Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic Provides No Cost Therapy

CHICAGO –December 2023– The Family Institute at Northwestern University’s Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic offers no cost therapy for individuals seeking support through any one of life’s challenges. The Family Institute offers a safe and supportive environment where individuals from all walks of life can receive the care they need.  

Through the Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic, therapists-in-training provide services to clients who qualify. Staff therapists provide ongoing supervision and regular consultation. In the most complex cases, we provide team therapy with both a student and licensed therapist working side-by-side. Annually, the Clinic provides more than 1,200 people with more than 16,000 appointments.  

“We strive to bridge the gap in mental health services, ensuring that no one is left behind in their journey towards healing and well-being,” said Puja Shah, Director of the Bette D. Harris Family Institute at Northwestern University. “Our students begin seeing clients under the supervision of a licensed therapist early in the program which allows us to respond to the needs of the community.” 

The top five presenting issues for clients in the Clinic include: anxiety/panic, couple distress, depression, communication problems, and family distress. 70% of clients at The Family Institute’s Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic are low-income (making below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline) and 60% identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). Teletherapy continues to be the primary source of services with 76% of clients continuing to utilize the program. Clients come from both Evanston and Chicago.  

The Family Institute has seen that generalized anxiety disorder is among the most diagnosed condition and among the leading triggers of stress. This along with the additional stress of the holidays can be paralyzing for some, creating additional unwanted stress and depression in a time meant for happiness. According to an American Psychological Association poll nearly a quarter of Americans reported feeling ‘extreme stress’ during the holidays due to family drama, lack of time, tightened budgets and pressures to give or get gifts.  

This can be particularly true for lower income families or those that struggle to find additional income to afford the holiday season, making it difficult for them to seek help during these most stressful times.  

Students in the Counseling Program have an average GPA is 3.25 and 35% of the students represent the BIPOC community. The MFT program students have an average GPA of 3.25 with 40% of the students representing the BIPOC community. Of the graduates last year, 89% of the MFT graduates secured a job one-month post-graduation and 85% of Counseling graduates secured a job one-month post-graduation. This month, 160 students will graduate from The Family Institute at Northwestern University. 

To learn more visit https://www.family-institute.org/about-us/bette-d-harris-family-child-clinic

Media Contact: Crystal Reynolds creynolds@family-institute.org  

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ABOUT THE FAMILY INSTITUTE AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY  

Incorporated in 1969, The Family Institute at Northwestern University is committed to strengthening and healing families, couples, children and adults through the highest quality, relationship-based mental health services. As partners to see change, The Family Institute brings together research, education and clinical practice leading to growth for our clients, the next generation of therapists and the field of behavioral health.   

The Family Institute conducts cutting-edge research to better understand mental health issues and treatment, operating two nationally renowned graduate programs through the Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies at Northwestern University in Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy. For more information, visit  www.family-institute.org.