Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

Grey Area Therapy is a small, private practice conveniently located in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood with easy access to public transportation and an emphasis on building meaningful, authentic connections with clients. As a therapist with Grey Area Therapy, I work with clients on needs related to anxiety, major life transitions, chronic illness, and depression. With individualized approaches to empathetic therapy, we will work to help slow things down, become more intentional, and build awareness of our life experiences. I offer both in-person and virtual appointments. I accept Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and Cigna insurance and offer free 15-minute phone consultations to help you find a therapist that works for you!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

We're here because we've been there, so we can't help but to be wholeheartedly invested in your journey. We want to provide you the warmth, validation, and affirmation that can feel so rare in adulthood. Working with us will challenge you, but it will also feel like coming home. We're fired up about your freedom and fight for it alongside you. Always intersectional, pleasure-positive, and identity-celebrating, we have a low tolerance for boxes, assumptions, and systems that stifle your creative healing. We are your unashamed and unapologetic accomplices in doing life-changing, culture-shifting work. We're obsessed with staying up-to-date on affirming, anti-oppressive language and concepts, and think learning directly from queer and BIPOC community leaders is just as important as gathering data from research. We believe in the transformative power of accurate information about sex, gender, and relationships.

Our patterns, desires, and growth are often tested in relationships. It can feel like we're going in circles when we find ourselves challenged by a transition or milestone or questioning our role in the lives of those closest to us. Beneath expectations we find understanding and beneath therapy jargon lies a nonjudgmental, compassionate, and sincere relationship. Here, our explorations can lead to deeper, novel understandings of your mind and body, and foster insights and empathy for yourself and your loved ones. In our work we will begin to name the unnamed meanings, perspectives, and desires that you hold and find their place in the future you want to build. Even in the fog of day-to-day life, you are instinctively taking steps towards your goals. My role is to offer support, curiosity, and skills that appreciate and bolster your intuition and strengths.

We offer a strength-based, holistic, and highly collaborative approach to therapy. Specializing in relationships, trauma, racial identity and mood disorders, our clinicians provide culturally-sensitive trauma-informed care.

Chicago Clinical Associates is an outpatient psychotherapy practice committed to improving the social and emotional well-being of individuals in the Chicagoland area. Our experienced psychotherapists offer individual, couples, and family therapy services tailored towards each party’s unique needs. Conveniently located near Millennium Park in the heart of the Chicago metropolitan area, our offices are easily accessible by public transit or private transportation.

College and early adulthood can be exciting while also overwhelming, confusing, and exhausting. If you’re feeling like life is harder than it should be, you’re not broken, and you’re definitely not alone. I have clinical experience in supporting individual clients with anxiety, depression, suicidality, codependency, emotional overwhelm, and life transitions, with particular interest in working with clients who are seeking support around complex trauma, narcissistic abuse, religious trauma/spiritual abuse, family of origin issues, and other relationship concerns. My hope is to support clients toward experiencing emotion regulation, attunement with their bodies, self-compassion, self-understanding, authentic and healthy relationships, and a meaningful life. Using an attachment-based and trauma-informed lens, I primarily draw from ACT, DBT, IFS, and somatic approaches to support clients with practical coping tools as well as facilitate a space in which clients can make sense and meaning of their experiences. I also work with couples to support communication difficulties, emotional distance, trust concerns, cultural/familial differences, and partnerships with different neurotypes. I use a neurodivergent-affirming framework, incorporate EFT principles, and have completed Level 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. I would love to connect and talk more about what you're looking for from therapy!

I work with driven achievers who find themselves feeling stuck with rumination, overthinking, unwanted and intrusive thoughts, or are overwhelmed with uncertainty. You may find yourself wanting to feel confident at work or school, in relationships, and in going about your daily tasks, but that doubt keeps you second guessing and avoiding. Together we will explore the challenges you are facing, utilize methods to recognize what keeps you stuck in the anxiety cycle, and learn how to respond to and face fears with self-compassion, and confidence. Building trust is central to the therapeutic relationship and I seek to meet individuals where they are in their process. I believe clients are the experts in their own lives and I use a style that is collaborative, goal-oriented, supportive, and nonjudgmental. I am trained in evidence-based practices for the treatment of OCD, anxiety, panic disorder and phobias, hair pulling and skin picking (BFRBs), and athlete mental health. I offer the space to cope with uncertainty, develop new skills, and make meaningful adjustments, and am licensed in IL, WI and FL.

Throughout our lives, we go through events that change us, often permanently. I consider therapy to be a sacred and compassionate space of exploration. It can be exhausting having to explain your story over and over again. Oftentimes we might feel unheard in our daily lives or get fixated on who we “should be” instead of exploring who we already are. Your story has meaning and it deserves to be heard. You are the expert on your own life experiences and identities. You deserve to feel empowered, validated, and safe. When meeting with a potential client I consider you in the context of your relationships, experiences, and culture. When working together we can move through difficult therapeutic concepts in an accessible and warm way. With your permission, I hope to guide you through challenging life transitions and support you in creating a life that you feel is worth living. I work from a collaborative, person-centered, relational, and strengths-based approach. This means I will use non-judgment to consider all aspects of your life and identity— while remaining open to things that cannot be changed. I utilize an intersectional feminist lens and I specialize in trauma, anxiety, boundaries, relationships, abuse, sexuality, gender exploration, life transitions, disability, memory loss, identity exploration, and resiliency work. MORE INFO ABOUT THE PRACTICE: We accept BCBS, Cigna, Aetna, and United PPO Plans, as well as, Sliding Scale rates. Currently, I have a variety of morning, early afternoon, and evening spots open! Please feel free to reach out.

