Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

I’m a therapist passionate about helping people heal and feel more like themselves again—without judgment, pressure, or pretense. I work with emerging adults and adults navigating trauma, anxiety, relationship stress, burnout, boundaries, and major life transitions. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or trying to untangle patterns that no longer serve you, we can sort through the mess together and find a way forward. I earned my Master’s in Counseling from DePaul University, with a concentration in College Counseling and Student Affairs. My background in community mental health and higher education has shaped how I show up in the therapy room: down-to-earth, affirming, and collaborative. I primarily draw from Person-Centered Therapy and CBT, while tailoring our work to your individual needs, experiences, and goals. I care deeply about creating an inclusive space where people from all backgrounds can feel seen, heard, and understood—especially women and those carrying the weight of trauma or intergenerational pain. My goal is to help you better understand yourself, strengthen your voice, and move from survival mode toward greater clarity, confidence, and emotional freedom.

Hi, I’m a first-generation Mexican-American bilingual therapist (¡HABLO ESPAÑOL!) offering compassionate, non-judgmental care for individuals who are ready to heal, grow, and reconnect with themselves. I’m deeply committed to supporting the Latinx community, LGBTQ+ individuals, teenagers, college students, young adults, adults, eldest daughters, and señoras navigating life’s challenges. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, suicidal thoughts, self-harming behaviors, emotional struggles, relationship issues, family conflict, low self-esteem, imposter syndrome, and school-related stress. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by family expectations, struggling with perfectionism or people-pleasing, carrying the pressure of being the eldest daughter, or finding it difficult to set boundaries and say “no,” you do not have to navigate it alone. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling emotionally exhausted, disconnected from themselves, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. You may feel like you’re constantly putting others first, avoiding your emotions, struggling to protect your peace, or carrying the weight of generational trauma. Together, we’ll work toward healthier boundaries, greater self-confidence, and breaking patterns that no longer serve you. My approach is rooted in empathy, cultural sensitivity, and authenticity. Together, we’ll build insight into your thoughts, emotions, and behavioral patterns so you can stop feeling stuck in survival mode and begin moving forward with greater clarity, confidence, and self-compassion. With me, you can expect to feel truly listened to. My calm, lighthearted presence helps create a space where you’ll feel safe to open up, even when things are heavy. I pride myself on creating a warm, supportive environment where you can explore your emotions without fear of judgment. I’ll also gently challenge you when needed, helping you face yourself with honesty so you can grow. That may mean confronting difficult emotions, patterns, or experiences, but always with care, respect, and your best interest at heart. If you’re ready to do the work, whether that means challenging old habits, trying new coping strategies, or showing up with honesty and curiosity, we’ll likely be a great match. Therapy with me is about creating momentum toward the life you want and becoming the version of yourself that feels most authentic, empowered, and at peace. Therapy is not about being “fixed”. It’s about learning to care for yourself in ways you may have never been taught. I would be honored to support you on your healing journey.

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.

Knowing what needs to get done doesn’t make it easier to start, follow through, or stay organized. ADHD, complex trauma, and addictive behaviors can show up as overwhelm, avoidance, impulsivity, low motivation, or coping patterns that have become difficult to change. I work with teens and adults, offering a space to feel understood, build self-trust, and create a life that feels more meaningful and manageable. My approach is warm, compassionate, and direct. Together, we will look beyond the surface to understand the patterns behind current challenges, while building practical, personalized tools for change. The goal is not to fit expectations, but to develop strategies that feel realistic, sustainable, and aligned with what matters. Therapy can be a place to slow down without needing all the answers first. I aim to create a warm, down-to-earth atmosphere where honesty is welcomed, challenges can be explored without judgment, and clients feel genuinely understood. Each step bringing greater clarity, confidence, and a stronger sense of purpose and direction.

