Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

If life feels like a dumpster fire there's a spot on my couch for you. I'm a social worker who specializes in providing therapy to college students dealing with anxiety, depression and ADHD. I also often work with clients struggling in their relationship with their parents, partner or friends. In your individual therapy sessions we will work to align your life with your values rather than your fears. I I provide a warm nonjudgmental approach to help you clarify what matters to you in life while also finding relief from distressing thoughts and emotions. Throughout our development we ask the question, "who am I" over and over. I create an accepting environment for you to freely explore this question. All identities are welcomed and I have experience working clients who are part of the LGBTQIA community, I look forward to connecting with you!

I've worked with children, teenagers, and adults struggling with significant emotional and behavioral challenges for 16 years and have found that no matter the difficulty things can improve with hard work. Whether one's goal is emotion regulation, behavior change, or the exploration and cultivation of identity and meaning, the use of a therapeutic relationship based on honesty, authenticity, and mutual respect can have a profound impact on one's life course. While this work is challenging it can be life changing, allowing a person to develop their talents and gifts in ways that enrich their lives and the lives of others. My clinical specialty is work with young people who are struggling significantly with their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, including those who have not found therapeutic success elsewhere. I also tend to work well with kids and young adults who are undecided as to their interest in psychotherapy, and who have strong personalities. I have extensive experience with complex psychological difficulties and believe that successful therapy requires dedication and hard work on the part of both participants. I also believe it's important that this work includes a search for meaning and understanding on the one hand and the development of practical, useful life skills on the other.

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.

At Ida Lillie, we believe that everyone deserves compassionate, culturally sensitive, and affirming mental health care. As a Black, woman-owned practice, we are dedicated to creating a healing space that centers the voices and needs of marginalized communities while welcoming individuals from all walks of life. Our goal is to offer support that empowers you to explore your unique experiences, challenges, and personal strengths with confidence and clarity.

We are a group of skilled clinicians dedicated to creating space for wellness through thoughtful, evidence based care. Many of us from marginalized communities know what it’s like to have our voices ignored or dismissed. At Ida Lillie, we acknowledge the history and reality of systematic oppression while offering our patients deep healing and change. Our team is passionate about providing reparative care through diverse representation in a field that often lacks it. At Ida Lillie, we offer expert clinicians who support all identities in their mental wellness.

Throughout all stages of life, there are many obstacles we face. If you are facing any challenges, I am here to help you navigate through them and come out on the other side more resilient and better equipped for the next. The populations I have worked with throughout my time practicing include teens and young adults struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, identity, and addictions. Having a background in cognitive behavioral therapy, I will provide you with tools to identify and chip away at destructive habits and thoughts. As you chip away, you will begin developing new, supportive habits and thoughts, allowing you to experience lasting, positive effects. Throughout our time together, we will work towards developing a strong, therapeutic alliance to create a supportive environment to invite your vulnerabilities and encourage growth.

Sometimes the hardest part of healing is simply starting. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your thoughts, stuck in past experiences, or unsure of how to move forward, you’re not alone. Therapy can be a space to breathe, reflect, and begin again on your own terms. I specialize in teen and adult trauma-focused care, with an emphasis on working with survivors of sexual trauma, domestic violence, complex PTSD, and anxiety. Together, we can work on unlearning harmful thought patterns, building self-esteem, and identifying what safety, strength, and autonomy look like for you in an inclusive, warm, and affirming environment. Through my training and clinical work in trauma focused care and sexual violence, I understand the complexity of trauma and how it can affect every part of our lives, mind, and body. Certified in Trauma-Focused CBT, I use an integrated approach that includes psychodynamic, person-centered, and strengths-based therapies that are tailored to each client. Therapy isn’t about fixing you. You aren’t broken. It’s about reconnecting with your resilience, honoring your lived experiences, and giving yourself the care and space you deserve to heal. If you’re ready to begin this process, I would be honored to be a part of your journey. Please call or submit your request on psychology today to get started.

Therapy should be a place to not only get to know yourself but to grow, change, and flourish. If you have been looking to reconnect with yourself in a space free from outside noise and judgement this is the place for you! I specialize in working with LGBTQIA+ individuals, survivors of intimate partner trauma, and those navigating PTSD, anxiety, depression, as well as the unique experiences of being neurodivergent. We will work collaboratively to honor your individual needs and identities, and create a space where you feel safe, valued, and empowered to live authentically.

