Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

Feeling burnt out? Keeping up with college life can be overwhelming. We specialize in working with college students and we're here to support you! Schedule an appointment today! We look forward to meeting with you. We are accepting new clients and have immediate openings, both in person or virtual. We accept insurance, self-pay, and sliding scale (reduced fee).

Hi, I’m Clayton, a licensed mental health counselor and marriage and family therapist. I believe that healing begins when we feel seen, heard, and accepted for who we are. My goal is to create a space where you can explore your thoughts and emotions without judgment — whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, identity concerns, relationship challenges, or simply trying to understand yourself on a deeper level. I work with individuals, couples, and families from all walks of life, including those in the LGBTQ+ community, students adjusting to new transitions, and anyone striving to improve their emotional well-being. My approach is collaborative and compassionate — blending evidence-based techniques with genuine curiosity about your story. Together, we’ll work toward developing insight, strengthening coping skills, and helping you feel more grounded and confident in who you are. Therapy is not about “fixing” you; it’s about understanding, growth, and learning to embrace your own perfect imperfections. If you’re ready to begin that process, I’m here to walk alongside you every step of the way.

My passion for psychiatry began during my undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, where I graduated with a degree in neuroscience and a GPA of 3.9. Due to my academic excellence, I was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, America’s oldest honor society, which includes 17 former U.S. Presidents and 40 Supreme Court Justices among its members. Before pursuing a career in medicine, I taught Algebra to middle school students in New York City as a public school educator. I was initially hired to help students pass their state exams, and to my surprise, they succeeded. This experience reinforced my belief in the importance of education. At Rush University, I hold three administrative roles: Executive Chief Resident, Education Chief, and Internal Moonlighting Coordinator. As Executive Chief Resident, I organize two literature review series: Rush’s Journal Club and a program called “Controversies in Psychopharmacology,” which explores new and controversial topics in psychiatry. Together with faculty, I also coordinate the PRITE exam review series. As an enthusiastic test-taker, I achieved scores above the 90th percentile in neuroscience on the 2020 and 2021 exams. Additionally, I oversee the Balint group, a support group aimed at addressing physician burnout and promoting wellness among residents. In my role as Education Chief, I manage Rush’s Teaching Clinic, designed to support medical students. I regularly lecture to both medical students and residents. I have collaborated with my co-residents to create a personalized tutoring series for at-risk medical students focused on helping them pass their NBME shelf exams; I’m proud to report that 100% of my mentees have successfully passed. Furthermore, I co-lead a neuroscience curriculum aligned with materials from the National Neuroscience Curriculum Initiative (NNCI) and deliver lectures to my co-residents. As the Internal Moonlighting Coordinator at Rush, I ensure continuous and effective psychiatric care in the emergency department. I have logged over 1,000 hours in the emergency room, gaining experience in stabilizing high-acuity situations such as psychosis, mania, and agitation. This role has also provided me with valuable experience in accounting and bookkeeping, allowing me to work closely with the payroll department. I am actively involved in the Illinois Psychiatric Society, the Illinois branch of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). I serve on several committees, including the anti-racism committee and the government affairs committee. My interests lie in interventional psychiatry, and I currently work at Rush’s TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) and ketamine clinic. In October, I collaborated with IV Chicago Solutions and shadowed Dr. Eugene Lipov, a pioneer of the stellate ganglion block procedure for treating PTSD. You can easily schedule your session through our online booking link. Click "Website" to find a convenient time for you.

Could you use a safe space to process a major life transition? Are you looking for guidance on improving your relationships? I see therapy as a valuable tool to reflect on life, unpack how you're feeling, and discover what changes you can make to be more satisfied. My therapeutic style tends to be a good fit for clients who identify as perfectionists, struggle with anxiety and uncertainty, or who are experiencing stress from significant phase of life changes like starting school, getting married, or having kids. As a violinist myself, I love working with creatives, musicians, and performing artists. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and currently working towards my Perinatal Mental Health Certification. I strive to cultivate a supportive and compassionate relationship with my clients while also encouraging growth and accountability. I utilize evidence-based techniques, including ACT and CBT, to help clients improve their mental health. I also draw from my experience as a couples counselor to assist clients in developing more satisfying relationships. I received my EdS degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Loyola University Chicago and hold a degree in Violin Performance from Northwestern University. I started my private practice, Vivant Counseling & Psychotherapy, in 2022. Outside of the therapy room, I love taking walks with my pitbull Rosie, cooking pasta, and British crime dramas.