As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I integrate a medical-model approach with supportive therapy to provide compassionate, comprehensive care. While diagnostic labels can help guide medication decisions, my focus is on understanding the deeper context of your challenges—exploring symptom triggers, emotional meanings, and how relationships influence your coping style. Mutual respect and trust are the foundation of my practice, and I am committed to creating a relaxed, non-judgmental space where honesty, transparency, and collaboration empower you to take an active role in your treatment. I treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, addiction, OCD, complex grief, and chronic illnesses. Together, we’ll work toward authentic growth, healthier choices, and a more positive outlook on life.

Are you ready to talk about the stress that has been building up? Therapy is such a great virtual tool to access anywhere these days! If you’re trying to juggle college life while learning to adult, it can be overwhelming. We can work on stress reduction, time management and self care to improve functioning. We can identify parts that struggle to feel joy or peace. We can get you on track to finally starting to understand, love and accept yourself. Email me and let’s get started!

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Are you having difficulty with relationships and connecting with others? Are you impacted by trauma, stressful relationships such as caregiving, family members with substance use, your own substance use, or conflict in relationships? Is you history influencing your present day life? Are you looking for a therapeutic relationship that will be comfortable for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so you can begin to find peace, increased self-worth, better boundaries, and improved ability to feel joy and be present? If you relate to these concerns send me an email and lets talk.

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I’m so glad you’re here. I’m Winter, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and I truly am glad you’re here. I know reaching out for support can feel scary at first, but you don’t have to get started alone. I help burned-out, overwhelmed college students sort out big life stressors, relationship issues, and attacks of the "Sunday Scaries" or chronic test anxiety. You've done everything to stop your overthinking, and I am ready to calm the chaos. My therapeutic style is warm, nurturing & person-centered. Healing begins when we feel genuinely heard, safe, accepted without judgment, and when we’re met with lots of empathy.

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.

Navigating OCD, anxiety, relationships, and life transitions can be emotionally and physically draining. There is little more frustrating than thinking and behaving in the same ways despite knowing they contribute to these issues and other debilitating symptoms. Therapy is a place to safely explore the thoughts, behaviors, and relationships that are interfering with living a more fulfilling and rewarding life. I am a trained OCD specialist and an active member of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). I have extensive experience working with college undergrad and graduate students from my time as a counselor at the University of Colorado, Boulder and at Bryant University. Working directly on a college campus has provided me with a unique understanding of the intersection between academics and mental health, as well as how to navigate many campus systems best. Currently, in my private practice, I work with college students from the many different colleges in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Colorado. The majority of clients that I work with are navigating Anxiety or OCD and Related Disorders. My clinical approach to therapy is grounded in ERP, ACT, and CBT. I believe therapy is built around compassion, respect, and trust. I look forward to connecting with you and exploring how we can collaboratively achieve your treatment goals. Send me an email, give me a call, or visit my website (www.smithlicsw.com) to set up an appointment. If you are struggling and are tired of trying to handle things alone, please do not hesitate to get in touch. * I provide telehealth services to clients in Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Illinois, Vermont, and Colorado.*

Beth Thornton is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). She earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing from the University of Louisville in Kentucky and completed her specialized psychiatric training at Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts. Beth’s approach to care is grounded in patient-centered practice, where your unique needs, experiences, and values guide the treatment process. She is committed to creating a compassionate and supportive environment, emphasizing respect, empathy, and empowering you to actively participate in your mental health journey. Beth integrates the latest research and evidence-based practices to tailor treatment plans that address your individual needs. Passionate about demystifying psychiatry, she welcomes all questions and strives to make the process clear and approachable. "Empowering you to take an active role in your care is my passion. Every session provides an opportunity to review and adjust your treatment plan to ensure your concerns and goals are met. Life brings changes, and you deserve a flexible treatment approach that supports you through every season. Please note, I generally do not prescribe controlled substances during an initial consultation." Sessions are designed to be low-stress, and questions are always encouraged. You are unique, and we will take the time to thoroughly discuss your needs before crafting a plan that supports you in achieving your goals.

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”.

