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Monday 8:30am - 8pm Tuesday 8:30am - 8pm Wednesday 8:30am - 8pm Thursday 8:30am - 8pm Friday 8:30am - 6pm Saturday 8:30am - 4pm

The Family Institute at Northwestern University

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The Family Institute at Northwestern University

The Family Institute at Northwestern University is a leader in relationship-based behavioral health We like to say we define family how you define family.

The Family Institute at Northwestern University (www.family-institute.org) is committed to strengthening and healing families, couples and individuals from all walks of life through clinical service, neuropsychological assessment testing, education and research. An affiliate of Northwestern University, The Family Institute is a relationally based mental health system of care governed by its own independent Board of Directors and responsible for its own funding. The Institute offers a wide range of high quality mental health counseling at four locations (Northbrook, Evanston, Westchester, Downtown Chicago) through our staff practice and our free Bette D. Harris Family and Child Clinic, where we are committed to serving at-risk, under-resourced communities. The Family Institute also operates two nationally-renowned graduate programs in marriage and family therapy and counseling psychology in affiliation with Northwestern University, and conducts cutting-edge research projects that lead to a better understanding and treatment of mental health issues.

02/25/2026

✨ Secure Your Ticket ✨

This spring, we invite you to join us for In Session with The Family Institute: A Conversation with Vienna Pharaon, taking place on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the Arts Club of Chicago.

Join Vienna Pharaon—licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, bestselling author of The Origins of You, and nationally recognized mental health educator—in conversation with Nancy Burgoyne, Ph.D., ABPP, Chief Clinical Officer at The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Together, they'll explore how family experiences shape identity, relationships, and healing, followed by an opportunity to connect with our community over an open bar and appetizers.

In Session is designed to spark reflection, inspire dialogue, and bring people together around conversations that matter. All proceeds from this event support our Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic, which provides free mental and behavioral health therapy to individuals, couples, and families who otherwise could not afford care.

Thank you to our Event Sponsor, . We hope you'll consider joining us for this meaningful evening on Thursday, May 7!

🎟️Tickets & details: https://bit.ly/45MhxU1

02/13/2026

Are you a parent or caregiver who wants help apologizing to your child?

If so, we'd like to invite you to consider our online research study, Exploring the Benefits of Parental Apologies to Their Children.

Click here for a brief overview of what participation involves.
https://bit.ly/4cqLJIo

02/10/2026

Intensity in a relationship can feel like deep love, but it isn’t always healthy. In the latest article, All-Consuming Love or Control? How Narcissistic Relationship Dynamics Masquerade as Love, Dr. Melissa Prusko explores how narcissistic dynamics can present themselves as devotion, making them difficult to recognize. The article offers insight into subtle indicators that can help distinguish genuine connection from control.

📄 Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/3Mqganv

02/06/2026

The Family Institute at Northwestern University is pleased to invite you to our spring event: In Session with The Family Institute: A Conversation with Vienna Pharaon.

Vienna Pharaon, proud alumna of The Family Institute, is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, national bestselling author of The Origins of You, top podcast host, and the creator of on Instagram, where she reaches millions of people worldwide each month with accessible guidance on healing origin wounds. She is one of New York City's most sought-after relationship therapists and the founder of Mindful Marriage and Family Therapy.

Dr. Nancy Burgoyne, our Chief Clinical Officer, will guide a compelling conversation with Vienna on how family dynamics shape identity, relationships, and behavior.

📍 The Arts Club of Chicago
🎟️ Tickets & details: https://www.family-institute.org/in-session

Thank You to Our Event Sponsor Make It Better Foundation. We look forward to gathering as a community for this special event.

02/01/2026

Honoring Black History Month means celebrating strength, resilience, sacrifice and leadership of Black Americans in every space—both past and present. We recognize the ongoing impact of racism, trauma, and systemic disparities on mental health. We are committed to relationship-based, culturally responsive behavioral health services so individuals and families can heal and thrive.

