Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

I am passionate about supporting young adults through the often challenging, confusing and stressful parts of emerging adulthood.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

We love working with college students. Our team brings a wealth of experience working in college counseling centers, helping undergrads and grad students navigate the unique demands of balancing school and life. We provide individual, couple, and family therapy to students of all ages and in all phases of life, and we offer assessment/testing to identify issues such as ADHD or learning challenges, so that students can show up with personalized strategies and skills to best support their learning. Beyond challenges that can emerge academically, we know that students struggle with trauma, anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns, and they often need help managing relationships, making big decisions, or dealing with pressures or demands in their families. We are here to help.

If you feel depressed, anxious, emotionally overwhelmed, stuck or simply need somebody to talk to, I can help. If you are considering making life changes or have a sense that something needs to change, let's work on it together. It has been my life's work to try to understand people and, beyond understanding, help people grow & change. If any of this sounds like you, I hope we can meet to talk it over together. For over 16 years, I taught psychology to therapists & counselors in training. I am certified in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy & informed by Attachment, Mentalization & Evolutionary Psychology based therapies. I am also formally educated & trained in spirituality & religion. Through engaging conversation we will find ways to understanding, growth & change. Working with people during their college years has been a central part of my life. I understand the challenges of coming into the adult life and coming up against personal challenges. I want to help.

Evolve Wellness is a private group practice in the Lakeview/Lincoln Park area of Chicago but with the expansion of telehealth services (HIPAA-compliant video calls) Evolve has been able to expand services to the whole state of Illinois. Therapists at Evolve Wellness work with individuals, those in relationships (couples), and families. Accepted insurance varies by provider, and includes BCBS PPO, BCBS HMO (Amita), BCBS Blue Choice PPO. Please feel free to contact us if you would like help verifying insurance benefit coverage, more information about clinician availability or to set up a free phone consultation prior to scheduling an initial session with one of our clinicians.

Perhaps you’re tired of not feeling good. Your relationships or career may be draining you and there could be a felt sense that there is more to life or something better for you out there. You might even be carrying a deep, nagging pain that needs release and yet, when the tears come, you hold them back in. Your struggles could leave you feeling unable to think clearly, experiencing tightness in your chest or your body, or even feeling like you weigh a million pounds. Over time, you could find yourself completely numb and not wanting to get out of bed in the morning. Whether these feelings are coming from the distant past or from something happening currently, this does not need to be your “normal”. With support, you can find relief and have greater peace in your life. I know what it’s like to feel empty or to question “how did my life get here?”. My experience with various mind body therapies, blended with traditional counseling, taught me that with compassion and determination, we can find our way out. I believe when we can openly share about ourselves without pressure and with knowing that everything is welcome, we are able to take small steps towards lasting change. From a young age, I had been fascinated with human behavior, introspection, and understanding our inner world. I became a therapist to help people explore all of the crevices where we hold our pain, not only to help connect the dots, but to expand awareness in both the mind and body. I believe this helps us to allow our tears to flow and hold our messiness with tenderness and grace. Working at the Family Institute at Northwestern University, showed me firsthand that change begins when we let go of labeling our thoughts, feelings, or sensations as “good/bad”, “right/wrong”, or “should/shouldn’t”. I am dedicated to helping people step away from these rigid beliefs and approach themselves with a gentle curiosity. I believe when we let go of the labels, we can learn to accept and integrate all parts of ourselves and our experiences with greater compassion. I also learned how important it is to blend a sense of lightheartedness and tough love during my role at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center. I know change is not easy, and although we may never feel ready, it’s in doing it anyway and taking the first small steps that we begin to uncover our true nature. I understand how difficult it is to hold the uncertainty or pain in your life. You have the innate ability to regain a sense of balance and create internal space for any emotional experience. You deserve more and there is more for you out there. I am here to help you uncover and discover how big and free your life can be. Let’s connect now.

