Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

Our ideal clients are college students and emerging adults who feel overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck while navigating academic pressure, social stress, identity questions, and the transition to independence. Many are high-achieving students who look “fine” on the outside but feel exhausted, disconnected, or constantly behind. Clients often come to us when anxiety, burnout, or overthinking is getting in the way of school, relationships, or daily life. As a team, we provide a warm, collaborative space and practical, evidence-based tools to help students manage stress, build coping skills, and feel more grounded, confident, and connected.

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You might be someone who, from the outside, has built a life that looks steady—getting into college, building friendships, increasing responsibilities—but inside, you feel more anxious, alone, or unsure of yourself than expected. Many of my clients struggle with anxiety, self-esteem, identity, and relationships—often shaped by life transitions, adjusting to a new environment, or disappointment and unmet expectations. These experiences make sense. Navigating them alone is hard. College is hard! My work is grounded in the therapeutic relationship. I believe growth happens in the context of feeling safe, understood, and emotionally supported. I strive to create a warm, attuned, and collaborative space where we gently explore patterns shaped by relationships, attachment, and life experiences. Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, especially if you’re used to carrying it all on your own. You don’t have to know where to start to begin. If you’re curious about working together, I invite you to reach out. I'm available in-person in the North Shore of Chicago or virtual across Illinois. I'd be so glad to partner with you!

At the North Suburban Center for Anxiety, we specialize in using cognitive behavior therapy to treat anxiety, OCD, and related disorders. We recognize that anxiety can be overwhelming, scary, and isolating. However, it is also treatable! As cognitive behavior therapists, we provide research-supported and results-oriented treatment. We believe that how individuals think and behave directly affect how they feel. Therefore, we use a compassionate, collaborative, and direct approach to empower clients with the necessary skills to modify their irrational thoughts, confront their maladaptive fears, and decrease their overall anxiety. By the end of treatment, our goal is that clients have learned the essential tools to master their anxiety or OCD and are living a more fulfilling life.

My name is Buck, I am relatable, empathic, and easy to talk to. I love working with teenagers and adults of all ages, including athletes. My clinical specialties include working with athletes struggling with performance anxiety, depression, burnout, difficult life transitions, occupational stress, low self-esteem and self-confidence, stress management. Clients who have made the most progress working with me have been those who identify as athletes or other performers, teenagers and adults of any gender. Regardless of athletic ability, I am always happy to be someone's teammate in their therapy process. Obtaining my dual master’s degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Sport and Human Performance was just the start of my ongoing learning. Interventions I commonly focus on most include values identification, reframing thinking patterns, boundary setting, mindfulness, motivation exploration, and emotional regulation. As an athlete myself, I have experienced performance anxiety that led to difficult athletic transitions as well as the struggle of what my identity entailed beyond college. A combination of personal experience and supporting clients has allowed me to fully understand the grueling nature of attempting to juggle many obligations and roles in life that can create the feeling of being “spread too thin” and leading to potential burnout. My hope is to create a strong sense of rapport from our first session, creating a safe and comfortable atmosphere, where we can collaborate to help you identify and reach your therapy goals to promote an enhanced quality of life.

My name is Jenna Schloss and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois. I specialize in treating OCD and other anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder. I also have experience treating eating disorders within the outpatient level of care. My experience includes providing individual and group therapy, as well as facilitating trainings about evidence-based treatment. I have had the opportunity to receive intensive training and consultation in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). I utilize these approaches as a foundation for treatment, and tailor my approach to the individual needs and goals of each client. All of my work with clients incorporates a collaborative approach, warmth, trust, and humor. I believe that laughter is an essential part of life and mental health. Outside of my work with individual clients, I engage in regular training and consultation with colleagues and also participate in one on one supervision in order to foster continuous clinical growth in service of providing the best treatment for my clients. For more information about me and my practice, please visit my website: schlosspc.com

Hi! Thank you for checking out my profile. I am a DePaul double grad - undergrad (2009) and grad (2014) and am so appreciative the time I had there. I remember that time fondly, but I also remember how stressful life can be during that period with lots of changes going on. The most important thing to me as a therapist is that my clients are getting what they need from the therapeutic process in order to grow and life their most fulfilling lives. I look forward to connecting with you to see if I can be a helpful support for you.

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Caterina Frollano, LPC, specializes in the treatment of adults and adolescents with mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, trauma, women's health, multicultural identity development, and transitional stress. She uses an integrative approach to treatment and is skilled in various methods of intervention including DBT, CBT, dynamic, and multiculturally informed care. Additionally, she has advanced training in prenatal and postpartum care as well as parenting coaching. Caterina has provided psychotherapy at various settings and levels of care. The diversity of her experience enhances her ability to accurately diagnose and develop effective treatment plans for the needs of each client. She understands the importance of the therapeutic relationship and thus approaches therapy with your feelings and experience as a priority. If you're ready to schedule with Caterina, you are welcome to do so directly through the client portal by visiting the Allow Wellness website: www.allow-wellness.com.

College life can be a time of major transitions, and balancing academics, relationships, and self-care isn’t always easy—especially if you're a first-generation and/or low-income (FGLI) student, far from home, or struggling with self-esteem and perfectionism. I’m here to support you as you navigate these challenges and grow more confident in managing them. I specialize in helping students who may feel the pressure to succeed in a new environment, who worry about "getting it right," or who are simply adjusting to life away from family and familiar support networks. Together, we’ll explore strategies that feel true to you, build on your strengths, and work toward a healthier balance. If you’re new to therapy, I provide a welcoming space where you can be yourself and learn how to prioritize your mental and emotional well-being. Let’s take this journey at your pace, and find ways to make college life a little less overwhelming and a lot more fulfilling.

