Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

Transform Your Life: Embrace Joy, Growth, and Connection - Are you ready for a positive change in your life? Whether you're grappling with anxiety, depression, or the weight of past traumas, taking the courageous step of seeking therapy can be the catalyst for transforming your life. Don't let yourself feel stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about the path ahead any longer. Let's embark on a journey together towards reclaiming your energy and rediscovering the joy, growth, and connection you deserve. I gravitate towards therapies that seek to create awareness around thoughts, behaviors and values, including ACT and EMDR, with a psychodynamic lens to explore past experiences and the ways in which they shape you. In exploring yourself and your formative experiences, you can gain clarity about your present self, fostering a radical new space for growth. Taking the first step to connect can be daunting, but I'm here to support you every step of the way. If you have any questions, concerns, or are ready to begin, don't hesitate to reach out. I offer a complimentary consultation session where we can explore your needs and goals. Your journey towards a brighter future starts now. Good luck!

Grey Area Therapy is a small, private practice conveniently located in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood with easy access to public transportation and an emphasis on building meaningful, authentic connections with clients. As a therapist with Grey Area Therapy, I work with clients on needs related to anxiety, major life transitions, chronic illness, and depression. With individualized approaches to empathetic therapy, we will work to help slow things down, become more intentional, and build awareness of our life experiences. I offer both in-person and virtual appointments. I accept Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and Cigna insurance and offer free 15-minute phone consultations to help you find a therapist that works for you!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Feeling anxious, burnt out, stuck, or just not quite like yourself? College is a lot — the pressure to have everything figured out, relationships shifting, identity questions, and regular life stress all happening at once. I'm a Chicago therapist who works with young adults navigating exactly that. I'm relaxed, open-minded, and genuinely nonjudgmental — you don't have to come in with the "right" words or a clear problem. We'll figure it out together. There's no single right way to do therapy, so I adapt to what you need: sometimes that's working through a specific issue with structure and tools, sometimes it's just having space to think out loud. I draw from CBT, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and talk therapy depending on what clicks for you. I accept insurance through Headway, which typically brings session costs down significantly. Reach out, and I can help you check your coverage before we meet.

We are dedicated to offering Mental Health Services which are easily adaptable and low-stress and that combine strategies for assisting with the many difficult aspects and challenges that have become normal in our daily lives. Clients are encouraged and taught to actively learn about themselves and are challenged to explore new ways of being and thinking, all in a safe and comforting environment.

I earned my PhD in Counseling Psychology from Loyola University Chicago and my Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. I completed my APA-Accredited internship in health service psychology from the University of Pennsylvania Counseling & Psychological Services program. I’ve worked in many diverse settings with diverse roles in college counseling centers, private practice, and community mental health. I provide individual therapy and have extensive experience in outreach and consultation services related to mental health topics, advocacy, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, I have extensive program development and evaluation experience. I am process-oriented and work from a relational-cultural perspective heavily considering how my client’s unique life experiences such as their family dynamics and upbringings, significant life events, communities, values, and cultural identities relate to their presenting concerns and needs in our work together. I view therapy as an opportunity to cultivate a collaborative relationship with my clients while centering connection, exploration, validation, and growth. I invite my clients to use therapy as a space to slow down and practice curiosity towards themselves and their experiences. I have worked with clients presenting with all types of concerns and therapeutic goals. From my clinical and research experiences, I have particular expertise in working with individuals managing the imposter syndrome (objectively successful people with feelings of self-doubt and incompetence); BIPOC individuals and individuals from historically minoritized groups; individuals navigating interpersonal relationship challenges such as identifying relational patterns, addressing conflict, and learning how to communicate and set boundaries that honor the client and their unique personal and cultural values; individuals seeking to explore the impact of the sociopolitical climate on their mental health, particularly with clients holding multiple minoritized identities; and college, graduate, and professional students with issues related to work/life balance, academic identity, and self-worth. --- The Center for Liberation & Wellness, PLLC (The CLW) is a private therapy practice located in Chicago founded by Dr. Lincoln Hill. The CLW has a mission of providing culturally humble therapeutic services utilizing Black feminist and relational-cultural theoretical paradigms as guiding principles towards health, liberation, and wellness. The CLW believes that prioritizing healing is not a luxury, but a necessity for self and communal growth. The CLW is committed to advocacy efforts that promote anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and, subsequently, a more just society for all humanity, particularly those from historically minoritized communities.

