Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

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.

***Book a Free Consultation Online at Our Website Below On the outside, people tend to see you as doing fine – or even put-together, independent and successful. Lately, life has you feeling anxious, overwhelmed and stuck grasping for any semblance of control. No one really prepares you for the stress and confusion of the transition to adulthood – it’s a lot of pressure. How do you convince your friends, family, teachers, or boss that you know what you're doing? More importantly, how do you convince yourself? The overwhelm of reality makes you want to nap, doom scroll or binge watch Netflix for a lifetime -- or anything else that will quiet your mind. We specialize in equipping you with the tools needed to feel confident, successful, and independent -- so you can live your life without unnecessary burdens and limitations. You DO belong here and it WILL get easier, but you’re meant to navigate these things with support. Let's collaborate to build you're confidence and emotional control. We’ll break it down so it feels more manageable and work to understand everything in the context of YOU. We'll identify the "whys", practical strategies to help you manage day-to-day, and move towards long-lasting peace, balance and meaning. We’ll clarify your values & identity, boost self-esteem, & achieve a healthy study, work, life, etc. balance. Through the process, you will develop a healthier relationship with yourself and others. The anxiety, overwhelm and defeat cycle is rough. Sometimes the internal dialogue makes it seem like things are beyond repair, but we're here to assure you there is absolutely hope and resolution available to you. We'll help you along that path.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi, I'm Sierra! I'm a licensed therapist in Chicago offering fully virtual sessions. I have expertise in helping people heal from trauma, anxiety, and depression. As a once first-generation college student, I understand the difficulties of navigating this particularly trying time in life. Working with a new therapist can sometimes feel daunting, so I get to know each person on a human level with a bit of (appropriate) humor. I'm queer, gender-affirming, and like to incorporate skills in sessions to help you develop better coping strategies. I accept all major insurance plans and can work with anyone in Illinois. If you'd like to see if we'd be a good fit, feel free to email me and we can set up a time to chat! Interested in a therapist with a different specialty? I work with Cityscape Counseling, a group practice in Chicago with over 55 licensed therapists offering treatment both in-person and online for eating disorders, substance use, OCD, and more. Connect with us at cityscapecounseling.com!

I help people navigate life’s challenges with clarity, compassion, and authenticity. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, questions of identity, or major life transitions, I aim to create a welcoming space where you can show up exactly as you are—without judgment and with genuine support. I work with teens, young adults navigating the transition into adulthood, and adults. use proven approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems ("parts work") to tailor therapy to your unique needs and goals. In our sessions, we’ll work to help you: • Slow down and better understand your emotions • Recognize patterns in your thoughts and behaviors that may be holding you back • Develop practical tools to handle life’s challenges with greater confidence and perspective • Sit with difficult feelings without becoming overwhelmed • Connect more deeply with who you truly are My approach is warm, attuned, and deeply collaborative. I believe therapy is most effective when you feel truly seen and understood. Whether you’re in a season of change, self-discovery, or simply need support through a difficult time, I’ll meet you where you are and help you move forward with greater clarity and self-compassion.

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.

My work as a therapist is deeply rooted in connection. Creating a safe space is essential in order to explore and uncover unconscious thoughts and feelings. Considering important aspects of connection such as attachment style, communication, and intimacy can enhance not only the relationship with one’s self, but also with others. I am passionate about working with individuals who have survived trauma, live with anxiety, depression, grief, codependence, as well as interpersonal and internal conflict. My individualized care caters to each client and meets them where they are, while considering each of their identities. Building strong connections with each client is essential as well as my belief that each person is the expert of their own experience. I have worked with many students and understand academic stress as well as the many adjustments that come along with being a student in higher education. I am here to provide support, understanding, and non-judgement.

As an experienced clinician specializing in anxiety and depression, I work with individuals to reduce symptoms, increase resilience and interrupt unhelpful thought patterns. I believe a supportive therapeutic relationship is essential for meaningful change, and I work collaboratively with clients to create a space to explore the parts of you that feel overwhelmed, identify triggers and build skills to manage anxious and depressive thoughts and physical symptoms. My practice is IFS-informed and strengths-based, helping clients feel more grounded, in control and confident in their daily lives.

We are a group of mental health professionals skilled in the practice of individual, couples, family, and group psychotherapy. We specialize in reproductive mental health, mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, sexual challenges, and relationships. We are on a mission to build a world where every individual’s worth and dignity is affirmed and celebrated.

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.

Dr. Carrera is a licensed clinical psychologist. She works with adults and adolescents to help them understand the impact of their thoughts, feelings, and actions on their wellbeing. She offers an active and empowering space to navigate issues such as anxiety, low mood, family of origin concerns, identity confusion, and cultural adjustment and transitions. She also provides therapy and coaching for work and school-related struggles, including low motivation, attention difficulties, and time management concerns. Clients working with her will strengthen their awareness of ways that their life experiences may affect their ability to cope with challenges effectively. Dr. Carrera provided psychotherapy to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at Northwestern University’s Counseling and Psychological Services, where she completed her clinical training (Postdoctoral Fellowship). She completed her Doctoral Internship at the University of California, Berkeley. She graduated with her doctorate in Counseling Psychology (Ph.D.) from Iowa State University, a program accredited by the American Psychological Association. She is an active member of the National Latinx Psychological Association and the Society of Counseling Psychology. Born and raised in an Ecuadorian-American home, Dr. Carrera is bilingual and bicultural. Clients can speak English, Spanish, and Spanglish in their work with her. She lived and studied for several years in England and Italy; these life experiences, as well as her identity as a woman of color working in several professional settings, fuel her empathy for clients navigating various cultural messages and social pressures at home, work, and school. She is committed to fusing clinical work with social justice advocacy alongside clients who may feel silenced, marginalized, and disempowered.

