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.

Marcus D. Smith
Marcus D. Smith, Ph.D., LCPC
  • Staff Therapist
  • Counselor Educator
  • Clinical Supervisor
Types of Therapy:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Brief Consultation (1-6 Sessions), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Therapy, Mindfulness & Behavior Therapies, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Relational Cultural Therapy
Locations:
Teletherapy, Evanston

Dr. Smith graduated from University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelors in Psychology in 2009 and earned a masters in Clinical Counseling and doctorate in Counseling Education and Supervision from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Meet Marcus
Chris Akel
Chris Akel, LCSW
  • Staff Therapist
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
Locations:
Teletherapy, Chicago
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…
Meet Chris
therapist aaron cohn
Aaron Cohn, Ph.D., LMFT
  • Clinical Lecturer
  • Therapist
Types of Therapy:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Couple Therapy, DBT-informed, Family Therapy, Integrative Systemic Therapy, Mindfulness & Behavior Therapies
Locations:
Teletherapy, Northbrook
Dr. Aaron Cohn’s clinical work focuses on neurodiverse couples, especially couples in which at least one partner has ADHD or ADD. Other areas of focus include: LGBTQIA+ couples and individuals, people in creative, academic, or highly technical professions, people in relationships involving…
Meet Aaron
jennifer vanboxel therapist
Jennifer White VanBoxel, LMFT, Ph.D.
  • Core Faculty, MSMFT Program
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
  • Primary Branch: MSMFT On-Campus
Types of Therapy:
Brief Consultation (1-6 Sessions), CBT-informed, Couple Therapy, DBT-informed, Discernment Counseling, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, Integrative Systemic Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Premarital Counseling
Locations:
Teletherapy, Chicago, Evanston

Jennifer VanBoxel, LMFT. Ph.D. (she/her) is a systemic therapist with advanced training in evidence-based models, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trauma therapy, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), and Prepare/Enrich Premarital Therapy.

Meet Jennifer
couples therapist Lisa Gordon
Lisa Gordon, Ph.D., ABPP
  • Director, Postdoctoral Fellowship
  • Coordinator, Psychiatry Residents Program
  • Staff Therapist
Types of Therapy:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Couple Therapy, DBT-informed
Locations:
Teletherapy, Northbrook

Dr. Lisa Gordon is a seasoned clinician who specializes in treating anxiety and mood disorders, couple distress and the bidirectional relationships among these entities.

Meet Lisa
child psychiatrist Smita Gautam
Smita Gautam, M.D.
  • Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
  • Clinical Affiliate
Types of Therapy:
Diagnostic Assessment, Integrative Systemic Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatric Evaluation
Locations:
Teletherapy, Chicago

Dr. Gautam is a Board Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. She completed her child/adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Meet Smita

Our Locations

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