Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

Our group therapy practice has trained our clinicians to be trauma and systems informed, neurodivergent and LGBTQ affirmative, and knowledgeable in incorporating and integrating the body and mind in therapy. We consider the individual, societal, and environmental factors and contexts for each client. We also explore the identities you hold and the intersectionality of how your identities inform who you are. We also recognize how macro societal level systems, those that influence experiences of power, privilege, and oppression, deeply impact the experiences of every individual. We use our expertise and understanding about neurodiversity and learning styles in conjunction with Mary Jo Barrett’s Collaborative Change Model to structure and pace healthy trauma informed therapy. We also acknowledge and take into account that when we experience something painful, we experience it on multiple levels. Our approach allows us to integrate the body into therapy and explore what the body needs to feel safe or calm again.

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.

Lizzie received her bachelor’s in nutrition and dietetics from The Ohio State University and went on to complete her dietetic internship at Loyola University Chicago. Prior to Allow Wellness, Lizzie has experience working in a residential, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient levels of care for eating disorder treatment. She also has experience in research, food insecurity and mental health acute care.

Past experiences continue to impact us throughout life in ways that we do not always fully understand. Family relationships, environmental stressors, social norms and cultural expectations can also place enormous weight on our shoulders to carry around. As my clients work through grief, sadness, and anger, I am deeply committed to their process. I welcome clients from various backgrounds, and, in addition, I have an ongoing commitment to working with first and second generation immigrants and their families. By allowing space for unprocessed feelings and experiences, my goal is to help my clients find a path to alleviating the intensity of those feelings, leading to improved relationships – with themselves and with the people in their lives. Please reach out over email or phone to schedule an initial consultation call and an in person or virtual meeting.

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to knowing yourself. If you allow it, I’d be honored to join you on this journey. I utilize various holistic approaches such as somatic based techniques, guided meditation, and neurobiological education to help you gain insight into yourself. This integration of health and wellness paired with an individualized and authentic framework, will allow us to explore some of the many elements that may hold you back from living a life that you are truly deserving and worthy of.

Being a young adult can feel especially overwhelming. You’re expected to build a life, make big decisions, and manage responsibilities—often while still making sense of your past. The impact of trauma, stress, or difficult experiences earlier in life can add another layer of confusion, making it harder to trust yourself or feel grounded in who you are. I offer a supportive space where we can explore your experiences, process what you’ve been through, and find a way forward that feels true to you. In our work together, I offer expressive arts therapy as an additional tool to support healing and self-understanding. This can include drawing, writing, or other forms of creative expression, guided by your comfort. You don’t need to be artistic. Creative processes can help access feelings and experiences that are difficult to put into words. Whether you’re feeling lost, stuck, or simply curious about how therapy might help, I welcome the opportunity to connect. Therapy can offer a space to make sense of your past and strengthen your sense of self in the present. I offer a free 15-minute consultation so we can talk about your goals, answer questions, and discuss if working together is a good fit.

I believe in acknowledging and honoring the yet untold stories of our lives, especially the messy and imperfect parts. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois with 14 years of experience as a therapist. Over the years, I've worked with those struggling with depression, bipolar disorder, generalized and social anxiety, self-esteem issues, substance use concerns, suicidal thoughts, life transitions, family conflict, academic stress, and more. I’ve worked in many diverse settings, however, when I began working in university counseling centers several years ago, I discovered a true passion for working with students. My style is warm, validating, and direct. I bring my genuine, authentic self to the therapy space, and will work with you to understand past experiences, identify recurring themes, and uncover patterns, aiming to bring clarity and foster change. For those who prefer a more structured, goal-oriented approach, another important part of my work with you is to help you discover and develop your own abilities, skills, and strengths- turning them into practical coping skills that can be used in your everyday life outside of sessions. My hope is to build a compassionate and collaborative relationship with you, and to support you through the range of experiences that come with academic life- from its challenges and triumphs to everything in between.

I am a bilingual, trauma-informed therapist who works with clients across the lifespan. Fluent in both English and Spanish, I bring a culturally sensitive perspective to my work and believe that everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and empowered in the therapy space. With over a decade of experience, I strive to create a warm, non-judgmental environment where clients can explore life’s challenges safely and honestly. I draw from a range of evidence-based approaches—including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Informed Care, Person-Centered Therapy, and Integrative techniques—so I can tailor my work to meet each person’s unique needs. I hold a Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Over the years, I’ve worked in a variety of clinical settings, supporting individuals and families as they navigate ADHD, parenting, trauma and grief, cultural identity, anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relationship challenges. I am passionate about helping people build emotional awareness, strengthen boundaries, and reconnect with themselves. I truly believe that with the right support, people of all ages can grow into the most authentic and empowered versions of themselves.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Our emotional world can at times leave us feeling completely out of control. Whether our emotions feel incredibly intense and unmanageable or numb and out of reach. I know what it's like to feel broken, alone, and disconnected from yourself. I believe that everyone has an inner wisdom they can tap into that can guide them towards self trust and healing. I am passionate about collaborating with my clients to discover that deep inner wisdom and become experts on themselves to gain clarity and peace for the mind and body. Together we can explore anxiety, depression, life transitions, self esteem, family dynamics, relational difficulties, and anything in between that keeps you from living the life you are worthy of. We can come to understand your inner critic and gain skills to quiet the noise that leaves you feeling hopeless and doubtful. I have a genuine love for getting to know you and your story. In our sessions together I will meet you with nonjudgmental support that empowers you in your journey towards self-compassion, balance, and authenticity. My hope is that through this process you develop a deeper understanding and acceptance for yourself. I’m so happy you’re here!

