Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

I'm a queer, non-binary therapist using ACT, CBT, IFS, somatic work, and strength-based methods to support students in exploring identity, gender transitions, and navigating trauma. I believe your story, your history, culture, and lived experience matter deeply and shape how you heal. In our work together, you set the pace; I create space for authenticity, clarity, and relational connection so you can grow with intention. My goal is to help you feel seen, empowered, and more aligned with who you are. My pronouns are he/they.

I support queer, trans, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, and polyamorous students exploring identity, sexuality, and relationships. My approach is person-centered, feminist, and affirming, weaving in somatic practices and IFS to help you connect with your whole self. Therapy with me is a collaborative, creative space where your story and identity are valued. Together, we'll build clarity, self-acceptance, and meaningful growth. My pronouns are she/they.

I support LGBTQIA+ students navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, and identity exploration, including gender and cultural identity. My approach is collaborative and adaptive, drawing from CBT, ACT, DBT, and attachment-based practices to find what works best for you. I'm LGBTQ+ affirming, culturally responsive, and committed to supporting neurodivergent and disabled students. Together, we'll build coping skills, confidence, and a stronger sense of self. My pronouns are she/her.

I support students navigating issues around sex, intimacy, gender identity, relational dynamics, shame, creativity blocks, or spiritual and religious trauma, using holistic, trauma-focused, interpersonal, and EMDR-informed approaches. I believe therapy should create a space where your truth matters, your experiences, your identity, and your spirituality all shape how you heal. Together, we'll work to build tools, growth, and connection so you can move past what's hurting you and towards what you value. My goal is to help you feel seen, empowered, and more in tune with who you are. My pronouns are he/him.

I'm a bilingual (Spanish/English) therapist supporting students navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, identity concerns, and life transitions. My style is culturally sensitive, strengths-based, and LGBTQIA+ affirming, creating a safe space where your background and identity are respected. Together, we'll build coping tools and confidence so you can move forward with support and resilience. My pronouns are she/her.

I support students exploring gender identity, LGBTQIA+ concerns, anxiety, depression, intimacy, and stress related to academic or work/life balance. My approach is client-centered, drawing on CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, and psychodynamic tools, with tools you can use here and now. I aim to create a space where who you are is honored, your experiences are heard, and your identity feels valid. My goal is to help you build confidence, strengthen your relationships, and feel more grounded in your life. My pronouns are he/him.

I help LGBTQIA+ students dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, identity development, and issues around culture/LGBTQIA+ belonging. My approach is strengths-based, insight-oriented, culturally sensitive, and trauma-focused. I want you to feel seen as your whole self. We'll work together to build tools that help you cope, gain clarity, and grow in confidence. My aim is to create a supportive, affirming space where your story matters, and you can explore toward healing on your terms. My pronouns are she/her.

Have you ever wondered why you keep falling into the same patterns, even when you know better? Maybe you replay conversations in your head, shut down during conflict, worry about how others see you, or feel overwhelmed by emotions that seem to come out of nowhere. Therapy can help you understand where these patterns come from and how to begin responding differently. I work with college students and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, emotional overwhelm, and life transitions. Together, we'll explore how your past experiences, attachment style, and nervous system may be shaping the way you think, feel, and connect with others. As those patterns become clearer, you'll begin building new ways of responding with greater confidence, self-compassion, and emotional balance. My approach is warm, relational, and collaborative. I believe you're the expert on your own life, and my role is to help you better understand yourself with curiosity, compassion, and practical support. Along the way, I'll offer tools you can use between sessions so the work we do together becomes part of your everyday life. I integrate CBT, DBT, ACT, Internal Family Systems (IFS), attachment-focused therapy, somatic therapy, and polyvagal-informed approaches to meet your unique needs. Our work may include gentle nervous system regulation practices, such as grounding, breathwork, and mindfulness, alongside traditional talk therapy to help you feel more connected to yourself and better equipped to navigate life's challenges. I also support clients healing from childhood, relationship, and sexual trauma, as well as those navigating self-harm or suicidal thoughts. My goal is to help you feel safer in your own mind and body, strengthen your relationships, and move through life with greater confidence, resilience, and self-compassion.

You may understand your patterns and still find yourself repeating them. Insight can be an important first step, but sometimes you also need support turning that understanding into real change. I work with adults and couples navigating anxiety, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, and identity exploration. I especially enjoy supporting clients exploring multicultural or interracial identities, strengthening communication, building self-compassion, and creating healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. My style is warm, direct, and action-oriented. Together, we’ll identify the patterns keeping you stuck, build practical tools, and help you make changes that feel aligned with your values. I offer therapy in English and Spanish and integrate DBT, somatic and body-based approaches, Dance/Movement Therapy, expressive arts, and Imago Relationship Therapy. Therapy with me is a culturally responsive space where every part of your identity is welcome, and where you can expect both support and honest encouragement.