Balancing the demands of being a student while maintaining your mental health can be overwhelming. I hope that therapy can be a space to intentionally care for yourself, gain a better understanding of your identity and experiences, and process the stressors that you encounter. I use a person-centered and trauma-informed approach to therapy while integrating practices of Internal Family Systems (IFS), Attachment, and Strengths-Based theories. I have experience serving individuals in high crisis situations such as suicidal ideation and domestic violence, as well as people experiencing PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Through this work, I have developed a passion for working with the LGBTQ+ community, adults in transitional periods of life, and with topics such as trauma, sex and relationship issues, and anxiety. Reaching out to begin therapy services can be intimidating, but I hope to help you lighten the load you're carrying. If any of this resonates with you, please reach out!

Hi, I’m April! I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois and work with clients statewide via telehealth. Often the clients I see are adults that are working through life transition concerns, anxiety, self-esteem, trauma, depression, relationship concerns, grief, and work stress. I have experience working with a wide range of populations and in therapeutic settings treating a variety of mental health concerns. I would describe my communication style as welcoming, calm, and encouraging. I focus on creating a safe, non-judgmental, and empowering space for clients to share their experiences and thoughts in session. I want my clients to feel comfortable being their authentic selves as I believe this is an important element of our work together. Sessions often look like a collaborative effort to assist clients with their goals. I work alongside clients to identify goals that they believe are the most important for them to achieve during our time together. This starts with us building trust and rapport with one another in our sessions so that we can create a strong team environment to assist with goal achievement. I also pride myself on being flexible as I understand goals can shift as clients begin exploring other areas of their lives in session. Please visit my website for additional information on session cost, accepted insurance plans or to schedule a therapy appointment.

My name is Buck, I am relatable, empathic, and easy to talk to. I love working with teenagers and adults of all ages, including athletes. My clinical specialties include working with athletes struggling with performance anxiety, depression, burnout, difficult life transitions, occupational stress, low self-esteem and self-confidence, stress management. Clients who have made the most progress working with me have been those who identify as athletes or other performers, teenagers and adults of any gender. Regardless of athletic ability, I am always happy to be someone's teammate in their therapy process. Obtaining my dual master’s degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Sport and Human Performance was just the start of my ongoing learning. Interventions I commonly focus on most include values identification, reframing thinking patterns, boundary setting, mindfulness, motivation exploration, and emotional regulation. As an athlete myself, I have experienced performance anxiety that led to difficult athletic transitions as well as the struggle of what my identity entailed beyond college. A combination of personal experience and supporting clients has allowed me to fully understand the grueling nature of attempting to juggle many obligations and roles in life that can create the feeling of being “spread too thin” and leading to potential burnout. My hope is to create a strong sense of rapport from our first session, creating a safe and comfortable atmosphere, where we can collaborate to help you identify and reach your therapy goals to promote an enhanced quality of life.

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I earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree specializing in Psychiatry from The University of Texas at Arlington. I am proud to say I am a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I am a true believer that not one of my fellow humans is immune to stress, anxiety, and feelings of sadness at some point in their life. We all find ourselves feeling vulnerable at times. It is completely normal to question why we feel the emotions that we do, why we seem to fall apart at times, and better yet, how we can get through it all in one beautiful piece. I think the first step to meaningful recovery from anxiety, depression, complex mental illness, and/or substance use is to reach out and ask for help. It is a difficult, but very brave action. I am not one to judge, look down on, question your past experiences, or current situation. I am very good at rationally breaking down a situation and I can offer practical advice and medication suggestions depending on your goal in mind. Schedule your appointment with me by simply clicking on the "Visit Website" link below!

We are a team of clinical social workers specializing in yoga/mindfulness, EMDR, and CBT. Our understanding is that in order to truly heal, we must honor our whole-body and mind working together. Many of our clients find that much of their suffering is stored throughout their bodies as anxiety, depression, and stress begin to take over. We support students as they navigate the unfamiliar and sometime daunting transition into adulthood and offer a warm, hopeful guide towards joy and purpose. Our virtual counseling services are available to individuals located in Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Vermont, Maine, Illinois, and California. We welcome you to get to know us, the services we offer, and reach out to schedule session.