Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

I want to help those facing day to day challenges and in need of extra support. I am committed to being apart of that journey by offering faith-based counseling that combines the pillars of Christian faith with the knowledge of mental health and psychosocial functioning. This will assist with your overall wellness and freedom to change. I understand that reaching out for help can feel intimidating, and it takes a lot of courage to take that first step. If you're struggling with stress, anxiety, or any challenges that feel overwhelming, know that you're not alone. I’m here to listen without judgment and to help guide you through the process of Healing and growth.

Sara Pelaez is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Professional practicing in Georgia, Illinois, and Florida. She works with individuals and couples with a focus on students. Many of her clients have found great success in their personal and college lives, but struggle to feel connected in their relationships or at peace in their daily lives. Sara is particularly sensitive to clients facing present-past trauma, moments of transition, relationship or emotional issues when the delicate balance can seem to tremble, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and self-doubt can emerge. Sara’s approach is rooted in EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Emotional Focus Therapy. These are evidence-based approaches that focus on helping clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected so that they can begin to make a targeted change. It is a bottom-up/top-down approach that provides a 360 view of the client's inner world. She works to help clients understand their physical response to external stressors, and begin to problem-solve ways to introduce moments of calm, to choose to respond rather than react in the face of change. Sara is focused on ensuring that her clients see real progress: her style is interactive, non-judgmental, and positions clients as the experts on where they are now, and where they want to go. A trauma-informed therapist, Sara is sensitive to the influence of past experiences on present challenges and works closely with clients to reframe the narrative of their life in a way that increases self-confidence and compassion. Sara’s first priority in starting with a new client is ensuring that they feel safe, heard, and like an equal partner in the therapeutic process. As a seasoned telehealth provider, she offers the convenience of remote sessions to help make therapy a core component of your self-care calendar.

Are you feeling stuck in patterns that seem impossible to break? Do relationship issues, leave you feeling disconnected or unsure of your worth? Are you constantly overthinking, struggling with anxiety, or battling feelings of depression that make it hard to move forward? Maybe you’ve been pushing yourself to the limit as an overachiever, yet deep down you feel unfulfilled or burned out. Are procrastination and anxiety holding you back in college, making you feel like you’re falling behind? Or perhaps your traumatic childhood still impact your life today. Do you want to rebuild your confidence? Are you hoping to let go of the past? I am multicultural competent and will always keep your values in mind. My goal is to make sure that you are safe and equipped to handle life's ever changing circumstances. I pride myself on being personable and do not consider myself to be your average therapist. I will laugh with you, be silent with you and whatever you need to feel comfortable. I do offer free consultations to make sure we are a good fit, let's connect. A sense of connection, safety, honesty & open-mindedness are the values that I strive for. Clients can expect a relaxed environment coupled with passion & non-judgement. I do accept multiple different insurances.

As a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over 17 years of extensive experience in healthcare, I have honed my skills across a spectrum of clinical settings, encompassing acute and maternal inpatient care, as well as outpatient care. My commitment lies in delivering comprehensive and compassionate mental health services to patients spanning all age groups, addressing a diverse range of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, and ADHD. My approach centers on a patient-centric model, where I prioritize thorough assessment, patient education, and the development of tailored treatment plans. By fostering a collaborative relationship with each individual, I strive to empower patients to actively participate in their mental health journey, ultimately aiming for enhanced wellbeing and quality of life. Driven by a passion for mental health advocacy and a dedication to evidence-based practice, I continuously seek opportunities for professional growth and remain steadfast in staying abreast of emerging trends and innovations in the field. My ultimate goal is to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those I serve, fostering resilience, healing, and hope.

