Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

College is a lot. Therapy can help. Whether you’re navigating classes, relationships, identity, anxiety, or just trying to figure things out—you don’t have to do it alone. I’m Mary Patton, LCSW, a therapist who gets how overwhelming this phase of life can be. I work with college students who want a space to talk it out, find clarity, and feel more grounded. No pressure. No judgment. Just real support as you move through this messy, transformative chapter.

As a therapist, I strive to co-create a space of curiosity and self-compassion with my clients. I believe that healing and growth are best supported when individuals feel safe, seen, and empowered to explore their inner experiences. This collaborative environment allows for a deeper connection with oneself and the development of meaningful insight. My approach is grounded in two years of post-master’s training in Somatic Experiencing, a body-oriented modality that helps regulate the nervous system and process trauma. I also draw from polyvagal theory, psychodynamic principles, and attachment theory to inform my work.

With the many transitions that life brings can come many challenges. It can be difficult to navigate these challenges alone and reaching out for support is a significant step in working towards healing. My goal is to help you navigate your healing journey using compassion, empathy, creativity, and humor. I have worked in a variety of settings including the department of corrections, psychiatric inpatient hospitals, and in an after school setting. Throughout experience I have worked with many different clients including individuals experiencing challenges related to depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, grief, work stress, career transitions, spirituality, and family life. ​ I approach my work with the mindset that the client is the expert in their treatment. In my work I utilize Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Mindfulness Based Interventions. I aim to provide a welcoming, supportive, inclusive, and judgement free space for you to process any struggles and work towards your goals. I recognize that each person’s path to healing is unique and during our time together we will discover which approach is ideal for you. Life can bring on so much heartache and struggles that can make us feel lost. Through self-exploration we can work towards transforming into a more healed self. Clients interested in working together can reach out to me at rickele@humboldtparkcounseling.com or at 312-880-7671 for more information. All inquires are welcome.

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Therapy with me is collaborative and client-centered. You lead the conversation, and we focus on what feels most important in your life. My approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, helping you understand how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected while building practical tools you can use in everyday situations, including class, work and your relationships.

Hello! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and I work with adolescents and adults. I have worked in social services with very diverse client populations for over 20 years, which has greatly influenced my practice. I have experience helping people deal with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, grief and loss, mental illness, relationship issues and general life stressors. I also truly enjoy working with individuals on the autism spectrum and other developmental disabilities. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of Sussex and a Masters degree in Counseling from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. My approach is empathetic, person-centered and always non-judgmental. Establishing a trusting and collaborative therapeutic relationship with you is extremely important to me. Through that relationship we will work together to help you find the strength within yourself to face whatever challenges bring you here today. Languages spoken: Fluent French and good conversational Spanish.

Melissa Mello is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in the evidence-based treatment of anxiety disorders, OCD, and eating disorders. Melissa received her BS in psychology from the University of Washington and her Masters in Marital and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego. Melissa completed her training at UC San Diego in an outpatient setting and went on to contribute to clinical research and provide services for eating disorders on multidisciplinary teams. She was also a program therapist for the UCSD Intensive Family Treatment (IFT) program- a week-long intensive program for teens with eating disorders and their families. She has been trained in and utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Family Based Treatment (FBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy( ACT). Her primary interests include working with children, teens, and young adults with anxiety disorders, OCD, and eating disorders. She is a member of the International OCD Foundation and a certified Family Based Treatment provider.

Things may feel heavy right now, and as a younger person trying to make sense of it all, it is no surprise you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected. Between social expectations and constant news cycles, you may be unsure of your next step. We specialize in supporting teens and twenty-somethings who are navigating anxiety, depression, school stress, relationship challenges, and the “What am I doing?” moments that show up during significant transitions. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I also work closely with clients exploring their identities, including the overarching systems and pressures we navigate. Our experience as high school social workers informs my work with neurodivergent clients, making the complex feel practical by incorporating evidence and body-based practices. With humor, honesty, and a touch of sarcasm, we will identify patterns, strengths, and values to create tools that complement your life. Your story is worth telling, and so is the chance to reconnect with yourself through thoughtful reflection and action. Whether you are seeking support for the first time or have experience doing this work, you will be met with a down-to-earth and warm space where you can show up exactly as, and who, you are.

