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.

Jen Paxton Rafacz
Jen Paxton (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
Megan Dyer, therapist
Megan Dyer, M.A., LCPC, NCC
  • Therapist
Types of Therapy:
Emotion Focused Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, Meditation, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy
Locations:
Teletherapy, Chicago
Megan Dyer (she/her) works to create a collaborative and safe space with all her clients. She works with individuals and groups utilizing an integrative approach drawing from trauma informed, psychodynamic and strengths based techniques to promote recovery and healing.
Meet Megan
Stefan Vasic headshot
Stefan Vasic, Ph.D., LPC
  • Core Faculty, Counseling Program
  • Therapist
Types of Therapy:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Humanistic Therapy, Mindfulness & Behavior Therapies, Psychodynamic Therapy, Relational Cultural Therapy
Locations:
Teletherapy, Evanston
Stefan Vasic, Ph.D, LPC (he/him) balances a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach to initiate change with a psychodynamic perspective to help understand the basis of recurring patterns in client's lives. His top priority is attuning to client's needs in session to understand what is most helpful to…
Meet Stefan
tramaine presley
Tramaine Presley, Psy.D., LCPC, LMHC
  • Director of Child, Adolescent, and Family Services
  • Staff Therapist
Types of Therapy:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Brief Consultation (1-6 Sessions), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), DBT-informed, Family Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, Integrative Systemic Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Mindfulness & Behavior Therapies, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy
Locations:
Teletherapy, Chicago

Dr. Tramaine Presley is a graduate from Wright State University School of Professional Psychology in Dayton, Ohio, where she received her doctorate degree in clinical psychology (Psy.D). She is a dual state (Illinois and Indiana) licensed clinical professional counselor.

Meet Tramaine
Neil Venketramen
Neil Venketramen, LMFT
  • Core Faculty, Marriage & Family Therapy Program
  • Clinical Lecturer of Psychology at Northwestern University
  • Therapist
  • Assistant Director of Clinical Training and Supervision On-Campus
  • Primary Branch: MSMFT On-Campus
Types of Therapy:
CBT-informed, Couple Therapy, Discernment Counseling, Family Therapy, Integrative Systemic Therapy
Locations:
Teletherapy, Evanston

Mr. Venketramen helps couples, individuals and families overcome a variety of conflicts related to finances, attachment styles, intimacy, addictions, family transitions, mood disorders, infidelity and discernment therapy.

Meet Neil
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

Our Locations

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