Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

Hi, I’m Sydney. Any type of schooling can be exciting, stressful, confusing, and everything in between — and my job is to help you sort through all of it. I work with students dealing with anxiety, burnout, identity questions, friendships, and relationship stress. In therapy, you can expect honesty, warmth, and practical tools that fit your real life, not a textbook version of it. I also have a passion for working with a multitude of populations. I have extensive experience not only in outpatient, but also with inpatient care that I find can be helpful in times of stress or crisis.

Are you having trouble managing the stress and demands of everyday life? Are you struggling to cope? Then, you are in the right place. At times, life can be difficult and challenging. Reaching out for help doesn’t have to be hard or scary. You don’t have to do this by yourself. Many times, the client’s I work with tell me, it is a good feeling to feel supported and not feel alone. We all want to be able to achieve our goals and feel calm and happy at the same time. This is where I come in. I graduated from Indiana University Northwest in 2001 with my MSW. I have been helping people ever since. I can help you sort out feelings, cope with demands and learn skills to help manage your changing world. I have experience with concerns related to ADHD, school issues, depression and anxiety. When I meet with client’s, I bring with me my experience, knowledge, training and ability to connect and understand others. It is my goal to assist the people I work with to find calm and happiness in their lives. I utilize an eclectic approach to assist the clients with a broad range of needs. We will begin from a strength based perspective utilizing aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person in Environment Theory, Dialectic Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. We will work towards achieving your goals in a way that feels safe and supported. If you are feeling the need for a bit more support and to cope better with life’s demands, give me a call. I would love to be able to discuss with you how I can help. I look forward to talking with you.

I’m Lauren Dircks, a licensed therapist in Illinois and Minnesota, offering immediate openings for Telehealth counseling. I provide a safe, supportive space where you can explore challenges, build resilience, and find healing. I welcome individuals from all backgrounds and provide a judgment-free, inclusive environment where you can be your authentic self. I know that seeking support takes courage, and I'm here to help you. Your well-being is my priority, and I'm committed to helping you grow, heal, and become the best version of yourself. You don’t have to do this alone.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Ascension Center for Mental Health in Arlington Heights has been serving the needs of the community since 1962. We offer an array of outpatient mental health services including psychiatry, therapy, employment, residential treatment, Medicaid day programs and intensive outpatient programs. We accept all major insurance plans including Medicare and Medicaid. We have an amazing staff of professionals who care about helping the clients we serve and do our best to manage their care.

Welcome to Essentially You Counseling and Wellness Services. We first would like to acknowledge the step you are taking to create positive change in your life, and thank you for considering us to be a part of that process! At Essentially You Counseling and Wellness Services, we provide an array of behavioral health services to individuals, couples, families and groups. Life can prove to be very difficult at times. With two convenient locations in Bloomingdale and Bolingbrook, our mission at Essentially You Counseling and Wellness Services is to guide you through the challenges you are facing so that you are able to live a happy life. We are proud to offer both in-person and telehealth sessions. Everybody can benefit from counseling at different points in their lives. Unfortunately, no one is immune to the stress and strain that life can bring each day. Our goal is to provide you with excellent care in a warm, safe and empathetic environment. While we can’t change difficult situations that you may have been through in the past, we can work together to help you enjoy the present and look forward to your future. Our therapists use eclectic therapeutic styles to help you experience a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Our team works with you to guide you through the challenges of life, develop new outlooks and skills to manage stressors, and gain a better understanding of living an authentic life that is “Essentially You”.

I am open to working with a variety of people. I can work with teens to adults. I can do depression, anxiety, etc. My schedule is pretty open at the moment. However, if there is a time slot that I filled I will work with you to find a better timing.

