Frances McClain

Dr. Frances McClain, PhD, LCPC, "Dr. Mac", (she/they), completed her Master's in Counseling (CACREP Accredited) from Governors State University and PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision from The Chicago School. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois. In 2013, she was inducted into the Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society, a prestigious honor society that recognizes and promotes academic excellence, leadership, and service. Dr. Mac has been the Director of Clinical Training/Associate Professor in the Counseling Psychology Department since 2010 and has been teaching with The Chicago School since 2008. Prior to joining The Chicago School, she was the Program Director at a community mental health center on the North Shore for ten years. Throughout her career she has worked in several different capacities that include clinical work, supervision, grant writing, program development, and consultation. She is a co-founder of the Association of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness (ACSSW), a division of the American Counseling Association and is the of co-founder of the Illinois Association of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness (IACSSW), currently an interest group of the Illinois Counseling Association in the process of applying to become the first state chapter of ACSSW in Illinois. Dr. Mac is on the editorial board of the Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education (ISSN: 2577- 1299), is the editor of the quarterly ACSSW newsletter, and committee chair for the ACSSW annual webinar series. In 2025, ACSSW initiated their inaugural awards, naming one in Dr. Mac's honor as the "Frances McClain Advocacy Award" for ACSSW members who demonstrates an unwavering commitment to advocacy in the field of counseling sexology and sexual wellness. She was named the first recipient for 2025. Dr. Mac has co-authored an article and book chapter focused on sexuality. She is also on the Editorial Board for the Association for Counselor Education & Supervision Teaching Practice Briefs (ACES-TPB) reviewing scholarly summaries and practical guides that describe teaching innovations and instructional strategies pertinent to counselor education. She maintains a limited private practice where she provides pro bono and sliding scale psychotherapy services, as well as providing training and consultation for supervisors, community agencies, area hospitals, Cook County probation, and Cook County Judges office staff. Dr. Mac is on the Board of Teaching While Queer (TWQ), a non-profit organization providing advocacy and support for LGBTQIA+ educators and students. She is also the TWQ newsletter editor. Dr. Mac regularly presents at the local, state, and national level on topics related to cultural sensitivity, supervision, professional ethics, sexuality and sexual wellness, especially as it relates to marginalized populations. She has also been a guest speaker for several different podcasts and other social media outlets due to her expertise in sexuality. Her areas of interest in research include social justice, anti-racism, and counseling sexology, especially related to minoritized communities.