Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

Being a teenager or young adult is challenging, often navigating uncertainties, high expectations, rigorous coursework, job searching, and peer relationships. It is normal to struggle during these pivotal life transitions, but you do not have to go through them alone. I provide a supportive and welcoming space where you can vent, cry, laugh, play games, or simply just sit. My goal as a therapist is to be a part of your support system, helping you manage life's twists and turns while discovering what it means to be your authentic self. I will be here supporting you through hardships and celebrating your accomplishments.

As a therapist who specializes in Dance Movement Therapy, I believe in the full integration of mind and body in the therapeutic process. I strive to provide a space where all parts of you can be seen and accepted. I want to hear your story and support you as you cultivate a more compassionate relationship with your body and mind. I specialize in supporting people dealing with complex trauma, anxiety, struggles with identity, neurodiversity, and body image issues. I am strongly committed to challenging systems and narratives that tell people their worth is tied to their size or ability. Everyone deserves to inhabit their body with dignity, compassion, and freedom from shame. I see therapy as a collaborative process, building from a place of safety and authenticity. Together, we will cultivate a sense of open curiosity to help you find and use your inner strengths and resilience. My process is strongly rooted in body justice and fat liberation, and I approach our time together through trauma-informed and neuro-affirming lenses in order to decolonize the therapeutic process. These values will guide our verbal and embodied processing, and our work together in these ways will help you to connect the body and mind and aid you in self exploration. We will find a pace and structure that feels safe for your body and mind, and give you a space to step into your most authentic self.

Marriage & Family Therapy Intern Julia is a Marriage and Family Therapy intern who works with families, couples, and children as they navigate challenges and build stronger connections. Her experience in settings like addiction recovery programs has shaped the way she understands family patterns, communication, cultural background, and life transitions. She also has a personal passion for supporting clients living with chronic, invisible, and autoimmune conditions, and she cares deeply about the impact these experiences have on both individuals and the families who support them. Julia draws from Bowen Family Systems Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, CBT, and Motivational Interviewing in her work. She aims to create a space where people feel comfortable being themselves, where couples feel heard, and where families feel supported through change. She brings curiosity, steadiness, and genuine respect to each session, walking alongside clients as they navigate conflict, big emotions, parenting stress, chronic health challenges, or major transitions—always helping them move toward more clarity, resilience, and connection. Julia earned her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, holds a Graduate Certificate in Systemic Couple and Family Therapy, and is completing her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy at Capella University. As a Student Intern, Julia receives direct and clinical supervision from a SCMFT approved clinical supervisor, Brittney Brooks, PsyD, LMFT, CCTP, (Dr.Britt@emberpsychgroup.com); as well as AZBBHE approved clinical supervisor, Danica Williams, LPC, PMH-C. Her work is logged, monitored, discussed, and reviewed by her clinical supervisor. Client care is handled with professional quality; knowledge, feedback, and insight are gained from a team of professionals. Counselor accountability, growth, and development within this supportive infrastructure is emphasized.

You may be feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, navigating the effects of past experiences, or seeking support around identity-related stress. Therapy can be a space to slow down, reflect, and better understand yourself. I work with children, adolescents, adults, and couples experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, and LGBTQ+-related concerns. To support our work together, I draw from a blend of evidence-based, trauma-focused approaches, including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, and expressive therapies such as art, narrative, and movement-based work. My training is rooted in a relational approach that integrates the neurobiology of trauma, allowing us to explore how early experiences and ongoing stress impact the nervous system and mind–body connection. I also incorporate IFS and ACT to help clients shift unhelpful patterns, build self-worth, and move toward meaningful goals. I am mindful of how identity, culture, and lived experiences shape mental health and the therapeutic process. My goal is to offer care that feels affirming, thoughtful, and responsive to each person’s story. If you’re looking for a therapist who values collaboration, reflection, and authenticity, I welcome you to reach out.

