Therapists for college students near 60611

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 aim to create a space of warmth, respect and curiosity where, together, we can explore the nuance and depth of your story. While everyone's individual challenges differ, I believe that fundamentally, the process of feeling, experiencing and examining our struggles promotes growth—increased awareness, new ways of being, more empathy, different ways of relating to ourselves and others, and more meaning and connection. Please be in touch if you'd like to explore working together.

As a previous university counseling center therapist, I work well with students who feel stuck and unhappy, and who are looking to make some sort of change in their lives, whether it is related to mood, purpose, addictions/habits, and/or relationships. I also work well with student who are experiencing nervousness about their academic and/or personal lives, and who are feeling overwhelmed with stress. I help students figure out how to be successful as they transition into young adulthood.

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!

Coral Heart Counseling provides therapy to those who want to live their best life, but find it hard to do so because of the various life stressors that have gotten in the way. These individuals usually feel like aspects of their life are too much and that their mind, body, and spirit are out of sync; they’re overwhelmed. Our clientele are young adults who are tired of struggling with life events such as relationships, transitions, racial and cultural identity, adulting, imposter syndrome, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, academics and success, perfectionism, and past traumatic moments. We want to help our clients move beyond what’s holding them back. We assist in our clients’ growth by utilizing various modalities that are meant to bring out a person’s strengths, show them their power, and allow them to see how much they matter in this world. We also provide guidance on difficult issues that individuals may be faced with so that they can decide what is best for them. We believe in providing a safe space and necessary skills for our clients to achieve their goals. Our aim is that our clients encounter enhanced emotional intelligence, relational/relationship advancement, and peace. We hope that you will take a step towards freedom of the mind, feeling at ease, and self-love by reaching out to us.

Our mission at Center Focused Therapy is to provide the highest level of ethical, competent and intentional treatment to our clients. We appreciate how difficult it can be to start therapy and do not take this decision lightly. Whether you have a clear idea of what you hope to address in therapy or are unsure of where to begin, our therapists are determined to meet you where you are in your own journey of healing and growth. Interested in learning more? Email or call us and we will be happy to answer any questions you might have.

As we navigate a life with many ups and downs, there can be a lack of natural guidance to accompany those changes. Sometimes issues we may have thought were long resolved are still impacting the way we navigate relationships, challenges, transitional periods, and our self-image. As your therapist, I aim to help you grow through these experiences and feel empowered. I have extensive experience working with children and families and am especially passionate about helping those navigating anxiety, trauma, attachment concerns, and relationship challenges. Through my work, I have seen how deeply our experiences, relationships, and environments shape our emotional well-being. Because of this, I often view therapy through a systems lens, recognizing the important role that family and support networks can play in our well-being and growth.

Wellington Counseling Group is the trusted resource for adults, children, families, and couples looking for professional emotional and psychological support. Our diverse team specializes in anxiety, depression, life transitions, behavioral issues, trauma recovery, family dynamics, couples, and so much more. Each of our therapists offers a unique perspective that helps their patients find relief from symptoms, transcend the boundaries of mental health conditions, and craft a life they are proud to lead.

Our world can be a tough place that leaves many of us feeling overwhelmed and misunderstood. If you’re tired of the systems working against you and are ready to receive unwavering support in breaking down the walls keeping you from your best relationships and self, I would love to assist you. You can expect our sessions to provide a sanctuary that is polyamory, sex worker, kink, and LGBTQIA+ affirming, QTBIPOC-centered, antiracist, trauma-informed, COVID-safe, and nonjudgmental so that you feel safe to show up as your authentic self. I work with individuals, couples, and families to utilize a person-centered, strengths-based, and evidence-based approach. In my work, I implement systemic modalities such as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). I value building trust in our therapeutic relationship so that we can collaborate and customize a plan to explore what’s been holding you back, tap into your desires and strengths, and empower you to make the changes needed to claim the life you truly want. Via the structured and validating environment that we will foster together, we will be able to tackle concerns including intergenerational trauma, emotional and physical intimacy issues, sexual dysfunction, life transitions, sexual abuse, childhood abuse, domestic violence, religious abuse, and unlearning sexual shame. I aim to help uncover the resilient parts of you that have gotten muddled throughout daily life under current societal systems by working through a decolonial lens that uplifts marginalized groups. I studied Biology, Philosophy, and Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and have work experience with foster care youth, emergency medicine, interpersonal violence peer support, shelter animals, queer sexual health and pleasure advocacy, conflict mediation, and environmental canvassing. My diverse school and work background have deepened my understanding of systemic oppression and have prepared me to advocate for underserved populations. I am pursuing my master’s degree at National University in Marriage and Family Therapy with an emphasis on sex therapy, and I have the privilege of being supervised by Brittney Brooks, LMFT. I know it can be challenging to be open with people outside your support system, and I also know that none of us deserves to navigate hardship alone. If you are prepared to embark on this courageous journey together, I invite you to reach out!

