密方面有影响力的工作。通过这一探索，本文阐明了她对多样性的承诺以及 Imber-Black 博士对家庭治疗的贡献的持久影响。