Life doesn't always unfold the way we expect. Whether you're feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stuck, or navigating a major life transition, such as relationship changes, divorce, parenting challenges, or career uncertainty, you don't have to face it alone. I believe therapy should do more than help you understand your struggles; it should help you develop the confidence, skills, and resilience to move forward. Together, we'll create a warm, collaborative space where you feel heard, build on your strengths, and create meaningful, lasting change.

Our mission is to make mental health care accessible, collaborative, and culturally responsive. Through evidence-based care and a holistic perspective, we help clients create sustainable change and cultivate a life that aligns with their values. We strive to strengthen our community by supporting individuals and families in developing tools for healing, connection, and growth. We deliver high-quality, client-centered therapy that honors the uniqueness of every individual.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who values creating a space of agency and collaboration between myself and my clients. I apply evidence-based behavioral therapy approaches to help teens and adults who are struggling with anxiety, OCD, and/or depression. I place a strong emphasis on providing gender/LGBTQ+ affirming, culturally conscious, and sex-positive care. I am committed to creating a safe & inclusive space for clients to be able to show up authentically and feel understood. I aim to empower clients by meeting them where they are at on their journey. I strive to maintain a compassionate therapeutic environment that fosters growth and healing. I provide clients with practical skills and tools they need to reclaim control and find freedom from anxiety.

Growing up, my mom would always say, “Everyone has a story.” Today, that phrase has become the foundation of how I work as a therapist. I strive to understand each of my clients’ stories through a holistic, trauma-informed lens, and offer a safe, compassionate space to process the meaning of your story – and to begin writing your next chapter. I'm passionate about working with teens and emerging adults navigating identity exploration, life transitions, relationship concerns, body image issues, anxiety, depression, and perfectionism. I also support clients who are facing religious/spiritual struggles and religious trauma.

You are the expert on your own life, and I see my role as a supportive partner in helping you navigate it. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, struggling in your relationships, going through a period of change, or simply feeling stuck, you don’t have to figure it out alone. I view therapy as a collaborative process built on care, curiosity, and trust. My role is to walk alongside you, offering support, perspective, and guidance as we work toward your goals. Together, we’ll explore what’s been going on, better understand the patterns that may no longer be serving you, and build on the strengths you already have. I especially enjoy working with children, adolescents, young adults, and women through the many changes that come with growing up and finding your way. For children and teens, that might look like navigating anxiety, big emotions, friendships, family relationships, school stress, self-esteem, or simply needing a safe place to talk and feel understood. As a parent, you may know your child is struggling but aren’t quite sure what they need or how to help. Therapy can give them a space of their own to better understand what they’re feeling, build confidence, and develop tools that can support them as they grow. For teens and young adults, therapy can also be a place to slow down and figure out who you are and what matters most to you. Whether you’re adjusting to high school or college, navigating changing friendships and relationships, starting your career, building confidence, or questioning your next step, we can make space for all of it. My hope is that you leave therapy feeling more confident in yourself, more connected to your values, and better equipped to navigate life's challenges with greater self-compassion. Above all, I want therapy to be a place where you feel heard, supported, and empowered to make decisions that feel authentic to you. Wherever you are in your journey, I'd be honored to walk alongside you. My Approach My approach is collaborative, flexible, and shaped around what works for you. I don’t want therapy to feel like another place where you’re being given an assignment or told what you’re supposed to focus on. I often begin sessions by asking, “What’s most top of mind for you today?” From there, we’ll decide together what feels most helpful. Some days we’ll process something difficult. Other days we might explore your values, strengthen communication, build practical coping skills, or incorporate mindfulness into your daily life. I draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness practices, tailoring our work to your individual needs and goals. My hope is that you leave therapy feeling more confident in yourself, more connected to who you are, and better equipped to navigate life’s challenges with greater self-compassion. Above all, I want therapy to be a place where you feel heard, supported, and comfortable showing up as yourself. Wherever you are in your journey, I’d be honored to walk alongside you. Experience I earned my Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University. During my graduate training, I completed my clinical internship at Clarity Clinic, where I provided individual counseling and facilitated therapeutic groups for adolescents and adults navigating a variety of mental health concerns. Prior to becoming a therapist, I worked as a case manager at Thresholds and Journey Mental Health Center. These experiences deepened my understanding of the many factors that influence mental health and strengthened my commitment to providing compassionate, person-centered care. My background has given me experience supporting individuals through life transitions, emotional challenges, relationship concerns, and personal growth, while recognizing the resilience each person brings to the therapeutic process. Licensure I am a Clinical Fellow at Balanced Awakening, completing the final steps toward LCPC licensure. I have several years of clinical experience and I am currently accruing additional supervised practice to be eligible for the LCPC credential in Illinois. I am supervised by Zana Van Der Smissen, LCPC, PMH-C.

