Serves 6,000 clients annually and provide free therapy to more than 1,200 clients
CHICAGO – September 2024 – The Family Institute at Northwestern University is moving to a newly renovated office space at 444 N. Michigan Avenue. After more than 20 years operating across from Millennium Park, the new location will allow for a more streamlined and cohesive client and employee experience. On Tuesday, October 15 at 2p.m. The Family Institute will host a ribbon cutting and open house to commemorate this milestone.
Currently situated at 8 S. Michigan Avenue, The Family Institute will consolidate its operations that are presently spread across four floors into a single, expansive 15,000-square-foot floor. This move allows The Family Institute to enable a more streamlined and cohesive client and employee experience. The office layout and design are centered around the needs of our clients in a space that provides privacy, comfort, and safety. This space will continue to provide ample light, views and window-lines to support the well-being of our clients and employees.
“For 55 years, The Family Institute has been committed to providing the highest-quality behavioral health care in Chicagoland communities. The decision to move marks more than an address change. It is a demonstration of our commitment to strive for even greater excellence in creating an enhanced experience for our clients, students, employees, and community,” said Jana L. Jones, President and CEO of The Family Institute.
The Family Institute is working to better support the mental health needs of the community through a growing Clinical Practice of more than 115 therapists that provide more than 6,000 people with therapy services. Therapists at The Family Institute offer services for children, adults, individuals and families. Most recently three new specialized services, Adult Trauma, Emerging Adults and Sexuality were added to further support the unique needs of clients.
Within the past year The Family Institute experienced a 12% increase in first-time appointments, with most clinicians able to schedule appointments within 48 hours. The Family Institute currently sees 86% of clients via teletherapy, which allows for flexibility and convenience.
“As The Family Institute continues to grow our clients have been top of mind in all that we do including the move to our new office space. This move will provide an environment more conducive to the therapeutic experience with a beautiful and warm aesthetic. Clinicians played a vital role in designing our new spaces,” said Jill Antoniewicz, Chief Operating Officer of The Family Institute.
Within the new office and Evanston location, 134 therapists-in-training, under the supervision of highly trained therapists, will continue to provide more than 1,200 people with no-cost therapy through the Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic which also offers in-person and telehealth appointments. The Family Institute is committed to helping regardless of one’s ability to pay. Since 2020 the Clinic has provided therapy services at no cost and ensured that all clients receive the same experience and level of care. Clients receiving services from the Clinic come primarily from the Evanston community as well as 52 zip codes throughout Chicago. Roughly 60% of the Clinic clients identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC).
“At the Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic, we strive to bridge the gap in mental health services by improving access and supporting individuals and families as they navigate their journeys to healing and well-being,” states Puja Shah, M.A. LCPC, Director of the Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic.
The move to 444. N. Michigan Avenue will further support The Family Institute’s mission to strengthen and heal children, individuals and families from all walks of life through clinical service, education and research. The Family Institute has additional offices located in Evanston, Northbrook and Westchester and will continue to offer teletherapy appointments.
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.
Through the Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic, The Family Institute provides therapy services at no cost to clients who qualify. The Clinic is staffed by Northwestern University graduate level therapists-in-training from the Master of Arts in Counseling and Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy programs, who are educated and supervised by highly trained licensed therapists. Our therapists-in-training work closely with licensed therapists to create a collaborative, deeply impactful, affordable therapy experience.
For more information, visit www.family-institute.org.