01/29/2026

Lately, the world can feel heavy. Between news cycles, global uncertainty, and everyday responsibilities, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Taking care of your mental health isn’t selfish. Whether it’s validating your feelings, setting boundaries with the news, leaning on support, or focusing on what’s within your control, small steps can help you stay grounded.

Here, Jocelyn Nelson, LCPC provides practical tips, gentle reminders, and support from her article How to Take Care of Our Mental Health When the World Feels Heavy.

Click the link to read full article: https://bit.ly/4mEiUtL

01/23/2026

When the season ends, the emotions don’t disappear. Being a Chicago Bears fan isn’t just entertainment—it’s identity, community, and shared experience. From a sport psychology lens, the intensity after a playoff loss makes sense: belonging amplifies both joy and disappointment. Here Daniel Wilsea, LCPC explores why it hurts, how to regulate those emotions, and how resilience grows when we stay connected to what matters most.

01/20/2026

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. showed us the power of courage, leadership, and standing firm for what is right, even in the most challenging moments. His vision for justice and equality continues to inspire us today.

If you are seeking ways to honor his legacy this year, consider attending Northwestern’s MLK Commemoration on January 20th at 5 PM. The event is free and open to the public: northwestern.edu/mlk

01/16/2026

Let's Go Bears! From all of us at The Family Institute, we wish Ryan Poles, last year’s recipient of our Mental Health Community Impact Award, and the Chicago Bears continued success and the best of luck this weekend.

01/15/2026

The Family Institute at Northwestern University is pleased to invite you to our spring event: In Session with The Family Institute: A Conversation with Vienna Pharaon.

Vienna Pharaon, proud alumna of The Family Institute, is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, national bestselling author of The Origins of You, top podcast host, and the creator of on Instagram, where she reaches millions of people worldwide each month with accessible guidance on healing origin wounds. She is one of New York City's most sought-after relationship therapists and the founder of Mindful Marriage and Family Therapy.

Dr. Nancy Burgoyne, our Chief Clinical Officer, will guide a compelling conversation with Vienna on how family dynamics shape identity, relationships, and behavior.

📍 The Arts Club of Chicago
🎟️ Tickets & details: https://www.family-institute.org/in-session

We look forward to gathering as a community for this special event.

01/12/2026

Social media is part of everyday life, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Research shows that when used intentionally, social media can support well-being, strengthen connections, and foster a sense of belonging. In this article, Dr. Yael Dror breaks down what the research actually says and shares practical ways to engage more mindfully—through connection, authenticity, and emotional awareness.

Small shifts in how we use social media can make a meaningful difference.

👉 Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/49kNrJH

01/06/2026

Dr. Anthony Chambers, Chief Academic Officer at The Family Institute, was recently featured in The New York Times article, "7 Questions to Ask Yourself for a Happier New Year." He shares his insight on one key question: “Is there anyone you need to forgive in 2026?” This is part of a set of reflective questions designed to help guide personal growth and reflection in the year ahead.

Click here to read the full article : https://nyti.ms/4aIYJZe

Address

618 Library Place
Evanston, IL
60201

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 8pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 8pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 8pm
Thursday	8:30am - 8pm
Friday	8:30am - 6pm
Saturday	8:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+18477334300

Website

https://www.family-institute.org/request-appointment

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Our Story

Established in 1969, The Family Institute at Northwestern University is committed to strengthening and healing individuals, children and adolescents, couples and families through clinical service, education and research. 2019 marks The Family Institute’s 50th year of offering high quality mental health counseling, facilitated through a team of more than 70 clinicians practicing in four different Chicagoland locations: Chicago, Evanston, Northbrook and Westchester. Also committed to serving at-risk, under resourced communities, The Family Institute offers affordable care through the Bette D. Harris Family and Child Clinic.

The Family Institute conducts cutting-edge research to better understand mental health issues and treatment, operating two nationally-renowned graduate programs at Northwestern University in Counseling Psychology, and Marriage and Family Therapy.

For more information, visit www.family-institute.org.