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Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

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Lauren Nichols
Psychologist
Chicago, IL
Accepting new clients

We all experience moments where life feels overwhelming, sometimes accompanied by worry about what comes next or how to change patterns we find ourselves repeating again. While some relationships may be sources of stress and pain, relationships where you are able to be your true self can allow for healing and transformation. It is my belief that the more we experience our authentic self, the easier it becomes to remain in connection to others and the world around us. Therapy is a space where you can begin to explore yourself, while doing so within a relationship that is validating, supportive, and centers your goals and needs. I believe that healing in the context of an attuned relationship is important, and work to create a therapy space that is safe and welcomes authenticity. Psychotherapy works best when it’s collaborative and strength-based, incorporating your personal culture and working towards goals that move beyond symptom reduction, resulting in more lasting changes in all areas of life. My approach to therapy is relationally based, incorporating attachment theory, CBT, and systems perspectives. As a licensed clinical psychologist, I have experience working with a range of presenting concerns, with a special focus working with depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and trauma-related disorders. I have experience providing individual, couple, and family therapy to children, adolescents, and adults. I also provide psychological assessment services and can provide support related to receiving academic accommodations. Please feel free to contact me for a brief consultation or to schedule your first appointment.

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Grace Therapy Wellness Center
Pre-Licensed Professional
Chicago, IL
Accepting new clients

Do you ever feel like you’re on top of the world one day, and then completely lost and unsure of yourself the next? Are you unsure of what direction to take in life and with your healing? All of these things can feel overwhelming- which is where I come in as a therapist to provide grounding and organization to your thoughts so we can move forward together towards your goals. I specialize in working with couples and individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and perinatal or postpartum issues. I take a narrative and strengths-based approach, helping individuals and couples reclaim their stories and feel empowered to live authentically. With a background in HR, I specialize in helping you with strategies to advocate for yourself in the workplace and manage stress that are based on research and teachable skills. Together, we will build trust and empathy in our therapeutic relationship and hopefully even share some laughs!

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Holding Space for Psychological Wellness, LLC
Group practice
Chicago, IL
Accepting new clients

At Holding Space our mission is to empathically walk alongside our patients providing a safe and stable “holding space” that promotes acceptance, confidence, healing, and growth. Beyond our training and education, respect and authentic care is at the heart of all our work. The therapeutic journey isn’t always easy, and sometimes it can get messy. Our commitment to our patients is that we are here to help you hold the weight of your pain, and inspire hope in moments that feel hopeless. We’re here to help make sense of the absurd and confusing moments and hopefully make you laugh from time to time. We trust that our patients feel our genuine care as we work together toward the shared goals of living healthier, fuller, more empowered lives.

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Megan Devine, MA
Pre-Licensed Professional
Chicago, IL
Accepting new clients

Welcome! I’m so glad you’ve taken the first step toward growth and healing. As a therapist, I believe that the stories we tell ourselves shape our lives and experiences. Sometimes the narratives we hold can limit us, causing us to feel stuck or disconnected from our true selves. My approach is centered on collaboration— together, we can work to identify your strengths, explore the stories that shape your life, and gently challenge any patterns that may no longer serve you. Through our work, we’ll explore how the stories you tell yourself have influenced your relationships, sense of identity, and overall well-being. From there, we can uncover opportunities for living in more alignment with your values and goals, creating a life that feels meaningful and expansive. I approach my work with warmth, humor, cultural humility, and curiosity to create a space where you feel empowered to create changes that support you in feeling in sync with your true self. I specialize in working with: Sex, relationships, and intimacy: I work with both individuals and couples who are seeking to deepen your relationships by exploring dynamics that influence how you relate to others to create relationships that feel healthy and joyful. Existential concerns and meaning-making: Life’s uncertainties, existential questions, and the search for meaning are part of the human experience. Together, we’ll explore how to live authentically, even in the face of life’s unknowns. Life transitions: Big changes, whether personal, professional, or relational, can stir up feelings of uncertainty. In our work, we can find ways for you to navigate these transitions with confidence and clarity. Identity exploration and self-compassion: Whether you’re exploring your gender, sexuality, or other aspects of your identity, I provide a supportive environment for self-discovery and self-acceptance. Trauma: Healing from past trauma requires compassion and patience. By co-creating an environment where you feel safe, we can process and reframe traumatic experiences in a way that supports recovery and resilience. Mood disorders and ADHD: I enjoy working with individuals managing mood disorders and ADHD, helping you develop practical tools for managing emotions and behaviors.

