About Us Press Room Milestones
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Milestones: Innovation and Service Since 19681960sChicago area psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers begin exploring an innovative type of treatment, family therapy. They form a study group in 1965 under stewardship of Charles H. Kramer, MD, and begin practicing and teaching together. 1968Demand for training and consultation grows rapidly; in response, the group establishes the not-for-profit Family Institute of Chicago, with Dr. Kramer as its first director. Institute staff conduct nearly 2,000 therapy sessions in the first year. 1968-75The Family Institute formalizes training in family therapy, developing a two-year postgraduate program as well as a workshops and seminar program for mental health professionals. 1975The Family Institute of Chicago merges with Northwestern Memorial Hospital's new Institute of Psychiatry and forms the Center for Family Studies; Institute staff receive academic appointments through Northwestern University Medical School. 1975-85Programs for psychiatry and doctoral students added, increasing the number of mental health professionals exposed to family therapy principles. In 1979, the Family and Child Clinic is created to treat families and provide enhanced training opportunities for students. Also in the 1970s, the Center pioneers a research study on the qualities of healthy divorced families; research becomes part of The Institute's mission. 1986William M. Pinsof, PhD, succeeds retiring founder Charles Kramer, MD, as President of The Family Institute and Director of the Center for Family Studies. 1987-88Plans are made to reestablish The Family Institute as an independent organization; a fundraising campaign for a new building is launched. 1989The Family Institute separates legal and financial ties from Northwestern Memorial Hospital and re-establishes as an independent not-for-profit corporation. The Institute launches its Community Outreach Program to bring mental health services to low-income, at-risk families. 1990The Family Institute signs an independent affiliation agreement with Northwestern University; the pact includes a 99year lease of land for a new headquarters on NU's Evanston campus. 1991The Institute begins its first academic offering under the new affiliation, an intensive two-year professional training program leading to a Master of Science degree in Marital and Family Therapy from Northwestern University. The LaGrange Park office opens. 1994Following a $4.7 million capital campaign, The Family Institute opens its new headquarters, the Bette D. Harris Center. The 26,000-square-foot building offers state-of-the-art facilities for clinical services, education and research. 2000-01The affiliation with Northwestern University is enhanced with formation of the Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies, a new umbrella for academic and research collaboration. Also, Adoptive Families Program, Midlife & Beyond Program and Anxiety and Panic Treatment Program begin. 2002Northwestern University moves its Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program to The Family Institute as part of the new Center, doubling the size of The Institute's graduate student body; to accommodate additional students and faculty, The Institute expands its Evanston headquarters. 2003The Institute develops a new program to serve Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender clients. Pilot research on Generalized Anxiety Disorder is completed in advance of application to National Institute of Mental Health. The Family Business Program begins. 2004Researchers at The Family Institute study the effects of depression and anxiety on marriages and families under the auspices of Northwestern University's Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies. 2005The Institute expands its downtown Chicago office. The Alumni Association Board elects to dissolve as a separate corporation and come under the umbrella of The Family Institute. The Family Institute, employed by Stateway Community Partners, develops The Park Boulevard Program and employs staff to provide case management services to help qualified CHA residents meet the necessary CHA housing requirements to relocate to the new 36-acre, mixed-income Park Boulevard community in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood. The Depression Treatment Program begins. 2006Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine psychiatrists-in-training begin treating Family Institute Clinic clients. 2007The Family Institute begins its Mindfulness and Behavior Therapies under the direction of Michael Maslar. In addition, The Institute begins offering neuropsychological and psychological assessments. 2008The Institute opens its fourth location in Northbrook.
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