Northwestern Medicine Focused Forward Clinic
The Northwestern Medicine Focused Forward (F2) Clinic helps young adults with mental health conditions reach their work and education goals.
About the F2 Clinic
We believe that participation in meaningful life roles is possible and necessary for young adults with mental health conditions. We also believe it can help:
- Reduce your symptoms
- Improve your confidence
- Improve your satisfaction with life
- Broaden your social connections
- Reduce isolation
The F2 Clinic treats people 18 to 35 who:
- Have a serious mental illness such as::
- Schizophrenia
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Major depression
- Generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Want to get a job or more education but have a hard time doing so on their own.
We provide our services on the Northwestern Memorial Hospital campus in downtown Chicago. To learn more about the program, please contact Lauren Walker at lwalker3@nm.org.
Intake Process
After you contact the F2 Clinic, we will set up two visits for a comprehensive intake.
At the first visit, you will meet with team members to talk about your:
- Mental healthcare experiences
- Education and work history
- Goals for the future
At the second visit, you will meet with other F2 Clinic team members who are specialists in their areas. They will help make sure you plan for other important parts of life, such as hobbies, social activities and overall wellness.
After you complete the intake process, a team member will help you develop written goals and an action plan. The plan will include steps to help you reach your goals.
Our intake process aims to make sure the F2 Clinic fits your needs.
Services We Offer
You may receive these services during your time at the F2 Clinic:
- Education and job support: Explore education or work opportunities you are interested in
- Peer support: Get individual or group support from other young adults who have a mental illness and have successfully returned to work or school.
- One-on-one therapy: Learn how you can address your emotions, thoughts and behaviors.
- Family therapy: Learn how your family can help you reach your work or school goals
- Neuropsychological testing: These tests can help you better understand your cognitive strengths and challenges, and how they affect your goals
- Occupational therapy: This can help you learn ways to manage your symptoms and any cognitive barriers to success
- Medication management: We can help you find a medication plan that works for your and addresses symptoms
Learn more about the Focused Forward Clinic services
What We Expect
We are here to support you. For your time in at the F2 Clinic to be most effective, we ask that you are able to:
- With our support, identify your work or education goals and make a written plan for success
- Reflect on your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed
- Work with our staff and consider their recommendations
- Attend visits at least two times per month with each staff member you choose