Community Outreach

The Family Institute at Northwestern University is strongly committed to the principle that quality, culturally competent mental healthcare should be available to all who need it. To this end, The Institute launched its Community Outreach Program in 1989, offering family-oriented psychotherapy to clients who face financial and geographic barriers to receiving services. Today, nearly 1,000 children and adults are helped annually through this innovative service.

Partnering with identified local schools and non-profit organizations, the Community Outreach Program applies strategies that prevent vulnerabilities, promote strengths and coping skills, and treat mental health challenges in places where clients already feel connected. Family, couple and individual therapy, groups, classroom discussions, parent education workshops, case consultation and teacher trainings are provided by Institute staff therapists and therapists-in-training.

Funded by gifts from foundations, businesses and individual donors, this program helps families use their strengths to cope with challenging life experiences, emotional and behavioral difficulties, as well as economic and social obstacles. Due to the program’s philanthropic support, clients receive services at no or very low cost. Selected sites provide bilingual services (Spanish/English).

The Community Outreach sites also offer unique training opportunities for future mental health professionals studying in either of the two Northwestern University Masters-level education programs operated by The Family Institute. Students who choose a Community practicum gain firsthand experience in helping diverse populations and building collaborative initiatives with local schools and agencies.