Do you struggle with feeling guilty after eating certain foods? Have you tried diet after diet hoping that the next one will finally stick? Do you feel obsessed with food and what your body looks like? Is overeating and binge eating common for you and/or do you struggle with restriction? Do you base your worth on the number you see on the scale? Are you hoping to finally stop calorie counting and learn how to eat intuitively? If any of these questions sound familiar, you are in the right place! While working with me, you will learn how to: build meals and snacks that are both physically AND emotionally satisfying, build trust with your body again (or maybe for the first time), decrease binges and/or guilt experienced with certain foods, and gain freedom once and for all from obsessive feelings about food/body image!

Having worked in college counseling centers for over 15 years in Chicago and New York, and serving as the Associate Director for DePaul University Counseling Center for 8 years, I am deeply committed to and well acquainted with college student mental health. Whether this is your first time seeking therapy or you have a history of treatment and are looking towards a next chapter of work, I am delighted to begin a conversation to see how I might be of help.

I understand how challenging it can be to find a therapist that feels like a good fit. I earned my doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Roosevelt University and spent 8 years working and training in college counseling centers (e.g., School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Purdue, DePaul). The last 5 years I've been continuing to build upon my experience working with unique people. I am a neurodivergent and creative person as well. My areas of expertise are in working with young adults experiencing difficulties related to mood, anxiety, and trauma (recent or past). I enjoy working with adults with ADHD and other neurodivergencies to deepen their understanding of how their brain works and to develop practical strategies to reduce the burden of living in a neurotypical world. My therapy style is warm, casual, and humorous. My approach is client-centered; I work to tailor therapy to the unique needs of each individual while building a trusting relationship over time. I incorporate CBT, ACT, DBT, humanistic, and existential theories and interventions in my work. I am LGBTQIA+ competent, trans/gender affirming, sex and body positive. I welcome individuals with non-traditional/non-monogamous relationship styles or family systems, artists, musicians, performers, individuals who do not conform to the typical 9-5 lifestyle, and folks navigating difficult family dynamics or complicated romantic relationships. Finding a therapist can be daunting. If talking briefly would help you feel comfortable moving forward, please reach out! I’m happy to make accommodations/be flexible in scheduling. It's intimidating to take steps towards meaningful change, but you deserve to be content in life. I'd be honored to be a part of that process. Resilience lies within all of us.

Magdalena is a psychotherapist who specializes in treating anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. She is passionate about supporting adolescents and adults navigating eating and body image concerns, mood and anxiety disorders, relational challenges, life transitions, and identity exploration. Magdalena finds great fulfillment in supporting clients on their path to healing and feels honored to be part of their journey toward growth and well-being. Known for her warm and down-to-earth presence, Magdalena creates a safe, transparent, and non-judgmental space while helping clients work toward their goals. Magdalena's therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), among other evidence-based modalities. She brings compassion, validation, and the understanding that recovery is not one-size-fits-all. Magdalena is committed to helping clients become their most authentic selves and empowering them to pursue meaningful goals. She recognizes that taking the first step toward change can be difficult and meets clients where they are, approaching each person with curiosity and empathy. You can directly schedule online at www.allow-wellness.com

Do you find yourself feeling anxious or overwhelmed, be it in social settings, at school, or navigating through the challenges of everyday life? Are you grappling with the burdens of past or recent relationship breakdowns, losses, or circumstances that seem beyond your control? Are you yearning for change and seeking a path towards peace and stability? Together, we can work towards forging that path. We can aim to transform your life into one marked by tranquility, enriched by meaningful relationships, and underpinned by self-confidence. With the help of therapeutic practices, we can strive to free you from the shackles of anxiety and instill a profound understanding of your inherent worth. By exploring your goals, values, and interests, we can create a vivid picture of the fulfilling life you aspire to lead. In my previous role at a "Big 4" consulting firm, I spent years immersed in the challenges and complexities of working in a male-dominated industry. Despite the relentless grind, I pushed forward until I began to comprehend the significant toll it was exerting on my mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. My journey through personal therapy opened a new realm of possibilities, allowing me to transform my professional life from being a source of constant stress and frustration into an engaging, serene, and rewarding experience. I have successfully transferred these skills to all areas of my life, and I enjoy helping my clients achieve the same balance. If this resonates with you, I offer a free, no-obligation 15-minute phone consultation. Reach out today to start turning the page towards a brighter, more balanced chapter in your life.