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Isa Bogart
Pre-Licensed Professional
Chicago, IL
Accepting new clients

I am Isa Bogart (they/she), a queer and nonbinary therapist with a background in survivor advocacy and sexual education. I am a provisionally licensed therapist practicing in the Chicagoland area with a M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. I take a compassionate, creative, and anti-oppressive lens to approaching mental wellness, meaning that I center autonomy, self-expression, and authenticity. As a queer individual, I am passionate about working within the LGBTQ+ community and supporting individuals in navigating their queerness and other identities. Also as a survivor of sexual violence, I find purpose in working with survivors and supporting them in healing and reclaiming joy. I believe every individual should have access to mental health resources not only in times of crisis, but also when they want support in thriving. I am interested in an integrative, relational, and creative approach to counseling, utilizing skills from Internal Family Systems Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Somatic/Body-Based Practices. Reaching out for support and prioritizing your well-being isn’t easy – I hope you’re proud of yourself. If you’ve found yourself here, maybe you are looking to try something new with your mental health and self-care. Maybe you are looking to reclaim your life by unlearning harmful past scripts formed by trauma, upbringing, and societal expectations. Maybe you are looking to explore new or pre-existing identities that you hold. Perhaps you are looking to grow in self-compassion and want to honor and celebrate all parts of yourself. Or maybe you just need a safe space to process all the pain, trauma, and grief that exists in the world today. Whatever feelings and experiences have brought you here today, you are seen here. Together, we can build a space full of warmth, compassion, and authenticity that allows you to safely explore the patterns in your life that contribute to pain and distress. In our space, I will integrate specific approaches to guide our work together - utilizing Internal Family Systems, Feminist and Queer Theory, Liberation Psychology, somatic practices, and creative expression just to name a few. I am passionate about meeting you where you are at and creating an environment that is collaborative and resonates with your unique needs and life experiences. I promise to bring my authentic self with me into the therapy room and will support you in doing the same! By making room for your whole self without judgment, we will work through feelings of shame and work towards valuing your whole, genuine self. In my clinical work, I make space for my clients to process, grieve, rage, and organize around the systemic violence and oppression they face. This looks like asking my clients how they are feeling and processing global atrocities, naming systemic oppression when it shows up in the therapeutic space whether in our clinical relationship or in the client's experiences, supporting the client in unlearning internalized forms of supremacy or oppression, and being clear about my values. I fundamentally believe that mental health and wellbeing is political, and that in order to be truly supportive, counselors must consistently weave racial justice and social justice into their work. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my community and loved ones (ideally outside and in the sun), cuddling my two cats, cooking delicious meals, rock climbing, and browsing local shops. I am a lover of horror movies, reality TV, tarot, astrology, and tattoos. I welcome you bringing your own interests into our therapy space! Additionally, I am a certified domestic violence and sexual violence counselor. Before starting my training as a counselor I worked in advocacy for survivors of sexual violence and relationship violence, as well as in sex education for teens and young adults, two issues I am extremely passionate about. As a queer and non-binary person, I am passionate about working within the LGBTQ+ community and supporting individuals in navigating their queerness, relationships, and other identities. I take private insurance (Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Evernorth, UnitedHealth) as well as private pay ($130/session). In addition to working individually, I also work with relationship systems, couples, and families! To anyone reading this, I am sending caring energy your way and hope to hear from you soon!

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Rachel Port
Psychologist
Chicago, IL
Accepting new clients

My areas of expertise include the treatment of anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, self-esteem deficits, academic underachievement, perfectionism, family of origin issues, LGBT concerns, and women's issues. I also specialize in working with college students and emerging adults.