I'm Liam, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in downtown Chicago where I offer individual therapy appointments. I primarily use the methods of Strengths Based, Client-Driven, and Person-Centered talk therapy. That basically boils down to me believing that you know yourself best and my role is to help you find a path forward. Everybody's life is wildly different; I can assist you in your decision and achievement of treatment goals that ring truest to you, even if that goal is just having someone to talk with. Wanting a better quality of life and seeking support in that is totally normal. Frankly, reaching out for help in and of itself is terrifying; let alone help from a stranger on the internet. If you are struggling I would be glad to hear from you. To avoid phone tag I am most accessible via e-mail to set up a time for us to talk and see if you'd like to come in for a session.

Hi! My name is Destinee Wells (she/hers). I enjoy getting to know new clients and look forward to our potential work together! I believe that we all go through times in life when we encounter challenges that are rooted in our past and affect our present. Therapy can be a great place to make these connections and gain insight and power over our present-day experiences. As a therapist, I am focused on how our past experiences can form who we are and how we interact with others in the present. I am curious about your early relationships, the relationships you have today, and the relationship we will build together. As we look at patterns in your life, we can work together to make sense of present day experiences. I have worked with a variety of identities including different cultural and racial backgrounds, religions, and sexual orientations. I have worked with differing levels of needs from depression and anxiety to substance use, complex trauma and dissociation to name a few. I approach each client with their unique needs and with a trauma-informed lens.

Many young professionals come to therapy feeling torn between who they are and who they think they should be. You might feel anxious, burned out, or uncertain about how to balance your needs with others’ expectations. Perhaps you’re navigating relationship challenges, loss, or identity shifts that leave you feeling unmoored. However, as a therapist in Chicago, I offer a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and LGBTQIA+ affirming space where you can pause, reflect, and reconnect with yourself—so you can move toward clarity, confidence, and belonging in both work and life. In my clinical approach, I combine trauma-informed and solution-focused therapy to help clients manage anxiety, workplace stress, and relationship issues. Additionally, I specialize in working with young professionals, first-generation individuals, and LGBTQIA+ clients who want to cultivate balance, purpose, and self-acceptance. I also provide couples therapy to strengthen communication and foster understanding, helping individuals and partners deepen connection and growth both within and beyond their relationships. Starting therapy can feel daunting, especially when you’re used to managing everything on your own. Nevertheless, you don’t need to have all the answers before beginning. Whether you’re exploring identity, searching for balance, or healing after change, I’ll meet you with warmth, curiosity, and care. If you’re ready to feel supported and understood, I’d be honored to walk beside you on your path toward healing and growth. Finally, learn more about our LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy and how it can support your well-being.

At Restorative Collective, we are a dedicated team of compassionate professionals committed to supporting your mental health journey. Our diverse expertise allows us to provide personalized care, ensuring that every client feels heard, valued, and empowered. We believe in a holistic, client-centered approach that fosters healing, growth, and resilience.

We are a group practice with interns, LPCs and LCPCs providing individual therapy to teens, college students and adults. We also provide premarital and couples counseling. Some of our therapists have worked in either private practices, group practices or in a college counseling centers since 1997. We have all ages of therapists available to work with you. We find it a privilege to walk alongside people on their journey towards healing. Some clients say, that counseling is like having coffee with a friend who seeks to understand their pain & questions. We all have struggles, so why not "enjoy" walking through it together. There will be tears, there will be laughter, there will be serious dialogue.

We provide individual, couples, family, and group therapy to people of all ages and for most problems in life, including depression, anxiety, and relationship difficulties. Our mission is to deliver the highest-quality, culturally-sensitive counseling services in a client-friendly manner. We are driven by a desire to empower clients to heal, grow, and achieve balance. Our therapists have experience providing therapy to people from all walks of life. We work with life-long residents of Chicago as well as people who are more transitory. Many of our clients are students, faculty, and staff of local colleges and universities. Wherever you live and whatever your reason for seeking help, we are here to support you (or your child) in reaching your goals.

