Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

Are you feeling overwhelmed and bogged down by life? Have you been waking up and feeling that existential dread a little bit more and more as the days go by? Do you want to scream into the void a lot? Same, let's do that together! My name is Shelby and I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) who specializes in trauma, anxiety, depression, and phase of life transitions. I am an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist and integrate cultural humility within all of my sessions. I believe there is no such thing as "TMI" in therapy and that this is your space to be, authentically, unapologetically, YOU!

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) I have experience working with adults and immigrant populations who are navigating challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, grief, and chronic illness. As an immigrant, I can empathize with the unique obstacles faced by those adapting to a new environment and a different way of life. I take a client-centered, culturally responsive approach that recognizes each individual's distinct needs and experiences. I have experience working with individuals navigating both past traumas and the challenges of adjusting to a life that may differ from their previous expectations. I have also worked in hospital settings, supporting patients and their families from the moment of diagnosis through the emotional process of coping with illness and loss. In our first session, we’ll explore what brought you to therapy, what’s currently happening in your life, and what changes you’re hoping for. Utilizing a psychodynamic framework, we will uncover unhelpful patterns and defense mechanisms, helping you develop healthier coping strategies while processing uncomfortable emotions. Shall we dive in?

Hello! We have a variety of therapists who specialize in different things, who are able to help you both virtually and in person! Please reach out to us or visit our website for more information :)

I like to think of therapy as a journey of inner exploration and I am along as a guide. I believe that therapy is most effective when it is a combination of intellectual understanding and emotional experience. In that regard, it feels like your feelings are our road signs that we are in the right track to self-growth. I try to not have a specific agenda going into sessions, but rather to go where it is you feel like you need to go at that time. I believe that it is my role to create a safe space for you to express and explore whatever it is that is inside you. Compassion is key, and cultivating self-compassion is one of the most important elements of therapy. I look forward to helping you explore and become more self-aware and self-compassionate!

Hello! As a mental health therapist, I'm here to offer a supportive and confidential space for you to navigate the unique challenges of college life. It's completely normal to feel overwhelmed by academic pressure, social changes, and the process of figuring out your future. My goal is to work with you to develop effective coping strategies and build confidence so you can thrive during this important chapter. Whether you're dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, or just need someone to talk to, please know that reaching out is a sign of strength. I look forward to connecting with you.

When it comes to supporting you and providing you, your care must be adaptable, empathetic, individualized. Whether you are seeking dramatic change, collaboration on a major life decision, or just in need of someone to discuss the trials and tribulations of life, it is important that therapy reflects your uniqueness through its uniqueness. I have experience across a diverse array of clients with a strong belief that care should promote equity, unconditional positive regard, and identity affirming care. I have experience working with clients seeking help for depression, anxiety, trauma, OCD, gender affirming care, pro LGBTQIA+ care, and general life stressors in young adults and adults ages 18-35. I am also a firm believer in the power of remote therapy, if you are going to be vulnerable you should at least be able to choose where you are vulnerable. What should a new client know about working with you? I believe that care should be individualized and adaptive. Open communication is crucial as it helps me adapt to what your needs are and makes for better collaboration on care. I am a firm believer that therapy must also address what is happening in society, and strongly believe in recognizing how systemic issues may influence life’s struggles. My therapy is inclusive and an LGTBTQIA+ safe space. What is your typical process for working with clients? Therapy is a dialogue, I will not just be a bystander who listens, I ask you to challenge your negative beliefs and reflect on statements that you may not even realize you are saying. We will work together to understand how your thoughts, feelings, and past affect each other and influence your behaviors and beliefs. Typically I achieve this through motivational interviewing, psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, psycho education, and a systems focused outlook.

Life can be brutal, can’t it?! Can you remember that time in life when you were happy, like top of the world scream it from the rooftops happy? In that moment, everything was right in your world and then well, life happened. Now you look back and have so many questions…What happened? Let me tell you, you are not alone! We’ve all been there in some season of life. But who says this can’t make us better! Every person comes to therapy with their own individual needs. Therefore, we adapt our interventions based on a comprehensive assessment of who you are and what you need. We are all trained in a number of different interventions and like to use a combination of our training and expertise to utilize an eclectic approach to best meet the needs of each individual person. We know that every individual is uniquely different and therefore each person should have a unique therapy journey based on their own needs.

