Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

Some things are hard to put into words, which is why I draw on art-making, body-awareness, and other expressive tools alongside traditional talk therapy. Based in Chicago’s North Center neighborhood and available throughout Illinois via telehealth, I work with children, teens, and adults at a pace that allows them to fully express themselves, understand their stories, develop self-compassion, regulate their nervous systems, and build coping skills that work for them. In our early sessions, I spend time getting to know you, what brings you in, what has and hasn't worked before, and what you most want from this process. I specialize in walking with those navigating childhood trauma, PTSD, grief, anxiety, and depression. My approach to therapy is relational and grounded in an understanding of trauma, while drawing techniques from many approaches, including ACT, parts work, play therapy, and expressive arts. Faith integration is also welcome in our work upon request. My goal is to create a nonjudgmental space for you to honestly and authentically share the funny, uncomfortable, confusing, and painful parts of life. If you’re looking for a therapist who will slow down, listen deeply, and truly value your story, please send a message, I would be honored to walk alongside you on your journey.

Struggling is a natural part of being human—something everyone faces at different points in life. You might be navigating relationship challenges, managing stress, or dealing with the effects of past traumas. Perhaps you feel lost, want to understand yourself better, or are searching for a way to heal and move forward. You deserve to feel more grounded, build stronger connections, and regain clarity and control. When life feels overwhelming, having a space where you feel safe, supported, and understood can make all the difference. If this resonates, you’re not alone, and I’m here to help.

You're juggling a lot right now. Classes, relationships, figuring out what you actually want to do with your life, maybe dealing with family stuff that followed you to college. Some days you feel fine. Other days, getting out of bed feels like a win. Maybe you're dealing with anxiety that won't shut off, the racing thoughts at 2am, the knot in your stomach before class, the way you replay conversations wondering if you said the wrong thing. Or maybe it's more like a fog, low motivation, feeling disconnected, going through the motions without really being present. We work with college students and young adults who are navigating: - Anxiety that gets in the way of school, friendships, or just feeling okay - Depression, low mood, or losing interest in things you used to care about - Relationship issues with partners, friends, roommates, or family - Identity questions: who you are, who you're becoming, who you want to be - Stress from academic pressure, career uncertainty, or feeling behind - Trauma or difficult past experiences that keep showing up - Coming out, gender identity, or finding your place in the LGBTQ+ community - Feeling like you have to have it all figured out (you don't) We're not going to tell you what to do or give you a bunch of homework. Therapy here is a conversation. We create a space where you can say the things you don't say out loud and figure out what's actually going on. We'll meet you where you are. We offer in-person sessions in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood and telehealth throughout Illinois. We accept BCBS PPO and Aetna PPO insurance and are happy to set up a free 15 minute phone consultation to see if we are the right fit for you.

I work with individuals who are ready to look honestly at the patterns shaping their lives: the same struggle on repeat, a sense of self drifting into autopilot, or anyone bracing for a big life transition. Many come to me after a rupture, or simply because life that once felt manageable now feels like real, heavy work. I also work with people navigating trauma, whether sexual, emotional, or relational, and clients from every background who want a therapist who truly understands their full story, not just its surface, and who won't rush them toward a quick fix or offer easy, empty answers.

Brightland Health is a leading Lincoln Park/Lakeview boutique mental health practice. Our team of Chicago Psychiatrists and Therapists go above and beyond by providing each individual with personalized care.

I am a trauma-informed therapist specializing in sexual abuse, sexual assault, trauma recovery, PTSD, and chronic pelvic pain. I like to use tactile materials in session— clay, collage, knitting, sand trays, watercolor…etc. Sometimes it’s hard to sit in a room with someone and just start talking. Art is a tool we can use to ease anxiety and greet the subconscious. I don’t take too many clients, so I care deeply about each person I work with. I will remember the names of your loved ones. I will want to see pictures of your dog. I will consult with your doctors, advocate for you, and send you resources outside of session. Most of all, I will be genuinely curious to hear what you have to say. Reach out if you want a free phone consult. We can decide together if we're a good fit. You don't owe me anything and you don't have to worry about my feelings. Therapy is your sacred space— I am here to protect it.

