Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

We are dedicated to providing diverse, inclusive, and culturally accessible mental health services to all. Here are a few areas that we have experience in: Trauma therapy Victims of sexual assault LGBTQ+support Anxiety/Depression Victims of interpersonal/domestic violence. We have six therapists of color, with three of them being bilingual Spanish speakers. Please contact our office if you require additional information. We appreciate your trust and confidence. Our intake email is info@lurocha.org

I enjoy actively engaging with clients and provide a warm, safe, nonjudgmental environment for them to explore all aspects of themselves. Throughout our therapeutic journey, I will tailor my approach to meet you where you’re at and support you reaching your goals and living your most genuine, authentic self/life. I have many years experience working with college/post-college humans, the LGBTQIA+ community and women’s issues. I swear, use humor and self-disclose when appropriate. Reach out!

As a bilingual (Spanish & English) trauma-sensitive therapist, I offer integrative, individualized care. My approach is shaped by your unique needs. Everyone has a unique story and deserves an individualized approach to treatment. I believe in a holistic and caring approach, actively listening and engaging with you to build a strong therapeutic alliance- a vital step in healing. In our work together, my focus will be on understanding you as a whole person, shaping our therapeutic path around your unique experiences and needs. I believe that building a strong, trusting relationship is the foundation of all healing. In the safe space we create, you'll have the opportunity to process your emotions, build resilience, and discover new ways of coping. With a deep respect for your background and identity, I am committed to empowering you to improve your quality of life and mental health.

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.

Leslie Alton at Self-Empowerment Counseling provides Evidence Based Treatment via Telehealth for Anxiety, OCD, Eating Disorders, Depression, Trauma, and other mental health struggles. Licensed to practice in FL, IL, IN, and OK. Meeting You Wherever You Are, For Your Counseling Needs.

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.

I specialize in working with adults who struggle with concerns related to mood, anxiety, attachment and relationships, and identity. I enjoy working with clients through an interpersonal, relational lens. This means that I believe the therapeutic relationship can be healing in itself, and in order to aid the healing process I also use components of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and psychodynamic therapy. I take a collaborative, empowering approach to therapy. You are the expert on your life, and together we’ll explore your experiences to better understand what may be holding you back. My goal is to help you uncover the insight, clarity, and inner strengths you already have to create meaningful change.

Searching for a therapist can feel daunting, especially when life’s challenges seem to outweigh the moments of clarity. Yet, taking this step toward your well-being is a testament to your resilience and courage. Therapy offers not just a safe haven, but a pathway to understanding, growth, and personal empowerment. Whether you’re an athlete striving for peak performance, or an individual navigating the complexities of daily life, I’m here to support you on your journey. Together, we can navigate the psychology of performance, challenge thought patterns and behaviors, and explore personal beliefs to foster self-awareness, build self confidence, and tap into your inner champion. My approach to therapy is rooted in the belief that true healing involves nurturing both the mind and body. By blending traditional therapeutic modalities with sports psychology techniques, we can cultivate a strong relationship between the mind and body that can promote overall well-being.

We know how hard it can be to navigate life in college, in a new environment, away from your support system and all of the varying experiences that take place as a young person. We're here to help. Our practice enjoys working with people on a variety of issues and the relationships we build with clients are long lasting, caring and filled with warmth and humor. Visit our website to check out our clinicians and schedule a free 15 minute consultation today to see if we'd be a great fit for your mental health journey!

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.

It's been some time since you felt like you. Have you noticed that you been withdrawn? Overwhelmed? Maybe you are noticing that your feelings of being down, sad, worried, or anxious just aren't going away. Maybe you're unsure about the future of a relationship, that your life is turned upside down, or just feel that you aren't living the life you were meant to lead. You've thought about reaching out for therapy, but you weren't sure. It's ok. We are here. Reach out today. We help you feel like you again. Through engaging in counseling we will assist you in accomplishing your goals. We believe that each of us encounters our own challenges in the course of creating a full life and that through partnering with a helping professional the path of improving your own wellness may be a bit brighter. We strongly believe in each individual’s capacity for growth and insight. Engaging in therapy with one of our therapists and starting (or continuing) your healing process, we believe you can develop and strengthen your own inner light and we hope to share in this process with you. As your collaborative partner, our clinicians will use their attuned listening skills, reflections, and specialized training to provide quality, individualized, and counseling and psychotherapy. Taking the first step towards change is never easy, but is often rewarding. When you are ready to take a step on a new path, let us be there to help you strengthen your own Bright Light. Our clinicians work with young adults, college students, and adults who are diverse in their identities, life experiences, and backgrounds. Areas of expertise include treating anxiety, depression, life transitions/adjustments, emotion regulation, traumas and stressful experiences, cultural and racial stress, and relationship issues. Additionally, each of our clinicians have their own areas of expertise. You can learn more about our clinicians on our website.