Our team is composed of clinicians who value diversity and acceptance. We combine education with experience to deliver professional, effective, personalized counseling to our clients. Our goal is for our clients to be seen and heard and feel like their voices matter. In our client relationships, we function as guides to support and coaches to encourage progress and healing. We treat clinical issues (stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, etc.) through a relational lens. We explore how you function in your relationships, how they may be impacting current challenges and how they can be improved to help you move forward. We promise to treat you with respect and integrity. We are affirming and allied with no bias towards race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, religion, or socioeconomic status. We desire to help you grow from your struggles, heal from your pain, and move forward to create the life you want.

We work with adults of all ages as well as teenagers. We see many clients who are working through anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, "failure to launch," and the effects of trauma. Our clinicians have expertise in neuro-diversity including ADHD/ADD and ASD. We have therapists with clinical interests in so-called “men’s issues” as well as therapists who identify as LGBTQIA+ and who speak Mandarin. We facilitate a process by which clients are able to build their resiliency skills, empowering them, long-term, to survive the inevitable challenges of life.

As a dual board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC), I am dedicated to providing holistic care that addresses both the physical and mental well-being of my patients. In my role as a PMHNP, I strive to offer compassionate support and evidence-based treatments to individuals facing mental health challenges. Through therapeutic interventions and medication management, I aim to empower my patients to navigate their emotions, overcome obstacles, and achieve optimal mental wellness. Simultaneously, as an FNP, I am committed to promoting overall health.

I specialize in helping college and graduate students manage anxiety, stress, and navigate relationships. My approach to therapy is rooted in wellness, incorporating mindfulness techniques that are both practical and powerful. Whether you're dealing with the pressures of academics, relationship challenges, or personal stressors, I’m here to support you in finding balance and clarity. In our work together, I integrate a variety of mindfulness exercises—some that you can use in the moment when you're feeling overwhelmed, and others that, with practice, will help you build long-term resilience. My goal is to equip you with tools that not only address immediate concerns but also foster your overall well-being. I offer both virtual and in-person therapy in Chicago, allowing us to create a space that fits your needs. Whether you're on campus, at home, or balancing a busy schedule, therapy is accessible and fits into your life. If you're ready to take a proactive step toward managing your stress, anxiety, or relationship challenges, let’s connect and work together to create a meaningful path forward.

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.

Dr. Hannah Waldman is a psychotherapist who works with emerging adults, young adults, and older adults facing a range of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, relationship challenges, and difficulties related to stress and life transitions. She takes an integrative and collaborative approach to therapy, blending symptom-focused techniques—such as CBT, DBT, and ACT—within a relational framework. Hannah is committed to staying current with the latest research, particularly in areas relevant to her clients’ needs. She has experience supporting individuals dealing with aging, grief, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, eating disorders, chronic pain, and navigating gender-affirming care. Throughout her career, Hannah has worked with clients from diverse backgrounds across the lifespan, including varied identities in terms of gender, sexual orientation, religion, race, culture, nationality, and socioeconomic status. Her additional clinical interests include mood disorders, personality disorders, and religious trauma. In her work, she strives to empower clients while fostering deeper insight into the self, personal history, and relationships.

Skylight Counseling Center provides professional counseling services to individuals, families, couples and groups. Founded in 2011, we are dedicated to the growth and development of our clients and ourselves. We aim to help people gain insight into themselves, and to live their lives with deeper passion, conviction and harmony. Our therapists utilize various modalities of psychotherapy and healing to provide the best possible opportunity for change. Our goal is to create healthier societal systems so that our world is more just, equitable and inclusive. We look forward to working with you!

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.

Light On Anxiety offers evidence-based, efficient, effective and action-oriented treatment for anxiety, OCD and related disorders. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, psychiatric medication management and neuropsychological testing are our core services offered to children, adolescents and adults, both in-person and via telehealth. We utilize empirically-supported practices and always incorporate the latest advancements in the treatment of anxiety and related disorders. Light On Anxiety treats the whole person, with deep respect for the human spirit and the challenges we all face on our journey through life. We strive to make treatment as short-term as possible, and to inject compassion, joy and your values into the anxiety treatment process.