Accepting New Clients! Many people begin searching for therapy when they’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or uncertain about how to move forward. If that’s you, I’m really glad you’re here. Whether you’re navigating intense emotions, unhelpful thought patterns, identity exploration, or a difficult life transition, you don’t have to do it alone. I can help you figure out what you need in order to feel more like yourself. Together, we’ll work toward greater self-understanding, emotional resilience, and meaningful, lasting change. If you are ready to see yourself thrive and not just survive, I believe I can help you. I am passionate about working with queer community, neurodivergent folks, younger adults and those within the non-monogamous or kink communities. Though normies are welcome too. I frequently work with people who are struggling with issues like anxiety, OCD, depression, self esteem, body image issues, and very common emotion "this sucks". Everyone is looking for something different in therapy. Some folks want direct skills others want to process more, either way I can help. My approach is flexible but will include principles of mindfulness, self-compassion, and values identification. I believe therapy is a space for growth, deep connection, and sometimes humor. Book directly on my website. Cost for therapy is determined by Insurance plan coverage. Reach out for more info. Your cost will likely be affordable (0-$50) if in network.

I work with individuals on a range of issues, including identity exploration, life transitions, LGBTQIA+ topics, self-esteem issues, trauma, ADHD, autism, and executive functioning issues. Prior to working in Private Practice, I worked I work with individuals on a range of issues, including identity exploration, life transitions, LGBTQIA+ topics, self-esteem issues, trauma, ADHD, autism, and executive functioning issues. I have experience working at a Chicago City College campus, providing complimentary clinical counseling and art therapy services to a diverse range of students from various cultural, racial, and economic backgrounds, using an integrative, multicultural, person-centered approach to therapy. As a queer, transgender, multiethnic clinician, I delight in exploring themes of identity and personal values with clients and supporting them in embracing the parts of themselves that spark joy and a sense of meaning. I believe therapy should be a safe, encouraging, and collaborative experience. I love empowering clients to unlock their creativity as a tool for exploration and processing. In my practice, I strive to foster a space of transformation, authenticity and healing where clients feel seen and understood. Choosing a new therapist can feel daunting, and you deserve to find someone you feel comfortable with. Feel free to request a complimentary introduction call with me to give you some time for us to connect and discern whether I would be a good fit for you and your needs

I am a Registered Dietitian working to help people improve their relationship with food. I work with people with eating disorders, disordered eating, or chronic dieters lookin to ditch the diet for good. In our work together, I will utilize principles from Intuitive Eating and Health At Every Size to help you learn how to let go of food rules and fuel yourself in a way that works for you. I believe all foods fit. I will never tell you that you need to eliminate any foods! I also work with recreational athletes to help them determine fueling plans to perform their best and also feel their best outside of sport. I also use Intuitive Eating and HAES principles in this work as well. I believe fueling for sport can be done while eating intuitively and does not need to have rigid rules. Whether you are struggling with an eating disorder, looking to stop dieting and let go of food rules, or looking to dial in your nutrition to improve your sport, I would love to work with you on your journey!

CityPsych Counseling provides a supportive, nonjudgmental space for college students to explore concerns such as stress, anxiety, relationships, identity, and life transitions. Our approach is collaborative and tailored to each student’s unique needs, with an emphasis on building coping skills and self-understanding.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

At t Embrace Sexual Wellness, our team of compassionate Chicago sex therapists helps college and graduate students navigate the challenges of intimacy, performance anxiety, and sexual self-confidence. Whether you’re exploring your identity, coping with stress that’s impacting your relationships, or struggling to feel connected with your partner, our therapists create a safe, non-judgmental space for growth and healing. We specialize in evidence-based sex therapy, relationship counseling, and individual therapy—tailored to young adults balancing academic, social, and emotional pressures. Our clinicians understand the unique experiences of student life in Chicago and offer both in-person and virtual sessions across Illinois and neighboring states. Discover how therapy can help you build healthy communication, deepen intimacy, and feel more at ease in your sexual wellbeing.

"Growth is never by chance; it is the outcome of people working together." Are you ready to work together in achieving your personal goals? Are your goals to be less anxious and/or depressed and have more meaningful relationships? I understand today's stresses for college students in balancing school/work, challenges with focus, relationships, physical health and future planning beyond college. As a Therapist, my focus in working with my clients is on identifying your personal strengths and helping you to recognize them so you can work to achieve and maintain a healthy physical and mental balance in your life.

At Snow Lake Counseling PLLC, our mission is to help you live a more fulfilling and satisfying life. We empower individuals to make healthy, informed decisions through direct, solution-focused care. With flexible scheduling and virtual accessibility, we ensure that prioritizing your well-being fits seamlessly into your life. Rooted in allyship, our practice is a safe and inclusive space for individuals of all abilities, backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, and relationship structures. At Snow Lake, you are supported to heal, explore, and grow—free from judgment. Mental health support available for: Anxiety | ADHD | Addiction | ASD | Bipolar Disorder | Coping Skills | Communication Skills | Depression | Desire Discrepancy | Divorce | Ethical Non-monogamy | Grief | Intellectual Disabilities | Intimacy Issues | Kink | Life Transitions | LGBTQIA+ | Men’s Issues | OCD | Relationship Issues | Religious Trauma | Stress | Sexual Dysfunction | Substance abuse | Women's Issues We offer convenient online booking though our secure booking portal: https://snowlake.clientsecure.me/

