Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

I am a South Asian queer therapist who is focused on creating an authentic space for you to heal and grow. As a second-generation immigrant, I understand the stigma and trepidation that comes with getting mental healthcare. I strive to create a space where you can be seen and heard without judgment. We will work together to identify challenges related to trauma, cultural background, depression, anxiety, and lack of fulfillment in life. I have experience working with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, and complex trauma. I have a particular interest in working with immigrants, communities of color, and queer-identified folks. In my work, my belief is that you are the authority on yourself. I’m certain that you have many pressures in your life telling you who and what you are, and I aim to advocate for you as you turn your attention inward. Using a person-centered approach, I can offer you a chance to implement empathy, compassion, and inner kindness in your life.

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.

Are you feeling stuck? Does your anxiety, stress, or use of poor coping skills prevent you from reaching your goals? I work with adults looking to develop useful tools to decrease unwanted feelings and increase self-confidence. My overall approach remains solution-focused by encouraging growth and progress over the course of treatment. I can provide the space needed to help navigate life's challenges, while feeling secure about the choices you make! I am a Licensed Clinical Counselor and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. My specialities include supporting individuals with anxiety and substance abuse, which can commonly co-occur. Understanding addiction and having the tools to manage emotions can lead to a healthier lifestyle. Let's challenge some of your common unhealthy thoughts together! Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and being active with my dog Auggie. I believe my energy and personality remain calm and balanced, making it easier to open up. I am clear, communicative, and convenient when it comes to therapy, scheduling, and fees so you can focus on progress.

Charissa Simon-Wright earned her BA in Criminal and Social Justice from the University of Arizona (formerly Ashford University), MS in Psychology with a Specialization in Addictions from Perdue University (formerly Kaplan University). Charissa has received a doctoral degree at Walden University- Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Health Psychology. She is a member of Psi Chi, International Honor Society in Psychology, since June of 2019. Charissa has also obtained certifications as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), a Co-Occurring Disorder Professional (CODP-I), and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). Charissa has worked passionately in the behavioral health field for over fifteen years with children and families in multiple roles such as a case manager, housing specialist, family preservation worker, and counselor. While working at the second largest health department in Illinois, Charissa gained vast knowledge and skills that encompasses group counseling, individual counseling, clinical assessments, crisis counseling, addiction counseling, and trauma counseling. Charissa believes in treating the whole person. This means that she takes into consideration the underlying factors that can inhibit a person’s ability to practice healthy habits, so that she and the client can address the root of the issue and not just the symptoms in a collaborative manner. Charissa believes that the client is in charge of their own treatment which creates a sense of autonomy and empowerment that enables the client to move towards identified goals.

I am Isa Bogart (they/she), a queer and nonbinary therapist with a background in survivor advocacy and sexual education. I am a provisionally licensed therapist practicing in the Chicagoland area with a M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. I take a compassionate, creative, and anti-oppressive lens to approaching mental wellness, meaning that I center autonomy, self-expression, and authenticity. As a queer individual, I am passionate about working within the LGBTQ+ community and supporting individuals in navigating their queerness and other identities. Also as a survivor of sexual violence, I find purpose in working with survivors and supporting them in healing and reclaiming joy. I believe every individual should have access to mental health resources not only in times of crisis, but also when they want support in thriving. I am interested in an integrative, relational, and creative approach to counseling, utilizing skills from Internal Family Systems Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Somatic/Body-Based Practices. Reaching out for support and prioritizing your well-being isn’t easy – I hope you’re proud of yourself. If you’ve found yourself here, maybe you are looking to try something new with your mental health and self-care. Maybe you are looking to reclaim your life by unlearning harmful past scripts formed by trauma, upbringing, and societal expectations. Maybe you are looking to explore new or pre-existing identities that you hold. Perhaps you are looking to grow in self-compassion and want to honor and celebrate all parts of yourself. Or maybe you just need a safe space to process all the pain, trauma, and grief that exists in the world today. Whatever feelings and experiences have brought you here today, you are seen here. Together, we can build a space full of warmth, compassion, and authenticity that allows you to safely explore the patterns in your life that contribute to pain and distress. In our space, I will integrate specific approaches to guide our work together - utilizing Internal Family Systems, Feminist and Queer Theory, Liberation Psychology, somatic practices, and creative expression just to name a few. I am passionate about meeting you where you are at and creating an environment that is collaborative and resonates with your unique needs and life experiences. I promise to bring my authentic self with me into the therapy room and will support you in doing the same! By making room for your whole self without judgment, we will work through feelings of shame and work towards valuing your whole, genuine self. In my clinical work, I make space for my clients to process, grieve, rage, and organize around the systemic violence and oppression they face. This looks like asking my clients how they are feeling and processing global atrocities, naming systemic oppression when it shows up in the therapeutic space whether in our clinical relationship or in the client's experiences, supporting the client in unlearning internalized forms of supremacy or oppression, and being clear about my values. I fundamentally believe that mental health and wellbeing is political, and that in order to be truly supportive, counselors must consistently weave racial justice and social justice into their work. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my community and loved ones (ideally outside and in the sun), cuddling my two cats, cooking delicious meals, rock climbing, and browsing local shops. I am a lover of horror movies, reality TV, tarot, astrology, and tattoos. I welcome you bringing your own interests into our therapy space! Additionally, I am a certified domestic violence and sexual violence counselor. Before starting my training as a counselor I worked in advocacy for survivors of sexual violence and relationship violence, as well as in sex education for teens and young adults, two issues I am extremely passionate about. As a queer and non-binary person, I am passionate about working within the LGBTQ+ community and supporting individuals in navigating their queerness, relationships, and other identities. I take private insurance (Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Evernorth, UnitedHealth) as well as private pay ($130/session). In addition to working individually, I also work with relationship systems, couples, and families! To anyone reading this, I am sending caring energy your way and hope to hear from you soon!