Today’s world presents many challenges: navigating family, careers, relationships, stress, and personal concerns, as well as wider issues like racism, political changes, and the demands of a post-pandemic world. You may feel somewhat lost or distressed in what can feel like an ever-changing landscape. This can be felt as depression, anxiety, addiction, alienation or difficulties in understanding identity. Although these challenges can be intimidating, there is hope. Through psychotherapy, I can support you in examining and exploring the intersection of identity and mental health. This can help you live a fuller, more authentic life, with meaning and direction. I will work collaboratively with you to build a relationship that is trusting, non-judgmental and compassionate. Beyond this, psychotherapy can help you to understand mental health concerns, and can reduce symptoms and their impact on your daily life. I teach my clients coping skills, such as mindfulness practices and cutting-edge exercises drawn from the latest research, as well as ways of troubleshooting specific problems, such as communication and stress-management. In this way, there is space for you to tackle issues as they arise throughout the process of therapy. This creates opportunities for you to learn and practice skills independently, with a newfound sense of self-reliance and confidence. I venture to help you nurture a strong and consistent sense of self, so you can bring out the very best versions of yourself. I specialize in working with trauma, depression, anxiety and exploring identity across culture, society and values. Additionally, I have extensive experience working with youth and young people. I have experience supporting my clients in many ways, including through processes of fostering an authentic sense of self, working through challenges with emotional regulation and expression, exploring unique family dynamics, and navigating the complexities of societal and social pressures. Understanding one’s place in the world can be difficult, especially when facing added difficulties brought by concerns related to one’s mental health. If you feel you could benefit from psychotherapy, please reach out. I value and embrace diversity in both my personal and professional life, and have had the privilege of living, working and learning from peoples of various backgrounds throughout my career. This shapes my cross-cultural existential therapy perspective, where I help my clients nurture their best selves within the balance of society, culture, values and spirituality. Together my clients and I find solutions to challenges with their mental health, as well as to connect them with their roots and place within the world beyond. In addition to adults, I have worked with youth, supporting them in developing emotional regulation skills, understanding family dynamics and managing social pressures. Men’s issues are also important to me, especially destigmatizing male mental health challenges, and exploring both positive and negative aspects of traditional masculinity across cultures. With all my clients I value navigating challenges collaboratively, and look forward to the opportunity to support you on your journey. ​ Some of my favorite activities include cooking, global history, playing my guitar, drawing, and staying active, both in nature and the gym.

I specialize in supporting individuals facing challenges such as mood and anxiety disorders, life transitions, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, or those simply seeking a safe space for self-reflection, personal growth, and emotional exploration. At the core of my practice is a genuine therapeutic relationship—one built on trust, empathy, and collaboration. With a foundation in evidence-based treatment methods, I combine clinical expertise with a compassionate, empowering approach. Humor is often woven into sessions where appropriate, helping to create a comfortable and engaging environment. By taking the time to truly understand each client’s unique personality, experiences, and goals, I tailor my approach to meet individual needs and foster lasting, meaningful change. I deeply believe that everyone has the potential to create positive transformation, and therapy can be that powerful catalyst for growth. It is a privilege to walk alongside my clients on their journey, helping them build momentum toward the changes they seek.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