Being human means facing change, uncertainty, and moments that stretch or unsettle us. It’s natural to feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure at times. I see therapy as a space where we can work together to explore what’s going on, reflect on the past, and find new ways forward. My goal is to create a supportive, collaborative relationship where you feel heard and empowered to make changes that lead to a more fulfilling life. I have experience working with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences across diverse clinical settings. These experiences have helped me understand and support people navigating trauma, identity exploration, relationship concerns, grief and loss, and major life transitions. These challenges can affect not only how we relate to ourselves, but also how we connect with others. I work with both individuals and couples to address the impact of these challenges within both personal and relational contexts. Taking the first step toward therapy can feel intimidating, and finding the right support is an important part of the process. If something here resonates with you, I'd be glad to connect and explore how we might move forward together.

Dr. Sarah Sanders is a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of the boutique mental health practice, Allow Wellness. She is a specialist in treating depression, various anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and identity development concerns. She has been working with the mental health needs of graduate and undergraduate students of the Chicagoland area since 2006. Please visit the Allow Wellness website to learn more: www.allow-wellness.com.

I see therapy less as a pursuit of perfection and more as a space for curiosity and self-understanding, where we begin to loosen the psychological barriers that keep us stuck and open up possibilities for a more meaningful, connected, and balanced life. I work with adolescents and adults navigating life transitions, relationship challenges, autism and ADHD, LGBTQIA+ and identity-related challenges, and the everyday weight of stress. I support clients with concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and struggles with self-esteem. I look forward to working alongside you as you build on your strengths, navigate challenges, and create meaningful, lasting change.

Thirty years ago, I made one of the most important decisions of my life by leaving another career to become a psychotherapist. Mental health care is my life’s calling, and I love it. I have served hundreds of clients, and many say that I helped them. I’ve also been a professor, researcher, leader, and author at two great universities, training hundreds of students to become therapist themselves. Academic work gives me deep scientific knowledge of mental health care, how to forge deep relationships with clients, how to support clients to understand thoughts and emotions in tough seasons, and to take steps to improve their lives. I offer restorative counseling for HEARTS, MINDS and SOULS of clients. HEART- the center of human emotions, desires, and connections, can be downcast or broken. MIND- the control tower of daily living, can be strangled by mindsets of powerlessness and victimhood. SOUL- source of individuality, purpose, and identity, can be wounded or troubled but restored. I begin with clarity that mental health care can positively influence everyday decisions. I try to contribute something useful to address clients' suffering and despair. With compassion and respect for their backgrounds and worldviews, I encourage clients to take courageous actions to change. Clients have appreciated my work, which makes me want to do more.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who provides trauma-informed care targeted toward empowering individuals to move beyond survival, and toward a more fulfilling, connected life. I provide services for children aged 5 and older, adolescents, and adults. I utilize an integrated approach that considers your unique needs, contexts, and goals. Drawing from evidence-based modalities including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS), we will build practical coping skills, increase psychological flexibility, and cultivate self-compassion. Through narrative processing, we will work to assign meaning to your experiences—transforming painful or confusing chapters into integrated parts of your story. My specializations include targeted treatment for: Posttraumatic Stress, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Depression, Generalized and Social Anxiety, Relationship Difficulties, Parenting Challenges, Family Instability Our work will prioritize helping you become more functional and engaged in the aspects of your life that are most important to you by exploring recurring patterns and the beliefs and emotions that shape them. Together, we examine how past experiences influence present dynamics, allowing you to better understand yourself and respond more purposefully. Whether you are navigating the long-term impacts of adverse childhood experiences or more recent life transitions we will focus not only on symptom relief but also on deep, sustainable change.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor based in Illinois with over 10 years of experience. I’m also a Board-Certified Art Therapist and hold a trauma professional certification. I work with individuals 13 and up around concerns such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief and loss, self-harm, self-esteem, and trauma. I take a holistic, strengths-based approach that honors your whole self. I draw from a variety of treatment approaches, personalizing care to focus on what feels most supportive for you. As an Art Therapist, I offer art making as an outlet for emotional healing and joyful creativity. Art Therapy can be especially helpful to express thoughts and emotions that may be difficult to verbalize, while also supporting self-worth and mind–body connection. I deeply value the therapeutic relationship and believe it is the foundation for meaningful change. I bring compassion, curiosity, and respect to each session, honoring that change can be both brave and hard. You don’t have to do this alone—I’ll be alongside you as you build skills, connect with your strengths, and create a more balanced, fulfilling life. “Only when we’re brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” -Brené Brown