Dr. Carrera is a licensed clinical psychologist. She works with adults and adolescents to help them understand the impact of their thoughts, feelings, and actions on their wellbeing. She offers an active and empowering space to navigate issues such as anxiety, low mood, family of origin concerns, identity confusion, and cultural adjustment and transitions. She also provides therapy and coaching for work and school-related struggles, including low motivation, attention difficulties, and time management concerns. Clients working with her will strengthen their awareness of ways that their life experiences may affect their ability to cope with challenges effectively. Dr. Carrera provided psychotherapy to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at Northwestern University’s Counseling and Psychological Services, where she completed her clinical training (Postdoctoral Fellowship). She completed her Doctoral Internship at the University of California, Berkeley. She graduated with her doctorate in Counseling Psychology (Ph.D.) from Iowa State University, a program accredited by the American Psychological Association. She is an active member of the National Latinx Psychological Association and the Society of Counseling Psychology. Born and raised in an Ecuadorian-American home, Dr. Carrera is bilingual and bicultural. Clients can speak English, Spanish, and Spanglish in their work with her. She lived and studied for several years in England and Italy; these life experiences, as well as her identity as a woman of color working in several professional settings, fuel her empathy for clients navigating various cultural messages and social pressures at home, work, and school. She is committed to fusing clinical work with social justice advocacy alongside clients who may feel silenced, marginalized, and disempowered.

AVID Intimacy is a practice that specializes in Relationship and Sex therapy. We work with individuals and people in relationships to navigate relationship issues, anxiety, depression, as well as issued related to sexuality including intimacy issues, exploration of sexual and romantic orientation and recovering from sexual abuse or assault.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Welcome to my practice! I am a licensed psychologist located in Chicago, IL. I have an office at 155 N. Michigan Ave and also see clients online. I am certified through Psypact, and therefore I can meet with clients located in other states. I have been in private practice for over 15 years and I am also faculty member in the Counseling Program at DePaul University. I work with young adults who are collage age and getting started with their careers. I am very familiar helping individuals navigate the stressors of college life as well as the transition to the workforce. I have experience in treating mood and anxiety disorders, relationship issues, and work/school related difficulties. I help clients understand, manage, and reduce their symptoms so that they can feel satisfied and productive in their everyday lives. I am trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, and I also use integrative and insight oriented therapy modalities.

Bella Valore Therapy specializes in individualized treatment for each client and couple, intermixing holistic practices with evidence based psychological healing interventions. This creates a safe space to explore needs, desires, relationships, traumas, and more, by bringing awareness to the self. We can then identify patterns, communication, internalized belief systems, and thought processes in which we operate. Treatment can include a variety of holistic modalities to create healing that has never been possible before. This will allow yourself the time, space, and attention it takes to find healing and create the meaningful changes in your life that you desire.