Navigating college and young adulthood can be overwhelming—balancing academics, relationships, and personal growth while managing stress, anxiety, or past experiences that weigh heavily. I work best with students who feel stuck, uncertain, or disconnected. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, substance use, self-doubt, or major life transitions, I provide a supportive space to explore, process, and grow. My approach is warm, interactive, and nonjudgmental. I believe therapy should be a place where you can be your full self—messy thoughts, complicated emotions, and all. Together, we’ll untangle challenges, develop strategies that work for you, and build confidence in your ability to navigate life’s ups and downs. Having worked in both mental health and substance use treatment, I understand how stress, coping, and self-destructive patterns can get in the way of the life you want. I also know change is possible. Whether you need a space to be heard, tools to manage emotions, or guidance in rediscovering your strengths, I’m here to help.

Hi, I’m Zoe—a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and DBT-certified therapist, offering virtual therapy across Florida, Illinois, and Texas. I work with college students, especially young women, who feel anxious, misunderstood, or stuck in cycles of self-doubt, perfectionism, or unhealthy patterns. Classes, relationships, family stress, and the constant pressure to “have it all figured out” can leave you feeling overwhelmed. In therapy, you don’t have to perform or pretend you’re fine—you get a space to be real, vent, and start untangling what’s been weighing you down. ✨ You might relate if… You’re overthinking every text, email, or decision. You feel “different” or “too much” compared to your friends. You’re caught in cycles with food, body image, or relationships. You’re exhausted from trying to keep it all together. In our first session, we’ll slow things down. I’ll get to know your story, the challenges you’re facing, and what you’d like to change. You don’t need to have a plan—I’ll ask questions to help us explore your coping patterns, relationships, and what’s been hardest lately. This is a supportive space where you can share at your own pace—no pressure to open up before you’re ready. By the end, we’ll have a clearer picture of your goals and how we can work toward them. My goal is to make sure you feel heard, understood, and supported from the very beginning.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I have worked with higher education students extensively and am deeply understand the unique challenges this population faces. I am trained in CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Insomnia) and provide structured interventions that can be incredibly beneficial for those suffering from insomnia, including children, adolescents, and adults. I am currently providing telehealth services in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Florida, Alabama, and New Mexico. I specialize in sexual trauma, child and adolescent trauma, play therapy, and parenting. I am currently accepting clients age 2y and up for individual therapy, in addition to parenting and family therapy. Please feel free to call, text, or email with any questions and to schedule an initial appointment.

Hi there! I’m Dawn Meyer, and I’m here to help you navigate whatever life is throwing your way—whether it’s anxiety, depression, trauma, family conflict, or just the everyday stress of college life. I know reaching out for therapy can feel like a big step, but my approach is straightforward and compassionate. We’ll work together to help you manage big stressors or work on issues related to your mental health. Feel free to call, text or email me for more information. I am a fully virtual therapist. Life’s tough sometimes, but you don’t have to face it alone.

Hello! I believe in a holistic approach to treatment and meeting the client where they are to assist them in where they want to be. I offer a unique understanding and appreciation for those who are also in the helping profession. My empathetic and culturally sensitive method strengthens self-esteem and motivation; heals abuse; rebuilds careers; resolves conflicts; supports dreams; teaches effective communication/relationship skills; helps to lower reactivity; identifies triggers; lessens anxiety and depression; heightens creativity, and offers coping techniques towards creating a life well-lived. As a Licensed Master Clinical Social Worker, I have over 13 years of experience and specialize in work with those impacted by: complex trauma, depression, anxiety, life-transitions, education/work/life balance, family dynamics, co-parenting issues, racial identity, interracial/interpersonal relationship challenges. I am trained in EMDR. I am Trauma Focused CBT certified. Finding a therapist who is a good fit can seem like a difficult task. It's important to feel understood, heard, and accepted in a non judgmental space. *Treatment is provided exclusively 100% via HIPPA compliant tele-psychotherapy (video)* Don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email with questions and to schedule a free consultation. I will respond.

Envisage Counseling focuses on a plethora of life challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress, transitions, and grieving. We have a diverse background that entails working in public health, residential treatment centers, health care settings, community-based centers, crisis agencies, and therapeutic settings. We strongly believe therapy is an important asset in life where one is able to talk about life challenges and work on solutions that allow individuals to be the best version of themselves. Our goal is to create a natural experience by nurturing a safe and welcoming environment, establishing trusting relationships, and promoting a judgement free zone where one can express themselves freely, overcome their challenges, and find balance in their lives. We believe in the philosophy “give yourself space to evolve” (Krista Aoki).