Dr. Aubrye Brower, Psy.D. is a licensed neuropsychologist who earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Adler University and her undergraduate degree from DePaul University. She completed her APA-accredited predoctoral internship at the Gulf Coast Veterans Healthcare System in Biloxi, Mississippi, where she obtained advanced training in inpatient psychiatric services, Community Living Center (CLC) care, and neuropsychology. Dr. Brower went on to complete a two year APA-accredited postdoctoral fellowship at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which included an additional rotation at the Medical College of Wisconsin with a focus on traumatic brain injury (TBI), neurodegenerative disorders, and deep brain stimulation (DBS) evaluations. Throughout these clinical settings, she collaborated on interdisciplinary teams addressing the care and symptom management of individuals with stroke, TBI, multiple sclerosis, and geropsychiatric conditions. She also developed extensive experience conducting inpatient evaluations related to decision-making capacity, DBS candidacy, and normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). In her current practice, Dr. Brower provides comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological evaluations for adults 18 years and older. Her areas of expertise include assessments related to normal aging, dementia and memory concerns, mood disorders, ADHD, TBI, strokes, and medically complex patients. In addition to diagnostic evaluations, she provides psychotherapy and capacity evaluations for adults in assisted living facilities, supporting individuals as they navigate cognitive, emotional, and functional changes. Dr. Brower is passionate about working with patients during times of uncertainty—when there are often more questions than answers. Her goal is to provide clarity, understanding, and compassionate guidance to patients and their families as they explore concerns related to cognition or emotional functioning. Believing that aging and illness can be times of great adjustment, Dr. Brower strives to accompany patients through the beginning phases of their journey—from diagnosis to aftercare—with empathy, education, and evidence-based care.

College and young adulthood can be an incredible time of growth, discovery, and new possibilities—and, let’s be honest, it can also feel overwhelming at times. You may be trying to balance school, relationships, family expectations, your future, and figuring out who you are, all while wondering if you’re somehow supposed to have it all figured out. You’re not alone, and you don’t have to navigate it all by yourself. I’m deeply passionate about supporting college students and young adults through this unique chapter of life. I understand the pressures, transitions, and questions that can come with becoming more independent and building the life you want. Whether you’re adjusting to college, entering the workforce, navigating relationships, or simply trying to understand yourself better, therapy can offer you a space to slow down, breathe, and feel supported. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, overwhelming stress, and difficulty adjusting to major life changes. I also have a special interest in supporting individuals as they explore cultural identity, acculturation, family expectations, and the impact of systemic stress on their emotional well-being. My approach is warm, collaborative, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed. Most importantly, I want therapy to feel like a space where you can be yourself without judgment. Your story, identity, culture, and experiences matter. Together, we can explore how your past may be influencing your present while building practical tools to help you feel more grounded, confident, and connected to yourself. Taking care of your mental health during this stage of life can be one of the most meaningful investments you make in yourself. You deserve the opportunity to feel better—not simply to get through the next semester, transition, or challenge, but to build the confidence and resilience to create a life that feels authentic and fulfilling. I would be truly honored to walk alongside you as you navigate the challenges, celebrate the wins, and grow into the person you’re becoming. You deserve support. You deserve to thrive.

I hold a deep belief in each person’s ability to heal and grow — no matter where they’re starting from. With several years of experience in mental health practice, I’ve supported people through a wide range of life challenges, always with compassion, radical acceptance, curiosity, and respect. I aim to create a warm, nonjudgmental space where you can show up as your full self — messy parts and all. My approach is trauma-informed, rooted in Internal Family Systems (IFS), psychodynamic theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and somatic and mindfulness-based practices. That might sound like a lot — but at its heart, it means I listen closely, pay attention to what’s happening inside your body and nervous system, and help you get to know the deeper patterns shaping your thoughts, feelings, and relationships. I have a deep commitment to working with individuals from immigrant and bicultural backgrounds. I understand the complexities of navigating multiple cultural identities, generational expectations, and the emotional weight that can come with migration. Therapy with me is a space where all of that — your story, your resilience, and your pain — is honored and held with care. In our work together, you can expect a collaborative and depth-oriented process.I create a space where you can feel deeply seen and safely challenged. I don’t shy away from the harder, deeper layers of healing — and I will support you with gentleness, skill, and curiosity as you move through them. Whether you're facing anxiety, relationship challenges, identity questions, intergenerational trauma, or simply seeking more clarity and connection in your life, I’m here to walk alongside you.

