Founded as the Family Therapy Center of Colorado (FTTCC) in 1982, the program originated in the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW). It began as a one-year, post-Master's degree program administered by the GSSW Continuing Education Department. All of this occurred during the heyday of family therapy as a burgeoning movement that came in to its own in the mental-health field in the 1980s.

In 1985, a second-year “Supervision Only” component was added. Additional courses were added in 1986, and FTTCC became a two-year, post-Master’s program involving both coursework and supervision throughout both years.

In September 1990, FTTCC’s Board of Directors decided to pursue accreditation with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). As a result, with the support, blessings and sponsorship of the GSSW at the University of Denver, FTTCC became a separate and autonomous private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. This change also allowed tax-deductible donations to FTTCC to support our training program and low-cost clinic for our supporters. At the same time, the curriculum was reviewed and adjusted to meet AAMFT’s Commission on Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE) standards.

In September 1991, the excitement and energy built as FTTCC moved into the St. Patrick’s Counseling Center in northwest Denver. Four years later, due to space considerations, another clinic was opened at 7200 E. Hampden Avenue, Suite 301, in southeast Denver (the current location of the main office, classroom and a clinic site for DFI). Later, the DFI North Office at the Denver Family Therapy Center, 4891 Independence Ave.,Wheatridge, replaced the St. Patrick’s Center. Throughout this time, the program became known for the excellent, experiential clinical coursework and quality supervision based on live case presentations and videotapes of students' sessions.

FTTCC received official nonprofit, private status in 1992 but maintained a positive, collaborative relationship with the University of Denver GSSW program. Students in their final year of graduate school may take DFI first year coursework for DU credit as part of the DU/DFI Joint Program. This relationship remains beneficial to the students resulting in a renewal of the agreement signed recently by the Dean of the Graduate School of Social Work and the Executive Director of Denver Family Institute.

The program gained candidacy for accreditation status with COAMFTE in November, 1996 and full accreditation in March, 2001. Later in 2001, the name of the program changed to the Denver Family Institute to better reflect the combined nature of the training program and the family therapy clinic.

DFI continues to be a strong couples and family therapy program based in systemic, strength-based views of people, relationships and change. We attract graduate students from the University of Denver, Colorado State University, Regis University, Cappela University and many others. The program also continues to continues to be attractive to post-graduate students seeking excellence in couples and family therapy training and for those pursuing licensure as a marriage and family therapist.

The clinic receives referrals from over 100 sources indicating the depth and breadth of the program’s standing in the community. In addition, we continue to expand our programming, now offering independent study courses in addition to our core curriculum to allow post-graduates to fill in gaps necessary to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

As the field of marriage and family therapy matured, Denver Family Institute also evolved. The program moved past its original “Mom and Pop” organizational feel. Administrative support to students strengthened and the depth of our coursework continues to expand. DFI flourishes with a learning environment based on honoring of diversity, systemic thinking, the therapists' use of self and continuous quality improvement.

We know have the opportunity to further grow as we respond to new COAMFTE standards that allow more flexibility and support our focus on teaching demonstrable clinical competencies to our students. We look forward to many more years of service to the community through the clinic, our training program and consultation in the community.