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Maribeth Germino
Licensed Professional Counselor
Chicago, IL
Accepting new clients

Maribeth is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who works with adolescents and adults to help find flexibility and ease in their lives. She specializes in addressing trauma, eating disorders, mood disorders, and family of origin challenges. Additionally, Maribeth works with couples to enhance emotional connection and strengthen relationship satisfaction. As an immigrant herself, she is passionate about supporting fellow immigrants and members of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community. Maribeth is bilingual and provides counseling in both English and Tagalog. Maribeth is known for her gentle yet directive approach that creates a space for clients to foster curiosity about their fears, build insight and understanding with themselves, and feel empowered to make changes. She believes that when we approach all parts of ourselves with compassion and curiosity, we can live a more authentic, fulfilling, and joyful life. Using a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Internal Family Systems, Shame-Informed Therapy, and ACT, she helps clients process their emotions and develop skills for their personal growth journey. When she’s not sitting in the therapist chair, Maribeth enjoys traveling, collecting pens and stationery supplies, and spending time with her family and their dog.

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Ellen Oanes
Pre-Licensed Professional
Chicago, IL
Accepting new clients

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.

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Restorative Collective LLC
Group practice
Chicago, IL
Accepting new clients

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.

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Emily Zibell
Licensed Professional Counselor
Chicago, IL
Accepting new clients

I am a firm believer that when undergoing life’s challenges, we owe it to ourselves to be our own best support person we can be. Sometimes that means asking for help. Whether it’s managing the stresses of everyday life, keeping up with ever changing and ongoing societal and systemic concerns, or managing serious mental health distress, I am excited and honored to work with you towards your therapy goals.

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Rachel Rood, LSW
Pre-Licensed Professional
Chicago, IL
Accepting new clients

Hello, I’m so glad you’re here! Simply by reading this page, you’re already taking a big step toward growth and healing. I firmly believe that no one knows your life better than you, and my role is to walk alongside you with support, insight, and tools that can help you continue taking steps forward. Together, we’ll create a safe and collaborative space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered. I am passionate about working with teens and adults who are navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, and the impact of past negative experiences or trauma. For many people, trauma can show up in ways that are confusing or overwhelming. You might experience intrusive memories or flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, feeling constantly on edge, feeling disconnected from yourself or those around you, or doing whatever you can to avoid reminders of what happened. Trauma can affect the way you see yourself and your relationships, leading to feelings of guilt, fear, detachment, or trouble trusting others. These responses are common and understandable, and together we can find ways to ease their impact and help you feel more grounded. Additionally, sometimes the effects of trauma show up in ways that go beyond words. For this reason, I like to use somatic interventions that strengthen the mind–body connection. In sessions, I like to focus on understanding how the nervous system works and explore ways to calm it like vagus nerve exercises, grounding techniques, breathwork, and other tools for managing emotions. I also have a special passion for helping people build healthier, more compassionate relationships, both with themselves and with others. Because so many of our struggles are connected to relationships, healing in this area can be especially powerful. My therapeutic style is relational, compassionate, and collaborative. I strive to meet you where you are and tailor therapy to your unique needs and style of communication. If talking isn’t always the most comfortable way for you to express yourself, that’s okay - we can explore other forms of expression such as music, writing, or art, or whatever feels most natural to you. As a trauma-informed therapist, I draw from a variety of approaches - including CBT, DBT, ACT, polyvagal theory, and Internal Family Systems - to support your healing and growth. I am also pursuing additional training in Imago therapy to better support couples in strengthening their relationships. If you’re ready to take the next step toward healing, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.

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Emily Matisko
Pre-Licensed Professional
Chicago, IL
Accepting new clients

Growing up, my mom would always say, “Everyone has a story.” Today, that phrase has become the foundation of how I work as a therapist. I strive to understand each of my clients’ stories through a holistic, trauma-informed lens, and offer a safe, compassionate space to process the meaning of your story – and to begin writing your next chapter. I'm passionate about working with teens and emerging adults navigating identity exploration, life transitions, relationship concerns, body image issues, anxiety, depression, and perfectionism. I also support clients who are facing religious/spiritual struggles and religious trauma.

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Cheryl O'Toole
Psychologist
Chicago, IL
Accepting new clients

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.

