Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

Are you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted? Are you snapping at others and struggling to find space to breathe? It’s normal to feel like you’re drowning when you have so many moving pieces in life. Life is constantly throwing stressors at us and maybe you find yourself seeking a new approach. Many of my clients are people struggling with stress and anxiety resulting from never-ending changes. I have extensive experience working with young adults and people who are seeking therapy for the first time. As a therapist, I am straight forward in my approach; I will stay with you on your journey toward the answers by creating a safe, non-judgmental space. I’ve been described by former clients as “genuine, decisive, and easy to connect with.” I will help you find peace amongst the chaos, prioritize your wellness, and grow closer to your full potential. Reaching out for help is the first, and often the most difficult part of your path toward healing. Only you can do inner work, but there’s absolutely no reason you should do it alone. Together, we will figure out your next steps. Contact me for a consultation. I'm ready when you are!

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”.

No matter what you do, you feel like you are never good enough. You are consumed with thoughts of food and shame about your body. You’ve tried everything to control your eating, but in the end feel like it is food that controls you. If this is you, know that you are not alone and you can find healing. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, disordered eating, or body image, I can help you find acceptance and finally feel at home within your body. We will work together to explore your beliefs about food, your body, and yourself to uncover what’s not working and keeping you from what matters most to you. I provide a warm, compassionate space, (with some humor sprinkled in) in which you can breathe and connect with who you truly are. Through a social justice-informed Health at Every Size framework combined with acceptance and mindfulness-based approaches, we will explore and practice new ways for you to cope with difficult thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Many of the clients I work with struggle with intense self-criticism, perfectionism, and feeling like they are both “too much” and “not enough.” During our initial sessions, we will explore the challenges impacting you most deeply and work together to identify initial goals to help you soften that self-critical voice and build more self-compassion. I also collaborate with clients to identify specific skills to work on between sessions to integrate what you are learning into daily life.

My mission is to provide quality individual and group therapy that is accessible and meaningful. Over the years, I have worked with a wide variety of folks and have found that meeting people “where they are at “ and actively listening to their goals is the basic foundation that can be overlooked at times. Clients in my practice are motivated for therapy and committed to the time we set aside for their growth. I am also committed to that time in order to assist clients with meeting their goals and experiencing further well-being. Depending on their own personal preference for more or less structure, I can generally adapt my practice skills to meet that personal preference.

Are you struggling with anxious racing thoughts, depressed moods, or overwhelming stress? We can help you manage. You possess your own wisdom and natural tendency towards growth; we will help uncover that. While we are laid back, relatable and warm, we take our work very seriously and consider it an honor to work with you. You’re welcome to seek treatment in the comfort of your own space through our convenient, secure telehealth platform. It’s essential for us that our clients get quality, comprehensive care. We go the extra mile to make sure you are receiving an excellent service, whether that’s by sending helpful resources, suggesting “assignments” between sessions, or introducing you to another trusted provider to join your treatment team. With your permission, we collaborate with your other providers as needed to make sure you receive the best treatment possible. We realize that seeking therapy can be a brave first step to getting help, or you may be already familiar with the concept and this is a trusted tool to maintain mental wellbeing. Wherever you are in your process, we meet you where you are at.

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.

Hello! We have a variety of therapists who specialize in different things, who are able to help you both virtually and in person! Please reach out to us or visit our website for more information :)

My approach to therapy is based in collaboration and empowerment with the goal of helping you better understand yourself and creating lasting change in your life. I believe that each individual and their needs are unique, and therapy should reflect that. I aim to create a therapeutic space that is safe and non-judgmental to allow you to explore the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. My role is to support you in making choices that align with your values and becoming confident in your ability to manage your mental health and navigate life’s challenges.

Through the Woods Therapy & Wellness offers a fresh approach to mental health treatment, combining clinical and spiritual work within the context of a supportive community to promote a space for deep healing. Our clinical approach to therapy is trauma-informed, client-centered, and attachment-based, borrowing approaches from various evidence-based theories to meet our clients’ specific needs. Sense of community, self-care, and spiritual connection are important to us. Beyond our clinical work, we offer additional wellness services and host regular community events.

As a licensed psychologist, I specialize in delivering empathic, client-centered mental health care for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, and trauma. As a member of both the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, I bring a unique lived perspective to my work and am deeply committed to providing culturally sensitive, affirming, and evidence-based care that is tailored to your individual needs and goals. I draw on a range of evidence-based approaches in my work, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma. I also integrate cognitive-behavioral and dialectical behavior strategies to help individuals build effective coping skills, manage distress, and navigate life’s challenges more confidently. Personally, I am a proud pet parent and enjoy spending time with my chosen family and friends. Interests and hobbies include going to concerts, dancing, creative activities, going on adventures, leisure hikes, jigsaw puzzles, and playing board games.

I believe that everyone deserves a safe, compassionate space to be heard, understood, and supported. My work is grounded in empathy, respect, and a deep commitment to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with confidence and resilience. I am especially passionate about supporting teens, young adults, and individuals seeking trauma-informed care. My approach is evidence-based, yet flexible—focused on empowering you with practical tools while honoring your story and strengths.