Welcome. We are glad you are here. We can help. You may be seeking relief from painful thoughts, emotions, or memories. Perhaps you wish to heal from and better understand the here-and-now impact of past traumas, losses or painful life experiences. You may want help in changing some aspect of your life or relationships that you feel is keeping you stuck. In the midst of a life transition or identity shift, you may need support in navigating this change. Perhaps you aren’t sure exactly what’s wrong, but you know that things aren’t right, either. No matter what brings you therapy, our goal is to help you to experience relief from pain, build your strengths and capacities, and more deeply understand and accept all parts of yourself.

You are holding a lot right now... Balancing coursework, expectations, relationships, and the quiet pressure to figure out who you are (and who you are becoming) can feel overwhelming. From the outside, it might look like you are managing, but internally, there may be anxiety, self-doubt, burnout, or a sense of disconnection that is harder to name. I work with college and graduate students who are navigating exactly these kinds of experiences. Many of the people I support are thoughtful, driven, and deeply self-aware, yet find themselves feeling stuck, exhausted, or unsure of how to move forward in a way that actually feels aligned. Therapy becomes a space to slow down. A place where you do not have to perform, keep up, or have everything figured out. Together, we begin to make sense of what is underneath the stress, whether that is long-standing patterns, identity exploration, relationship dynamics, or the impact of academic and societal pressures. My approach is relational, collaborative, and grounded in a sociological lens, meaning we do not just look inward, but also consider the larger systems and expectations shaping your experience. I integrate attachment-based, psychodynamic, and trauma-informed care, while also offering practical tools when helpful. I am especially attuned to: • Academic pressure and burnout • Anxiety and emotional overwhelm • Identity exploration (including cultural, relational, and personal identity) • Life transitions and uncertainty about the future • The pressure to “hold it all together” while feeling unseen or unsupported Our work unfolds in a space that is steady, thoughtful, and deeply human. We move at a pace that honors your capacity, gently creating room for clarity, compassion, self-trust, and more sustainable ways of showing up in your life. You do not have to navigate this chapter alone. I offer tele-health sessions for students located in Illinois, Iowa, and Nevada, and would be honored to support you in this season of your life!

I work with people from diverse backgrounds, including racial, cultural, sexual and gender minorities, graduate and professional students, professionals rethinking their careers and work/life balance, people with intersecting identities navigating multiple cultural spaces, and universities seeking consultation. A common thread among my clients is that their wishes for a better life, fulfillment, and meaningful connections all benefit from self-understanding, action, and professional support. I provide culturally responsive individual psychotherapy to adults of all ages. I work collaboratively with clients from a relational/psychodynamic framework, but I am also skilled working in a more structured way to address specific and short-term goals. Above all, I believe the relationship between client and therapist is the central element in treatment. The relationship is the medium by which therapy helps clients foster a strong sense of self-worth and identity, increase happiness and life satisfaction, improve the quality of their relationships, and understand their feelings, motives, and behavior. Before private practice, I held clinical and administrative roles at university counseling centers for over a decade—where I trained and supervised future psychologists, provided mental health consultation for the community, and led a team of remarkable clinicians, in addition to providing direct psychotherapy, clinical assessment, and crisis intervention to students.

I believe learning to care for yourself is one of the most important steps we can take, and I’m glad you’re exploring what you need right now. Therapy can provide structure and support to build self-understanding, compassion, stronger relationships, and confidence. Being a student creates many opportunities for introspection and transition. I have multiple years of experience working with undergrad and graduate students and I deeply enjoy supporting students in building insight into themselves and learning how to address acculturation stress, setting boundaries, competing demands, academic difficulties, and relationship concerns. Being a student is one facet of your identity and I aim to create an environment that is culturally responsive and appreciates the other identities that make up your lived experience, such as being a first-gen or international student, or identifying as disabled, LGBTQIA+, or neurodiverse, etc. I also have experience helping students manage feelings of anxiety, depression, or symptoms of trauma and burnout. Sessions often include space to explore and build awareness as well as being introduced to concrete skills to help you navigate stressors and difficult situations. I utilize cognitive-behavioral, somatic, interpersonal, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) interventions to support students.