You thought by now you'd feel more certain. Maybe you're doing all the things you're supposed to be doing, going to class, working toward a degree, and making plans for the future, but still find yourself feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or unsure of where you're headed. You might be questioning relationships, struggling with confidence, feeling disconnected from yourself, or wondering why this stage of life feels harder than everyone else makes it look. I work with college students, graduate students, and emerging adults who are navigating life's in-between seasons. Many of my clients are figuring out who they are outside of other people's expectations while managing academic stress, relationship challenges, family dynamics, anxiety, and major life transitions. My goal is to create a space where you can be honest about what's working, what's not, and what's been difficult to put into words. Together, we'll slow things down, make sense of the patterns and experiences shaping your life, and help you move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and self-compassion. You don't have to have everything figured out to start therapy. You just have to show up as you are.

At Sacred Stories Counseling our focus is on supporting BIPOC, queer individuals and those who hold both identities! Your story matters and we want to support you as you navigate the current reality we're living in globally and nationally, while also holding space for your personal difficulties too! We've got your back if you're working through anxiety, perfectionism / strong black woman struggles. If you're neurodivergent - we got you! The trauma you carry, you don't have to carry it alone - we'll be with you in it and use EMDR and IFS to help you move through it. It won't disappear forever but it will no longer be all consuming, hold you back, or keep you stuck! We're in your corner! Schedule a free 15 min call with us to ask any questions and see if we're a good fit!

I am a clinical psychologist specializing in working with young adults and students. I spent 10 years on staff at various university counseling centers around the country and now work in private practice doing individual psychotherapy in Illinois and New York. My approach combines my education, training, and own life experience to work with individuals collaboratively, with a focus on how to meaningfully and healthfully navigate life events. While trained as a generalist to provide treatment for a variety of mental health concerns my clinical specialties include working with depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship/family distress, life transitions, grief/loss, and stress management.

Life can be hard and the idea of starting the process of therapy can add to that stress and anxiety. You've already taken the first step by being here. If you are constantly feeling frustrated, anxious or overwhelmed, I am here to help you figure out what's going on and move towards the life you want to live. I will support you on your journey towards positive change and emotional well-being. My approach is warm, engaging, collaborative and sometimes even humorous. I have a strengths-based and non-judgemental mindset to assist you in creating goals for therapy that fit your needs in order to cope with the curve balls life has thrown. Whether those curve balls are long-last anxiety, depression, self-esteem, etc. or new stressors such as grief, life transitions, general life or work, we will come up with a plan. It is my top priority to make sure you feel comfortable. Whether it is your first time in therapy or you are looking for a fresh start with a new therapist, new is uncomfortable and sometimes that stops us from following through with this. I genuinely hope you find the strength to reach out and begin this journey because you deserve to feel content in life.

Hi, I’m Dan (they/them). Life can feel heavy sometimes, and we all reach moments when we need support. Mistakes, falling back into old habits, and difficult periods are often seen as signs of failure, but in mental health, these moments are often part of the process rather than the end of it. During these times, it can become easy to feel disconnected from yourself, your progress, or the direction you once had. Therapy can become a space to explore your experiences, make sense of them, and reflect on how you want to move forward. Because everyone brings different experiences, needs, and goals into therapy, I approach the process collaboratively and individually. I believe your insight, lived experiences, and understanding of yourself should remain central to the work we do together. I utilize a holistic, harm-reduction-based approach to create a non-judgmental space where you can feel free to be yourself while recognizing that you are not defined by the difficulties you face. I draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Psychodynamic Therapy, and Client-Centered Therapy. Many of the ways we respond to stress, relationships, emotions, and uncertainty are shaped by earlier experiences and coping strategies that may no longer fully serve us in the present. Moreover, there are aspects of life and our circumstances that we may not be able to change. Therapy can provide space to better understand those patterns while exploring new ways of coping, relating, and responding to those experiences with greater awareness, flexibility, and intention. I work with individuals navigating trauma, substance use, LGBTQIA+ related experiences, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and life transitions. My goal is to create a space where you feel genuinely seen, heard, and supported throughout the therapeutic process. If you feel ready to begin exploring these experiences more deeply, I would be honored to support you through that process.

