Therapists for college students near 60611

If you’re tired of working so hard just to keep up, you’re not alone. Maybe you’re overwhelmed by everything on your plate, having difficulty following through, or relying on strategies that no longer feel helpful. You may look like you’re managing from the outside while internally feeling exhausted, scattered, frustrated, or stuck. I have 5+ years of experience helping teens and adults navigate ADHD, burnout, chronic stress, and addictive behaviors. My approach is warm, compassionate, and practical. I believe therapy is a mix of support and comfortability, but also honesty and productivity - with a little humor sprinkled in. Together, we will work to better understand the "root" of your struggles while building practical tools that fit your lifestyle. My goal is to help you move from simply surviving your day-to-day life to feeling more capable, intentional, and connected to what matters to you. You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting therapy - we can work towards where you want to be. The down-to-earth, honest relationship I create with clients is what defines my practice; a space where you can be authentic, explore without judgment, and be met with openness and curiosity. Together, let's create the life you want!

I believe in providing a safe and supportive environment for clients to express themselves without judgment. My approach to therapy is collaborative and tailored to the client - I believe that different techniques work better for different people. I integrate cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavior, and humanistic styles into my treatment plans to create a productive and empathetic therapeutic experience. My clients have described me as comforting yet honest, with a knack for encouraging insight. I specialize in working with members of the LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, and disabled communities, though I’m passionate about providing compassionate therapy for all. I have experience with a diverse range of clients and presenting problems. I worked as a special education recreation counselor for children and adolescents with developmental and physical disabilities. My clinical experience comes from working in a residential treatment center with a focus on trauma, eating disorders, and addiction. Many of my clients have also struggled with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorders.

Hi, I’m Payton Smith, and I believe therapy should be a space where you can show up fully as yourself, without judgment, pressure, or expectations. I strive to create an environment where you feel safe enough to explore your experiences, process what’s been weighing on you, and begin to make sense of your story. My role as a therapist is to walk alongside you, helping you reconnect with your strengths while building the tools needed to navigate life with more confidence. I use a flexible, collaborative approach that allows me to meet you where you are and adapt to what you need in each moment. I value going beyond surface-level conversations and creating space for meaningful, honest work.

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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.

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.

At RISE Wellness & Therapy, PLLC our philosophy is to believe in you when you have difficulty believing in yourself and to hold on to hope until you can hold it on your own. Following a strength based, relational model we believe that you are the expert in your life and through the therapeutic relationship you have the opportunity to create a healing experience. Now, therapy may not always be easy, but it will be intentional. Just like all relationships, it will be imperfect, but it will be a safe and accepting place for you to explore how to become the version of yourself you want to be. Much like the phoenix, you can rise from the ashes renewed, and ready to raise your possibilities.

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I value serving clients from a strengths-based perspective and utilizing a client’s internal strengths as a motivation for change. I enjoy incorporating mindfulness and helping clients use the present moment to better understand their experiences. An early inspiration for myself was being inspired by Patch Adams and finding humor as a way to help others heal. While I know that therapy can be challenging, I try to bring in lighter moments to help allow ourselves breaks on your journey to change. I have a social work degree from Aurora University with a specialty in addictions counseling and am a member of the National Association of Social Workers. I have over 5 years of experience in the mental health field and have worked with clients in a variety of settings including: inpatient hospitalization, residential and outpatient therapy. I have served as a therapist in both individual and group settings. I have had the opportunity to serve clients who have experienced substance use, eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. I am comfortable serving survivors of trauma, and I am here to pay witness to what you need to share. I have experience using the therapeutic modalities: CBT, DBT, ACT, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness. I am happy to incorporate your spirituality into our practice and to help you explore your faith. In my free time, I enjoy aerial yoga, reading fantasy books, and listening to Harry Potter based podcasts. I look forward to hearing from you and continuing your journey together, because you don’t have to do it alone.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi, I’m Spencer (they/them)! I’m a queer, non-binary, neurodiverse therapist who believes that everybody deserves a space in therapy. Working in mental and behavioral health spaces I have found that it can be difficult to find professionals who are competent and specializes in working with the LGBTQ+ community, and I aim to help change that! So much about therapy revolves around identity. Having a therapist who is part of your communities can make all of the difference. I work from a systems, anti-opressive, and liberation focused lens, meaning that there are many factors both internal and external that affect our well-being, one of which is community! Community is important for everybody, but especially for LGBTQ+ identities. This was one of the main reasons I chose to name my practice Neighborhood Psychotherapy, along with being based in Chicago and coming to love and appreciate the city’s strong sense of community and neighborhood identities, and being inspired by the work of Fred Rogers and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. My therapeutic approach weaves together DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Thearpy), CBT (Cognative Behavioral Therapy), Mindfulness, and Trauma-Focused interventions to deliver the best care possible to my clients. I specialize in offering therapy for anxiety, depression, ADHD, ASD/Austim, Neurodiversity, and Borderline Personality Disorder. Having experienced the world as a queer and neurodiverse individual, I understand the profound impact of being truly seen. I see my work as collaborative, let’s work together to set goals and effect change in your life.

Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure who you’re becoming? Maybe you’re starting school, adjusting to a new country or community, exploring your identity, or trying to balance creativity, responsibility, and perfectionism. If you’re still reading this, I want you to know how proud I am of you. Reaching this point is no small thing. By exploring support, you’ve already begun your healing journey, and I’m proud of you for honoring yourself in this way. I specialize in supporting college students, especially underrepresented students, including international, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and First-Generation students. I am also passionate about helping adults working through childhood trauma, teens who have experienced bullying, artists, and single parents who are navigating academic or career stress, transitions, identity exploration, creative blocks, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm. As a bilingual immigrant therapist and formerly international student, I understand how hard it is to adjust to new systems while trying to stay true to yourself. My approach is grounded, approachable, and evidence-informed: as a certified art therapist, I blend art therapy, talk therapy, and somatic tools (like breathwork and grounding practices) tailored to your needs. You won't need to bring the “right” words—I’ll help you access insight through images, movement, and your own embodied experience. Together, we’ll explore what feels stuck and what feels possible for you. I’ll help you reconnect with your creativity, soothe anxiety, build self-compassion, and feel more firmly rooted in your values and identity. I’ll be with you to create a safe space as you explore your identity, memories, and the emotions they carry. I would love to be part of your journey, toward celebrating your identity, honoring your story, and discovering that what makes you different is, in fact, your greatest strength. If something in this profile resonates with you, I’d love to connect. Please reach out for a free 15-minute consultation call to see if we're a good fit!

Jenna is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and the owner of Daylily Counseling. She graduated from Boston University's School of Social Work and has been privileged to work with clients as a therapist since 2015. Prior to starting Daylily Counseling, Jenna worked in community mental health settings in Boston and Chicago, working across the life span with children, adolescents, and adults. She has significant experience working with college and graduate students and is passionate about supporting them through the unique transitions of being a student such as navigating first jobs, moving away from home, new relationships and friendships, and adjusting to a new country for international students Jenna is also passionate about working with individuals who have experienced trauma and is a nationally certified provider of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy. She also has specialized experience providing services to immigrant and refugee youth and young adults who have experienced trauma in their home countries or along their migration journeys. Her experiences with clients from around the world have informed her approach to cultural humility in the therapy space as well as her unwavering belief in every individual's capacity to heal and to grow. Jenna’s approach combines strengths-based, client-centered, and cognitive-behavioral strategies. She believes every individual is the expert in their own life and in meeting individuals where they are. She works together with her clients to collaboratively develop a treatment plan and she hopes to create a therapeutic space where there is warmth and safety so that she can best support clients to build insight, problem solve, and take steps to heal and create change in their lives.

A lot of the students I work with look like they’re holding it together, but inside they feel overwhelmed. You might be lying in bed with your mind racing, replaying conversations, worrying about grades, or second guessing where you stand with friends, a roommate, or a partner. College transitions can make everything feel louder, with new expectations, new relationships, and sometimes pressure from back home. In therapy, we’ll slow things down, figure out what’s fueling the stress, and build tools you can use right away so you feel more grounded, more confident in your choices, and more like yourself.

Many of the students I work with feel like they’re carrying more than what shows on the outside. Between school, family expectations, friendships, and figuring out who they are, it can feel like there’s never enough space to just breathe. Some describe feeling anxious, weighed down, or stuck between different parts of their life; like they’re trying to hold it all together but don’t always know how. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. I work especially well with students who: ◦ Feel pressure to succeed academically while juggling family or cultural expectations ◦ Notice anxiety or low moods making it harder to focus or enjoy daily life ◦ Struggle with relationships, whether that’s family, friends, or dating ◦ Are first-generation, or navigating life between more than one culture ◦ Want a space that feels supportive, flexible, and understanding Therapy with me is about having someone on your side who understands those layers. We’ll take it step by step, focusing on what matters most to you so you can feel steadier, less weighed down, and more like yourself again.

I honor the strength and courage it takes to begin therapy. Engaging in therapy can support emotional expression, deepen self-reflection, and open the door to self-compassion and empowerment. My approach is collaborative—we’ll work together to explore your experiences, gain understanding, and create meaningful change. I strive to offer a supportive and affirming space where authenticity can be safely expressed and embraced. I have experience working with a wide range of concerns and tailor my approach to each individual. I recognize how self-expression and self-advocacy can sometimes be overshadowed by the ways people learn to protect themselves from pain. I also understand that the past can shape the present in subtle ways, and that societal expectations can lead us to disconnect from our true selves. My experiences working with college students started during my doctoral training and have continued throughout my ten+ years in private practice. I provided psychotherapy to students at the UIC counseling center, where I completed both my training as an extern and my training as a Postdoctoral Fellow; at DePaul University Counseling Services where I completed my training as an extern; and at NIU Counseling and Consultation Services where I completed my training as an intern.