Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

What’s keeping you stuck? Are you struggling to understand why relationships keep failing or why your job or school is depleting you? Are you overwhelmed, trapped in a pattern of people pleasing, or struggling with anxious thoughts you can’t seem to stop? Are you high-achieving or perfectionistic and struggling to find peace in your life? Maybe you’re just grappling with the existential questions and wondering what the meaning of all of this is. I specialize in helping people get unstuck, gain confidence, and create the lives they want. I teach you how to cultivate calm in your body and understand how thoughts and internal narratives influence feelings and behaviors. You will learn how to position yourself as the observer of your emotions (like anxiety, irritability), so you can respond intentionally—rather than on autopilot. I provide insightful online therapy that allows you to feel seen, heard, and understood - all in the comfort of your home. I love doing the deep work that helps you better understand yourself and empowers you to build the life you want.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Feeling anxious? Overwhelmed? Depressed? College can be tough, but The Ward Practice can help! Dr. Cheriece McNeely is a double board certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist proficient in providing psychiatric care throughout the lifespan. She specializes in treating college students as they are navigating transitioning to college, being away from family, taking on more responsibilities and contemplating career choices. She utilizes a holistic, individualized approach in partnership with students to develop a treatment plan which aligns with their goals. She understands that various factors affect you and the way you show up in the world. She will support you as you navigate the stress and anxiety of life transitions, she will help you to overcome the effects of traumatic life experiences, and she will embolden you to make your peace a priority in order to enjoy a vibrant, thriving life. ​ After an initial psychiatric evaluation, Dr. McNeely may develop a treatment plan which may include psychoeducation and medication management. Most importantly, Dr. McNeely understands the stigma associated with seeking and receiving psychiatric treatment, and is dedicated to demystifying mental health concerns to make psychiatric care less intimidating and more accessible. Thus, she offers HIPAA compliant virtual appointments so that you have the opportunity to receive care in a place which is comfortable for you, as long as you are located in Illinois.

I am a firm believer that making the decision to address your issues takes a great deal of courage and bravery. Many of us come from circumstances or environments that encourage us to push through pain by burying it, outworking it, or avoiding it. While these coping skills help us to survive, they don't necessarily encourage us to thrive. As a therapist with psychodynamic training and extensive life coaching experience, it is important to me that our sessions focus on identifying where core issues are coming from, encourage collaborative problem solving, as well as create space for intentional goal setting. I have a great deal of experience helping young adults and professionals with life transitions. Building an authentic sense of self is the first step to cultivating a sense of purpose, empathetic relationships, and healthy boundaries. I approach therapy from a multi-modal lense and take great care to address and honor differences in lived experiences. If anything above resonates please contact me! Being a first-generation Arab American myself, I know how difficult it can be to move past the stigma of pursuing mental health services. That being said, I also know that the most difficult things in life also tend to be the most rewarding. You should be proud of yourself for taking this first step!

You’ve been carrying a lot for a long time—maybe the impact of childhood trauma, complicated relationships, or anxiety and shame that seem to live in your body as much as your thoughts. On the outside you may appear high-functioning and capable, but inside things can feel overwhelming. Many of my clients grew up navigating emotionally unpredictable families, painful relationships, or environments where they learned to minimize their own needs to keep the peace. They want more than coping—they want to feel safer in their body, understand their patterns, and finally experience relief from the past. I integrate EMDR, art therapy, somatic approaches, and insight-oriented talk therapy to support healing in both mind and nervous system. Drawing from parts work and trauma-informed care, we move at a pace that respects your story while helping you reconnect with emotions, build inner safety, and process experiences that feel stuck. Reaching out for therapy takes courage—especially if you’re used to handling everything on your own. Whether you're processing trauma, navigating anxiety or depression, or trying to feel safer in your own body, you deserve a space where all parts of you are welcome. When you're ready, I’m here.

I am a passionate clinician working within the field of eating disorders and mental health. I provide nutritional therapy to guide individuals in redefining their relationships with food, nutrition, body image, and overall wellness. As a dietitian, I use nutrition therapy to unravel the nutrition and diet beliefs held by individuals and society. I believe that there is no “secret” or “magic pill” to having a healthy relationship with food. By including principles of Intuitive Eating (IE) and Health at Every Size (HAES), I practice a non-diet approach. I follow the philosophy of all foods fit, incorporating balance, moderation, and variety in one’s intake. Once one can recognize that all foods fit, a positive relationship with food can be developed. I am currently accepting new clients and would love to be a part of your journey!