We're here because we've been there, so we can't help but to be wholeheartedly invested in your journey. We want to provide you the warmth, validation, and affirmation that can feel so rare in adulthood. Working with us will challenge you, but it will also feel like coming home. We're fired up about your freedom and fight for it alongside you. Always intersectional, pleasure-positive, and identity-celebrating, we have a low tolerance for boxes, assumptions, and systems that stifle your creative healing. We are your unashamed and unapologetic accomplices in doing life-changing, culture-shifting work. We're obsessed with staying up-to-date on affirming, anti-oppressive language and concepts, and think learning directly from queer and BIPOC community leaders is just as important as gathering data from research. We believe in the transformative power of accurate information about sex, gender, and relationships.

I see students who are struggling with stress and anxiety management, going through a difficult breakup, or feeling worried for their future and needing help preparing for graduation. I also see students who have experienced sexual assault while in college. I am trained in the treatment of trauma and grief. From our work together you can expect a safe space to process and receive support, learn new coping skills, and guidance through challenging transitions that college life brings.

Ryan is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Art Therapist. She earned her BFA with a concentration in painting, second major in psychology, and minor in children’s studies from Washington University in St. Louis, and she earned her Masters degree in Counseling: Art Therapy from Adler University. Ryan has 10+ years of experience working with children, adolescents, teens, and young adults in various settings including schools, summer camps, hospitals, community mental health, and private practice. In her therapeutic practice, she specializes in working with individuals who have experienced trauma, are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and/or are navigating challenges with daily functioning as a neurodiverse individual. Ryan also works with youth who are not ready to verbalize their needs, but are looking for a creative outlet and safe space to express themself through art with no pressure of needing to talk. As an art therapist, Ryan utilizes art and art making to facilitate communication and help her clients gain insight into themselves. She is experienced in using various art mediums to help clients navigate complex situations and explore their identity without the added pressure of needing to verbalize their thoughts. No prior art experience or high level of art prowess is needed for art therapy. Art therapy is about the creation of art, not the appearance of the final product! Ryan takes a client-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approach to therapy, utilizing principles from narrative therapy and choice theory, as well as Trauma-Focused CBT to inform her work. Ryan believes that each person is the expert on themself, and aims to empower the client and help them feel a renewed sense of confidence and agency over their life.

Ellen is a Licensed Professional Counselor and art therapist. She received her Masters degree in Art Therapy & Counseling from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Ellen loves working with children and young people. She has experience working with neurodivergent children on issues such as social skills, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Ellen also has experience in providing affirming care to the LGBTQIA+ community. As an art therapist, Ellen utilizes art and art making to facilitate therapeutic discussions and insights with her clients. She utilizes a wide variety of art mediums to explore, create, and investigate within therapy. This practice appeals to a wide variety of populations and experience levels–no prior experience with art is required! Ellen firmly believes in the healing power of art making and sharing that power with others. Ellen’s practice as a therapist is founded on social justice and feminist frameworks, as well as relational-cultural theory. This means she conceives of therapy as a collaborative partnership between therapist and client, one that that relies on respect for each other’s knowledge and perspectives. Ellen holds space for all of a potential client's identities and cultures as you work together in the therapeutic space.

At Resilient Creatures Counseling, we encourage people from all walks of life to honor their resilience. We specialize in treating Trauma and PTSD and serving marginalized communities including queer and gender diverse clients as well as BIPOC and immigrants.

At Resilient Creatures Counseling, we encourage people from all walks of life to honor their resilience. We specialize in treating Trauma and PTSD and serving marginalized communities including queer and gender diverse clients as well as POC and immigrants.

I am an individual and sex therapist specializing in working with clients exploring sexuality, gender, life transitions, and anxiety.