NK Psychological Services is a consultation-centered practice providing comprehensive psychological services across the lifespan. We offer psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and families, along with neuropsychological and diagnostic assessment. Our psychodynamically-informed clinicians work collaboratively, bringing multiple perspectives to complex cases. We work with children, adolescents, and adults facing challenges from life transitions to longstanding patterns that no longer serve them.

I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago with a specialization in clinical mental health, and hold certifications in alcohol and drug counseling (CADC) and in the assessment and treatment of trauma (NMT Phase I). In my training, I have worked with adolescents and adults in a variety of settings, including community youth programming, community mental health centers, and private practice. I work from a client-centered, strengths-based, and integrative approach in which I am able to tailor therapy to the individual client’s needs. I believe in the power of utilizing attachment and psychodynamic theories to better understand the origins of symptoms along with implementing cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness techniques to relieve symptoms. Because I believe that connection is fundamental to the healing process, I aim to create a warm and accepting therapeutic relationship that allows me to understand the challenges you face, help you determine the goals you hope to work toward, and empower you to create significant and lasting change. My areas of specialization include anxiety, trauma, substance use, relational conflict, self-esteem, and life transitions. When I’m not working, you can find me going to yoga classes, working through a long bucket list of Chicago restaurants, and planning my next travel adventure.

As a previous university counseling center therapist, I work well with students who feel stuck and unhappy, and who are looking to make some sort of change in their lives, whether it is related to mood, purpose, addictions/habits, and/or relationships. I also work well with student who are experiencing nervousness about their academic and/or personal lives, and who are feeling overwhelmed with stress. I help students figure out how to be successful as they transition into young adulthood.

I am a Counselor with a passion for supporting emerging adults as they wade through the complexities of today's world. I believe in a Person-centered , Humanistic approach to therapy. Building therapeutic relationships based around trust and mutual respect, fostering an environment of non-judgement, positive regard, and authenticity. I assist my clients on their journey towards their desired goals, working together we will discover ways to spur personal growth and foster a greater sense of fulfillment in one's life, utilizing, expanding, and developing skills and abilities, including ones you might not even know you already have. I have experience working with a broad range of clients. I particularly enjoy working with emerging adults struggling with life transitions, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. I also have a strong interest in working with clients involve in the creative arts. As well as those living with physical disabilities and chronic health conditions. Utilizing my own experience gaining a BFA in Filn and Television from DePaul University, and being informed by my journey with Legal Blindness. I strive to listen and understand without judgment, and to honor each client's individual perspective on life and the world around them. I am excited to collaborate with my future clients, providing compassion and support as you tackle life's many hurdles. I have immediate availability for new client's, including weekdays and weeknights.

College and graduate school can bring exciting opportunities, but they can also leave you feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or unsure of how to handle everything that's coming your way. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, relationship conflict, academic stress, identity questions, or feeling stuck in patterns you can't seem to change, therapy can help you better understand yourself and build the skills to move forward with confidence. I work with college students, graduate students, and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional regulation, relationship challenges, identity development, and neurodivergence. I have extensive experience supporting first-generation, international, LGBTQIA+, disabled, and neurodivergent students, and I'm committed to creating a culturally responsive space where every part of your identity is welcomed and respected. My approach is relational, collaborative, and trauma-informed. Together, we'll explore the experiences and patterns that have shaped the way you relate to yourself and others while building practical tools to help you manage difficult emotions, strengthen relationships, and feel more grounded in everyday life. I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), interpersonal therapy, somatic approaches, mindfulness, and Time-Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy (TLDP) to support meaningful, lasting change. Along the way, you'll gain practical strategies you can use outside of therapy while developing greater self-awareness, resilience, and trust in yourself. My hope is that therapy helps you feel more confident navigating relationships, managing emotions, and creating a life that reflects who you are and where you want to go.