The process of starting therapy can be awkward and scary but life-changing. It is a relief to speak with someone who doesn’t know you to form judgments. This environment is understood as a safe space that you will be provided with. A place where you can feel heard, express your emotions, and receive psycho-education. We all have the ability to change with the right tools. My goal is to meet you where you’re at and grow from there. At Hope and Prosper, I tend to utilize an integrative approach with cognitive behavioral therapy, rational emotive behavior therapy, solution-focused therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy for an effective, personalized treatment. Clients often describe me as insightful, humorous, enthusiastic, and caring. These natural characteristics that I exhibit embrace my personality as a clinician. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with experience therapizing children, adolescents, teens, and adults. I obtained my B.A. in Psychology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I graduated with my M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a concentration in trauma. Currently, I am pursuing my doctorate in clinical psychology (PsyD) to further my career.

Jiapei helps students manage anxiety, depression, social anxiety, ADHD, and the stress of major life transitions, from adjusting to freshman year to navigating the uncertainty of graduating and life after college. She offers a safe, non-judgmental space to be heard and find calm amid the overwhelm of college life. Jiapei helps students balance school, family, friendships, and romantic relationships, while gaining clarity and direction. She builds insight into thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, alongside real coping skills for daily life. Using CBT, ACT, and DBT, she brings a culturally responsive lens as a bilingual (English/Mandarin) clinician supporting BIPOC and international students.

My clinical work is grounded in psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy. I provide ongoing individual psychotherapy for adults, with a particular interest in working with college, graduate, and professional students who are interested in understanding themselves more deeply and exploring the ways that relationships, identity, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, life transitions, and academic or professional pressures affect their psychological functioning. I believe longer-term psychotherapy can be particularly valuable for students whose concerns may not be adequately addressed through brief or symptom-focused treatment alone. My aim is to provide a space where students can address immediate difficulties while also developing a greater understanding of the patterns, conflicts, and relationships that contribute to those difficulties.

Our group therapy practice has trained our clinicians to be trauma and systems informed, neurodivergent and LGBTQ affirmative, and knowledgeable in incorporating and integrating the body and mind in therapy. We consider the individual, societal, and environmental factors and contexts for each client. We also explore the identities you hold and the intersectionality of how your identities inform who you are. We also recognize how macro societal level systems, those that influence experiences of power, privilege, and oppression, deeply impact the experiences of every individual. We use our expertise and understanding about neurodiversity and learning styles in conjunction with Mary Jo Barrett’s Collaborative Change Model to structure and pace healthy trauma informed therapy. We also acknowledge and take into account that when we experience something painful, we experience it on multiple levels. Our approach allows us to integrate the body into therapy and explore what the body needs to feel safe or calm again.

I am a queer mental health professional who uses trauma-informed care to create a safe, inclusive, and empowering space for all clients of any background. I often work with adults who typically present cPTSD (Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), perfectionism, and identity/self-esteem issues. Many come to me seeking help for their religious trauma, betrayal/abandonment trauma, complex relationship dynamics, grief work, somatic work and exploring sex therapy issues. I take a client-centered, anti-harm approach using my training in psychoanalysis. I find it the most helpful to explore attachment trauma and stress responses in the nervous system. The mind and body are connected, exploring healing beyond talk therapy can provide significant insight into a person’s identity and personal needs. It can be difficult finding a clinician who is a good fit, which is understandable, and it can result in feelings of discouragement. I encourage you to reach out anyway to give yourself a chance to experience something new. You can schedule a free 15-minute consultation with me to discuss your needs and goals regarding treatment, then proceed from there.

Chauncey is a graduate student intern beginning her work with Pure Health Center. She is passionate about working with teens and adults through all of life's highs and lows. Chauncey’s approach is person centered, collaborative, and community oriented believing that healing is non-linear and happens best in relation to others. She understands that clients know themselves best and works to help clients live in their unique truths. While predominately person centered, she uses a mix of ACT and DBT to work with those who have experienced trauma, mood disorders, grief, emotional dysregulation or to explore identity formulation and familial dynamics. She particularly enjoys working with marginalized populations such as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and neurodiverse folks. Chauncey has spent the past year working with The Family Institute. She is currently earning her Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a focus on child/adolescence at Northwestern University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Human Services at DePaul University. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her cat, cooking, reading, connecting with friends, and catching up on reality TV.