College can be one of the most exciting and overwhelming seasons of your life. You may be adjusting to being away from home, navigating new relationships, questioning your major, managing academic pressure, or quietly carrying anxiety, depression, or past trauma that hasn’t had space to heal. On the outside, it can look like everyone else is handling it just fine — but inside, you might feel stuck, exhausted, unmotivated, or unsure of who you’re becoming. If you’re in that space, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to work through it by yourself. I work with college students who are in the middle of real life transitions — identity shifts, relationship changes, academic stress, family expectations, grief, trauma, and the quiet weight of self-doubt. Depression during college often doesn’t look like “sad all the time.” It can show up as procrastination, isolation, low motivation, difficulty focusing, or feeling disconnected from the person you used to be. Trauma can show up in relationships, in trust, in sleep, or in how hard you are on yourself. Together, we slow things down. We make sense of what’s happening beneath the surface. We identify patterns that are keeping you stuck and build practical tools that help you feel more steady, confident, and grounded. My approach is collaborative and straightforward. I don’t believe in sitting back silently while you struggle to find words. We talk. We process. We challenge unhelpful thoughts. We work through emotional blocks. I integrate approaches such as CBT, trauma-informed care, and other evidence-based strategies to help you build resilience while honoring your story. My goal is not just symptom relief — it’s helping you understand yourself better so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. College is a time of growth — but growth can feel uncomfortable. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, numb, stuck, or unsure about your direction, therapy can be a space to reset and regain momentum. You deserve support as you figure out who you are and who you want to become. If you’re ready to take the next step, I invite you to Request an Initial Appointment and begin therapy. You don’t have to wait until things get worse. Let’s work together to help you regain balance, rebuild confidence, and move through this season with strength.

I am Dr. Lara Jakobsons + I enjoy working with college and grad students! As a therapist, I strive to provide compassionate care to help achieve your goals and lead a healthy life while in college. My collaborative style infuses empathy, warmth, nonjudgment and humor while drawing on your strengths and values. I look forward to helping you achieve your goals!

Kathleen Harvey is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Illinois and earned a Bachelor's of Arts and Masters in Social Work degrees from St. Louis University.Kathleen believes that it is not what happens to you, it is our attitude and what we choose to do about what happens, that makes a difference. Kathy has experience working with individuals and couples using a multi-disciplinary approach to therapy to help clients resolve life challenges which alter our ability to function in our daily lives. Kathy is accepting new patients at this time and is asking you to take a risk and seek help with what is holding you back from achieving your dreams in life and moving forward in life with joy and hope.

Psychotherapy is a highly individualized practice that can assist with a broad set of life problems. Each session carries the potential for change and growth. In my practice I strive to create deeply personal and meaningful experiences. I believe we best accomplish this by developing a mutual understanding of the concerns that have brought you to therapy, and then embarking on a collaborative process towards addressing your goals for treatment. I enjoy and welcome working with people from diverse backgrounds on a wide range of issues. I am a clinical associate faculty and an advanced candidate at the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis. I earned my masters degree at the University of Chicago and worked for over 10 years as a community social worker in the psychiatry department at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Hi I'm Gaby. If you have been feeling sick and stuck in a negative thought process and wondering if there is anyone who can understand or help you, let's talk. I am here to help you experience change and escape from the pattern of life that has left you feeling different, unwell, and stuck. I am first and foremost a Trauma Informed Recovery Therapist. This means that I believe in you and I believe in your goals and I know we can find a way to get there while acknowledging all that you have been through. I love using a lot of different approaches depending on what we are working on. Some of my favorite methods are cognitive behavioral therapy, positive psychology, strength based therapy, and psychodynamic therapy.

My role as a therapist is to provide guidance, insight, and encouragement while empowering clients to recognize their own resilience and capacity for transformation. Whether working through anxiety, depression, life transitions, or relationship difficulties, I strive to create a space where clients feel heard, validated, and supported in their journey toward well-being. My belief is that therapy is a collaborative journey toward healing, growth, and self-discovery. I integrate evidence-based practices with a person-centered philosophy, ensuring that therapy is tailored to the needs and goals of the unique client. Your feelings are valid, and your experiences matter. Taking the first step isn’t always easy, but it’s a sign of courage and self-care. When you’re ready, I’m here to listen.

At Tailwinds, we believe mental healthcare should be accessible, transparent, and deeply human. Too often, people seeking support encounter long waitlists, confusing costs, or clinicians stretched thin by systems that don’t support them. Our vision is to remove those barriers, creating a practice where clients and clinicians alike feel valued, supported, and equipped to thrive. We see mental healthcare not just as a service, but as a partnership that helps individuals, families, and communities move forward with strength, sureness, and compassion.

