The Bergman Institute for Psychological Support was established with the goal of meeting the socioemotional needs of persons adapting to low vision and blindness. More than ever before, low vision is being linked to poor psychosocial functioning, including: lesser life satisfaction; increased daily living stress; feelings of inadequacy; low self-esteem; and depressive disorders.

The program aspires to meet the needs of persons struggling with this adjustment through the employment of evidence-based therapeutic interventions, including individual, group, and family psychotherapy. The program is also aimed at treating and preventing the emotional and behavioral sequelae of functional loss through these interventions.

The Bergman Institute for Psychological Support is also actively involved in improving upon existing psychodiagnostic and psychometric techniques and practices, along with our research partners, both within and outside the agency. The frequently-observed emotional response found with patients recently diagnosed with low vision is depression. Research studies have revealed the detrimental effects this has on the most profitable adaptation possible to rehabilitation efforts. Therefore, there is a clear need to promptly and accurately diagnose and ameliorate such problems. Low Vision Psychologists and Social Workers in this service are ready to bring people with visual impairments into the next, more productive phase of their lives.

For more information, please contact:
David Rakofsky, Psy.D., Associate Director Psychological Services
Phone: (312) 447-3235
E-mail: david.rakofsky@chicagolighthouse.org
Fax: (312) 997.3663
TTY: (312) 666.8874