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.

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, 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
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
David Taussig
David E. Taussig, LCSW, LMFT
  • Consulting Faculty, Marriage & Family Therapy Program
  • Clinical Lecturer
  • Clinical Affiliate
  • Primary Branch: MSMFT On-Campus
Types of Therapy:
Couple Therapy, Family Therapy, Integrative Systemic Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy
Locations:
Teletherapy
Meet David
Guanyu Wang headshot
Guanyu Wang, LMHC
  • Postdoctoral Clinical Scholar Fellow
Types of Therapy:
CBT-informed, Couple Therapy, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, Mindfulness & Behavior Therapies, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy
Locations:
Teletherapy, Evanston

Guanyu Wang, LMHC (she/her) is a Postdoctoral Clinical Scholar Fellow at The Family Institute at Northwestern University and a Ph.D. candidate in the Family Social Science program, Couple and Family Therapy track, at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

Meet Guanyu
Erika Lawrence headshot
Erika Lawrence, Ph.D.
  • Director of Translational Science at The Family Institute
  • Research Professor of Psychology at Northwestern University
Types of Therapy:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Brief Consultation (1-6 Sessions), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Couple Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Mindfulness & Behavior Therapies, Premarital Counseling, Sex Therapy
Locations:
Teletherapy, Evanston, Northbrook

Dr. Erika Lawrence is a licensed clinical psychologist who has been working with couples and individuals for 30 years. She is also the Director of Translational Science at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, and a Research Professor in the Department of Psychology at NU.

Meet Erika

Our Locations

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