Life can be a tricky thing to manage. It takes many twists and turns. The weight of this world is likely resting on your shoulders. It makes sense that you are at a breaking point. I see you and empathize with you. In order to thrive when you are barely surviving, growth and healing have to happen from whatever burden it is that is weighing you down. I want you to know you aren’t alone. You matter and it means so much that you are here today. As a licensed clinical social worker, it is my duty to make sure you feel supported and validated in every aspect of life. Life is not meant to be lived on your own. I want to help you figure out how to take it one day at a time, starting with baby steps, beginning to move your life forward. Genesis 50:20, Romans 8:28, Galatians 5:22-23. I strive in creating a kind, loving, non judgmental yet accountable safe place within my practice setting. I take the time to listen, and work hard to build a strong relationship so that you have someone to go to when life is too rough to handle on your own. When clients leave sessions, they tend to feel refreshed, restored and ready to thrive in life again.

I’m Mercedes Yates-Jones, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois and Virginia. I am also the founder of Safe to Say Therapy located in Winfield, IL. I earned my Master’s in Social Work from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and have spent over a decade helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges. Before starting my private practice, I worked with the Department of Veteran Affairs and in several private practice settings, supporting clients with a wide range of needs. I also have experience in inpatient psychiatric care, which has shaped my calm and steady presence when clients are feeling overwhelmed or facing difficult moments. I work with children ages 10 and up, adolescents, and adults who are dealing with anxiety, depression, burnout, academic stress, relationship concerns, life transitions, or periods of feeling stuck. I also have a heart for supporting students, veterans, parents, caregivers, and individuals from underserved communities. I created Safe to Say Therapy because I believe everyone deserves a space where they feel safe, understood, and truly supported. My goal is to meet you with warmth and authenticity and walk alongside you as you move toward clarity, confidence, and meaningful change, at a pace that feels right for you.

Hello, I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with teens, adults, couples and families with over 15 years of experience in the psychology/counseling field. My focus is to provide a comfortable and supportive atmosphere in order to help individiuals feel better in their day to day lives. My specialty is working with anyone who has been through small or big traumas. I use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help the client move past the event and stop having so much reactivity in their daily lives.

As a therapist, my goal is to walk alongside my clients in their path towards growth and healing. I specialize in anxiety, depression, self-esteem, body image and sexuality related issues. I am also a certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and I'm passionate about supporting clients in combatting the influence of diet culture on their relationship to food. I am sex-positive and HAES-aligned. I believe that therapy is an incredible opportunity to learn about yourself and your life story in a safe, accepting and non-judgemental environment. Together, we will work towards meeting your goals and developing the life and relationships you strive for.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Are you burnt about life in general? Life can be demanding at times and can often feel overwhelming especially as college students. I am a first generation Latinx, Spanish speaking therapist! I work with a lot of students, children, adolescents, young adults, couples, families, etc. to explore their mental health needs. I am here to guide you and support you on your healing journey. I have experience in trauma, depression, anxiety, stress, and much more. I am an eclectic therapist and use a lot of therapeutic approaches. Some examples are, Psychodynamic, CBT, Trauma- Informed CBT, EMDR, and many more according to what I see you need. You don't have to be alone in this, lets talk about ways to create new coping skills and work through those challenges. Book your appointment on the website! I'm excited to hear from you!

I'm a licensed therapist who works with children (4+), adolescents, adults, and couples. I provide support for anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship concerns, and neurodivergence (ADHD, autism, etc.) in a strengths-based and neurodiversity-affirming way. I specialize in working with teens, college students, and emerging adults, as well as neurodiverse individuals of all ages. I see you as the author of your own life and myself as an editor. I’ll help you revise and reshape your thought patterns, self-talk, and communication strategies to move your story forward in a way that aligns with your goals and values. My approach is affirming, playful, and practical, creating a space for you (or you and your partner) to gain insight and build resilience. I draw from a variety of therapeutic modalities to meet your unique needs, including Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), the Gottman Method, play therapy, narrative therapy, and brain-based approaches. I earned my BA from Washington University in St. Louis and my MSW from Loyola University Chicago. Before becoming a therapist, I worked in K–12 education as a tutor and executive functioning coach. I'm committed to lifelong learning and am always expanding my therapeutic toolkit through continuing education.