Peace, love and a few good laughs…in one way or another, most of us hope to maximize the presence and growth of these delicious things in our lives. After working in a university counseling center for ten years, I have a strong sense of many of the most common concerns students may face. That being said, we are all individuals with our own strengths and struggles. Every one of us experiences unique challenges that arise within the context of living our human lives. I am a queer-identified, neurodivergent, trans-affirmative, body positive, sex positive, emotion focused, experiential therapist, working with traditional college age students and adults of all ages. I am a generalist practitioner and have experience working with a wide range of concerns. Areas of specific clinical interest include working with those addressing issues related to gender diversity and sexual orientation. My clinical expertise includes providing treatment for depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder (Asperger's/Pathological Demand Avoidance) body image concerns, eating disorders and disordered eating. I find that my approach to therapy resonates well with college students in general and specifically with therapists in training, artists and creatives (of all sorts). Please contact me directly to schedule a brief (15 minute) consultation to discuss how we might work together to increase the peace and love you find in life and to share a few good laughs along the way.

Create. Grow. Transform. Messiness welcome! Life can get messy. Here at Dandelion, we practice in a studio-based model where you are surrounded by opportunities to get dirty and create. Our space looks more like an art studio than a traditional therapy atmosphere, and often we are making art with you. We rely on a relational, strength-based and collaborative approach in our work while utilizing clinical techniques and skills. Art therapy is our sole focus - our team is dedicated to developing, learning and advancing the practice of art therapy.

Gretchen Aich (she/her), PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who specializes in treating anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, ADHD, and substance use disorders. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Lewis University and is certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Gretchen has advanced training in crisis intervention and trauma-informed care and works with children, adolescents, and adults, including Spanish-speaking clients. Gretchen brings experience from diverse mental health settings, including emergency departments, inpatient psychiatric units, outpatient clinics, private practice, and telehealth. Her background includes supporting individuals in crisis, working in community and court-mandated programs, and collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams. During her clinical training, she worked extensively with children and adolescents with complex needs, provided substance use and court-ordered therapy, and assisted with advanced treatments such as SPRAVATO and TMS. In her work with clients, Gretchen creates a safe, judgment-free space grounded in empathy, respect, and cultural humility. She believes each person is the expert in their own life and uses a collaborative, flexible approach to care. Through active listening and evidence-based techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy, she partners with clients to set meaningful goals and support healing in a way that fits their lives.

Are you looking for support in order to achieve the kind of life you envision? Maybe you are struggling to succeed in one of life's domains including socially, work, school, or family relationships. I would be honored to have an opportunity to work with you. The warm and supportive environment in my office helps clients feel comfortable working through personal challenges such as depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, family conflict, ADHD (adult and children), trauma, job stress and other life stressors. I have worked extensively helping adults, adolescents, couples, and families. I employ a human-centered cognitive behavioral approach with a solution-focused emphasis. Often the first step is the hardest. The voice you will hear on the other end of the phone will be sincerely interested in helping you.

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.

Increment Therapy provides mental health services for individuals facing obstacles that have been difficult to process and get through on their own. With the world full of challenges that are difficult to navigate, Increment Therapy is the compass that helps guide you to find the courage and strength to help you process and continue moving forward into a life you want to lead. Throughout the process of therapy, I provide a safe and non-judgmental space to share your story. In our sessions, I will help guide you through taking back your narrative and finding your core self. With an incremental approach, I meet you where you are and cultivate a real and strong relationship so that we take on this journey together. You are in the drivers seat and I will help you along the way. Through every hardship, challenge, or obstacle I will support you and provide a space where you can feel understood with unconditional acceptance, affirmation, and positive reflection.

English & Conversational Korean/영어 & 일상 회화 한국어 *More availability coming Sep 2025/2025년 9월부터 상담 가능 시간이 더 많아집니다 English & Conversational Korean/영어 & 일상 회화 한국어 “What does it feel like to take up space?” Space can mean the way you walk into a room, how loud your voice is, or how tall you are. But what about emotional space? In relationships, at work, and in yourself? Maybe you’re the one others rely on, the ‘strong one’. Maybe you tend to hold things to yourself because it feels too vulnerable to share and it might burden someone else. Or you’re navigating systems that have made it hard to feel like you belong in a room. I believe healing happens in spaces where you feel safe enough to feel joy and connection. My role is to offer steady attention and help you reconnect with parts of yourself that you might have had to ignore. I’ve seen how cultural misunderstanding in mental health care can lead to misdiagnosis, minimized experiences, or emotional labor to explain yourself. I aim to reduce that burden, so you don’t have to translate your experience just to be understood. Sessions might include moments of light humor and comfort alongside serious work. “공간을 차지한다”는 건 어떤 기분일까요? 공간은 내가 방에 들어올 때의 모습, 목소리 크기, 키 같은 걸 말할 수 있습니다. 그런데 마음의 공간은 어떨까요? 관계 속에서, 직장에서, 그리고 나 자신 안에서요. 혹시 다른 사람들이 의지하는 ‘강한 사람’인가요? 힘든 마음을 혼자 참고, 다른 사람에게 짐이 될까 봐 말하지 못한 적이 있나요? 아니면 내가 있는 자리가 편하게 느껴지지 않는 환경 속에 있나요? 저는 안전하다고 느낄 수 있는 공간에서 치유가 시작된다고 믿습니다. 저는 문화 차이 때문에 잘못 이해받거나, 경험이 작게 여겨지거나, 나를 설명하느라 힘들어하는 경우를 많이 봤습니다. 그래서 있는 그대로 이해받을 수 있도록 그 부담을 줄이고 싶습니다. 상담 안에서는 진지한 이야기뿐 아니라 가벼운 웃음과 편안함도 함께 할 수 있습니다. What is Art Therapy?/미술치료는 뭔가요? As a practicing visual artist, I have a diverse understanding of art materials and techniques that can be incorporated into our sessions. Art therapy is a form of therapy that utilizes art-making and visual expression to deepen or facilitate the therapeutic process. It’s open to everyone, no artistic experience is necessary and the goal is not the end product, but the creative process. Trained in both art and talk therapy, I’m equipped to guide you through both the creative and verbal aspects of therapy. I practice art therapy as a collaborative process where we explore the meaning of your work together. Instead of reading or interpreting your art, we explore what you felt and thought while creating your piece. Kind of like an artist interview! Whether you’re interested in exploring new materials, want to try an activity catered to a particular challenge, something to fidget with during sessions, or using art as a medium to express yourself, I’m here to facilitate a safe, non judgemental space. 저는 현재 활동하는 예술가로서, 다양한 미술 재료와 기법을 알고 있습니다. 미술치료는 누구나 참여할 수 있고, 미술 경험이 전혀 없어도 괜찮습니다. 목표는 완성된 작품이 아니라 만드는 과정입니다. 저는 미술치료와 대화 상담 둘 다 훈련을 받았기 때문에, 두 가지를 함께 진행할 수 있습니다. 미술치료는 함께 의미를 찾아가는 과정입니다. 작품을 만들면서 어떤 생각과 감정을 느꼈는지 같이 나눕니다. 새로운 재료를 써 보고 싶거나, 고민에 맞춘 활동을 해보고 싶거나, 상담 중에 손으로 만질 수 있는 것을 원하거나, 말로 하기 어려운 마음을 표현하고 싶을 때, 안전하고 편안한 공간에서 함께 할 수 있습니다. Experience/경험 In 2020, several experiences pointed me to become an art therapist and counselor alongside my path as an artist. Beginning with the gap in mental health services I witnessed at the time, I saw how many people with marginalized identities were struggling to access affirming, inclusive care. A pivotal moment was when someone I cared about shared the depth of their pain as a way to ask for help, which led to the decision to become a therapist. My own experience of therapy helped me understand how essential representation and cultural understanding are in mental health care. I went on to earn my MA in Art Therapy and Counseling and BFA in Studio Art from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. My training includes art therapy, DBT, and narrative therapy, grounded in strengths-based, relational, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive approaches. I also bring LGBTQ+ and disability allyship into my work. In my work as a therapist, I’ve supported clients across both clinical and community settings. This has included leading teen wellness groups through UChicago Medicine, facilitating art therapy and psychosocial rehabilitation programs for adults with chronic mental health and intellectual disability diagnoses, and organizing community art workshops. I’ve also worked with immigrants, refugees, neurodivergent adults, and BIPOC/ALAANA communities. These experiences helped me cultivate a trauma-informed, culturally responsive lens. 2020년에 여러 경험을 통해 미술치료/상담사가 되기로 했습니다. 미국에서 정신 건강 서비스에 다양한 정체성을 가진 사람들이 안전하고 더 깊은 상담을 받기 어렵다는 것을 보았고, 제가 아끼는 사람이 힘든 마음을 나누며 도움을 요청한 순간이 큰 계기가 되었습니다. 상담을 받으며 문화적 이해와 대표성의 중요성도 깨달았습니다. 저는 시카고예술대학(SAIC)에서 미술치료와 상담 석사, 그리고 순수미술 학사를 받았습니다. 미술치료, DBT, 내러티브 치료를 배웠고, 사람의 강점을 살리고, 관계를 중요하게 생각하며, 트라우마를 이해하는 방법으로 상담합니다. LGBTQ+와 장애 인식에 대한 지지도 중요하게 생각합니다. 그동안 청소년 그룹, 성인 프로그램, 그리고 커뮤니티 워크숍을 진행했습니다. 이민자, 난민, 신경다양성, BIPOC 커뮤니티와도 함께 하며, 각자의 문화와 경험을 존중하는 상담을 해왔습니다. Languages/언어 한국어를 가볍게 사용하는 것은 환영합니다! 저는 한국어와 영어를 섞어서 대화하는 것이 편한 클라이언트와 잘 맞습니다. 제가 한국어로 일상적인 대화는 할 수 있지만, 심도 있는 대화 주제나 위기 상황, 진단, 치료 계획과 같은 중요한 치료 논의에서는 모든 내용을 명확하게 표현하기 어려울 수 있습니다. 이상적으로는 번역하거나 언어에 적응하는 부담이 클라이언트에게 있어서는 안 됩니다. 이 정도의 언어 능력이 괜찮으시다면, 편하게 연락 주세요! Speaking Korean lightly is welcome! I am a good fit for clients who are comfortable mixing Korean and English. While I can engage in everyday conversations in Korean, it may be difficult to clearly express everything in in-depth conversations, crisis situations, diagnoses, and treatment planning, as well as other important therapeutic discussions. Ideally, the burden of translation or language adaptation should not fall on the client. If this sounds like a fit for you, feel free to reach out!

If you’re struggling, you’re not alone—and things can get better. Living with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or other mental health challenges can feel like you’re constantly trying to stay afloat, unsure of where to turn next. It can be exhausting—and isolating. But the truth is, healing is possible. You deserve to feel supported, understood, and hopeful again. I’m here to help you take that next step. I specialize in working with individuals facing depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and related conditions. I know how overwhelming it can be to ask for help, and my goal is to make that process as comfortable and collaborative as possible. Together, we’ll explore what’s been holding you back and find a path forward that truly fits you. Whether through therapy, medication management, or both, I offer personalized care tailored to your unique experiences and goals. You won’t be handed a one-size-fits-all solution—instead, we’ll work side by side to build a plan that supports your mental and emotional well-being in a way that feels right for you. You don’t have to navigate this alone. Let’s talk, and take that first step toward feeling more balanced, connected, and in control of your life. If you’re ready—or even just considering it—I invite you to schedule an appointment today. Let’s start the conversation and see what healing can look like for you.

I am a licensed clinical social worker offering telehealth psychotherapy to adults (18+) across Illinois and Maine. I work with students and young adults navigating anxiety, stress, trauma, identity exploration, and major life transitions—particularly those who may appear high-functioning on the outside while feeling overwhelmed internally. My approach is collaborative, relational, and trauma-informed, integrating ACT, CBT, psychodynamic, and mindfulness-based interventions. I aim to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients feel truly seen and can build insight, resilience, and practical coping skills. Telehealth allows for flexible, accessible care that fits into busy academic schedules and supports students who are living off campus, balancing work and school, or transitioning between home and school environments. I am happy to serve as an off-campus referral resource and collaborate with campus partners as appropriate to support continuity of care.