** Telehealth and In-Person appointments.** We all long for our experiences, feelings, and needs to be seen, recognized, and honored. I bring to our work deep respect for your concerns and suffering. I place the therapeutic relationship at the heart of our work together which I approach with curiosity and empathy. I am most interested in what your unique experience is, and I aim to listen deeply on our road toward understanding. A safe-enough space will help us to transform your patterns of experience that interfere with your ability to be compassionate with yourself, to build meaningful relationships, and to work and play creatively, in other words, to live a fulfilling life. I am humbled by the complexity of human existence and feel honored to work with individuals from different racial and cultural backgrounds, sexual and gender identities, as well as spiritual and religious affiliations. In addition to my private practice, I am an Instructor in Psychology at Harvard Medical School (part-time) and supervise psychology interns and psychiatrist fellows. I served as the co-chair of the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Society for Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychology Graduate Student Committee helping young clinicians explore and develop their professional identities.

Here at Harper Grace Counseling, we see a wide variety of clients and offer vast specialties. We work to diligently to ensure you are placed with the clinician who is most skilled and able to help you with your current struggles. We provide both in person and telehealth services to ensure that we are able to service anyone who resides in the state of Illinois. We are able to support clients navigating gender transition, survivors of trauma, LGBTQiA++, couples, polyamorous relationship systems, caregivers, individuals with chronic medical conditions, financial/ career concerns, racial identity, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, addiction, and neurodivergence.

The first step is the hardest and it takes great courage to ask for help. I strive to help people navigate how to cope with life's challenges and transitions. My goal is to provide you with support by providing a judgement free space to process your feelings and help you gain positive coping skills. Together, we will work through life's hardships and discover ways to improve your quality of life.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I work well with clients who want to learn skills to cope with what they're going through as well as get to the root of the issues. As a therapist I am warm, flexible, and seek to create a brave space in which clients can bring their full selves to the room. While my focus has been trauma and trauma treatments, most of my clients are coming in for help with understanding the role their families have in their lives and changing relationships. Many of my clients are navigating how to be in relationship with parents who have different values and experiences, or maybe don't understand how their actions and choices have impacted my clients. Some topics I work with clients on include: anxiety, stress, perfectionism, over achieving, negative childhood or family experiences, and issues around identity. Some of my clients want to learn concrete skills for managing where they are at in their lives, while others want to get into the depths around who they are and why they do what they do. For both I show up consistently as a sounding board who provides gentle and often direct feedback.

At Relational Insight we empower clients to increase life fulfillment through growth, acceptance, and healthy relationships. Our therapists help clients who are struggling and curious about observed patterns of behavior (such as perfectionism, isolation, avoidance or procrastination, substance use, conflict and relationship dynamics) or patterns of emotions (such as fear/anxiety, sadness, overwhelm, identify confusion, anger/irritability, and self-criticism). We also help clients interested in making connections between their past and present such as better understanding and healing past traumas or abuse. Therapy helps clients capitalize on their strengths and self-knowledge to make changes and live with intention.

Peace in Counseling is a virtual therapy practice based in Naperville, Illinois, committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care for children, teens, adults, and families throughout the state. We specialize in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, life transitions, and more. Our mission is to empower clients on their journey to inner peace by fostering a sense of stability and confidence in every aspect of their lives. Our mission at Peace in Counseling is to provide trauma-informed, culturally aware, and evidence-based therapy that helps individuals, couples, and families build lasting inner peace and resilience. We are committed to creating a collaborative space where you feel truly seen, respected, and supported in your growth. By integrating emotional, psychological, and spiritual care, we focus on the whole person and foster meaningful, lasting change.

