Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

Beginning therapy can often seem daunting. It can be the first time you are admitting something isn’t working, or you aren’t feeling okay. I want to provide the space and time for you to sit with that possibility, work together to understand those thoughts and feelings, and use your experiences to guide you toward new, affirming spaces and connections. Together, we can support you in navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, ADHD, neurodivergence, identity and LGBTQ+ related concerns, as well as relationship challenges, family dynamics, and major life transitions. Whether you’re beginning therapy or returning to it, I look forward to connecting and working together.

As a therapist and pleasure activist I strive to create a safe, accessible environment for you to connect with and express your most authentic self. During sessions, your trust and safety are priorities for me. I practice from a relational and client-centered framework, understanding that you are the expert in your own experience. With my warm and direct approach, I seek to ask the right questions to help you make new connections and provide a fresh perspective. I have experience supporting clients through gender-identity development, C-PTSD, Dissociative Identity Disorder, gender dysphoria, anxiety and depression. As a therapist, researcher, and pleasure activist I strive to create a safe, accessible environment for you to connect with and express your most authentic self. During sessions, your trust and safety are priorities for me. I practice from a relational and client-centered framework, understanding that you are the expert in your own experience. With my warm and direct approach, I seek to ask the right questions to help you make new connections and provide a fresh perspective. I have experience supporting clients through gender-identity development, C-PTSD, Dissociative Identity Disorder, gender dysphoria, anxiety and depression. With my lived experience as a transgender woman, I bring a compassionate and affirming approach to my therapeutic practice. I am passionate about working with transgender/gender diverse, Autistic, and Disabled clients, and pride myself as a kink/BDSM, polyamory/ENM, and sex-worker allied therapist.

I’m a Clinical Psychologist who works with a large number of students and early career professionals navigating a wide range of emotional and relational challenges. I offer both in-person and telehealth sessions for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship and family concerns, and identity-related questions. I believe that therapy is a collaborative and creative process that unfolds through developing a strong alliance with a therapist. I strive to provide a warm, supportive, and nonjudgemental space for people to name, feel, and share their unique experiences. Although it can be difficult to put your emotional life into words, the decision to do so has the power to open up new ways of knowing and understanding yourself. It can also reveal patterns in your life that you might wish to explore in order to create space for more meaningful and satisfying possibilities. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation, please feel free to reach out.

Being human means facing change, uncertainty, and moments that stretch or unsettle us. It’s natural to feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure at times. I see therapy as a space where we can work together to explore what’s going on, reflect on the past, and find new ways forward. My goal is to create a supportive, collaborative relationship where you feel heard and empowered to make changes that lead to a more fulfilling life. I have experience working with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences across diverse clinical settings. These experiences have helped me understand and support people navigating trauma, identity exploration, relationship concerns, grief and loss, and major life transitions. These challenges can affect not only how we relate to ourselves, but also how we connect with others. I work with both individuals and couples to address the impact of these challenges within both personal and relational contexts. Taking the first step toward therapy can feel intimidating, and finding the right support is an important part of the process. If something here resonates with you, I'd be glad to connect and explore how we might move forward together.

School can be exciting, overwhelming, and full of change. For many students, being in a campus environment can also bring increased body image pressures, stress, and challenges with eating, making this a time when eating disorders, OCD, anxiety, and other mental health concerns often show up or become more intense. I've spent years specializing in eating disorders and OCD across higher levels of care and outpatient private practice, giving me the experience to support you wherever you are in your recovery. My goal is to create a warm, collaborative space where you can build practical tools, feel more like yourself, and spend less time stuck in symptoms and more time living the life you want.

Founded in 2017, Depth Counseling is a group psychotherapy practice, offering long-term, psychoanalytic psychotherapy to individuals, couples and families. We work in person and by telehealth, with locations in Chicago, Illinois in the Chicago Loop and Ravenswood neighborhoods. In 2026 we began offering telehealth to clients across the state of Massachusetts. Our primary goal is to help our clients get beneath their presenting symptoms to identify the blocks that hold them back from living their fullest and most rewarding lives. We believe in the transformative power of this work and in the potential for growth at any stage of life. Our mission is to make high-quality, long-term psychoanalytic psychotherapy accessible, welcoming, and relatable to the people in our greater community, regardless of any client’s race, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or income level. We offer individual, couples, and family counseling services for those experiencing challenges with grief, depression, life transitions, relationship issues, and much more.