For many first-generation and immigrant adults, life can feel like constant translation. Translating language, expectations, emotions, and identities between different worlds. Over time, that pressure can turn into anxiety, burnout, or the sense that you have to carry everything alone. I’m Anahí Aragon, a Mexican-American, Spanish-speaking therapist at NeuroBloom Mental Health Collective in Chicago. I work with adults navigating anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and the complex experience of growing up between cultures. For many first-generation and immigrant adults, life can feel like constant translation. Translating language, expectations, emotions, and identities between different worlds. Over time, that pressure can turn into anxiety, burnout, or the sense that you have to carry everything alone. I’m Anahí Aragon, a Mexican-American, Spanish-speaking therapist at NeuroBloom Mental Health Collective in Chicago. I work with adults navigating anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and the complex experience of growing up between cultures. My approach combines CBT, DBT, Internal Family Systems, mindfulness, and somatic work to help you understand your emotional patterns and build tools that actually work in real life. Therapy with me is supportive, collaborative, and human. We can talk about the serious things while also leaving room for laughter, culture, language, and humor along the way. I offer therapy in English and Spanish and welcome clients who want a space where their cultural background and lived experiences are truly understood. If you’re curious about starting therapy, you can reach out to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.

Hi! I'm Rachel. As a licensed therapist with 11 years of experience. I specialize in helping individuals navigate challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, perfectionism and low self esteem, among others. My approach is compassionate, client-centered, and grounded in evidence-based techniques. I strive to create a warm, nonjudgmental space where you feel safe to explore your thoughts and emotions. Whether you're facing a major life transition or simply want to better understand yourself, I’m here to support your growth and healing every step of the way. I been trained in EMDR, have extensive experience treating complex trauma and emerging adulthood issues. I am LGBTQI affirming. I have used expressive/art therapy techniques for clients who better express themselves creatively.

My approach is gentle, grounded, and trauma-informed. I meet you where you are with compassion, curiosity, and no pressure to rush the process. I believe real healing happens when you feel safe, understood, and supported in exploring what's beneath the surface. Together, we will explore the patterns, beliefs, and experiences that are keeping you stuck. We'll work to build insight, process unresolved trauma, and strengthen your connection to yourself. Using EMDR, parts work, and other interventions, we'll move at a pace that feels safe, towards clarity, healing, and lasting change. I specialize in working with people who feel stuck in patterns of anxiety, low self-worth, or trauma, especially those navigating dissociation, generational trauma, or postpartum challenges. Many of my clients are insightful and motivated for change, but need support reconnecting with themselves and healing what's underneath. I became a therapist because I believe in the power of healing through connection. My own inner work, including doing EMDR as a client, showed me how transformative therapy can be. I wanted to offer others the same kind of support: a safe, attuned space to be seen, understood, and truly heal. *Current availability is Mondays at 12pm, Tuesday at 5pm, Wednesdays at 11am, 12pm, and 3pm, and Fridays at 11am.

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I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years experience in the mental health field. I received my Master’s In Social Work Degree from Loyola University Chicago after spending a few years in Corporate America. I use a strength-based approach combined with empathy, lightness, and humor (when appropriate) to help you gain insight and skills to change. I draw from principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing and am client centered. I am trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy for trauma and PTSD and have completed advanced training in perinatal mental health.

I believe change occurs in the context of our relationships, with our own self and with others. Oftentimes, when people seek out therapy, they are feeling lost, discarded, and may be filled with self-doubt and negative thoughts and feelings about themselves in the world. I work with clients to forge new ways of relating to ourselves and others to engage more fully in the world. We do this by learning a range of new skills and processing past experiences, but at its core, it is about connection with another human being and being seen, heard, understood, respected, and known. Therapeutically, I primarily use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and EMDR. With these two treatments you learn effective skills to manage painful thoughts, feelings, and sensations, develop direction and purpose, as well as process painful past experiences towards resolution and prepare for how to handle the future. My style as a therapist is energetic, accepting, compassionate, and challenging. I truly love my work and experience a deep sense of gratitude for being able to participate in it. People are endlessly complex and I am constantly in awe of our resilience and depth as human beings. If what I’ve written here speaks to you, I encourage you to reach out.