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Laura Caballero-Motta
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Chicago, IL
Accepting new clients

I am a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker with New Insights Behavioral Health Services in Chicago, IL. If you feel you are ready to take that first step in starting your therapy journey, feel free to email me to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.

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Hartman Counseling and Consulting
Pre-Licensed Professional
Chicago, IL
Accepting new clients

Hello! My name is Kalea Abernathy. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I received my Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Clinical and Counseling from Colorado State University and my Master of Arts in Counseling at Northwestern University. I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and their families. I believe that the key aspects of counseling are empathy, collaboration, and unconditional positive regard. With these foundational pieces, I work with my clients to create a trusting therapeutic relationship where individuals feel safe to process their past and present and feel empowered to achieve their goals.I have experience helping individuals address complex trauma, post traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, and ODD. I integrate multiple lenses such as dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, person-centered, and psychodynamic to better help and understand my clients. Before working at Hartman Counseling and Consulting, I worked with adults at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, helping individuals work through grief and loss and mood disorders, and at The Bridge Youth and Family Services where I worked with children, adolescents, and their families who were experiencing anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress, and behavioral difficulties

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Catherine Strunge
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Chicago, IL
Accepting new clients

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.

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Faraz Sultan
Psychiatrist
Downers Grove, IL
Accepting new clients

Faraz is passionate about both discovery and the practice of psychiatry. He trained at Rice University as an undergraduate and moved to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where he was part of the Medical Scientist Training Program, culminating in an M.D. and Ph.D. in Neurobiology. His academic interests include molecular and behavioral neuroscience, computational sciences, and translational psychiatry. Faraz’s strategies are patient-specific and motivated by quantitative evidence derived from high-quality studies. Still, as an investigator, he understands psychiatry is a rapidly evolving field, and it is the goal of translational scientists to fill the gaps in our knowledge. Faraz consistently uses his best clinical judgment, combining facts and theory to care for his patients. Faraz is a strong proponent of multimodal approaches to patient care. He endorses the appropriate use of pharmacology, therapy in a variety of settings, and novel and long-standing somatic tools. He strives for efficient deployment of evidence-based evaluation and treatment algorithms but simultaneously has a low threshold for questioning generic approaches, especially when treatment is less effective than expected. Statement on ADHD management: Neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD are diagnosed and treated in relation to comprehensive clinical judgment. Diagnosis may require multiple avenues including psychiatric evaluation, review of past psychological and related records, medical workup, cognitive testing, and collateral information gathering. Collectively, diagnosis may take up to several months, especially in individuals looking to be initially evaluated for ADHD. Additionally, patients with a prior diagnosis or corresponding medication treatment history of ADHD should not assume this will be carried forward automatically. As in all aspects of psychiatric care, thorough assessment and clinical judgment will guide recommendations. Schedule your session easily through our online booking link. Click "Website" to find a time that works for you.

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Deanne Hoaglund, LSW
Pre-Licensed Professional
Chicago, IL
Accepting new clients

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.

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Light On Anxiety Treatment Centers
Group practice
Chicago, IL
Accepting new clients

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.

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Stefani Godina, LCSW, PMH-C
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Chicago, IL
Accepting new clients

Hi there, welcome! My name is Stefani. I specialize in maternal mental health/women's wellness. I have a strong passion for working with new moms/moms as they navigate through the many transitional periods of motherhood. I have spent a majority of my professional career working with women as they navigate through the perinatal and postnatal periods of motherhood. While working with moms is my specialty, I too enjoy working with women to help them cope with various life stressors and symptoms related to depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mood disturbances. I enjoy teaching and helping clients incorporate concepts of self-love, self-empowerment, self-advocacy, healthy boundaries, self-care, and self-celebration into their lives. Additionally, I enjoy discussing concepts related to one’s purpose, life passions, and personal goals contributing to heightened peace and wellness. My therapeutic style is what I would consider to be team based. I work alongside my clients to help them establish treatment goals, offer guidance, support, and accountability in accomplishing identified goals. I work to create a safe space welcoming enough for my clients to feel comfortable to explore vulnerable emotions. I provide education, tools, and language to enhance concepts of self-love and self-empowerment. I encourage celebrations for personal and therapeutic victories and accomplishments.

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