Mindful Care is a one-stop-shop mental health practice specializing in urgent/same day psychiatry, individual and group therapy sessions, substance abuse recovery counseling, and medication management services that promote mental strengthening. Our typical client is struggling with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, life adjustment concerns, and are seeking interventions that support long-lasting lifetime changes. We are in-network with major insurance providers and offer affordable self-pay options.

Our team at Wellman Psychology & Associates offers each client a unique, supportive, and collaborative therapeutic relationship. As partners, we collaborate with clients in building the insight, confidence, behaviors, and outlook necessary to access one’s inherent potential and life goals. Through our lens, struggle is an opportunity for change, growth, and new direction. An active, integrative approach is used with every client, whereby the needs and voice of the client is our upmost priority. Therapists offer feedback and suggestion only when appropriate or requested, encouraging a client-centered environment. Our team is trained in multiple modalities; employing cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic, and interpersonal therapies to help children, adolescents, and adults gain insight and work through various life concerns. Additionally, we offer modern and efficient neuropsychological and psychological assessments to provide clients with the clarity and accommodations they require. We strongly believe in the importance of using methods that work best for you as our client.

I work with young people about to graduate or young career adults who instead of excitement and anticipation, feel frozen. You have done it all right, gotten the degree that is supposed to be "useful" and yet it feels empty. I work with perfectionistic, high achieving students and early career adults who thought their life would look one way at this stage but are finding it is not what you hoped or thought you would feel. Our work untangles perfectionism, comparison and the pressure to be exceptional at all times.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Are you having trouble navigating big questions about who you are? Or where are you going? Are you anxious about where you fit in? Or ask yourself, “do I even belong?” I have a passion for supporting BIPOC individuals, specifically Latiné, Black, first-generation, and LGBTQ+ individuals. My role is to create a safe, nonjudgemental space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings openly. As a Latino and queer therapist, I deeply understand the pressures many students face, whether that is anxiety, depression, financial stress, imposter syndrome, or trauma. Many of us grow up carrying a ton, and college can bring both new opportunities and new challenges. I help individuals explore the root causes of their struggles by tapping into their unique strengths. My approach is collaborative and creates change which helps gain clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of self. If you are figuring out your identity, dealing with stress, or just feeling overwhelmed and unsure then I want to emphasize that you are not alone. I want to create a space where you can show up as your authentic self, be heard without judgment, and start to build the life you want. I believe in walking alongside my clients as they work through what is hard and discover what is possible.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Head First Health provides 1:1 counseling for gen-z and millennials struggling with anxiety, depression, OCD, eating disorders, trauma, life transitions and substance abuse.

You’ve been carrying so much for so long—maybe trauma from childhood, complicated relationships, or anxiety and shame that live in your body as much as your thoughts. You’re high-functioning on the outside but overwhelmed inside. You want more than coping—you want to actually feel different. My clients often seek EMDR, art therapy, or body-based therapy to help untangle the past and come back to themselves. I offer virtual therapy across Illinois for adults ready to do deep, trauma-informed work in a space that’s creative, collaborative, and affirming. My approach integrates EMDR, art therapy, somatic and body-based methods, and insight-oriented talk therapy. I draw from Polyvagal Theory, IFS, and trauma neuroscience to support healing not just in your thoughts, but in your nervous system. Together, we’ll find what actually helps—not just what sounds good on paper. It’s brave to want more for yourself—and even braver to reach out. Whether you’re processing trauma, managing anxiety or depression, or trying to feel safe in your own body again, you deserve a space where all parts of you are welcome. I offer compassion without pressure and clinical skill without judgment. When you're ready, I’m here.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, anxious, or just not like yourself lately, I can help you find your way forward. As a compassionate & experienced therapist, I am dedicated to helping individuals navigate these challenges in a safe space. Whether you're facing anxiety, depression, eating disturbances, work-stress, relationship struggles, trauma, or self-esteem issues, I work collaboratively with clients to create treatment plans that promote healing. I specialize in helping individuals with relationship challenges, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, trauma, identity exploration, LGBTQ+ issues, & grief. I provide a non-judgmental space for healing & growth.