Looking for someone to help you carry your baggage? Someone to listen to it, to help unpack it, to help put the pieces back together & help you figure out what life looks like moving forward? I'm here to help. Therapy doesn't have to be scary. Thriving Daisies is located in downtown Frankfort and offers a cozy spot to dig into your scaries and most vulnerable parts. I have experience at multiple levels of care - but prefer individual outpatient work and have been practicing in this setting for 4 + years. I am the opposite of cold & clinical - you can expect a friendly, warm and chill experience working with me. I happily offer a free 15-minute consultation - let's chat and see if we are a good match :)

I strive to create meaningful and lasting, positive changes unique to you. My approach to therapy is a mixture between humorous and energetic, and empathetic and warm. I will always aim to create a safe space where you will feel heard, you can be your authentic self, and you will never be judged. I am here to help you process the difficult thoughts and emotions you are experiencing while creating a space that empowers and uplifts you. We will work together to open your eyes to new ways of seeing the world and interpreting your thoughts. We will truly be a team working together to meet your goals in therapy. I am a Clinically Licensed Professional Counselor with specialized training in trauma. I will honor your unique background, personality, and life experiences taking them into consideration during our sessions to help you gain a deeper sense of self-understanding. I take pride in providing the most effective and evidence-based therapy that will meet your needs. I frequently use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and will integrate some techniques from EMDR-Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing-if you have a history of trauma, anxiety, or depression. After having a personally hard postpartum journey, an interest and passion in perinatal care developed as well! To all the struggling mamas, I am here, you are not alone! I’m in the process of getting certified with perinatal care for even more effective therapy targeting these very necessary and important needs. Personally, I am a wife, mama, and fitness lover. I love being around positive people/energy and always seeking ways to better myself. I am obsessed with coffee, nature, and reality tv. I look forward to working with you! Email me personally with any questions: brandykelleylcpc@gmail.com.

Thank you for taking the time to read my profile. I have had the privilege over the past 30 years to work with incredible people who have experienced trauma, anxiety, family and relationship conflict, and other difficulties. Together, we've found their resilience and healing. Our time together is about you. You know yourself best and we will pair that with 30+ years of my professional and personal experience, to help you achieve what you want from therapy - more joy, more peace, better communication, etc. I will work with you in a compassionate, inclusive, productive way to help you get to where you want to be. Taking the first step is brave. Please call or email and schedule an initial meeting. Currently providing in person and virtual therapy in PA, and virtual therapy in IL, RI, and MI.

My practice includes work with children, adolescents, and adults related to issues of depression, anxiety, trauma, sexuality, relational stress, identity, religion, and existential despair. I have experience working with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, mood dysregulation, trauma responses, adverse childhood experiences, sexuality, gender, youths exhibiting sexualized symptoms, painful life transitions, and strained family relationships. In working with adults, I am interested in delving into concerns of relational health, religious trauma, sexuality, and the impacts of society and systems on an individual. I work from a relational, trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally sensitive framework. I build from a CBT and client-centered approach to therapy while being attentive to the impact of the past as it relates to the present. I also have a collaborative approach to child therapy and believe in creativity and play as primary components of expression. I aim to foster an environment of safety, creativity, and collaboration where individuals can feel empowered to grow and flourish.

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Now accepting new clients ages 12-25 with immediate availability! It is exhausting to navigate the challenging waters of young adult anxiety or depression with all of the effort that comes along with college and the transition into or out of it. We understand. That’s why you can count on our clinicians and every single care coordinator on our team. We are ready to equip you with the tools, resources, support, and the best therapy for teens and young adults.

Whenever you may feel overwhelmed by life, making a decision to participate in emotional therapy sessions can be beneficial. Collaborating with a trained professional to manage the complexity of what you may be facing has been proven to be effective in learning life-long skills. These skills and experiences can help in building your own wisdom in life to better live in ways that fit what you value and what is important to you

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.