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Chris Akel

Chris Akel, LCSW

Staff Therapist
he/him

Credentials & Education

A.M. in Clinical Social Work, University of Chicago's Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy & Practice
B.A. in English, University of Tennessee
Awards
Contextual Behavior Practices Program of Study Recipient
Wilma Walker Honor Award

About

My practice is client-centered, human-focused, and ultimately, I seek to use practices that work with the people I serve. The work of healing is unique for everyone, and I'm grateful to be a part of my clients' journeys.

Chris Akel, LCSW (he/him) is trained in a variety of theoretical modalities including Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and psychodynamic theories of change. Prior to his time at The Family Institute, Mr. Akel worked on the Case Management team of a residential treatment center, and previous to this, he worked as a middle and high school teacher and college counselor. At The Family Institute, he is focused on building therapeutic spaces for young adults, adults, families, and couples. As a Palestinian American, he grounds his practice in a warm, anti-oppressive orientation and uses a systemic, anticarceral lens to view our current realities.

Area of Focus

Types of Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Couple Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Emotion Focused Therapy
Meditation
Mindfulness & Behavior Therapies
Psychodynamic Therapy
I Treat
Young Adult
Adult
Couple and Marriage
Issues I Treat
Affairs & Infidelity
Anxiety Disorders
Learning Disabilities
Life Stage Transitions
Medical Illness / Chronic Illness / Disability
Parenting Issues
Perfectionism
Racism Issues
Self-Harm
Suicidality
Trauma
Work / Life Balance
Stress Management
Spirituality / Religion
Addiction
Adult Children & Parent Relationship Issues
Anger Management
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Borderline Personality Disorder
Cognitive Flexibility / Executive Functioning
Cultural Transition / Immigration Issues
Autism Spectrum
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Child-Parent Attachment Issues
College (Transition to)
Compulsions
Couples Conflict
Depression / Mood Disorders
Developmental Disorders
Divorce Impact on Children
Emotion Regulation Issues
Domestic Violence
Empty Nest Issues
Families with Chronically Mentally Ill Members
Family Business Issues
Family of Origin Issues
Grief & Loss
Health Enhancement / Smoking Cessation / Diet / Illness Prevention
In-law Relationships
Job Loss
Kink / Alternative Lifestyles
LGBTQIA+ Identity & Relationships
Men’s Issues
Midlife (Transitions in)
Money / Finance Related Issues
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Panic
Parenthood (Transition to)
Perinatal Mood / Anxiety Disorders
Personality Disorders
Physical Abuse
Polyamory, Non-monogamy, Non-traditional Relationships
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Premarital Counseling
Psychological Assessment & Testing / Neuropsychological Testing
Remarriage
Retirement (Transition to)
School Refusal
School Stress
Sexual Abuse
Sibling Issues
Special Needs Children & Their Families
Step or Blended Families
Substance Abuse
Therapists in Therapy
Workplace Issues
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Languages
English

Insurance

Blue Cross Blue Shield
Out of Network Reimbursement
Self Pay
United Behavioral Health

Locations