The students I work best with often feel a disconnect somewhere in their lives, even if they cannot quite name it. For some, that shows up as a body that will not settle, thoughts that will not quiet, or a mind that stays one step ahead of the moment they are actually in; for others, it looks like falling behind on the very things that used to feel manageable, and not understanding why motivation and follow-through feel so out of reach. Some are holding everything together so well that no one around them realizes how much effort it takes, while others are visibly struggling and carrying shame about it. What they tend to share is not a grade point average or a diagnosis; it is the sense that something feels harder than it should, paired with the belief that they should simply be able to push through it on their own. Many are navigating anxiety, OCD, or ADHD that has gone unrecognized for years, often because it does not look the way they expected it to. My work is to help them reconnect body, mind, and daily life, so college can feel less like something to survive and more like a place they can actually be present in.

Hi, I’m Daphne Black — Here to Support You Through Life’s Transitions As a licensed clinical social worker, life coach, and adjunct professor at a prestigious University, I bring over two decades of experience helping individuals—especially college students—navigate anxiety, identity, academic stress, relationship struggles, and major life changes. College is a time of growth, but it can also feel overwhelming. Whether you’re balancing coursework with personal responsibilities, managing grief, or facing uncertainty about your future, I provide a safe, supportive space to help you process, heal, and move forward with clarity and confidence. My clinical work is grounded in empathy, evidence-based practices, and a deep understanding of the challenges young adults face. With my background in both mental health and higher education, I meet you where you are—with compassion and insight.

We know how hard it can be to navigate life in college, in a new environment, away from your support system and all of the varying experiences that take place as a young person. We're here to help. Our practice enjoys working with people on a variety of issues and the relationships we build with clients are long lasting, caring and filled with warmth and humor. Visit our website to check out our clinicians and schedule a free 15 minute consultation today to see if we'd be a great fit for your mental health journey!

I enjoy working with adolescents, emerging adults, and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, self-esteem/self-worth, relationship issues, substance use problems, life transitions, racial and gender identity, and sexuality. I am passionate about helping people create a life worth living based on their personal goals and values. My style is strengths-based, non-judgmental, and compassionate. I feel honored to walk alongside my clients on their journeys towards their goals. While I care deeply about the individual, I also recognize the impact of our economic and social systems on mental health. I believe that a trusting relationship between client and therapist is essential, and I will take care to build this relationship with you.

Hi there, my name is Juan Contreras, and I'm a therapist at Mindful Therapy Services in Chicago. We have no waitlist at this time and currently accepting new clients. Clients often come see us because they're looking for a down-to-earth therapist. We offer therapy services for most issues including anxiety, depression, relationships issues, college navigation/transition, first generation college students, immigrant background, LGBTQ+, ADHD, suicide ideation, emotion regulation and expression, and more. We do accept insurance (most PPO plans like BCBS, Aetna, USHIP, UnitedHealthCare, and Cigna) and can verify your benefits before getting started. For convenience, we offer online therapy allowing for more flexible scheduling for during the day or later in the afternoon. Why wait? Get started with a free 15-minute introduction call by emailing us at info@mindfultherapyservices.net

I am a strengths-based, relational therapist who works primarily with trans, queer, and neurodivergent adults. Our sessions will focus on interpersonal growth, rather than finding a cure for symptoms. I want to understand your challenges and celebrate your successes. Together, we will explore the ways in which you are affected by societal systems and help you develop skills to advocate for your wants and needs. I strive to lead by example in showing that it is okay to make mistakes, to always be learning about oneself, and to continue growing and developing your identity as you move through different life experiences. When we are through with our work together, I hope you will have the tools you need to live a sustainable, satisfying, and ever-evolving life.

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.

Let’s be real: adulting is hard. Figuring out how to build a life—navigating new jobs, getting enough sleep and exercise, living alone for the first time, dating (ugh), or trying to make real friendships—it can all feel like a lot. You don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. I’m here to support you in making sense of it, finding your voice, and creating a life that actually feels like yours. I’m passionate about supporting LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. As a relational therapist, I believe changes happen in connection. I pull from a range of approaches depending on what you need—whether that’s insight, tools, or simply someone who gets it. I’m warm, collaborative, and affirming—but also very direct. If something needs to be named, I’ll say it—with compassion and honesty of course. Growth requires truth. Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, but reaching out shows real courage and a deep commitment to yourself. Whether you’re working through identity questions, navigating complicated relationships, or just trying to feel more like yourself again, I’m here to walk with you through it. Message me and we can have a chat about it!

Are Anxious thoughts, difficult emotions, body image or challenging life events holding you back from living your best life? Our approach assists individuals in empowering themselves to connect with their authentic selves and focuses on a mind-body connection. Through compassion, action oriented steps, and acceptance/mindfulness-based approaches I help individuals better understand their reason for seeking support. If you are looking to increase awareness of your core value system and to engage in a life worth living daily then let me help you create a life filled with presence and purpose. Completely virtual services allow for convenience, safety, and security with your providers through individual therapy and nutrition services. One size never fits all, we commit to maintain an atmosphere that affirms our clients' diverse lived experiences, identities and unique relationship to food, body & mental health. We see therapy and nutrition sessions as a non-judgmental space where together we seek to be curious rather than critical. We believe that full recovery is possible and join with individuals to help guide them to overcome their fears to create meaningful change. Check out the website to learn more and contact us for a free 15 minute initial call.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.