KB & Associates is a multicultural practice with clinicians that look like you. We work with you in exploring your identity, growing your self esteem, and finding healing. We welcome you free of judgement, providing helpful tools for you to use to process your feelings and connect the dots. We are client focused and aim to provide you with what you need to move forward. Personal Introduction: The pain that currently exists in your life may feel like a weighted blanket, but it’s vital to remind yourself that the pain will not last forever. My name is Naseem and I’m a clinical mental health therapist based in Chicago, IL with about 2 years of therapy experience. I am a first generation Palestinian-American with parents born and raised in Palestine. Growing up, my parents never spoke about the importance of mental health, only physical health. Looking back on my childhood and the knowledge I gained over time, I learned that one can affect the other; both of them are equally important and are important for improving overall health. I identify as a queer Palestinian woman. In my culture, discussing mental health-related topics is foreign. One of the main reasons why I chose to pursue therapy as a career path is to be that first step in normalizing conversations on mental health in cultures that don’t discuss it enough like my own. It wasn’t until my adult years that I learned keeping my thoughts to myself 24/7 is doing more harm than good. My parents always told me to “get over it” and I found that wasn’t working for me anymore as I got older. My parents did not have the same opportunities as I do today when they were living in Palestine; they are another main reason why I chose this path. I received my bachelor’s from University of Illinois at Chicago (or UIC) in Psychology and my master’s from Adler University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I also hold a certificate in sex therapy from Adler University as well. In my past and most recent clinical experiences, I had the privilege and pleasure of working with individuals from the BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disability community dealing with difficult life transitions, relationship problems (including infidelity), gender identity exploration/issues, grief/loss, and trauma (including racial and generational trauma). As your therapist, I will help you tap into your inner resources and power so you are able to create and experience a much more fulfilling relationship with the people around you, your life, and, most importantly, yourself. Within my work, I mainly utilize a narrative and person-centered approach. In our therapy space, your safety and comfortability is a top priority. Our space is highly collaborative as well; I want to know how I can best support you as you learn how to support yourself. Lastly, one of my favorite poets, Yung Pueblo, once said “I cannot make you happy, but I can commit to support you in the creation of your own happiness.” Together, we will do exactly that. A little about me (because I am human after all): Outside of work, I enjoy playing with my pup, meeting up with friends and family, reading, painting, playing wordle, and watching 90 day fiancé every Sunday (can’t miss it!).

I work with young adults on a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, relationship issues, educational/career stress among others. Additionally, my background and training is in primary care, which means I also help clients improve issues related to sleep, diet, exercise, and substance misuse. I love to help clients achieve their goals and am known to bring my sense of humor into sessions. Please see the listed availability section to find out more info about hours.

As a dually licensed therapist in Indiana and Illinois, I offer a unique advantage to clients who attend school out of state and return home during the summer. This dual licensure ensures continuity of care, eliminating the need to switch therapists or interrupt treatment. My therapeutic style is warm, direct, and focused on building a strong connection with my clients. Through this approach, I strive to create a safe space where individuals can explore their challenges and work towards growth and healing. I firmly believe in using evidence-based practices to address a wide range of conditions effectively. What sets me apart from other therapists is my ability to infuse humor into the healing process when appropriate. I have found that incorporating humor and creativity empowers individuals to embrace imperfections and build resilience. If you are interested in starting therapy, feel free to reach out for a complimentary consultation where we can explore if my approach aligns with your needs.

Cognitive Solutions Learning Center in Chicago, Illinois offers a staff composed of highly educated trained specialists from a variety of disciplines. Our focus is on proper diagnosis and research based treatment for individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders, Learning Disabilities (Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia), Autism, Anxiety, PTSD, and Depression. In addition to comprehensive psychoeducational and neuropsychological testing, our programs include EEG neurofeedback, educational therapy, psychotherapy, tutoring, and executive functioning skills training.

I am a Registered Dietitian working to help people improve their relationship with food. I work with people with eating disorders, disordered eating, or chronic dieters lookin to ditch the diet for good. In our work together, I will utilize principles from Intuitive Eating and Health At Every Size to help you learn how to let go of food rules and fuel yourself in a way that works for you. I believe all foods fit. I will never tell you that you need to eliminate any foods! I also work with recreational athletes to help them determine fueling plans to perform their best and also feel their best outside of sport. I also use Intuitive Eating and HAES principles in this work as well. I believe fueling for sport can be done while eating intuitively and does not need to have rigid rules. Whether you are struggling with an eating disorder, looking to stop dieting and let go of food rules, or looking to dial in your nutrition to improve your sport, I would love to work with you on your journey!

With three years of experience in the mental health field, my passion is helping individuals overcome challenges, heal from trauma, and work toward a healthier, more fulfilling life. I specialize in trauma, LGBTQ+ issues, crisis intervention, and using a multi-therapeutic approach to ensure that each client receives the personalized care they need. Whether it's dealing with stress, anxiety, family dynamics, or a traumatic event, I strive to provide compassionate, understanding support that respects each person’s unique journey. My therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing from multiple therapeutic theories to best meet your needs. I believe that healing is a process that takes time, effort, and a safe space to grow. That’s why I work closely with my clients to build trust and a strong rapport, creating a collaborative partnership where your voice is always heard, your concerns are validated, and your growth is the focus. I am deeply motivated by the desire to help people understand that they are not alone in their struggles. I want every client I work with to know that change is possible and that with the right support, they can take the steps needed to build resilience, heal from past experiences, and lead a life of greater fulfillment. Working with me means engaging in a process that is open-minded, flexible, and rooted in respect for your individual experiences and goals. I take the time to understand your needs and adjust my approach to best support your healing and growth. Together, we will focus on developing coping strategies, building self-awareness, and setting achievable goals that empower you to make meaningful changes. If you are ready to begin your journey toward emotional well-being, I am here to support you with compassion, expertise, and a deep commitment to your growth. You don’t have to go through this alone—I would be honored to be part of your path to healing.