Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

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Finding a therapist who feels like a good fit can matter as much as the therapy itself. I work with students who are thoughtful, capable, and often carrying more than they let on — anxiety, stress, self-doubt, trauma, or the pressure to keep it together while figuring out who they are and where they’re headed. I’m a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) with a background in both clinical mental health and higher education. Before returning to full-time clinical work, I spent many years working on college campuses as well as teaching in undergraduate and graduate courses. I understand the unique stressors students face — academic pressure, financial stressors, identity development, relationships, family expectations, and the emotional toll of trying to succeed in an uncertain world. My approach is warm, collaborative, and trauma-informed. I integrate evidence-based practices with a strong focus on nervous system regulation, emotional awareness, and practical skills you can use in everyday life. Therapy with me is a space to slow down, make sense of what you’re experiencing, and learn how to respond to stress and anxiety with more clarity and self-compassion. Many of the students I work with struggle with anxiety, people-pleasing, perfectionism, burnout, or feeling disconnected from themselves. Together, we work on building a sense of safety, learning how to set boundaries, and developing coping strategies that support both mental health and personal growth. I believe therapy should feel human, respectful, and supportive — a place where you don’t have to perform or have everything figured out. My goal is to help you feel more grounded, more present, and more able to navigate life with confidence and care.

As a queer therapist, I believe there is no one “right way” to live our lives. This is the same for therapy, there is no “right way.” I believe we all have the power to harness our strengths and find the path that gives us the most meaning and purpose. Clients are the experts in their own lives – each person has the tools and skills to solve their problems, though sometimes may need some outside help to find those tools and learn those skills. Together we can create a therapeutic alliance that is conducive towards self-discovery, growth, and fulfilling your potential while honoring your history, resiliency, values, and beliefs. I completed my Masters in Social Work at Loyola University Chicago. I am working towards being a Certified Sex Therapist (CST) through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). I specialize in working with the LGBTQ+ community, gender diverse, the consensual non-monogamy (CNM) community, and I am kink/BDSM-affirming.

We live in a hectic, high-pressured world. It can be hard to stay connected to one's true self when managing the stress and expectations of our nonstop culture - especially when life doesn't go according to plan. I provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment to help you gain perspective, process past experiences, clarify your values, and experience healing and deeper fulfillment. Together we will use sessions to set goals, identify barriers to growth, increase coping skills, and build on your existing strengths. I enjoy working with individuals of diverse ages, sexual orientations, genders, & backgrounds. I employ an individualized, person-centered approach and utilize aspects from several research-based approaches. I have over 10 years of experience providing therapy for a variety of presenting issues including anxiety, depression, and difficult life transitions. I'm grateful for your courage and interest in therapy. It can be a life-changing process and I would be honored to support you on your journey toward healing and wholeness. If this resonates with you, please reach out today to schedule an initial session with me.

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.

I help people process trauma, manage their emotions and anxiety, and maximize their performance with the combination of talk therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Brainspotting, and/or Internal Family Systems (IFS). A Free 15-minute consultation is offered to ensure a good fit.

Welcome to The Healing Palace ✨ College life can feel like a whirlwind — balancing classes, relationships, work, and figuring out your future. At The Healing Palace, we understand that behind the hustle, students often carry stress, anxiety, trauma, and unspoken challenges. We’re here to be your safe space. A place where you can breathe, unpack the weight you’ve been carrying, and discover healthy ways to thrive mentally, emotionally, and socially. Our team of therapists specializes in supporting young adults as they navigate identity, relationships, and the pressures of everyday life. Whether you’re seeking one-on-one therapy, group support, or just a space where you can feel heard without judgment, The Healing Palace is here to walk with you. Because your mental health matters. Your voice matters. You matter.

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Life doesn’t come with a manual—though it sometimes feels like everyone else secretly got one. When stress, anxiety, trauma, or old patterns start getting in the way, I can you you figure out what isn’t working, understand why it keeps showing up, and develop realistic strategies to move forward. My approach is collaborative, grounded, and goal-oriented.

From the outside, it may look like you're managing everything. You're balancing classes, work, internships, relationships, and family expectations, but underneath it all you're anxious, overwhelmed, or constantly questioning whether you're doing enough. If you're tired of carrying that pressure on your own, therapy can help you make sense of what's beneath it. I work with college students, graduate students, and young adults navigating anxiety, burnout, academic stress, ADHD, depression, life transitions, and relationship challenges. Together, we'll explore what's keeping you stuck and build practical skills to help you manage stress, set healthier boundaries, and feel more grounded in your daily life. As a bilingual therapist, I'm especially passionate about supporting Latina and Spanish-speaking women. Whether you're balancing different cultures, navigating family expectations, or figuring out who you want to be, you deserve a space where your experiences are understood without having to explain every part of your identity. My approach is strengths-based, culturally responsive, and practical. I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Positive Psychology, and Emotional Intelligence to help you build resilience, strengthen self-awareness, and make choices that align with your values. My hope is that you'll leave therapy feeling more confident, connected to yourself, and equipped to navigate college and life with greater clarity and purpose.

Hello! I'm Danielle and I work with many university students from the University of Chicago. I assist students to manage stress of the busy college/university lifestyle. Some clients have long standing struggles either diagnosed or not yet diagnosed and I help these clients to discover best ways to cope. Client Types: I work with clients who have or suspect ADHD, ASD, Anxiety, Depression, and adjustment concerns related to family, friends, and academic work. Demographics/Allied: Disability, Men, Women, LGBTQ+, culturally diverse Interest individuals: You may reach out and request a 15+ minute consultation to see if we'd be a good fit. How I work: First, I'm Person-Centered (considering the whole person) and considering your unique needs. Then, I use an action based approach to help client's achieve their goals. What would work best for you is discussed in the first session during assessment. Who works best with me: Those who like an interactive counselor who is empathetic and with validate your feelings while also challenging you to grow and increase positive changes. My goal is to assist you to gain a healthy tool box to manage life's stresses.

