Milestones: Innovation and Service Since 1968

1960s
Chicago 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.

1968
Demand 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.

1968-75
The 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.

1975
The 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.

1975-85
Programs 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.

1986
William M. Pinsof, PhD, succeeds retiring founder Charles Kramer, MD, as President of The Family Institute and Director of the Center for Family Studies.

1987-88
Plans are made to reestablish The Family Institute as an independent organization; a fundraising campaign for a new building is launched.

1989
The Family Institute separates legal and financial ties from Northwestern Memorial Hospital and reestablishes 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.

1990
The Family Institute signs an independent affiliation agreement with Northwestern University; the pact includes a 99-year lease of land for a new headquarters on NU's Evanston campus.

1991
The 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.

1994
Following 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.

2000-01
The 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.

2002
Northwestern 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.

2003
The 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.

2004
Researchers 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.

2005
The 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 Depression Treatment Program begins.

2006
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine psychiatrists-in-training begin treating Family Institute Clinic clients.