One of the most important parts of therapy is the relationship between therapist and client. I value bringing trust, progressive expertise, and authenticity to the experience of each of my clients. You will not get a stoic therapist, but rather one with a real personality that enjoys cracking jokes! Don't get me wrong, I will take your needs and concerns very seriously, but I will also ensure that you feel comfortable and feel that you are connecting with another human. Carla Laury holds experience working in a non-profit setting and in private practice. Carla works really well with young people, and finds her young adult clients appreciate her progressive approach to therapy. She holds decades of experience providing therapy, mentorship, and leadership work with adolescent individuals and groups. Since internship practice, Carla has learned the careful work of providing therapy for young children and working with their parents toward a positive growth. She holds a master's level degree in Mental Health Counseling from Trinity International University (2015) and a bachelor's level degree in Psychology from The University of Texas - Pan American (2012). She is a member of the American Counseling Association.

Are you looking for a place to find clarity on your relationships? Feeling so overwhelmed you aren't sure where to turn next? Or for a place to find school/life balance? We should talk. I help people like you find direction for their relationships and life. I specialize in those struggling in friend, family, and romantic relationships. I help those with anxiety, depression, ADHD, stress, trauma, grief, and faith/spirituality. If you would like a caring space and support for a path forward you can send me an email and we can set up a free consultation and chat about your hopes for our work together.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Are you a resilient person who is struggling? Have you lived through a recent traumatic event or had a stressful childhood, and find yourself frequently stuck in self-destructive patterns and relationships? Is adjusting to college life causing you to feel anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed and just plain burnt out? Or have you experienced a sexual assault and don't know how to deal with it? Adjusting to college is a significant life transition and it's not always clear what to do next. Finding confidence in your own voice and abilities, and clarity about your own needs can be difficult when you've been through stressful experiences. I'm here to guide you back to yourself, offer you some coping skills, help you clarify your life direction and reach your goals. I specialize in working with professionals in the performing arts and other creative fields, as well as those who want to enter them. I also work frequently with people in the helping professions and social justice oriented fields. My approach is informed by my own life experience as a former professional dancer in the American Ballet Theatre, and by the study of meditation and yoga. I have been in the social work field since graduating from Hunter College School of Social work 2004. In addition to talk therapy, I use mindfulness techniques like meditation, guided visualizations, as well as attention to body sensations to help you identify and begin to move through where you get blocked. I am also trained in EMDR and utilize that technique to help people heal from trauma and other stressful experiences. **Will be out of office July 11-.**

I enjoy working with young adults on a variety of presenting concerns such as anxiety, depression, transitioning into adulthood, parenting, family/relationship issues, coping with the pandemic, navigating school stress, and more. Therapy is not just for crisis situations, but for helping to create more stability and purpose in life. I use a realistic and friendly approach, and enjoy incorporating humor and fun in my sessions. Therapy shouldn't have to feel like a chore, but rather an interactive and sometimes challenging experience. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you feel that you or your child need someone to talk to. I believe it is so important to find the right therapist for you, so let's chat and see how we "click"!

Hi, I’m so glad you’re here. Working with me is warm, nonjudgmental, and collaborative. I might be a good fit if you’re an over-functioning perfectionist, people-pleaser, or eldest daughter ready to strengthen boundaries and take back your life. I specialize in supporting individuals transitioning to life with Type 1 diabetes, inner child work, recovering from a relationship, or leaving narcissistic abuse behind. My background in family therapy includes parent coaching, supporting caregiver burnout, adolescent therapy and play therapy. My intention is for you to feel supported, validated, and inspired to grow, while making space for deep self-exploration. My approach is relational and trauma-informed, grounded in Health at Every Size and social justice. I integrate IFS, narrative therapy, and somatic experiencing to support meaningful, lasting change. I believe therapy is a tool to help you feel free, empowered, and fully yourself.