The students and young adults I work best with are often navigating major life shifts - whether adjusting to college life, entering demanding graduate programs, or preparing to transition into the workforce. Many of my clients are high-achievers who find themselves struggling with constant anxiety, perfectionism, or feeling overwhelmed by high-pressure academic or social environments. Others are navigating relational dynamics - dealing with communication roadblocks, trust issues, or changes in how they relate to partners, family, or friends. My clients typically look for therapy that goes beyond surface-level advice - a place where they can feel heard, gain practical tools, and better understand themselves as they figure out the next steps.

We can't always decide what happens to us in life, but we can choose what we do about it. I love working with clients who are open to building trust, ready to begin exploring, and want to create change. You don't have to have it all figured out right now, I would be honored to share space with you and start the process of rediscovering yourself. I have the most experience working with self-esteem issues, anxiety, depression, difficult family relationships, romantic relationship stressors, gender identity, and sexuality. I want to learn what makes you unique, help you build trust in yourself, and help you reclaim your life narrative. My passion is in learning people's stories. I use trauma-informed techniques to look at the context of our lives, and together we can forge a new path forward towards the life you find most fulfilling. I draw from narrative therapy to learn about your story, and I use EMDR to help reprocess our experiences.

Hello, I’m Ashley! My passion is to support people and meet them where they are on their journey. I've worked at a school as a Social Worker, and at a private practice doing individual therapy and family sessions. It’s important to me to work with clients and families as a team, when possible, so that they feel comfortable not only asking for support, but also advocating for themselves. I understand how intimidating it can be to ask for help. I encourage you to take the first step toward strengthening your overall wellbeing. I look forward to working together!

Hello! My name is Pamelia Sublett and I'm a licensed clinical social worker in Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Nevada and Washington State. I currently am offering on telehealth. My specialites are: anxiety, depression, and bipolar. I have been a therapist for over 12 years. I treat every client as an individual and not as a collective whole. I believe that every individual is important and bring their own person into our sessions. I'd love to hear from you!

I provide counseling and therapy services to children and teens ages (9-14 y/o), adults, and parents. We all develop unhelpful patterns that often hold us back and can harm us instead of helping us. When this happens it’s helpful to have someone we can talk to who listens and supports us without judgment. I’ve had the opportunity to help support children and parents for the past 20 years as an educator within the education systems and now through the therapeutic process as a therapist. Currently, I specialize in working with people who struggle with ADHD, anxiety, depression, chronic illness/pain, life transitions, relationship struggles, parenting, and caregiver challenges. I welcome the opportunity to support you in your process toward change, growth, and healing.

Starting therapy can feel like a big step, especially when you're already balancing classes, relationships, family expectations, work, and everything else that comes with college life. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, or simply looking for extra support, I'm glad you're here. I'm Mary Mesiha, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with over 20 years of experience helping young adults navigate life's challenges. I specialize in working with college students facing anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, relationship concerns, self-esteem, trauma, and the pressures that often come with this stage of life. I believe the relationship you have with your therapist is one of the most important factors in successful therapy. My goal is to provide a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard, gain practical tools, and build confidence as you work toward the life you want. I offer a free 30-minute consultation so we can get to know each other, discuss what you're looking for, and determine whether we're a good fit. I would be honored to support you through this chapter of your life.

With over 20 years of clinical experience, my practice is currently focused on working with young adults struggling with a wide variety of issues such as anxiety, depressed mood, life transitions and life stressors, family and relationship issues, school and/or work/career issues and more.I work to help individuals navigate their emotional struggles. I am committed to providing compassionate and effective care within a supportive environment. My goal is to assist clients in making connections leading to improved outlook, reduced stress and achieving balance.

I’m Christine Askeland, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience in healthcare. I provide compassionate psychiatric care and have a special focus on women’s mental health, pregnancy and postpartum support, and addiction treatment. I strive to create a space where you feel comfortable, respected, and truly heard. I’m known for my warm, nonjudgmental approach and for meeting people where they are. I believe mental health care should feel collaborative and personalized, not rushed or one-size-fits-all. Together, we’ll focus on your goals, preferences, and what matters most to you, so your care feels meaningful and supportive. My approach combines psychotherapy with thoughtful, evidence-based medication management while also looking at the bigger picture of wellness. I value the role of sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and daily routines in emotional health, and I work with you to create a balanced, realistic treatment plan that supports long-term healing and stability.

I welcome the individual that is curious to understand the myriad of feelings, patterns and issues in one's life. I create space to be known and understand the self. Young adulthood is a time of discovery, to figure out how you want to be. Old defenses and coping skills may not be working as well. My professional interests are broad when it comes to the human condition including grief and loss, relationships and transitions. I work through a relational psychodynamic strength-based attachment lens. You and I work within the relational interaction between us as we discover your self-structure. This allows a person to expand and evolve. The hardest step is reaching out. If the way I work is of interest, please give me a call to see if treatment would be a good fit. All questions are good questions. Invest in yourself, you are worth it. I practice in Missouri, Maine, Illinois and New Mexico. My undergraduate educational experience is from Dartmouth College along with my MSW from Washington University. I have certificates of study from the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute, in the Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Program and from The National Institute for the Psychotherapies, NYC, in Integrative Trauma Studies. I am currently in year 2 of Somatic Expererience Method Training. I have worked inpatient, residential and outpatient with a team oriented approach in nationally known facilities, McLean Hospital, St. Louis Children's Hospital, and Care and Counseling St. Louis prior to opening my own practice in 2015. Be well, Cindy