Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL
There are many ways we learn to cope with hurt, stress, and loss and, given our past experiences and upbringing, these ways can often involve avoidance – wanting to escape or numb the pain. This may look like excessive screen use, emotional eating, self-medicating, isolating, self-harm, etc. If you’re noticing that what helped you get by until now no longer works, if it’s impacting your ability to show up in your life and engage with the things you care about most, then I want to be your ally and support you through the process of change. My approach is collaborative, non-judgmental, and warm. In each session I prioritize creating a safe space for you to explore what brings you into therapy while providing a constructive environment, utilizing evidence-based approaches, to help you learn healthier coping strategies and facilitate the change you want to make. I want you to know that you are not alone and asking for help is an act of courage. I want to hear your story and have the privilege to accompany you on your journey of self-exploration, healing, and growth. To quote Brené Brown, “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do.”
Therapy is a place that balances acceptance and change. Maybe you have noticed an imbalance in your life and are struggling to either find out or work towards what matters most to you. I want to be your collaborator as we work towards what you care about by integrating mindfulness, looking at past patterns, and understanding how larger societal systems impact you. My goal is to help you live a life you feel connected to and are proud of. The success of our work together is dependent upon the establishment of a solid relationship between us and collaboration. My areas of specialty include processing emotion, identity, relational conflict, depression, anxiety, self-compassion, and LGBTQ concerns. I have experience in multiple settings, including private practice, community agency work, and group practices. Therapy can be a difficult process to begin. Call or email to set up a 15-minute phone consultation. We'll discuss what is bringing you to therapy and if I will be a good fit. Please include your insurance carrier and primary concern in your initial voicemail or e-mail message.
We love working with college students. Our team brings a wealth of experience working in college counseling centers, helping undergrads and grad students navigate the unique demands of balancing school and life. We provide individual, couple, and family therapy to students of all ages and in all phases of life, and we offer assessment/testing to identify issues such as ADHD or learning challenges, so that students can show up with personalized strategies and skills to best support their learning. Beyond challenges that can emerge academically, we know that students struggle with trauma, anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns, and they often need help managing relationships, making big decisions, or dealing with pressures or demands in their families. We are here to help.
Whether you're navigating a major life transition, battling anxiety or depression, facing burnout, or feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve you—I offer a space where you can feel safe, supported, and truly seen. Therapy doesn’t have to feel clinical or cold. My goal is to create an open and honest connection where you feel comfortable being vulnerable and showing up exactly as you are. Clients often describe me as kind, collaborative, and real—with a sense of humor that brings ease to even the hardest conversations. I bring my full, authentic self to every session because I believe meaningful change happens when you feel truly connected and understood. I draw from a variety of evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Solution-Focused Therapy. I also integrate strategies from my background in sport psychology to support focus, confidence, and performance under pressure. Together, we’ll clarify your goals, explore what’s holding you back, and move toward lasting growth.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Welcome to ARCH Counseling Center! Life can be challenging. Whether you’re navigating a difficult transition, struggling with anxiety or depression, or seeking to strengthen your relationships, ARCH Counseling Center is here to support you. Vision: "A brighter future, one step at a time." Mission: "We believe in the power of hope, healing, and human connection to foster positive change and well-being to help improve the lives of those we serve. We are committed to integrity, respect, empathy, inclusion, excellence, and confidentiality in all our interactions with clients, colleagues, and the community." Values: - Acceptance: We foster a safe and supportive environment where individuals/couples/families can embrace their unique experiences and challenges, promoting self-acceptance and personal growth. - Recovery: We empower individuals/couples/families to overcome mental health obstacles through evidence-based interventions, fostering a journey of resilience, hope, and lasting change. - Compassion: We provide kind and empathetic care that honors the dignity and individuality of each person, creating a therapeutic space free from judgment and discrimination. - Healing: We facilitate holistic healing by addressing the mind, body, spirit, and emotions, promoting well-being and fostering a sense of peace and fulfillment. We believe in a holistic approach to mental health that honors the unique needs and experiences of each individual. Our therapeutic approach integrates the core principles of Person-Centered Therapy and Trauma-Informed Care. We are committed to making therapy accessible and affordable for everyone. We accept a variety of Medicaid and private/commercial insurance plans and offer self-pay options to meet your individual needs. Getting started at ARCH Counseling Center is simple reach out, and we’ll guide you through the first steps toward healing and growth. We offer both in-person and virtual therapy in English, Spanish, French, Hindi, and Telugu.