I believe therapy can be a place where you can leave the expectations and demands of the world at the door to focus on redefining what life, joy, and connection mean to you. I practice knowing that you are the expert in your lived experiences; my role is not to prescribe but to walk alongside you on your journey. I apply a trauma-informed, feminist, and disability justice lens to my work and utilize modalities such as narrative therapy, Self psychology, and Liberation psychology. This means I focus on your innate strengths as well as how experiences in the therapy room extend to your relationships outside of it. As a queer and neurodivergent therapist, I believe in the value of a therapeutic space where we both can show up as our true selves. I am passionate about working with LGBTQIA+ as well as neurodivergent clients. During my previous work in hospital and community mental health settings I supported clients with relationship issues, and identity exploration, and gender dysphoria, as well as substance use concerns, trauma, OCD, grief, and depression. I value my previous training providing queer competent counseling that additionally affirms the experiences of kink practitioners, sex workers, and those in polyamorous/ENM relationships. Currently I am receiving doctoral training at Center Focused Therapy as I finish earning my PsyD in Clinical Psychology. I offer a free 15-minute video consultation and my sliding scale rate starts at $25.

Mariya is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and co-founder of Willow Recovery Group. She is passionate about creating safe, affirming spaces for people to process trauma, explore their relationship with food and body, and navigate life’s challenges with compassion. Mariya specializes in trauma, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, multicultural experiences, and life transitions, blending evidence-based approaches with a deeply relational style. Her clients describe her as warm, grounding, and supportive — someone who walks alongside them through both the hard and hopeful parts of recovery. Outside of her clinical work, Mariya enjoys spending time in nature, reading, and being with loved ones (including her pets, who often serve as her best “co-therapists”).

Our relationships with our bodies and food are complicated and hard to navigate. You are not alone. Wherever you are in your journey - an eating disorder, disordered eating, and/or weight/body image concerns - you deserve support and compassion. As an eating disorder therapist, my work is grounded in a person-centered, Health At Every Size (HAES) approach. I integrate both psychodynamic and behavioral (ACT, DBT, CBT, etc). I have over 7 years of experience in direct client treatment services - spanning residential, PHP, IOP, and outpatient settings—and have worked with clients experiencing a variety of mental health concerns. While I focus my practice on eating disorders, I have a generalist background and am skilled in working with a range of clinical issues. I am committed to providing trauma-informed care rooted in cultural humility. I love working with the LGBTQ+ community to provide a safe, affirming space for clients to explore their identities and experiences. Starting a relationship with a new therapist can feel daunting—it’s a deeply personal and courageous step. By simply being here, you’re already showing strength and a commitment to your well-being. I sincerely hope you will take that next step and reach out. Together, we can work toward peace with your body and food.

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Students work with me when painful experiences of anxiety, depression and stress interfere with their ability to find enjoyment and success in relationships and academically. Psychotherapy with me usually begins with a discussion of the concerns, problems and distress from which you are suffering and seek relief. The goal of the work is to solve the problems, alleviate the distress and place the concerns in the context of your personal development. Results of this effort often include increased self-awareness, enhanced self-esteem, recognition of unique strengths and potentials, and more positive feelings. Appreciation of one’s unique circumstances and developmental history makes for a more meaningful therapy experience. I have over twenty-five years of experience as a former college counseling center Director and Dean.

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Therapy can be many things and is different for each person. Whether you are new to therapy or returning, my hope is to meet you where you’re at, explore what may feel stuck, painful, or challenging, and support you in living a life aligned with what is most important to you. Throughout my career I have really enjoyed working with college students and I know that this time of life can bring unique challenges, both in concerns that arise now and in reflecting on what has brought you to this point. No situation is too big or too small to explore and work to understand how to navigate together.

When looking for a therapist, it can often be a challenge to figure out who will be a good fit based on a bio and a picture. Sometimes there is something very specific that we know we need from therapy, sometimes we are just going in with a vague sense, and it can often feel vulnerable. There is a quote that I often return to in my work: “healing happens at the speed of trust”. When we start our work together, we will be figuring out how to build that trust and communication so that you can do the work and exploration that you need to do to get the most out of therapy. I specialize in supporting individuals navigating addiction and substance use. I also enjoy working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, isolation, and effects of trauma. My work is grounded in a harm reduction philosophy that aims to meet people exactly where they are and recognizes that we are all experts in our own lives. I won’t have all of the answers, but hope to work alongside you. I approach therapy with deep curiosity and a relational lens, believing that meaningful change grows from genuine connection and collaboration. I like getting to know people and find one of the most profound things to come from therapy is a feeling of being understood.

Wellington Counseling Group is the trusted resource for adults, children, families, and couples looking for professional emotional and psychological support. Our diverse team specializes in anxiety, depression, life transitions, behavioral issues, trauma recovery, family dynamics, couples, and so much more. Each of our therapists offers a unique perspective that helps their patients find relief from symptoms, transcend the boundaries of mental health conditions, and craft a life they are proud to lead.

Hello there, I’m Elisabeth and I have spent my career working with adults across the life span; much of my experience lies in working with folks experiencing challenges within the developmental transitions of adulthood, such as parenting, midlife, and aging. As a therapist I value and aim for a collaborative, warm, and active approach to your concerns. Perhaps you are coming to a crossroads in your life – a challenging life transition, a shift in roles, relationships, or your identity. You may be experiencing increased stress, grief or loss, or physical or mental health challenges. Perhaps you are rethinking what is truly important to you in your “one wild and precious life” (Mary Oliver, The Summer Day). It may be time to find an experienced professional to walk with you as you figure out what’s next, make a change, or how to cope better. My belief is that therapy starts simply with a conversation. Over time and with “a good fit” in the therapeutic relationship, these conversations can lead to a deep, trusting partnership with the capacity to promote self-awareness, growth and healing. My approach is client-centered; you are the expert of your own life, and my role as a therapist is to listen empathically, respond authentically, and use my skills and training to walk alongside you as a compassionate facilitator of your own unique experience. Like many therapists, my way of working is eclectic, yet also “evidence-guided”; this means I tailor my approach to each client informed by my areas of clinical expertise and experience, client preferences and needs, and what clinical research recommends. My work as an adjunct professor for graduate students at UIC, also informs my practice. As a social worker, I approach my work through an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and culturally sensitive lens. This lens requires continual refocusing, awareness of my positionality and privilege, and is constantly evolving. Taking the first steps to finding a therapist can be overwhelming, but if this profile has caught your attention, please get in touch with me to set up a free consultation. I am in-network with all BCBS PPO plans (including ACA plans), United Healthcare/ Optum, and Cigna/Evernorth.

Hi, I'm Sierra! I'm a licensed therapist in Chicago offering therapy virtually and in-person in downtown Chicago. I am experienced in helping people heal from trauma, manage anxiety, and navigate relationships, and explore their identity. Working with a new therapist can sometimes feel daunting, so I get to know each person on a human level with a bit of humor. I accept all major insurance plans and can work with anyone living in Illinois. If you'd like to see if we'd be a good fit, feel free to email me and we can set up a time to chat!

As a pansexual, genderqueer, and religious minority therapist, I have a passion for supporting clients who have similarly felt “othered” for their own intersecting identities. I identify as an integrationist in my therapy style, where I tailor my approach to your concerns in a way that fits your individual needs. Prior to my doctorate, I worked as a risk-reduction counselor for a nonprofit STI testing center, where I discovered my passion for caring for those historically underserved in the LGBTQ+ community. Accordingly, I view my six years of training in counseling psychology as a means to uplift those who are historically underserved. Although I have worked in many settings such as community counseling and outpatient hospitals, I found a love for serving young adults in university counseling in both health sciences and general areas of study. I feel honored to help people at a crossroads of their own identity exploration. If you also find yourself wanting to explore yourself and your values, I would love the opportunity to connect with you.

Birchwood Clinic, LLC provides in person and telehealth mental health services to adults in the Bucktown/Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago. Our holistic approach strives to empower each client to achieve balance, clarity, and overall health and wellness.

Hello, I’m Azra (she/her), LCPC. We live in an increasingly busy world, and most people find themselves not having the time or the opportunity to put themselves first. I don’t believe we exist just to work and survive, but also to reflect, grow, and experience the best versions of ourselves. Therapy can be a powerful tool on this journey. With over 10 years of experience as a clinician, I provide specialized support for individuals managing depression, anxiety, relationship conflicts, PTSD, and self-esteem issues. My approach to trauma-informed therapy is warm, thoughtful, and collaborative, ensuring that adolescents, adults, and couples feel seen and supported. I employ an eclectic range of evidence-based treatments tailored to your specific needs. I use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to identify and modify the self-limiting beliefs and behaviors that create life’s challenges. Additionally, I utilize acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help clarify personal values and motivating factors, while also drawing from interpersonal therapy (IPT) to improve communication, relationships, and healthy boundary setting. Recognizing that you matter is the essential first step toward improving the quality of your life and your relationships. In our therapeutic space, I prioritize patience, consistency, and a willingness to explore discomfort to help you find the lasting comfort you seek. Whether you are seeking help for specific symptoms or looking to grow personally, I am here to support you at Roamers Therapy.