Welcome to Greater Chicago Counseling Center where together we help you resolve conflict which interferes with your happiness and potential. We accept Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO or Blue Choice PPO and bill for you. Through an empathic partnership our counselors assist you in changing destructive patterns and replacing them with productive coping mechanisms. We’re good at listening when you feel like you have no one else. We’ll help you confront your deepest fears. We’ll help you sort out relationship issues. Giving you new tools and hope remains our goal. We look forward to helping you. Please call or email today (312)955-0319 or info@greaterchicagocounselingcenter.com

At The Kedzie Center, we aim to provide a safe space, by providing confidential and empathic care. Within this frame, therapy is guided by the initial concern that prompted the individual or family to seek treatment. Areas of concern may include emotional distress, relationship issues, work or employment stress, grief and loss, major life transitions, adjustment issues, behavior problems, acculturative stress, and exposure to trauma, abuse or violence. Therapy can be brief in nature, allowing for an exploration and resolution of the presenting concern. Treatment can also be long-term, with a greater focus on seeking to understand the internal and interpersonal dynamics at play in one’s life. How therapy is structured and scheduled is part of the ongoing collaboration between therapist and client. Based on an initial assessment, recommendations are made for individual, family and group therapy for children, adolescents and adults. Services are available in both English and Spanish at this time.

Hey there!! My name is Kim Koehler and I am the founder and lead therapist at Afterglow Counseling. I am accepting new clients in Indiana and Illinois! I have several years of experience in counseling and therapy with individuals of diverse backgrounds. I specialize in treating individuals who are survivors of various forms of trauma, and those struggling with body image issues/changes, low self-esteem, life transitions, women’s issues, depression, OCD, and anxiety disorders. My approach is to meet you with patience, understanding, and empathy as you share your vulnerable moments with me. I believe that everyone has the power to make changes to parts of their lives that no longer feel aligned with themselves, and am here to offer you encouragement to do so. I have extensive training in trauma and crisis intervention, as well as several years in the private practice setting working with clients of various backgrounds and presentations. I value collaborative relationships, and believe that creation of your own goals for your journey in therapy is the first positive step towards regaining control and autonomy. I believe in empowering individuals to reflect on barriers in their lives, and the strengths they currently possess and skills they can add to overcome these barriers. I believe in practicing self-compassion during difficult periods of our lives, and am committed to working with you to improve your sense of self in the hopes of leading a life you love.

Hi, I’m Maddie Scudiero, and I’m so glad you’re here. If you’re a college student, you’re navigating a time full of transitions, pressures, and questions—about identity, relationships, the future, and sometimes, just how to get through the week. Therapy can be a space to pause, reflect, and build tools that help you feel more grounded, capable, and connected. I view therapy as a collaborative process, where you and I work together as a team. Our relationship is at the core of this work—because growth happens when you feel safe, supported, and truly seen. I’ll show up authentically with you, and together we’ll clarify what you want to work on and check in regularly to make sure you feel like we're moving in a direction that matters to you. In our sessions, we’ll identify the areas where you might feel stuck—emotionally, socially, academically, or in your self-worth—and look for strategies that feel realistic and empowering. I like to think of these as “social experiments” you can try out between sessions. We’ll talk through what happened, what worked, and what didn’t—then fine-tune things so they feel more effective for you. It’s not about getting it perfect; it’s about learning through experience and being gentle with yourself as you grow. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, burnout, identity exploration, relationship challenges, or just feeling overwhelmed by life, I’m here to help you navigate it with curiosity, compassion, and clarity. You don’t have to do this alone—and you don’t have to have it all figured out. Let’s take it one step at a time, together.

College can be stressful, the pressure, the pace, the constant push to keep going. It’s no wonder your mind feels overloaded. At Bloom Therapy we’re not just therapists. We’re real humans who get it. We’re here to help you navigate life as a college student without losing yourself in the chaos. Whether you’re working through anxiety, navigating relationships, battling ADHD, or dealing with life balance changes as a college student. We’ll meet you where you are and walk with you toward where you want to go!

If you’re struggling, you’re not alone—and things can get better. Living with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or other mental health challenges can feel like you’re constantly trying to stay afloat, unsure of where to turn next. It can be exhausting—and isolating. But the truth is, healing is possible. You deserve to feel supported, understood, and hopeful again. I’m here to help you take that next step. I specialize in working with individuals facing depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and related conditions. I know how overwhelming it can be to ask for help, and my goal is to make that process as comfortable and collaborative as possible. Together, we’ll explore what’s been holding you back and find a path forward that truly fits you. Whether through therapy, medication management, or both, I offer personalized care tailored to your unique experiences and goals. You won’t be handed a one-size-fits-all solution—instead, we’ll work side by side to build a plan that supports your mental and emotional well-being in a way that feels right for you. You don’t have to navigate this alone. Let’s talk, and take that first step toward feeling more balanced, connected, and in control of your life. If you’re ready—or even just considering it—I invite you to schedule an appointment today. Let’s start the conversation and see what healing can look like for you.