As a queer therapist I have since worked with folx navigating areas including anxiety, depression, life transitions, neurodiversity, relationships, stress, trauma, substance use, OCD, and more.
Hello, and welcome. We're a small relational trauma-responsive strengths-based psychotherapy practice that serves clients across incomes, race, gender, age, ability, interests, etc. We're also a diverse group of therapists with our own specialties, modalities, and service populations -- one of our therapists worked in higher education for over 10 years. But each one of us can see any type of client. Check out our profiles for more information and please don't hesitate to reach out.
As a biracial, first-generation American, I know what it’s like to sometimes feel torn in different directions and unsure how to navigate. I care deeply about helping people accept and embrace multicultural and/or queer identities. I firmly believe we all deserve to be represented, feel seen, and live truthfully without being weighed down by guilt. I use a trauma-informed, person-centered approach to support people in addressing challenges with curiosity as we explore questions of how and where we fit in.
I work with young people about to graduate or young career adults who instead of excitement and anticipation, feel frozen. You have done it all right, gotten the degree that is supposed to be "useful" and yet it feels empty. I work with perfectionistic, high achieving students and early career adults who thought their life would look one way at this stage but are finding it is not what you hoped or thought you would feel. Our work untangles perfectionism, comparison and the pressure to be exceptional at all times.
I support people experiencing life transitions, stress, and relationship issues. I personalize treatment to each client using our relationship, scientific approaches, and collaboration to meet your goals. I also provide trauma centered therapy and EMDR.
New Light is a Lincoln Park based therapy practice, providing in-person and telehealth sessions for children, families, and adults. Founded to extend our expertise beyond the school setting, our clinicians have experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families with a range of presenting challenges. With a wide variety of clinical approaches including psychodynamic talk therapy, play therapy, EMDR and cognitive behavioral therapy, our foremost goal is to provide each client with individualized, compassionate, and culturally sensitive therapy. At New Light, we support and include people of any ability level, gender, age, race, religion, or sexual orientation
I earned my master’s degree in social work, with a concentration in mental health, from the Jane Addams School of Social Work at UIC in 2017. Since then, I have worked in multiple settings, including residential treatment, schools, and traditional clinical placements. I have a passion for doing this work and absolutely love my job. I have worked primarily with adolescents and families from diverse backgrounds, and I am excited to work with clients from all walks of life, whether they are on specific journeys of growth and healing, or just trying to figure some things out. I believe that everyone already has within them the inner strength and talents they need to create the life they want. Sometimes, we just need some help recognizing or tapping into our gifts. I’m a firm believer in the strengths-based approach, along with cognitive behavioral and reality therapy, and work from a combination of these perspectives. This means that in essence, I believe that learning the how and why behind the choices we have made in the past, is the most important part of learning how to choose wisely in the future. My goal is to create a safe place where we can talk openly about those choices without judgment, process the consequences both good and bad, and progress towards making different choices leading to different outcomes.
Hi, I’m Maddie Scudiero, and I’m so glad you’re here. If you’re a college student, you’re navigating a time full of transitions, pressures, and questions—about identity, relationships, the future, and sometimes, just how to get through the week. Therapy can be a space to pause, reflect, and build tools that help you feel more grounded, capable, and connected. I view therapy as a collaborative process, where you and I work together as a team. Our relationship is at the core of this work—because growth happens when you feel safe, supported, and truly seen. I’ll show up authentically with you, and together we’ll clarify what you want to work on and check in regularly to make sure you feel like we're moving in a direction that matters to you. In our sessions, we’ll identify the areas where you might feel stuck—emotionally, socially, academically, or in your self-worth—and look for strategies that feel realistic and empowering. I like to think of these as “social experiments” you can try out between sessions. We’ll talk through what happened, what worked, and what didn’t—then fine-tune things so they feel more effective for you. It’s not about getting it perfect; it’s about learning through experience and being gentle with yourself as you grow. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, burnout, identity exploration, relationship challenges, or just feeling overwhelmed by life, I’m here to help you navigate it with curiosity, compassion, and clarity. You don’t have to do this alone—and you don’t have to have it all figured out. Let’s take it one step at a time, together.
