I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker on staff at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, and the Clinical Director of the Transitions to Parenthood Program. I received my Masters in Social Work from the University of Chicago in 2000, and my certification in Infant Mental Health from the Erikson Institute in 2009. The majority of my career has been in outpatient psychiatric settings where I have provided psychotherapy to adolescents and adults dealing with a range of issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship difficulties.
My main areas of expertise are in women’s mental health and couples therapy and relationship satisfaction. My focus in women’s mental health is on supporting women to understand and manage mood and anxiety symptoms that are triggered or exacerbated by the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and postpartum, and perimenopause and menopause. I have extensive experience in treating women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and teach and lecture on this subject in Chicago and throughout the state of Illinois.
My focus in couples therapy is on assisting couples in the transition to parenthood, as well as other life transitions that may increase or exacerbate conflict between partners. Lastly, I am an adjunct professor at my alma mater, the University of Chicago, and teach courses there in family systems theory and couples therapy.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
I am an avid reader, and pursuer of professional training opportunities! I have training in some specific models of psychotherapy (including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) but these days my focus is on learning and growing in my use of models that privilege emotions and attachment relationships. I am pursuing full certification in a model of couples therapy called Emotionally Focused couples therapy (EFT). For more information on this model, go here: http://www.iceeft.com/index.php/about-us/what-is-eft. I am also a certified Infant Mental Health specialist with experience in assisting parents to improve their relationships with their young children. Last but not least, I am very interested in Vipassana mindfulness meditation (insight-oriented meditation) and am a student in how mindfulness can assist in the alleviation of suffering. I study and practice mindfulness mediation myself, as well as integrate these ideas into my work in psychotherapy.
QUESTIONS?
Please see the FAQ section for more information.
READY TO TALK?
Contact me at nlively@family-institute.org if you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment.