Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

CORE - Center Of Relational Empowerment, PC helps individuals, couples and families strengthen their core selves, and in doing so, empowers them to strengthen their relationships with others. CORE provides psychological therapy, workshops, groups and psychoeducational seminars for people from all walks of life. At the heart of CORE is our belief that everyone has leadership and healing qualities - perspective, confidence, compassion, and acceptance - crucial to our highest, most harmonious functioning. Today you are one step closer to a new you where you feel empowered and on a positive path to growth and well-being. While we can't change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life. Therapy and counseling can help uncover long-standing patterns and behaviors that can get in the way of feeling fulfilled in our relationships with ourselves and others. We believe that no family or cultural system operates the same way and that there is no "right" way to live life. Therefore, it is our goal to understand the problems you are facing through your own context in order to find the meanings and solutions that work best for you. If you're looking for extra support and guidance through a challenging situation or you're just ready to move in a new direction in your life, we look forward to working with you to achieve your goals.

I am a trauma therapist who is passionate about supporting people navigating life’s challenges. My role as a therapist is to support my clients uncover their most loving, powerful, and compassionate self. I like to invite clients to explore and resolve thoughts and behaviors that impact their life experience by acquiring self-leadership skills, new ways of coping and exploring long lasting change. I am passionate about trauma-informed care and particularly find meaning in working with individuals and couples who are experiencing anxiety or depression, life transitions, have complex family dynamics, those balancing multiple roles or adjusting to parenting, complex relationship issues, and those who are in high pressure/stress jobs. I consider my therapeutic style to be conversational, compassionate, and gently challenging.

I want to help people feel a sense of belonging even if they don't feel like they belong anywhere else. This includes people who are part of the LGBTQ+/queer community, people who are autistic, AuDHD, or have ADHD, and people who have experienced relational trauma and/or religious trauma. If any of this reflects your experience, you may carry deep shame and feel disconnected from those around you. You might be putting on a happy face on the outside while things feel like they are falling apart inside. I want to come alongside you and help you clean out some of the rubble inside. You might be surprised by the "you" that you uncover. My approach is relational, experiential, and collaborative. I make space for what clients bring into session while guiding them to a point of focus and greater clarity. I primarily use internal family systems (IFS) therapy and also incorporate sandtray therapy. When meeting with clients virtually, I use Minecraft or Simply Sand Play for sandtray therapy. Using these types of therapy, I will help you access emotions and experiences that you can't access with words alone. This will help you unload some of that weight you've been carrying and live a more free and authentic life. If you are interested in working with me, contact me to book a free 15-minute consultation. I look forward to getting to know you!

Resilience Counseling LLC is a diverse group practice that adheres to the following values when working with clients: Anti-Racism, LGBTQIA+ Affirming, Health At Every Size (HAES), Cultural Awareness, Trauma-Informed, Sex Positive, and Harm Reduction. We prioritize creating a truly safe space for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized communities to understand and improve their mental health within the capacity of an out-patient setting. Together, we work with our clients to navigate challenging times and cultivate hope for the future. The capacity to heal lives within us all- and we all deserve acceptance and feeling valid in the care that helps us find it. Interested new clients can scheduled an Initial Consultation for free through our website. Many of the therapists at Resilience Counseling LLC have prior experience working in college settings and with college students. We hope to hear from you!

College and graduate school can bring exciting opportunities, but they can also leave you feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or unsure of how to handle everything that's coming your way. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, relationship conflict, academic stress, identity questions, or feeling stuck in patterns you can't seem to change, therapy can help you better understand yourself and build the skills to move forward with confidence. I work with college students, graduate students, and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional regulation, relationship challenges, identity development, and neurodivergence. I have extensive experience supporting first-generation, international, LGBTQIA+, disabled, and neurodivergent students, and I'm committed to creating a culturally responsive space where every part of your identity is welcomed and respected. My approach is relational, collaborative, and trauma-informed. Together, we'll explore the experiences and patterns that have shaped the way you relate to yourself and others while building practical tools to help you manage difficult emotions, strengthen relationships, and feel more grounded in everyday life. I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), interpersonal therapy, somatic approaches, mindfulness, and Time-Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy (TLDP) to support meaningful, lasting change. Along the way, you'll gain practical strategies you can use outside of therapy while developing greater self-awareness, resilience, and trust in yourself. My hope is that therapy helps you feel more confident navigating relationships, managing emotions, and creating a life that reflects who you are and where you want to go.

Cloud Nine Counseling specializes in helping college students and young adults navigate anxiety, relationships, body image concerns, life transitions, and spirituality. Balancing school, work, friendships, and personal growth can be overwhelming, but therapy can provide clarity and support. Using evidence-based approaches—including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS)—Cloud Nine Counseling helps clients reduce anxiety, build meaningful relationships, improve self-image, adjust to life changes, and explore faith and spirituality. For those seeking faith-based guidance, Christian counseling is available upon request. Cloud Nine Counseling offers a nonjudgmental, strengths-based approach to help clients gain confidence, heal from past experiences, and create a fulfilling future. Looking for support during college and beyond? Reach out to learn more about how therapy can help.

Chicago Clinical Associates is an outpatient psychotherapy practice committed to improving the social and emotional well-being of individuals in the Chicagoland area. Our experienced psychotherapists offer individual, couples, and family therapy services tailored towards each party’s unique needs. Conveniently located near Millennium Park in the heart of the Chicago metropolitan area, our offices are easily accessible by public transit or private transportation.

Maybe you’ve been telling yourself you should be able to handle this by now. But lately, everything feels heavier. Your energy is low, motivation is hard to find, and even small tasks can feel overwhelming. You may notice yourself pulling away from people, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, or feeling stuck in patterns that are hard to break. At times, you might find yourself reaching for something—whether it’s substances, distractions, or numbing behaviors—to get through the moment, even when it doesn’t bring lasting relief. For some, this shows up as persistent sadness, emptiness, or feeling disconnected from yourself and others. For others, it may look like anxiety, burnout, or being caught in cycles of overthinking and self-criticism. These experiences can also show up in relationships pulling away, avoiding hard conversations, or finding yourself in the same painful dynamics again and again. You may notice that your inner voice is harsh or unforgiving, making it even harder to find a way forward. Together, we will gently identify and address these patterns while building more compassion, stability, and connection—both within yourself and in your relationships I work with teens and adults navigating depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, identity questions, traumatic experiences, and life transitions. I provide LGBTQAI+-affirming therapy grounded in cultural humility, creating a safe and validating space to explore identity, relationships, and lived experiences. I also support individuals who are exploring their relationship with substances, whether that means reducing use, understanding patterns, or working toward recovery. I have completed training toward my Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential and am CADC-eligible, which allows me to integrate evidence-based approaches for substance use into our work. My practice is trauma-informed and guided by phase-oriented treatment approaches. In our early work, we focus on safety, stabilization, and building self-regulation skills to help you feel more grounded—even when things feel heavy or overwhelming. As you begin to feel more supported and resourced, we may shift toward processing more difficult experiences and understanding the roots of depressive patterns or substance use. Therapy is always paced according to your readiness. I prioritize transparency throughout therapy, ensuring you understand each step of the process and why certain approaches are used. My goal is to create a space that feels collaborative, supportive, and grounded—so you can move from feeling stuck and depleted toward feeling more engaged, connected, and able to experience meaning in your life again.

Ellen is a Licensed Professional Counselor and art therapist. She received her Masters degree in Art Therapy & Counseling from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Ellen loves working with children and young people. She has experience working with neurodivergent children on issues such as social skills, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Ellen also has experience in providing affirming care to the LGBTQIA+ community. As an art therapist, Ellen utilizes art and art making to facilitate therapeutic discussions and insights with her clients. She utilizes a wide variety of art mediums to explore, create, and investigate within therapy. This practice appeals to a wide variety of populations and experience levels–no prior experience with art is required! Ellen firmly believes in the healing power of art making and sharing that power with others. Ellen’s practice as a therapist is founded on social justice and feminist frameworks, as well as relational-cultural theory. This means she conceives of therapy as a collaborative partnership between therapist and client, one that that relies on respect for each other’s knowledge and perspectives. Ellen holds space for all of a potential client's identities and cultures as you work together in the therapeutic space.

Life post-high school can feel both exciting and uncertain. With that comes potential for opportunity and new experiences, coupled with pressure to achieve a level of independence you may not feel ready for or feel confident navigating. It might seem like everyone around you has a plan or perhaps you're struggling to build connection and find your place. Or perhaps you have past experiences that have followed you and are impeding your journey. Whatever is it, I'm here to help you gain clarity, and know that you're not alone. AREAS OF SPECIALTY SPECIFIC TO STUDENTS: Trauma, Anxiety/Depression, ADHD & Executive Functioning strategies, Relationships/Social Pressure, and Self-Identity & the Transition to Adulthood.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Life can change quickly. Maybe you're starting college, preparing to graduate, beginning a new relationship, grieving a loss, feeling burned out, or wondering how to adjust to everything life is asking of you. Even positive changes can feel overwhelming. Therapy can help you find your footing, manage stress, and move through change with greater confidence and resilience. I work with college students, graduate students, young adults, and women navigating anxiety, stress, burnout, grief, and major life transitions. Together, we'll identify what's contributing to your overwhelm, build practical coping strategies, and help you reconnect with the parts of your life that bring you energy, purpose, and joy. My approach is collaborative, encouraging, and grounded in evidence-based care. I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness to help you better understand your thoughts, strengthen emotional resilience, and create meaningful changes that align with your values. I also believe therapy should feel genuine, so you'll find that I bring warmth, curiosity, and a little humor into our work together. I have a special passion for supporting women through pregnancy, postpartum, and the many emotional and identity shifts that accompany new parenthood. Whether you're adjusting to a new chapter, recovering from burnout, or simply trying to feel like yourself again, we'll work together to create a path forward that feels realistic, sustainable, and uniquely yours. My hope is that you leave therapy feeling more grounded, more confident in yourself, and better equipped to navigate whatever comes next.

Hi! We are a team of therapists with a special focus on emerging adults navigating the pivotal transition into college and adulthood. We understand the unique challenges of this stage, from the pressures of academic responsibilities and perfectionism to struggles with self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. We’re also here to help with relationship, roommate and friendship issues, as well as concerns around dating, sexual health, and identity. We approach our clients with cultural humility and create a non-judgmental space for all types of relationships, sexualities and genders.

Colette, "Coco" is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over two years clinical experience providing therapy in private practice. She earned her Master's of Social Work from the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before working in private practice, Coco worked in the Madison, WI school district as an inclusion specialist and assistant director, working to integrate children with Individualized Education Plans into all aspects of the school experience. Her experience in the school system solidified her desire to become an effective and compassionate child and adolescent therapist. Coco is a therapist driven to work with children and adolescents so that they can thrive in their environment. She is passionate about neurodiversity-affirming practice and takes an individualized approach to each session with her clients. Coco recognizes the value of understanding each person's unique experience, and is passionate about creating a safe and trusting relationship with her clients. She understands that every child’s environment is complex and unique, which is reflected in her flexible approach to therapy. She is committed to taking a strengths-based approach to her therapy practice, and aims to empower each and every child and family that she works with. Coco focuses on navigating a variety of diagnoses such as OCD, Anxiety, ADHD, DMDD, Autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, and certain genetic disorders. She focuses on supporting her clients with the skills to live as comfortably in their lives as possible, such as emotional expression and regulation, executive function, self-esteem, and social skills.

I meet clients where they are at. My goal is that my clients feel heard, seen, and validated when coming to therapy. I am always actively learning and studying through Somatic work, continuing education classes, reading, and attending conferences. I am in the process of earning my Somatic Experiencing Practitioner credentials. I’ve started my second year of a three year training (Intermediate I) and I deeply enjoy integrating somatic therapy into my work with clients. Meeting people where they are is essential because we want to create safe spaces to discuss their concerns. Whether talk therapy or Somatic, lets give you the space. I’ve started my second year of a three year training (Intermediate I) and I deeply enjoy integrating somatic therapy into my work with clients. Meeting people where they are is essential because we want to create safe spaces to discuss their concerns. Whether talk therapy or Somatic, lets give you the space to explore. Somatic work can help release the stored energy that is stuck, recurrent, or rising to the surface. If interested in Somatic work, consent is key and asked constantly throughout sessions. If either talk therapy or Somatic interests you, please contact Astute.

Life can be challenging. I believe psychotherapy with a therapist who is a good match can help one more successfully navigate those challenges. I work collaboratively with my clients. I aim to create a nonjudgmental and supportive environment to explore difficult issues together -- to better understand what one is currently facing, to help manage those difficulties, and to ultimately make life more rewarding and meaningful. I have over 30 years of clinical experience and have worked in a variety of settings including university counseling centers (Univ. of Illinois, Univ. of Michigan, Northwestern Univ., The School of the Art Institute of Chicago), and LGBTQ and feminist services (Howard Brown Health Center, Planned Parenthood, Chicago Women's Health Center). I maintain a general practice where I see a wide diversity of men and women for issues including anxiety, depression, relationship problems, and identity.

I understand life can be stressful. We all struggle at times and need someone to help us through. In my work with clients and families, I firmly believe in building on the strengths and resilience you already possess to help you get through more difficult moments. My attitude and approach to treatment is that while we all have our struggles, every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow as a person.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi there, are you looking for someone to talk to? I have Friday evening openings. I'm good at helping my clients with loneliness, feeling disconnected, longing for love and pushing people away. Your symptoms will improve over time, but I don't focus on correcting your symptoms. I prefer to look at our shared human conditions, earning your trust over time so we can take an in-depth look at what hurts beneath the surface, and why you feel so stuck. I'm here to listen, and help you reconcile with yourself. My therapy approach is respectful and candid. You are welcome to take the lead, or I can initiate conversations until you feel more comfortable. Together we will learn more about what you need, and why you feel at odds with yourself or the world. We will pay attention to neglected parts of yourself, be it feelings or memories, and find kindness for them. I promise it can get better. I want to help. Let's talk.

Many of the students I work best with seem like they have it together on the outside, but feel anxious, overwhelmed, and never quite good enough on the inside. You may be driven and high achieving, yet constantly worried about falling behind or letting other people down. I specialize in anxiety and trauma, especially when anxiety is tied to perfectionism, pressure to perform, and people pleasing. Together, we look at how your experiences and current pressures influence the way you think about yourself and connect with others. You will also learn practical skills that help you feel steadier, more self assured, and more at ease in your day to day life.