Therapy is not about “fixing” yourself. It is about making space to understand yourself, and developing compassion for the parts of you that feel confusing, painful, or hard to face. Healing begins when we stop running from ourselves and start acknowledging what has been asking for our attention. I offer a therapeutic space that is warm, curious, and non-judgmental. I work with adults navigating depression, anxiety, identity exploration, family and relationship dynamics, and more. I am passionate about supporting the LGBTQ+ community, those struggling with strained or painful relationships, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of themselves. I invite those who feel their experiences are not always affirmed by the world around them to explore what it means to feel seen, find clarity, and build self-trust.
My approach is gentle, grounded, and trauma-informed. I meet you where you are with compassion, curiosity, and no pressure to rush the process. I believe real healing happens when you feel safe, understood, and supported in exploring what's beneath the surface. Together, we will explore the patterns, beliefs, and experiences that are keeping you stuck. We'll work to build insight, process unresolved trauma, and strengthen your connection to yourself. Using EMDR, parts work, and other interventions, we'll move at a pace that feels safe, towards clarity, healing, and lasting change. I specialize in working with people who feel stuck in patterns of anxiety, low self-worth, or trauma, especially those navigating dissociation, generational trauma, or postpartum challenges. Many of my clients are insightful and motivated for change, but need support reconnecting with themselves and healing what's underneath. I became a therapist because I believe in the power of healing through connection. My own inner work, including doing EMDR as a client, showed me how transformative therapy can be. I wanted to offer others the same kind of support: a safe, attuned space to be seen, understood, and truly heal. *Current availability is Mondays at 12pm, Tuesday at 5pm, Wednesdays at 11am, 12pm, and 3pm, and Fridays at 11am.
Devi Natarajan is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a Counseling Psychology degree from Northwestern University. Trained in both Child and Adult Psychology, Devi has over 12 years of experience working in the Behavioral Health Hospital, Community Mental Health and Private Practice settings. Currently, Devi is the founder and clinical director of her private practice, MindTude, working primarily with the young adult population at Northwestern University, University of Chicago and other local universities in the Chicagoland area.
Ali King, LCPC, earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. She went on to work as a behavioral therapist for children with Autism at the Minnesota Autism Center before moving to Chicago and earning her master’s degree in Community Counseling from DePaul University. After graduate school, Ali worked as a therapist at Insight Behavioral Health Center’s residential facility for people struggling with eating disorders, as well as mood disorders. She led groups and supported people with everyday living tasks, as well as general skills coaching and meal management. Ali recently stepped down as the Director of the Young Adult PHP and IOP programs at Compass Health Center where she worked for 8 years in many different roles helping to build the Young Adult program and support the growth of the organization. While at Compass, Ali provided supervision and mentorship to newer clinicians and helped establish the group curriculum they currently use, as well as instituting effective policies and protocols. While at Compass, she received the award for Continuous Improvement, which highlights her drive and dedication to learning and growth. For over a decade, she has been providing person-centered, solution-focused, skills-based care. Her direct though nurturing, fun, and empathetic approach, is well received and has shown tangible results for her clients. With consistent encouragement and support, clients feel safe to explore their values and to learn successful coping strategies to improve their lives. While Ali has a passion for working with young adults through the tough transitions they face, she also appreciates working with adolescents and adults. She is well-versed in helping people manage struggles with self-esteem, relationships, low motivation, and simply feeling “stuck”. Ali is adept at working with clients with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, adjustment disorders, personality disorders, psychosis and substance use struggles. She has extensive experience working with DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and often incorporates these modalities into her eclectic therapeutic approach. Ali is currently accepting new clients virtually and at the downtown Chicago location.
College life can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming, stressful, or isolating at times. At The Noel Approach, we create a safe and supportive space where students can process challenges, explore their identity, and build healthy coping tools. Our approach combines traditional therapy with creative and expressive practices—like art, mindfulness, and intentional journaling—to make healing feel approachable and personal. Whether you’re navigating academic stress, relationship shifts, trauma, or simply trying to balance it all, we’re here to walk alongside you. Our goal is to help you find your voice, strengthen your resilience, and create habits that support both your mental health and your personal growth.