Compassionate care for a brighter tomorrow
ALAN M. JAFFE, Psy. D. and ASSOCIATES is proud to be in its fourth decade of providing top-notch clinical and forensic psychology services to individuals, couples, families, attorneys, the courts, and businesses in Chicago, Lake Geneva, and the surrounding areas. Our team of licensed clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and other allied mental health professionals work together to provide a multidisciplinary approach to diagnostic assessment, treatment, and consultation. Our staff serves on the faculty at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and three Professional schools of Psychology in Chicago, bringing many years of expertise to several areas of clinical and forensic practice.
Clinical Services
Our clinical services focus on providing evidence-based treatments to individuals and families dealing with a wide range of mental health concerns. We provide comprehensive diagnostic assessments and individualized treatment plans that are tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. Our services include:
- Individual therapy for adults, adolescents, and children
- Couples therapy and marriage counseling
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Psychological testing and assessment
- Consultation and referral services
Our team of clinicians has extensive experience in treating a wide range of mental health concerns, including:
- Anxiety disorders (e.g., panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias, generalized anxiety disorder)
- Mood disorders (e.g., major depression, bipolar disorder)
- Trauma-related disorders (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Personality disorders
- Substance use disorders
- Grief and loss
- Relationship issues
- Parenting concerns
- Adjustment issues
- Academic and occupational difficulties
Forensic Services
Our forensic services focus on providing expert psychological evaluations and consultations for legal proceedings. We have extensive experience working with attorneys, the courts, and other legal professionals in a variety of settings. Our services include:
- Child custody evaluations
- Parenting coordination
- Expert witness testimony
- Fitness for duty evaluations
- Competency evaluations
- Pre-employment evaluations
- Disability evaluations
- Substance abuse evaluations
- Personal injury evaluations
- Risk assessments
- Consultation and referral services
Our team of forensic psychologists has extensive experience in conducting psychological evaluations and providing expert testimony in a variety of legal settings, including:
- Family law cases (e.g., child custody, visitation, parenting time, removal)
- Criminal cases (e.g., competency to stand trial, insanity defense, mitigation)
- Civil cases (e.g., personal injury, workers' compensation, disability)
- Employment law cases (e.g., discrimination, harassment, retaliation)
Dr. Alan M. Jaffe
Dr. Alan M. Jaffe is a clinical and forensic psychologist licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin. He is a member of the faculty of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry for the last 33 years. Dr. Jaffe's long-standing area of expertise has been in the area of family therapy, divorce-related issues, custody evaluations, and addictive disorders. He has been distinguished in his teaching, article publications, and author of book chapters.
Dr. Melanie J. Thakkar
Dr. Melanie J. Thakkar is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and currently serves as the Assistant Director at Alan M. Jaffe, Psy. D. and Associates. She specializes in providing evidence-based treatments for adults and adolescents, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). She has experience treating a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, trauma-related disorders, personality disorders, and substance use disorders.
Couples Therapy Experience
The review from Becca O'Brien expresses disappointment and concern about Dr. Jaffe's approach to couples therapy, citing a perceived hidden agenda and unethical behavior. Dr. Jaffe allegedly referred her partner to a lawyer without her knowledge, which led to a breakdown in trust and communication.
Therapy Style and Professionalism
On the other hand, multiple reviewers praise Dr. Jaffe's professionalism, intuition, and knowledge in individual therapy sessions. Reviewers such as Christy McCratic, William Kawam, and Dale Giolas appreciate his ability to guide them through difficult times, help them identify and address issues, and make them feel heard and understood.
Custody Evaluator
Dr. Jaffe is also commended for his work as a custody evaluator, with Jeffrey Allen stating that he is the brightest in the field and can make difficult recommendations when necessary.
Concerns and Red Flags
However, Becca O'Brien's review raises concerns about Dr. Jaffe's billing practices, lack of transparency, and potential for exploitation. Additionally, Jeanne D.'s review criticizes Dr. Jaffe's approach to evaluations, suggesting that he asks irrelevant questions and takes too long to write a review.