College is a lot. Therapy can help. Whether you’re navigating classes, relationships, identity, anxiety, or just trying to figure things out—you don’t have to do it alone. I’m Mary Patton, LCSW, a therapist who gets how overwhelming this phase of life can be. I work with college students who want a space to talk it out, find clarity, and feel more grounded. No pressure. No judgment. Just real support as you move through this messy, transformative chapter.

I work with clients who experience anxiety, depression, body image issues, disordered eating, and struggles with life transitions. I am passionate about creating an empathetic, nonjudgmental space where you can be fully yourself! I strive to cultivate a therapeutic bond based on trust and authenticity. I want therapy  to be collaborative, because I truly believe you are the expert on your own life. Therapy sessions  should be unique to you and your goals, and I want to ensure that you feel heard. I take a systemic approach that prioritizes the impacts that culture, power imbalances, and larger societal systems can have on your life, while also attending to your personal narratives. I aim to facilitate healing by offering compassionate perspectives and attentive listening.

If you’re dealing with OCD or anxiety, you may feel stuck in your head and consumed by worries, doubts, and intrusive thoughts. Decisions can feel paralyzing, and uncertainty may seem unbearable. Anxiety can be a heavy burden, but you don’t have to carry it alone. Together, we’ll find ways to both confront and cope with your anxiety. We’ll foster self-compassion and explore new ways of relating to your thoughts. By building confidence in your ability to tolerate discomfort, you can reconnect with what matters most and move toward a meaningful, fulfilling life. I specialize in treating OCD, body-focused repetitive behaviors, and anxiety disorders. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I’m passionate about supporting queer clients. I value creating a safe, affirming space to process emotions without judgment. I use a person-centered approach, viewing you as the expert, and evidence-based therapies including ERP, I-CBT, ACT, and DBT. I incorporate mindfulness and self-compassion into my work. If this resonates with you, I invite you to reach out. I'd be honored to support you!

Tonya Vander, LCSW, understands what trauma and grief look like when life is severely altered, and she offers a strong, empathic ear and tools to guide clients through healing. She creates safe spaces for individuals to feel heard, encouraged, and accepted. She supports clients age six and up struggling with depression, family conflict, mood disorders, stress, and is especially skilled at treating: Trauma/PTSD: Tonya is highly skilled at treating trauma and supporting clients through the tremendous repair work needed to heal. She helps clients focus on hope and resiliency no matter what barriers they're facing. Tonya understands change takes time, but there's possibility to overcome anything and move forward.

I know it can be hard to ask for help, but you are not alone. There is no shame in reaching out for help. I am passionate about supporting clients facing challenges such as, depression, anxiety, life transition, difficulties with work, family conflict, relationship concerns, stress, trauma, loss and grief, domestic violence, and cultural issues. We will work together to achieve your therapy goals. We will work towards you finding self love and inner peace. My approach is mostly a blend of person-centered theory that includes evidence-based practices, such as CBT, DBT, and ACT. My goal is to create an environment that is safe and supportive in order to empower clients and equip them with the tools needed to navigate challenges and promote healthy healing. My belief is that mental health and wellness is an essential component of a life that feels healthy and whole. No matter the reason for seeking therapy, it takes great strength to seek healing, growth, and positive transformation. I would be honored to be alongside you on your journey.

Therapy with me is collaborative and client-centered. You lead the conversation, and we focus on what feels most important in your life. My approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, helping you understand how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected while building practical tools you can use in everyday situations, including class, work and your relationships.

Clients come to me for support with overcoming adversity in order to start living their best life. My style is affirming, empathetic, and encouraging, which fosters your ability to identify unhelpful patterns, process complex emotions, and strengthen the coping skills you need for personal growth. Life can be hard and we all could use extra support. In our first session, you can expect to go at your own pace. My priority will be your comfort and emotional safety. You can expect our sessions to provide a nonjudgemental space for you to feel safe to explore, grow, and heal. We'll take time to get to know each other and talk about expectations as well as explore your current concerns, challenges, and goals for therapy. Together, we'll sketch out a plan for how to move forward with creating meaningful change in your life.

Whether you have specific goals in therapy, or are simply struggling to keep your head above water, therapy can be a space to slow down and allow yourself the opportunity to sit with your experiences and feelings. I love working with queer and trans folks, people exploring their gender and sexuality for the first time, as well as people with Autism and ADHD, and people who are exploring the possibility that they may be neurodivergent. I also enjoy working with people with complex trauma histories, religious trauma, complicated family dynamics, as well as people struggling with anxiety and mood disorders. I am dedicated to working with clients to identify and process what is keeping them “stuck,” so clients can create for themselves a healthier future. I believe that harnessing creativity within the process of therapy can be extremely beneficial, especially for clients who have a more difficult time verbally expressing their thoughts and feelings. As a nonbinary and neurodivergent person, I know how important it is to find a therapist who shares your identities. I generally tend to be laid-back and very relational as a therapist and enjoy using humor to build rapport. Ultimately, this is YOUR space, and I want clients to feel like therapy is a place where they get to exercise autonomy.