Will is a psychoanalytic candidate with the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis and practices an integrative approach to therapy that is rooted in psychoanalysis, drawing from experiences of working in residential therapy and community mental health. He is also trained in Child and Parent Psychotherapy, an evidence-based practice that works to mitigate the negative effects of trauma by strengthening the parent-child bond for young children aged 0-6 and their caregivers. Will believes we all make sacrifices to try and fit it; he believes this to be the origin of many of our symptoms which he understands to the be the reasons and experiences that bring clients to therapy. We try to be good workers, family members, and citizens, but oftentimes, in our struggles to fit it, belong, or be good human beings, we lose sight of something inherent in ourselves. “Fitting in” has a price. If you’re coming to therapy, the price probably feels too costly. No matter how hard we try, sometimes we don’t fit in or we feel like an outsider or an imposter. We might feel like there’s something we’ve lost or something we’ve never had. People who hear voices, live through anxiety and fear, think or experience the world differently, and are in mourning have a place in my practice. Will offers a place to relationally understand these sacrifices and symptoms; to discover where they come from and make space for something new. Through a therapeutic relationship built on trust, respect, and collaboration, we’ll work to understand the choices we unknowingly make and look to untangle the knots that oftentimes get in the way of living the life we want.

In the pursuit of health, it can be easy to get trapped by diet culture messages that make us think we need to restrict our favorite foods to support our health goals. Clients are empowered to make daily food choices that support their health goals without judgment and without rigid rules. Cool, right?

I specialize in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems in adolescents and adults (ages 12 and up). In my work, therapy often focuses on dealing with stress related to academic demands, difficulties in peer and romantic relationships, family conflict, low self-esteem, as well as struggles with self-identity. I also work with young adults who feel overwhelmed during the transition to college or entering the work force for the first time. I draw on elements from empirically supported treatments such as CBT, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I strive to offer an emphatic, non-judgmental approach to treatment. As a Latina, it is particularly important to me to serve my community and I welcome Spanish speaking clients.

Growing up, I felt very isolated because I was a half-Japanese child growing up in a predominantly white community. When I was young, I didn’t understand why I was treated differently or why people would constantly ask my Caucasian mom where I was adopted from. Living a life full of questions like “What are you?” “Where are you from…originally?” and being told that I wasn’t able to play with other kids in the community because I was “different” and being bullied because I looked different, really encouraged me to seek more understanding of the world. Throughout my development I found solace in learning more about human relationships, and exploring what I thought about myself, my values, and my hope for what my life could be, rather than allowing the judgements of others to drive my behavior and thoughts of myself. Learning about intersectionality, racism, microaggressions, implicit bias, and social justice changed my life. I know that psychoeducation, compassion, curiosity, and challenging shame can change lives. Kimi is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois and Utah. Kimi has a Master’s of Social Work from The Ohio State University and provides evidence-based treatments through EMDR, IFS, ACT, MI, DBT, CBT, TF-CBT, shame-informed therapy, and a self-compassion focus. Kimi has completed Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and she uses Gottman Method Couples Therapy in her work. Before becoming an outpatient therapist Kimi has worked in community mental health, hospital settings, and has intensive training in acute care, suicidal ideation and self-harming assessment and treatment, and crisis intervention.

Hey there!! My name is Kim Koehler and I am the founder and lead therapist at Afterglow Counseling. I am accepting new clients in Indiana and Illinois! I have several years of experience in counseling and therapy with individuals of diverse backgrounds. I specialize in treating individuals who are survivors of various forms of trauma, and those struggling with body image issues/changes, low self-esteem, life transitions, women’s issues, depression, OCD, and anxiety disorders. My approach is to meet you with patience, understanding, and empathy as you share your vulnerable moments with me. I believe that everyone has the power to make changes to parts of their lives that no longer feel aligned with themselves, and am here to offer you encouragement to do so. I have extensive training in trauma and crisis intervention, as well as several years in the private practice setting working with clients of various backgrounds and presentations. I value collaborative relationships, and believe that creation of your own goals for your journey in therapy is the first positive step towards regaining control and autonomy. I believe in empowering individuals to reflect on barriers in their lives, and the strengths they currently possess and skills they can add to overcome these barriers. I believe in practicing self-compassion during difficult periods of our lives, and am committed to working with you to improve your sense of self in the hopes of leading a life you love.

Welcome! My name is Caitlin and I'm a clinical psychologist that specializes in cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT), especially in the treatment of anxiety and related struggles. I mostly work with young adults and college students. I work collaboratively with my clients to identify active goals for treatment, with a focus on living a life that is flexible, fulfilling, and guided by one's values. I strive to create a supportive and strong therapeutic bond with my clients by using warmth, unconditional positive regard, compassion, and some lightheartedness and humor, when appropriate. I have extensive experience in providing CBT therapies, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), mindfulness, self compassion, behavioral activation, and motivational interviewing. I know it can be intimidating to start therapy and find a therapist who is a good fit. I would love to schedule a complimentary initial phone call to learn more about you, tell you about my approach, and answer questions you may have, and we can together determine if it feels like a good fit. I currently have availability afternoons and evenings, Mon-Thurs.

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....

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 have been in practice as a therapist for over 10 years and have worked in a variety of treatment settings over the course my my career. As a queer therapist, I enjoy working with LGBTQIA+ individuals and the issues we face, and welcome clients of all races, sizes, genders, cultures, abilities and orientations. I specialize in working with clients with depression and anxiety, binge eating and body image distress, Borderline Personality Disorder, and other struggles in regulating emotions and managing relationships.