Counseling Center of the North Shore

The Counseling Center of the North Shore (CCNS) is a nonprofit mental health and wellness center dedicated to providing accessible mental health services to the community. Established in 1950, it was formerly known as Family Service Winnetka-Northfield.

Mission and Services

The mission of CCNS is to help people navigate life's challenges and transitions by ensuring everyone has access to high-quality mental health care, regardless of financial situation. It offers individual therapy to children, adolescents, and adults, as well as couples and family counseling and therapy. CCNS employs a sliding fee scale, which adjusts based on household income to make its services widely accessible.

Clinical Staff

The center's clinical staff consists of licensed mental health professionals with graduate degrees in clinical psychology and social work, along with post-graduate training in various specialized therapeutic modalities. The team includes experienced therapists like Kim Hassenfeld, Matthew Silver, Norma Canelas, Kathy Fink, Tommy Nimrod, Allison Stein, and Debbie Sternecky, each with their own areas of expertise.

Therapeutic Specialties

Therapists at CCNS are trained to address a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, relational difficulties, and grief. The therapies offered include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and more.

Legal Status

CCNS is a 501(c)(3) public charity, classified under the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) code P40 for family services. It is required to file annual financial reports with the IRS, ensuring transparency in its operations.

Community Impact

By providing comprehensive mental health services, CCNS plays a critical role in supporting the well-being of individuals and families in the North Shore area. The organization's commitment to inclusivity and affordability ensures that mental health care is accessible to everyone, regardless of financial status.