Family Business Consulting Group Unlicensed "consultants" with questionable practices Chicago Illinois

Questionable Business consulting practices. 

This firm was employed by my elderly parent who owns a small family business. David Lansky was hired to "consult" with the family on a succession plan. Dr. Lansky also worked with one of the family members who was also employed at this firm.  The firm is located in Chicago Illinois and Lansky has a background as a clinical psychologist.  At the time of this incident he was licensed to practice in Illinois. Upon checking with my states licensing board he was NOT licensed to practice in my state. 

At the time of this incident the words "counseling" and "consulting" were spoken interchangeably by my elderly parent when I first refused to participate. Why was I refusing?  The family member and fellow employee of Lansky, my sister Carol, had been interfering with my college aged child who is diagnosed as an alcoholic. My sister had drank with her, gone behind my back and given my child money when I had cut them off financially. I had attempted to get this child to go to treatment with the only leverage I had left which was her tution, rent etc.  However because she could get $ from her aunt Carol she ignored me and my efforts that she seek help. I asked this sister and another sister who is the President of the family company to attend a meeting to help me with my child. They refused to attend, instead enabling my daughter. These two sisters also had an agenda to take over the family business and essentially push the owner, our father out. That  effort did not succeed. And now back to Lansky:

This man met with me and acted as a counselor. He stated that my family had some right to interfere with my child. He stated several other things I found disturbing.  He was asked by me if he intended to meet with the family as a whole.  He said he did not know. I told him I would attend a future meeting. Subsequently that meeting was sheduled the next day. I could not attend on such short notice. What happened next was preposterous. 

I received notice from him through my sibling that another meeting was scheduled. I then inquired about the meeting that was held when I could not attend. I was told it was "confidential". Hmm, a family meeting with an agenda to get people on the same page and now anything said was confidential.  Appropriate in a counseling session perhaps but not appropriate to further the objective. Lansky was counseling not consulting. 

Before I ever could attend another meeting (which was scheduled over a major surgery I had already scheduled) I was forced from the family business. Prior to this time I spoke to Lansky twice and he confirmed that he told my family not to speak to me. I recorded this conversation as it is legal in my state. This was his idea, his "method". If someone disagrees with you then stop talking to them and kick them to the curb. 

wow. His directions were taken seriously but my Mother in particular was not in agreement.  However I know now that she was bullied to comply. My Mother passed away about 6 months after this but fortunately I was able to meet with her, find out what she was being told by this "counselor" and that she considered him to be doing counseling not business consulting.  My Mother was never part of the business. 

About the same time I was contacted by another family member by text which said "those idiots say I can talk to you again." 

I was also told by my Mom that "They" told her I was no longer her daughter. Carol and Lansky apparently had their own agenda and they clearly did not concern themsleves with causing harm. Both tout themselves as exeprieced in the field of psychology. 

This is just a very short summary but before you get involved with this firm be cautioned:

They are not licensed in the fields they tout. Therefore you have no way to complain about their seemingly unethical practices. What did I consider possibly unethical?

Lansky did not divulge a conflict of interest in that he worked with my sister. My Mother specifically told me she was told did not work together with Carol.  (hard to explain to an elderly parent but the Family Business Consultant website showed clearly that Lansky and Carol work together.) A counselor is required to report a conflict of interest to those he is counseling. 

Lansky practiced as a "counselor" and at that time was a licensed psychologist in Illionois but NOT in my state. He also did not apply for reciprocity in my state or have a temporary license. I confirmed this with the state. Presently he is no longer licensed in Illinois. Subsequently I cannot file a complaint with Illinois licensing when the man has no license. 

Lansky advised my family, particularly my parents to not speak to me for several months.  No counsleor I have consulted would sign on to such advice. I believe if you want to resolve an issue you need to speak to people. Carol in particular has used this "method" for years to avoid confrontation so I am not surprised she does it.  However, to operate this way in your personal life and carry it out as advice to others is ludicrous.  My emails and phone numbers were then blocked from all concerned. What "advisor" tells anyone to do this type of thing? At this time no one concerned will discuss this so I thought it helpful to file this report and take measures to caution anyone who might hire this firm. 

Lansky was pushing an agenda: Get the head of the family business out, an agenda of the sisters who were enabling (and continue to do so) a known alcoholic. In the process these two sisters also destroyed other family relationships. Carol, a consultant with this firm obviously has questionable judgement as well. I will say her personal situation likely influences her decisions but she also touts an educational background that cannot be challenged by a licensing board becasue she is also not licensed in any field that she claims she has experience in. 

So, caution to those who would hire this firm or these individuals to help you with your family business. Caution to the owner as well as the family because the business practices of these individuals caused more harm then good. The field of "family business consulting" is not regulated and may be working with persons who cannot be held responsible for their actions and who may lack both common sense and the ability to advise you appropriately. If not speaking to people who disagree with you is your way of solving problems this firm is for you.  If you hold a belief that harmony comes from discussion as does resolve (so that you can move on to actual business issues) find another firm to help you!