Do you identify as gender diverse (transgender, non-binary, gender queer, etc)? Are currently questioning or discovering your gender and/or needing a referral letter for medical transition steps? Jack Garner, LCSW is a licensed clinical therapist in the states of Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Illinois and is a member of WPATH. Their practice is offered online where they provide individual counseling and coaching as well as referral letters for medical transition steps, such as HRT and surgeries (Note, all WPATH referral letters are provided under the informed consent model - meaning NO gate-keeping practices and it takes just one session to obtain your letter). I identify as gender diverse (AFAB, Non-Binary, Transmasc), which allows me to have a unique understanding, both personal and professional, that is not often found in the therapy world. I am passionate about serving our community and understand what it is like to question your gender, experience dysphoria, and take medical transition steps. If you are looking for a therapist who truly understands you and has 'been there' themselves - I am here for you! I look forward to meeting you and will absolutely consider it my honor to assist you in discovering and/or furthering your path to authenticity, wholeness, and joy. Please visit my website at www.JacksonGarnerLCSW.com for more information.

I have worked with college students and young adults since 2017 providing outpatient counseling in settings such as a college counseling center, nonprofit agency, and private practice. I work with goals such as building healthier relationships, including managing difficult family dynamics, developing independence from family, exploring dating or building healthy romantic relationships, or navigating friendships and relationships with people they see at school and work. In addition, many of my clients are navigating their relationship with themselves! I particular love working with clients who are exploring sexuality and gender identity, religion and spirituality, socioeconomic class dynamics, and their understanding of self in a political context. I have worked with a lot of young people who identify as artists and activists, high achievers, and young people who are coping with life as an adult child of an alcoholic.

Navigating college life brings its own set of challenges, and it's completely normal to feel overwhelmed or stuck at times. As a therapist specializing in supporting college students, my mission is to help you recognize that even in the midst of academic pressures, relationship complexities, or personal uncertainties, there is always a way forward. I adhere to the belief that "There is Always a Way," and I'm here to guide you through your unique journey. Whether you're grappling with the demands of college, experiencing self-doubt, managing complex relationships, or trying to find a balance between academics and personal life, we can work together to uncover possibilities for growth and create lasting positive changes. My expertise lies in assisting college students dealing with issues like stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and the challenges of transitions. By exploring your thoughts and behaviors, we can gain valuable insights that will empower you to overcome obstacles and thrive during this transformative period. Embarking on a therapy journey during your college years may seem daunting, but I'm dedicated to creating a safe and supportive space where you can openly share your thoughts and concerns. My goal is to make you feel seen, heard, and empowered throughout this process. When you're ready, I'm here to collaborate with you on your journey, helping you navigate through the uncertainties and discover the path forward to a more fulfilling college experience. Delve is a depth-oriented practice with multiple clinicians dedicated to thinking deeply and flexibly about the therapeutic process and your growth experience. Our clinicians work diligently to build a trusting therapeutic relationship that serves as the foundation for clinical work. Read more about our approach at https://delvepsych.com/Theory/

I have been working as a licensed clinical psychologist for over 20 years, serving adults in both individual and couples’ therapy. My style is supportive and non-judgmental in order to create a safe and trusting atmosphere. As a Humanist, I believe that people are always striving to succeed, but at times are blocked by fears, doubts and loss of clear identity. I see my clients as collaborators in the therapeutic process, and together we create a personal path for growth and change.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi, I’m Danielle, and I help people who are struggling with depression and anxiety find their way back to feeling like themselves again. Life can get heavy sometimes—maybe you’re feeling constantly overwhelmed, stuck in negative thoughts, or just tired of pretending you’re okay when you’re not. I get how exhausting that can be. In our work together, my goal is to create a space where you can be real—no pressure, no judgment. We’ll talk through what’s weighing on you, explore where those feelings come from, and find tools that actually work for you. Whether it’s learning how to quiet that inner critic, manage anxiety in the moment, or just start feeling more like you again. We’ll take it one step at a time, together. You don’t have to go through this alone. I’m here to support you in a way that feels honest, empowering, and genuinely helpful.