Sometimes words don't cut it. Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or seeking a safe space to explore your inner world? Art therapy uses tools that take traditional talk therapy to the next level by giving you an embodied experience. The heart of my practice is believing people are their own experts. You are the ONLY you with your exact values, experiences, routines, heartaches, and desires. I want you to feel seen, foster a deeper understanding of your journey, and find answers and solace through your own innate intuition. If you're new to art therapy you may not be aware of how creativity can open new doors of understanding and connection. Sometimes we get stuck on a judgmental message from 1st grade that we aren’t “good” at artmaking. Well, I say forget that! You ARE inherently creative and it’s okay to heal using both the logical AND intuitive sides of your brain. You get to lead at your comfort level and I will authentically support you using tools and techniques (whether open-ended or more structured) to guide you. If you are seeking space to work through an issue you're having, improve self-esteem, cope with anxiety or depression, manage stress, deal with relationship or parenting issues, process trauma, or just vent, consider reaching out to me.

We can't always decide what happens to us in life, but we can choose what we do about it. I love working with clients who are open to building trust, ready to begin exploring, and want to create change. You don't have to have it all figured out right now, I would be honored to share space with you and start the process of rediscovering yourself. I have the most experience working with self-esteem issues, anxiety, depression, difficult family relationships, romantic relationship stressors, gender identity, and sexuality. I want to learn what makes you unique, help you build trust in yourself, and help you reclaim your life narrative. My passion is in learning people's stories. I use trauma-informed techniques to look at the context of our lives, and together we can forge a new path forward towards the life you find most fulfilling. I draw from narrative therapy to learn about your story, and I use EMDR to help reprocess our experiences.

My practice is one that helps people better understand and work through feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression–especially those arising from difficulties with their schoolwork, questions about their future, challenges in their relationships with family members, friends, and/or partners, and experiences they have been having with acute or chronic illnesses (including cancer). When working with clients, I use both psychodynamic and existential techniques to explore not only their current concerns and behaviors, but also the deeper emotional, intellectual, and relational patterns that influence them. Some goals are to help people discover the true source of their pain and make real, lasting changes in their lives. If you are ready to feel more grounded, connected, and in control of your life, I invite you to reach out to me for a free consultation. During our call, we can talk about the hopes you have for therapy and discuss how best to achieve them. A little more about me: Before beginning work at in this field, I undertook clinical training at a site that provides therapeutic services to individuals impacted by cancer. During my time there, I gained valuable experience providing both one-on-one and group therapy to adults who had been diagnosed with cancer and their spouses, partners, and caregivers. Prior to that, I practiced as an attorney at a large, international firm in downtown Chicago, focusing primarily on complex commercial, product liability, and patent cases.

We all need trustworthy guidance to lead fulfilling lives. But where do you turn when you lack support to overcome your problems? You need growth-oriented counseling to lighten your load. My passion is to help individuals find ways to be successful in life, by utilizing your strengths. I do this by understanding your unique desires and providing individualized support to help you achieve them. I like to focus on the person, and their current goals to help support future success. I specialize in evidence-based counseling approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFBT). Utilizing my skills to make life-changing connections with clients every day.

Has it been hard for you to embrace life and feel your best? Are you looking for help navigating a lifelong struggle or recent difficulty? Although your experiences are unique to you, you are not alone and deserve to have your emotional needs met. The therapeutic journey allows you to share the burden and take an active role in making the changes you want to make. Together, we can find what works for you and equip you with the tools to address anxiety, self-esteem issues, trauma, life transitions, and loss. I have often been described as compassionate and positive, which allows my clients to build on their strengths in a safe and accepting space. I enjoy working with adolescents and adults of all ages. With an Art Therapy background, I am experienced in using art to complement the therapeutic experience and express things you can’t say with words. Change happens one step at a time, but it can be difficult to make that first step. I'm here to provide support and guidance for you to trust and believe in yourself.

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou These words are at the heart of my work as a therapist. I believe healing begins in spaces where you feel truly seen, heard, and valued. My goal is to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where you can bring your whole self, without fear and without shame. Whether you’re navigating pain, uncertainty, or change, you don’t have to go through it alone. To learn more, visit my profile on Psychology Today!