Our Therapists

When you work with one of us, you work with all of us. We are a diverse team of therapists who partner together. Our collaborative approach of sharing knowledge and skills ensures the best possible outcomes. 

Please note that not all listed therapists are taking new clients at this time.

Melissa Prusko, PsyD
Melissa Prusko, Psy.D.
  • Therapist
Types of Therapy:
Psychodynamic Therapy
Locations:
Teletherapy
Dr. Prusko (she/her) strives to provide a compassionate and empathic therapeutic relationship that allows for feeling safe enough to explore and to make sense, together, what may bring someone to therapy. While she practices from a psychodynamic perspective, she is skilled at delivering techniques…
Meet Melissa
CBT therapist Jocelyn McDonnell Nelson
Jocelyn Nelson, LCPC
  • Therapist
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Team
Types of Therapy:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Mindfulness & Behavior Therapies, Psychodynamic Therapy
Locations:
Teletherapy, Chicago
Ms. Nelson (she/her) earned her Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. With a passion for a working therapeutic alliance that helps clients feel empowered, she completed her Master of Arts in Counseling at The Family Institute at Northwestern…
Meet Jocelyn
Chris Akel
Chris Akel, M.S.W.
  • Staff Therapist
Types of Therapy:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Couple Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Meditation, Mindfulness & Behavior Therapies, Psychodynamic Therapy
Locations:
Teletherapy, Chicago, Evanston

Chris Akel, M.S.W. (he/him) is trained in a variety of 3rd wave theories including Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and the Unified Protocol. Prior to his time at The Family Institute, Mr.

Meet Chris
Michael Goldstone
Michael Goldstone, LCSW
  • Staff Therapist
  • Associate Director, Emerging Adults
Types of Therapy:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), CBT-informed, Humanistic Therapy, Integrative Systemic Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Mindfulness & Behavior Therapies, Psychodynamic Therapy
Locations:
Teletherapy
Mr. Goldstone is a full-time therapist at The Family Institute and provides treatment to individuals. In treatment, Mr. Goldstone systematically helps his clients gauge their individualized needs and provide techniques to best help them adjust. He offers a mindfully eclectic approach, where he…
Meet Michael
puja shah
Puja Shah, M.A., LCPC
  • Director of the Bette D. Harris Clinic & Community Programs
Types of Therapy:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotion Focused Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Meditation, Mindfulness & Behavior Therapies, Relational Cultural Therapy
Locations:
Teletherapy, Evanston

Ms. Shah strives to create a safe and collaborative therapeutic environment that is client centered. She has extensive training and experience with Cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and providing trauma-informed care.

Meet Puja
Grace Schmidt
Grace Schmidt, M.S.W., LCSW
  • Staff Therapist
Types of Therapy:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), CBT-informed, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), DBT-informed, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Mindfulness & Behavior Therapies
Locations:
Teletherapy, Chicago

Grace Schmidt (she/her) is a dedicated mental health clinician with a strong background in psychology and social work.

Meet Grace

Our Locations

We have several satellite locations in addition to our four main facilities.