You may be navigating a rupture in your relationship, adjusting to a major life transition, or trying to reconnect with yourself and those around you. Maybe you’re part of a family balancing the pressures of athletics, or you’re working to reintegrate into a familiar or new life context. At the core, you want to feel understood, rebuild trust, and find a sense of stability and connection within yourself and your relationships. I specialize in working with couples rebuilding trust after infidelity, families of athletes navigating sport and family life, individuals facing major life transitions, and those reintegrating into their environments. My therapeutic style is collaborative, supportive, and systemic, drawing from approaches like CBT, EFT, narrative, IFS, and more. I tailor therapy to each client’s needs, often using metaphors and shared interests to make the process relatable, meaningful, and personal. As a bilingual speaker, I am able to provide therapy in English and Thai. Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to take that step alone. I know how important it is to feel seen, hopeful, and reassured when facing challenges in life and relationships. Together, we can explore what feels heavy, uncover your strengths, and create space for healing and growth. If you’re ready to reconnect with yourself and those who matter most, I’d be honored to support you on that journey.

Everyone tells you that college is the best time in your life and to enjoy it because it flies by. But what people don’t tell you is all the challenges that it can bring. Maybe it’s the first time you are away from your family and friends from home. It can also bring many challenges with pressure to drink or use drugs, navigating friendships and dating in a more complicated way, and figuring out what you want to do with the rest of your life. You might be in a position where in order to afford school you need to work on top of doing well in all your classes. I know personally how challenging, yet exciting, this time can be, and I am here to tell you that you don’t need to figure it all out on your own or even right now. Are you ready to enjoy your college experience, be fully present in the great moments without feeling stresses weighing you down everyday? It’s time to feel a sense of relief, confidence in who you are, and in your decisions. Together, we can make your life feel lighter and free up space for everything else you have going on! My Approach: I am a strong believer in the power of relationships. Having someone to talk to can increase our sense of happiness and positivity, and most importantly let us know that we are not alone. Life has many ups and downs, but it's what you do with them that matters. I am here to help you transform the tough moments into growth. Therapy with me looks like an open dialogue, where we both respect each other's point of view and collaborate to find solutions that help you overcome what’s been holding you back. We can talk about anything, no matter how hard it is to share. Whether it’s the good things or the bad, I am ready to hold space for even the strongest emotions that come up, because I know we can work through it together. I believe in a holistic approach to therapy that not only looks at your thoughts and feelings, but also how your environment, your cultural experiences, close relationships, and health, affect your mental wellbeing. We’ll use a variety of therapeutic techniques to best fit what you need, because therapy is not a one size fits all approach. We’ll make sure that those techniques are really working for you. It might be practicing mindfulness or trying out different coping skills to help things feel less overwhelming. Our approach will continue to grow as our therapeutic relationship develops. I know that therapy is not always easy, but I am here to support you each step of the way and I will always accept you for how you are in that moment, even the hard ones. A Little About Me: I went into undergrad undecided and had a hard time knowing what I wanted to do. I knew that I wanted to do something to help people and I wanted a career that I would enjoy. I always felt behind in some way because I didn’t know what I wanted to do right away. I have learned that a lot of people have a unique path to get to where they are. I worked as a school social worker for 8 years before private practice and that is when I really knew I loved counseling and wanted to continue on this path. I have lived in the Chicago area for most of my life and love the city! You can find me by the lake or exploring all the city has to offer. My hobbies are all over the place and include a mixture of baking, triathlons, knitting, going on long walks and finding the best matcha. I also love traveling (but hate flying) and have an ever growing list of places I want to visit.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I have a low-pressure, warm approach focused on creating an environment of safety and encouragement. I enjoy helping individuals with a variety of concerns including life transitions, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, health issues, substance use concerns, and healing from trauma. My practice is LGBTQ affirming and I am experienced working with Trans and gender-nonconforming individuals. I work with adults of all ages, genders, and racial/ethnic backgrounds and have extensive experience with college students and emerging adults.

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.