Feeling obsessive thoughts swirling around? Does it seem like your emotions and behaviors are controlling you more often than not? Life is feeling just too much? I hear you. You are stressed out. Everything you do to try and be in control isn’t working anymore. I know anxiety, relational stress, and sadness are overwhelming, and confronting it seems almost impossible. I want to tell you, you are not alone. Together we will develop healthy strategies to break free from what's holding you back. Together we take what feels unmanageable, and make it manageable. Through a focus on patience, support, and action; I will empower you to uncover new ways of conquering old problems. I look forward to partnering with you. My Background and Approach My approach and focus in therapy is to create a safe space for you to explore your experiences with anxiety, depression, relational issues, and daily life stressors. I do this through a multi-modality approach using exploratory conversation and weaving in structured approaches (CBT, DBT, ERP). In the first several sessions, I will ask a lot of questions so that I can get to know you and what brings you to therapy. Then you will also ask me questions about who I am and how I work. Finally, together we’ll identify your goals for therapy and what you hope to achieve. To me, therapy is a collaboration, so I will ask for feedback along the way to make sure sessions are going well or if we need to try new strategies. I will be your supporter throughout our work. I am gentle, yet direct with my feedback. Together, we will work to identify the root cause of your worries, fears, phobias, and stressors and then through guided strategies, we will break free from what is holding you back and and build the life that you want to live. My Personal Beliefs and Interests As a long-time vegan, I am passionate about animal welfare and sampling all of the delicious animal-friendly food that my city has to offer. I view people through an intersectional lens and am explicitly antiracist and LGBTQIA+ affirming in my therapeutic practice. I am committed to providing safe spaces for clients, which hinges upon staying mindful of the privileges I continue to receive as a white, cis woman. I believe that current events have a profound impact on sociocultural norms, quality of life, and our general wellbeing. It is crucial to consider, and to name, how past and current events influence society and affect individuals, especially in terms of systems of oppression. My hope is to show clients that although, I may not fully understand your experiences, I can provide a safe space to work on your goals for therapy with support and without harm.

Increment Therapy provides mental health services for individuals facing obstacles that have been difficult to process and get through on their own. With the world full of challenges that are difficult to navigate, Increment Therapy is the compass that helps guide you to find the courage and strength to help you process and continue moving forward into a life you want to lead. Throughout the process of therapy, I provide a safe and non-judgmental space to share your story. In our sessions, I will help guide you through taking back your narrative and finding your core self. With an incremental approach, I meet you where you are and cultivate a real and strong relationship so that we take on this journey together. You are in the drivers seat and I will help you along the way. Through every hardship, challenge, or obstacle I will support you and provide a space where you can feel understood with unconditional acceptance, affirmation, and positive reflection.

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 provide psychotherapy to adults of all ages, creating a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore their experiences, gain insights, and develop coping strategies. I specialize in helping clients navigate relationship concerns, life transitions, identity issues, trauma, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and academic challenges. With a genuine and authentic presence, I empower clients to reach their fullest potential. Hailing from the vibrant streets of New York City and raised in a culturally rich Nigerian-American household, I am deeply committed to enhancing mental health care within marginalized communities. A fierce advocate for social justice, I recognize the profound influence of systemic oppression on well-being and strive to address the intersectional nature of social injustices in my work. I believe that therapy is most effective when centering clients' unique cultural backgrounds and values, helping them navigate and resist oppressive structures. Through my experience providing therapy at the Buffalo State University Counseling Center and my ongoing doctoral training in Counseling Psychology at the APA-accredited program at the University at Buffalo, SUNY, I have become attuned to the unique challenges and joys faced by students and early career professionals. - I offer limited evening and weekend availability.

Hi! I’m Matthew Boltz and I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I provide therapy for children, adolescents/teenagers, and adults in Chicago. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety, autism, behavioral disorders, depression, executive functioning difficulties, family stress, life change & transitions, school/work stress, stress, and self-esteem. I have over 10 years of experience working in the field of social work and providing behavioral/mental health services. I began my career working in inpatient and outpatient hospitalization programs and then spent five years working within the education system to provide mental health services as a social worker in elementary, middle, and high schools across the state of Illinois. I have extensive experience working with many subject matters in regard to the education system such as school functioning, special education law, IEPs and 504’s, coordination of care between support staff, and advocacy within the school setting. While working in the school, I also began working in private practice providing therapy to a variety of people with different presenting issues and concerns as mentioned above. I utilize techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Mindfulness-based therapy to support treatment goals through skill-building, gaining insights, and clarifying values. I employ a person-centered and strengths-based approach when working with my clients to honor each of their own individual wants and needs during the therapeutic process. I am an affirming and accepting therapist that provides a collaborative, non-judgmental, and supportive therapeutic environment. My goal is to empower each client with the coping strategies and skills necessary to make the desired changes in their own life. If you have any other questions, would like to schedule a brief phone consultation, or want to schedule your first appointment, please feel free to call or email me. I look forward to talking with you.