Whether it’s your first time starting therapy or you’re returning after some time, I am genuinely glad you’re here, and I’m excited to support you on your journey. In a world where hustle culture often pushes mental health aside, there is so much power and courage in choosing to prioritize your well-being. Even during the most difficult seasons of life, there is beauty in the process—sometimes, we just need that reminder and support. I utilize a variety of therapeutic approaches, including CBT, DBT, trauma-informed care, attachment-based therapy, and specialized support for medical trauma to best serve my clients. I believe in the power of human connection, and with the right tools and support, everyone has the capacity to heal and thrive. I strive to offer a supportive environment where you can better understand your emotional world, gain insight into yourself, and build practical skills to navigate life’s challenges with clarity and confidence.

Therapy with me is collaborative, compassionate, and rooted in curiosity. As a relational therapist, I believe that healing happens in connection with ourselves and with others. Our therapeutic relationship is a central part of the work we do together, offering a safe and supportive space to explore patterns, build insight, and foster growth. I work with individuals navigating a range of challenges, including eating disorders, body image concerns, and self-esteem issues. I provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space to explore your relationship with food, your body, and your sense of self. I also offer trauma-informed care, integrating Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and mindfulness-based approaches to support those healing from trauma and navigating sexual dysfunction. Together, we can gently explore the ways your past experiences may be impacting your present life and relationships. Whether you're processing the past or trying to make sense of your present, I’m here to sit with you as you move toward healing and self-understanding. I recognize that healing is not linear, and therapy is never one-size-fits-all. It’s an honor to meet you wherever you are on your journey. Together, we’ll uncover resilience, deepen self-awareness, and work toward meaningful, lasting change at a pace that feels right for you.

I have a holistic approach to therapy that invites us to slow down, be curious and turn inward to notice what is happening both in our bodies and minds. We live in a culture that privileges the cognitive over the felt sense. By exploring our emotions rather than judging them or trying to get rid them, we can grow our ability to be with and tend to those feelings and see the wisdom within. "The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." --Carl Rogers

Even though challenges are a natural part of life, they can still leave you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or discouraged. Therapy can support you in managing overwhelming emotions, getting through difficult moments, deepening your self-understanding, and moving toward a more authentic version of yourself. Together, we can support you in navigating anxiety, trauma, chronic stress, ADHD, neurodivergence, identity-related and LGBTQ+ concerns, as well as relationship challenges, family dynamics, and major life transitions. With a person-centered approach, I support your self-exploration and recognize you as the expert in your own life. I use CBT and DBT techniques to help you build self-compassion and strengthen emotional regulation. I also help you explore holistic options such as mindfulness, meditation, and gentle movement like yoga to support overall well-being. I approach each session with curiosity, empathy, and respect for your unique experiences. My goal is to support you in developing insight, strengthening coping skills, and creating a compassionate balance in your life. I look forward to working together with you.

KP Counseling of Illinois, located in Rockford, Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, offers a variety of services to meet you and your family’s therapy and counseling needs. We have a team of experienced therapists to consult with individuals from 3 years old to the elderly. The type of counseling and therapy service recommended will vary for each client. Our services are developed uniquely to meet your specific needs from individual, couple and family to group counseling.

Uptown Psych of Illinois was established in 2011 with a commitment to bring the best possible, evidence-based mental health services to the Chicago metropolitan area. The practice’s leading team of licensed psychiatrists and psychologists represent extensive and diverse expertise to facilitate superior and highly personalized treatment plans for a full scope of mental health issues for children, adolescents, and adults. Just about any mental health condition can be addressed at Uptown Psych, including attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, addiction, and all anxiety spectrum disorders. At Uptown Psych, our specialists understand that episodes of these and other mental health issues require prompt attention. With that in mind, the entire team is dedicated to making treatment accessible as soon as possible. Often appointments can be scheduled for the same week. The entire Uptown Psych team looks forward to providing you with the care you need and deserve at our Chicago office.

Maybe your mind never really turns off. You’re replaying conversations, comparing yourself to other people, researching the “right” way to do things, or wondering why everyday life seems to take so much energy. I work with college and graduate students, LGBTQ+ individuals, and neurodivergent clients navigating perfectionism, burnout, people-pleasing, anxiety, body image concerns, identity exploration, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. I also support clients who feel overwhelmed by masking, overstimulation, executive functioning challenges, or the complicated role technology plays in their lives. Therapy with me is a place where you don’t have to perform, explain away your needs, or have everything figured out. Together, we’ll better understand the patterns keeping you stuck and help you build a life that feels more connected, authentic, and sustainable.

Hello! I work with neurodivergent clients who might have challenges with school, relationships, executive function, identity, or other stuff that gets in the way of living your life how you want to. I tend to work well with clients who feel like they don't quite fit in the mold of society and are trying to figure out how to understand themselves better and exist in the world we live in! I also use CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia) to support clients who are struggling with sleep and insomnia.