I’m a licensed psychologist with specialty training in exposure therapy for OCD and anxiety disorders, evidence-based trauma treatments, and transgender and queer healthcare. My passion is engaging in short-term, collaborative change processes with people—helping them make their lives bigger and more fulfilling, while providing the skills to better weather the stresses of life. It’s a hard world to live in for many of us, and I believe one of the best things we can do is get connected to the people and things that make our lives matter, even when it’s hard. In my experience, the thing that usually makes us the most miserable is when we avoid our internal experiences and move away from the things we actually want and value. Therapy can build your resilience, help you get past the barriers to living the life you want, and give you tools to manage or overcome the symptoms that get in your way. My style of practice is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a treatment modality which can improve the symptoms of many problems in 12-16 sessions and emphasizes the practice of therapy skills in between sessions to maximize gains. My passion in CBT is exposure therapy: approaching the risks we are avoiding and learning, by living, what we are capable of. I have completed exposure therapy training at the Trauma and Anxiety Disorders Clinic at Central Michigan University as well as a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for OCD and Anxiety Disorders in St Louis. Another passion of mine is improving access to, and quality of, healthcare for LGBTQ+ people. I helped develop a specialty queer & transgender mental health program at St Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute and served as the clinical director of that program prior to beginning my work at CBT Solutions. In addition to CBT, in therapy I also incorporate strategies from Acceptance Based Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Mindful Self-Compassion. In couples work, I use the Gottman Method of Relationship Therapy. The integration of these strategies can address both short-term change and longer-term self-exploration work. I work with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, trauma and PTSD, people coping with sexual assault, Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Specific Phobia, perfectionism, and unhelpful personality patterns. I particularly enjoy working with LGBTQ+ clients, and I welcome ethical nonmonogamy, nontraditional family structures, and kink lifestyles in my practice. I work with adolescents, adults, and couples / relationship partners. I look forward to getting to know you better! Schedule a free 20-minute consult so we can discuss what you want out of therapy and whether I am a good fit for helping you move towards your goals.

Arena specializes in serving individuals who are currently struggling with the weight and pressures of daily life, as well as those feeling the heaviness of their past, difficult life experiences. We often see survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, community violence, and childhood trauma, and also work with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, and stress surrounding their every day life who want to improve their mental wellness, happiness, and quality of life. Our team reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Among our staff are individuals who are immigrants and Muslims, each bringing lived experience and cultural insight to their work. Together, we are committed to increasing access, representation, and visibility for historically underrepresented communities, and to providing care that honors the full identities of those we serve. We offer flexible scheduling. If you don't see your preferred availability, please reach out and we will do my best to accommodate your needs.

If you've been living in the ADHD or Anxious side of Tik-Tok, seeing yourself in every video, you might be asking yourself how you're going to get through the semester. You've got a lot on your plate, you want it ALL! You're smart, funny, driven. And sometimes that gets messy. Are you falling behind, missing home, staying up too late? Maybe your roommate or your SO just doesn't understand what it's like to be you right now. You and your peers have been through a lot: life-altering pandemic, active-shooter drills, social unrest, ugly politics, and more. It's a lot. I provide a supportive space where you can build skills and self-compassion. I offer fully online therapy across Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia — perfect for college students studying remotely or balancing life’s demands. Call, text, or email me today. Or visit my website to schedule a quick chat to see if we're a good match - it's free and a great way to see how I can help you live your best life.

Your first session is simply the beginning. There’s no pressure to have everything figured out. We’ll start by getting to know each other and talking about what is bringing you to therapy. I’ll ask questions to better understand your experiences, your strengths, and what feels most important to focus on right now. Therapy is a collaborative process, and this first meeting is about taking those initial steps together. We’ll begin identifying your goals and what meaningful change would look like for you. Just as importantly, this is your opportunity to see how it feels to work with me. A strong therapeutic fit matters, and I want you to feel comfortable, supported, and confident moving forward!

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.