With the complexities in the world today, it can be tough to catch a breath, decompress, and process the events in our unique lives. As bandwidths are stretched thin, boundaries infiltrated, and burnout ever present, the pressures of our day-to-day lives can pile on top of each other, making it hard to find balance and reach our goals. These challenges do not need to be faced alone. If you are seeking support for anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, grief, or addiction, together we will create a safe and collaborative space to face these challenges head-on, guiding you to feel more empowered, centered, and fulfilled. I have experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. The most important aspect of my approach is that it matches a client’s support needs and goals. Using an integrative, trauma-informed and person-centered framework, I aim to follow the client's lead and modify our process based on their unique personality, lived experiences, and interests. I'm so glad you are here. Life is full of ups that deserve to be celebrated and downs that deserve to be acknowledged and processed. Let’s dive into this together and start making your goals a reality. I look forward to hearing from you and getting to know you!

If you're feeling stuck in cycles you can't quite explain and want to understand yourself more fully, I can help. With over 20 years in clinical practice, I provide psychotherapy and assessment for adults with anxiety, depression, and ADHD. My psychotherapy approach is psychodynamic, mindfulness-based, and trauma-informed. Together, we will explore how your symptoms may have developed as adaptations to difficult life experiences, identify recurring patterns and discover where change is possible. Part of our work is developing a way of listening that tunes in not only to what is being said but also to what remains unspoken. I provide personality and adult ADHD assessments. In my view, assessment is not simply a way to assign a diagnosis, but an opportunity to answer longstanding questions and recognize strengths alongside patterns that may be keeping you stuck. I have a particular interest in working with adults from immigrant backgrounds. Living between cultures can leave you feeling unsure where you belong or wondering how to stay true to yourself while remaining connected to your family and community. I offer a culturally attuned and respectful space where these experiences can be explored with self-compassion.

I am committed to coaching you towards a more fulfilling life. Counseling can help you embrace happiness, manage stress, boost joy in relationships, increase motivation, and unleash creativity. I tailor my approach to your unique goals, using cognitive, behavioral, and other motivational strategies. We will focus on your strengths and amplify them. I will coach you to implement the tools from positive psychology to help you thrive. Through the use of imagination and the discovery of new skills, we will identify solutions and reclaim a sense of control. I will demonstrate my personal values of kindness, courtesy, and mutual respect throughout counseling. I provide individual counseling in a nurturing environment. My areas of expertise include Personal Challenges (anxiety, depression, eating disorders), Relationships (communication, conflict resolution, dating, social skills), and Life Skills (stress management, mindfulness, assertiveness, life transition, goal-setting, time management). I bring a sense of humor and a practical approach to counseling. Recommendations are geared towards acceptance of what you cannot control and commitment to action. They may include awareness of your strengths, attention to cognition, and creation of an outcome picture. Sessions are available in person, by phone, and by telehealth for your convenience.

I provide in depth talk therapy to individuals and couples dealing with depression, anxiety, loneliness, grief, relationship issues, career concerns, trauma, and identity development. As a psychoanalytically oriented therapist, I feel I am most specialized in helping those I treat with what Christopher Bollas (a renowned psychoanalyst) refers to as the Unthought Known – those intimately familiar yet too elusive to comprehend patterns that inhibit our beings in ways exquisitely unique to each of us. It is my belief that our work together in learning more about these ingrained underlying “loops” (in an environment where you feel safe, nurtured, and free of judgment) has the potential to provide peace, present solutions, and produce change.

Do you find yourself caught in a cycle of self-criticism, leading to persistent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness? Do your emotions sometimes overwhelm you, resulting in reactions that feel disproportionate to the situation? Navigating relationships can become even more challenging when affected by family dynamics. Maybe you have been having concerns with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief/ loss, life transitions, career/school stress, self-harm, and relationship challenges. Perhaps you’ve become discouraged by your attempts to help yourself. That’s what I’m here for. Imagine acquiring skills to navigate your inner critic and reduce feelings of hopelessness when triggered. Imagine understanding the reasons behind your actions which can provide motivation to overcome self-sabotaging behaviors. Let's build the courage to confront and overcome fears and self-perceptions that may be holding you back. I prioritize cultural sensitivity, emphasizing resilience, perseverance, and compassion. My trauma-informed approach fosters a nurturing space for exploring emotions, confronting challenges, and pursuing aspirations. Additionally, I speak conversational Cantonese, basic Korean, and basic Japanese. Schedule a free consultation today.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Our experienced therapists have various specializations in addition to being trauma informed and fully competent in treating anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. We offer a safe, non-judgmental therapeutic space for you to share your unique story.

As a pansexual, genderqueer, and religious minority therapist, I have a passion for supporting clients who have similarly felt “othered” for their own intersecting identities. I identify as an integrationist in my therapy style, where I tailor my approach to your concerns in a way that fits your individual needs. Prior to my doctorate, I worked as a risk-reduction counselor for a nonprofit STI testing center, where I discovered my passion for caring for those historically underserved in the LGBTQ+ community. Accordingly, I view my six years of training in counseling psychology as a means to uplift those who are historically underserved. Although I have worked in many settings such as community counseling and outpatient hospitals, I found a love for serving young adults in university counseling in both health sciences and general areas of study. I feel honored to help people at a crossroads of their own identity exploration. If you also find yourself wanting to explore yourself and your values, I would love the opportunity to connect with you.