Sometimes you feel like you just can’t take it anymore. Sometimes it's just a gnawing question. Everyone emphasizes the fun and freedom of your college years, but they don't always mention that emerging adult years are also HARD. You're building a whole new life, a whole new independent person. I have helped hundreds of people in serious situations turn things around and build the lives they want. I know what it’s like to be in your head with doubt and worry and shame, and can help people who are struggling with mental health and/or substance use get real results. If you're holding secrets and stresses that are keeping you up at night, affecting your appetite, your friendships, your concentration, your academics, reach out. I offer a free 10 minute chat that can be your first step to freeing yourself from the burden of what you’ve been carrying. Let me know if I can be of service to you. You don't have to do this alone.

Hello! my name Renee Smith, I am a dedicated and compassionate therapist specializing in working with children/adolescents, and young adults. With a deep understanding of the challenges that young people face, I provide a safe and supportive environment where you can explore emotions, build resilience, and develop healthy coping strategies. My approach is emphasizing empathy, patience, and trust as we work together to navigate life’s challenges. I have experience helping children, teens, and young adults, with a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioral difficulties, peer relationships, and family dynamics. I draw from evidence-based therapeutic techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I understand that this stage of life can be complex. My goal is to empower young people to thrive and build a strong foundation for the future. If you're looking for a caring and skilled therapist to support your endeavors, I’m here to help guide you through the journey to emotional well-being and success! Virtual Only....

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Hi! I am an EMDR-Certified and AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist with a specialization in working with college students (both "traditional" and "non-traditional"). I deeply enjoy getting to work with folks who are looking to address challenges they might be experiencing in their relationships: their relationships to partners, friends, family members, and importantly, to themselves. Many life experiences may lead us to feel in disconnection with ourselves: whether you have experienced relational or institutional trauma, are navigating multiple life transitions (e.g. beginning a new degree, receiving a new medical diagnosis), or are exploring social, sexual or gender identity, I am here to help you reconnect with yourself and take steps forward in your healing journey.

For many first-generation and immigrant adults, life can feel like constant translation. Translating language, expectations, emotions, and identities between different worlds. Over time, that pressure can turn into anxiety, burnout, or the sense that you have to carry everything alone. I’m Anahí Aragon, a Mexican-American, Spanish-speaking therapist at NeuroBloom Mental Health Collective in Chicago. I work with adults navigating anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and the complex experience of growing up between cultures. For many first-generation and immigrant adults, life can feel like constant translation. Translating language, expectations, emotions, and identities between different worlds. Over time, that pressure can turn into anxiety, burnout, or the sense that you have to carry everything alone. I’m Anahí Aragon, a Mexican-American, Spanish-speaking therapist at NeuroBloom Mental Health Collective in Chicago. I work with adults navigating anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and the complex experience of growing up between cultures. My approach combines CBT, DBT, Internal Family Systems, mindfulness, and somatic work to help you understand your emotional patterns and build tools that actually work in real life. Therapy with me is supportive, collaborative, and human. We can talk about the serious things while also leaving room for laughter, culture, language, and humor along the way. I offer therapy in English and Spanish and welcome clients who want a space where their cultural background and lived experiences are truly understood. If you’re curious about starting therapy, you can reach out to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.

The students I work best with often feel a disconnect somewhere in their lives, even if they cannot quite name it. For some, that shows up as a body that will not settle, thoughts that will not quiet, or a mind that stays one step ahead of the moment they are actually in; for others, it looks like falling behind on the very things that used to feel manageable, and not understanding why motivation and follow-through feel so out of reach. Some are holding everything together so well that no one around them realizes how much effort it takes, while others are visibly struggling and carrying shame about it. What they tend to share is not a grade point average or a diagnosis; it is the sense that something feels harder than it should, paired with the belief that they should simply be able to push through it on their own. Many are navigating anxiety, OCD, or ADHD that has gone unrecognized for years, often because it does not look the way they expected it to. My work is to help them reconnect body, mind, and daily life, so college can feel less like something to survive and more like a place they can actually be present in.

Caterina Frollano, LPC, specializes in the treatment of adults and adolescents with mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, trauma, women's health, multicultural identity development, and transitional stress. She uses an integrative approach to treatment and is skilled in various methods of intervention including DBT, CBT, dynamic, and multiculturally informed care. Additionally, she has advanced training in prenatal and postpartum care as well as parenting coaching. Caterina has provided psychotherapy at various settings and levels of care. The diversity of her experience enhances her ability to accurately diagnose and develop effective treatment plans for the needs of each client. She understands the importance of the therapeutic relationship and thus approaches therapy with your feelings and experience as a priority. If you're ready to schedule with Caterina, you are welcome to do so directly through the client portal by visiting the Allow Wellness website: www.allow-wellness.com.

Actually ME is an intentional space crafted and created to serve YOU! We offer non-oppressive, trauma informed, client centered psychotherapy, as well as other professional services. In our creation we hold and practice values associated with not only creating but holding space! This explicitly means that our clients are heard and unconditionally accepted for all that they come with. It was done on purpose to create and hold spaces where therapists listen without judgement and guide a unique healing journey. We believe that the client is the expert and that they are capable of fulfilling the change that they want to see in themselves.

I am a firm believer that when undergoing life’s challenges, we owe it to ourselves to be our own best support person we can be. Sometimes that means asking for help. Whether it’s managing the stresses of everyday life, keeping up with ever changing and ongoing societal and systemic concerns, or managing serious mental health distress, I am excited and honored to work with you towards your therapy goals.