Students who come to work with me often share some things in common: -They're high-achievers. Driven, capable, and holding it together on the outside, but quietly exhausted, burned out, or feeling like something's missing on the inside. -They might be navigating anxiety or OCD, going through a major life transition, or questioning their purpose and what comes next. They may be working through shifts in their relationships, with a partner, with their parents, or with themselves. -Many have never asked for help before. They're used to being the one who has it together, and reaching out takes real courage for them. If any of that sounds familiar, reach out for a free 20-minute consultation and let's get started together :)

I practice with a psychodynamic lens. I specialize in young adulthood and everything that the quarter life brings. Who am I, who do I want to be, who are my people etc.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Maybe you’ve been telling yourself you should be able to handle this by now. But lately, everything feels heavier. Your energy is low, motivation is hard to find, and even small tasks can feel overwhelming. You may notice yourself pulling away from people, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, or feeling stuck in patterns that are hard to break. At times, you might find yourself reaching for something—whether it’s substances, distractions, or numbing behaviors—to get through the moment, even when it doesn’t bring lasting relief. For some, this shows up as persistent sadness, emptiness, or feeling disconnected from yourself and others. For others, it may look like anxiety, burnout, or being caught in cycles of overthinking and self-criticism. These experiences can also show up in relationships pulling away, avoiding hard conversations, or finding yourself in the same painful dynamics again and again. You may notice that your inner voice is harsh or unforgiving, making it even harder to find a way forward. Together, we will gently identify and address these patterns while building more compassion, stability, and connection—both within yourself and in your relationships I work with teens and adults navigating depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, identity questions, traumatic experiences, and life transitions. I provide LGBTQAI+-affirming therapy grounded in cultural humility, creating a safe and validating space to explore identity, relationships, and lived experiences. I also support individuals who are exploring their relationship with substances, whether that means reducing use, understanding patterns, or working toward recovery. I have completed training toward my Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential and am CADC-eligible, which allows me to integrate evidence-based approaches for substance use into our work. My practice is trauma-informed and guided by phase-oriented treatment approaches. In our early work, we focus on safety, stabilization, and building self-regulation skills to help you feel more grounded—even when things feel heavy or overwhelming. As you begin to feel more supported and resourced, we may shift toward processing more difficult experiences and understanding the roots of depressive patterns or substance use. Therapy is always paced according to your readiness. I prioritize transparency throughout therapy, ensuring you understand each step of the process and why certain approaches are used. My goal is to create a space that feels collaborative, supportive, and grounded—so you can move from feeling stuck and depleted toward feeling more engaged, connected, and able to experience meaning in your life again.

Finding a therapist who feels like a good fit can matter as much as the therapy itself. I work with students who are thoughtful, capable, and often carrying more than they let on — anxiety, stress, self-doubt, trauma, or the pressure to keep it together while figuring out who they are and where they’re headed. I’m a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) with a background in both clinical mental health and higher education. Before returning to full-time clinical work, I spent many years working on college campuses as well as teaching in undergraduate and graduate courses. I understand the unique stressors students face — academic pressure, financial stressors, identity development, relationships, family expectations, and the emotional toll of trying to succeed in an uncertain world. My approach is warm, collaborative, and trauma-informed. I integrate evidence-based practices with a strong focus on nervous system regulation, emotional awareness, and practical skills you can use in everyday life. Therapy with me is a space to slow down, make sense of what you’re experiencing, and learn how to respond to stress and anxiety with more clarity and self-compassion. Many of the students I work with struggle with anxiety, people-pleasing, perfectionism, burnout, or feeling disconnected from themselves. Together, we work on building a sense of safety, learning how to set boundaries, and developing coping strategies that support both mental health and personal growth. I believe therapy should feel human, respectful, and supportive — a place where you don’t have to perform or have everything figured out. My goal is to help you feel more grounded, more present, and more able to navigate life with confidence and care.

I specialize in assisting adults with relationship and family concerns, depression, anxiety, trauma recovery, and identity exploration and development. I also have a passion for working with young adults, university students, and developing professionals as they navigate life transitions. I provide individualized, collaborative, evidence-based treatment. Body-image concerns and sports performance are also areas I am well-versed within.

Patterns and Threads is an inclusive psychotherapy practice specializing in creativity, neurodivergence and embracing the unexpected. If you are creative, neurodivergent and/or anxious, your mind generates lots of ideas, which creates both strengths and challenges - whether that's in school, in relationships or in the world in general. The challenges come when who you are or how you work doesn't fit with the expectations of a traditional, neurotypical and linear structure. When this happens, we help you find ways to navigate these spaces in ways that are affirming and natural to you. We help clients reduce stress, manage anxiety and depression, and ease life transitions. Our expertise is in how these intersect when your mind (or life) diverges from what is traditionally expected. Our specialties in creativity: • Countering the impact of societal values and messages about art and creative professions • Understanding (and helping others understand) creativity as a need vs a nice to have • How trauma and shame impact the creative process • Finding your best creative environment and create flow • Perfectionism in the artistic process • Balancing product and process Our specialties in neurodivergence: • ADHD, Autism and AuDHD • Self-confidence and Self-acceptance • The impact of comparisons to neurotypical standards • Perfectionism and People-pleasing • Masking and burnout • How to get things done in a neurodivergent-friendly way • Standardized testing, evaluations and diagnoses • Advocacy and self-advocacy We'd love to hear from you. No matter what you're going through, we'll help you figure out who you are despite the expectations of others, and create your own roadmap to whatever life throws your way. Together, we'll find who you are - and who you can be - when you break out of what is expected.