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.

Nikki Lively
Nikki Lively, M.A., LCSW
  • Clinical Director, Transitions to Parenthood Program
  • Therapist
Types of Therapy:
Couple Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy
Locations:
Teletherapy, Chicago
Ms. Lively is a certified Emotionally Focused couples Therapist ​and Supervisor (EFT), ​Certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International and ​trained in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Her main area of expertise is supporting women, men,…
Meet Nikki
Jay Lebow
Jay Lebow, Ph.D., ABPP, LCP, LMFT
  • Senior Scholar and Senior Therapist
  • Clinical Professor
Types of Therapy:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Couple Therapy, Integrative Systemic Therapy
Locations:
Teletherapy, Evanston
Dr. Lebow is the editor of the journal Family Process, the editor of the Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy and the author or editor of 13 professional books. He is also the former president of the Academy of Couple and Family Psychology and former board member of three entities — the…
Meet Jay
Jen Rafacz
Jen Rafacz, Ph.D., CST
  • Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Supervisor
Types of Therapy:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Brief Consultation (1-6 Sessions), CBT-informed, Couple Therapy, DBT-informed, Integrative Systemic Therapy, Mindfulness & Behavior Therapies, Narrative Therapy, Premarital Counseling, Sex Therapy
Locations:
Teletherapy
Dr. Rafacz works with an array of individual and couple concerns. Their specialty area is sex therapy, but other common areas of treatment, for couples specifically, include addressing: desire concerns, sexual discrepancies, conflict, infidelity, nonmonogamy/polyamory and communication problems…
Meet Jen
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
ethan husbands
Ethan Husbands, NCC
  • Staff Therapist
Types of Therapy:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Locations:
Teletherapy, Chicago, Northbrook

Ethan Husbands, NCC (he/him) specializes in working with Anxiety disorders, including OCD, social anxiety, panic and agoraphobia, phobias, depressive disorders and PTSD.

Meet Ethan
Yvette Gonzalez
Yvette Gonzalez, Ph.D.
  • Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Types of Therapy:
Neuropsychological Assessments for Children & Adolescents, Neuropsychological Testing
Locations:
Teletherapy, Chicago

Dr. Gonzalez has worked with children and adolescents for more than 20 years. She specializes in neuropsychological assessments and has a special interest in working with young children and their parents. Dr.

Meet Yvette

Our Locations

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