I work with students and young adults who are struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, and dealing with the undergoing changes of going to college or starting full time work. I offer therapy without judgment, I am here to help you challenge the critic in your mind telling you that you're doing everything wrong and that everyone is judging you all the time. I use a mix of cognitive and behavioral approaches to help you learn ways to change how you think about yourself and the world around you. I help by providing a nonjudgmental space and time for you to process through the thoughts that are troubling you and the worries you have. I am available to see clients in Illinois and Indiana.

heARTful wellness is the community care division of heARTful remedies, LLC. Renée (she/her), founder of heARTful remedies, LLC defines heARTful wellness as “being well at a heart level” and believes that these characteristics are all part of experiencing heARTful wellness. The goal of these community care options is to use creativity and mindfulness as a way to support access to mental health wellness skills outside the therapy room. Below is information about different community care offerings: 1. heARTful wellness workshops: Renee is providing art and mindfulness workshops (educational, not therapy) for anyone 18+ in person (STL) and virtually each month. In person: Offered every first Friday of the month @EMPOWERED Spaces in St. Louis, MO from 6-7:30pm CST; Virtual: Offered every second Wednesday of the month VIRTUALLY from 7-8:30pm CST (zoom link sent after sign up). *Full and Partial Equity scholarships for in-person sessions at EMPOWERED Spaces available. Contact Kelly at kkcaul@yahoo.com to inquire about the equity scholarships available! Vist: https://www.heartfulremedies.com/heartful-wellness-workshops Sign up here: https://bit.ly/heARTfulWellnesSTL heARTful remedies is passionate about empowering people to remember and reconnect with their creativity as part of collective liberation. These workshops are a space to reclaim your creativity as an act of Self–care while also building community with other like-hearted individuals. The inspiration for creating the heARTful wellness workshops are founded on these 6 principles: Open Access — making mental health support available outside the therapy room Self–Care — reclaiming prioritized time to nurture yourself Growing Awareness — practicing how to be grounded in the present moment (e.g., mindfulness) Creative Outlet — dedicated space to play and imagine creatively Building Community — connecting with like-hearted people Genuine Wellness — feeling like you have the tools to be your authentic Self 2. heARTful wellness workbook: Renee has published a mindfulness adult coloring workbook that can be used with anyone 13+ to be a supportive (outside of therapy) resource with journaling prompts and mindful coloring options. Visit for more info and purchase options: https://www.heartfulremedies.com/heartful-wellness-products Shop here: https://bit.ly/heARTfulproducts 3. heARTful wellness monthly newsletter: Renee and the heARTful wellness team are putting out a monthly newsletter with wellness tips and info about what heARTful wellness is doing out in the community each month that you can subscribe to on the website or send an email to wellness@heARTfulremedies.com saying you would like to be added. 4. Follow heARTful remedies on social media: Renee and the heARTful wellness team are working to put out creative wellness content regularly on social media as a way to support our collective wellness (can be used by all ages). Follow us @heartfulremedies (IG, FB, TikTok).

At Coastal Center for Collaborative Health we are a collaborative team of therapists who work together to help clients feel better about themselves and their relationships. We are therapists with diverse backgrounds, training, and specialties. We offer sessions face-to-face as well as online using a secure website for medical and mental health professionals. Please visit our website to fill out a New Client Request Form and it helps us if you indicate that you found us through Thriving Campus. We look forward to meeting you!

Parkside Psychological Services is dedicated to serving people of all ages and needs. Our team of diverse, talented providers is committed to understanding the root of client’s concerns and working with them to bring about effective changes for recovery. Different providers are available 7-days/wk including daytime, evening, and weekends to suite your needs. We are currently accepting patients with a wide spectrum of symptoms. Able to connect in-person (Lake Forest, IL) or virtually (PsyPact membership connecting to 42 states nationwide!). We are in-network with BCBS PPO and Medicare. Out-of-network rates can be discussed as needed with option of superbills to support your request for reimbursement. Please reach out to Dr. Smiley directly to discuss your needs and preferences, and get started right away! Ideally an initial appointment will be scheduled within a week.