Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

A fulfilling life is not about the absence of problems, but about how you choose to deal with them. We utilize a systemic, respectful, client-centered, and inclusive approach to therapy focused on social justice and shared humanity. Therapy is both an art and a science. Our therapists are trained in effective, evidence-based therapies carried out in a compassionate, personalized way. We always prioritize the relationship with our clients, in combination with skillful interventions that strive to meet your goals. Our practice is culturally competent, anti-racist, LGBTQ+, sex worker, kink, and poly affirming. We believe that human beings are wired for connection. We strive to help you heal yourself and your relationships through honest assessment, courageous communication, self-improvement, and authentic connection. We provide individual, couple, family, and group psychotherapy to the communities of Oak Park and the Chicagoland area. Our therapists are able to see clients virtually anywhere in the state of Illinois, as well as Wisconsin and Florida.

College is often described as “the best years of your life,” but in reality, it can be stressful, uncertain, and even isolating. You’re juggling academic pressures, social dynamics, independence, and the constant question of what’s next? If you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or just not like yourself, therapy can help. Therapy that fits into college life: - convenient meeting options - flexible scheduling - no long term commitment - privacy outside the campus bubble - therapy wherever you are - therapy that grows with you ready to ace your mental health? get started today!

Do you often feel anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck in cycles of overthinking and self-doubt? You may be navigating academic or career pressure, family expectations, or the emotional complexity of living between cultures. Many of my clients struggle with anxiety, depression, burnout, perfectionism, and feeling “never good enough,” even when they appear capable on the outside. Therapy can be a space where you slow down, feel understood, and move forward with greater clarity, emotional balance, and self-trust. As a bilingual therapist fluent in Mandarin and English, I bring both professional training and lived experience into my work. Having studied abroad since high school, I understand the challenges of living between cultures and am deeply attuned to the invisible pressures related to identity, family expectations and adapting to new environment. My approach is client-centered and trauma-informed, grounded in empathy, authenticity, and empowerment. I believe that healing begins with understanding—and that every small step toward self-acceptance is a powerful act of growth. I look forward to walking with you on this journey of healing and rediscovery.

Resilience Counseling LLC is a diverse group practice that adheres to the following values when working with clients: Anti-Racism, LGBTQIA+ Affirming, Health At Every Size (HAES), Cultural Awareness, Trauma-Informed, Sex Positive, and Harm Reduction. We prioritize creating a truly safe space for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized communities to understand and improve their mental health within the capacity of an out-patient setting. Together, we work with our clients to navigate challenging times and cultivate hope for the future. The capacity to heal lives within us all- and we all deserve acceptance and feeling valid in the care that helps us find it. Interested new clients can scheduled an Initial Consultation for free through our website. Many of the therapists at Resilience Counseling LLC have prior experience working in college settings and with college students. We hope to hear from you!

Our patterns, desires, and growth are often tested in relationships. It can feel like we're going in circles when we find ourselves challenged by a transition or milestone or questioning our role in the lives of those closest to us. Beneath expectations we find understanding and beneath therapy jargon lies a nonjudgmental, compassionate, and sincere relationship. Here, our explorations can lead to deeper, novel understandings of your mind and body, and foster insights and empathy for yourself and your loved ones. In our work we will begin to name the unnamed meanings, perspectives, and desires that you hold and find their place in the future you want to build. Even in the fog of day-to-day life, you are instinctively taking steps towards your goals. My role is to offer support, curiosity, and skills that appreciate and bolster your intuition and strengths.

At Restorative Collective, we are a dedicated team of compassionate professionals committed to supporting your mental health journey. Our diverse expertise allows us to provide personalized care, ensuring that every client feels heard, valued, and empowered. We believe in a holistic, client-centered approach that fosters healing, growth, and resilience.

Resilience Psychological Services is a private practice in Chicago which offers psychotherapy services to adults in our community. Our like-minded team of therapists is dedicated to responsibly providing compassionate and competent care to all who walk through our doors. While our therapists have multiple areas of specialty and utilize various empirically supported treatment modalities, we share a common intention of helping our clients to recognize and enhance existing strengths, while working together to develop new strengths which can help them to successfully navigate life’s challenges.

I am a South Asian queer therapist who is focused on creating an authentic space for you to heal and grow. As a second-generation immigrant, I understand the stigma and trepidation that comes with getting mental healthcare. I strive to create a space where you can be seen and heard without judgment. We will work together to identify challenges related to trauma, cultural background, depression, anxiety, and lack of fulfillment in life. I have experience working with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, and complex trauma. I have a particular interest in working with immigrants, communities of color, and queer-identified folks. In my work, my belief is that you are the authority on yourself. I’m certain that you have many pressures in your life telling you who and what you are, and I aim to advocate for you as you turn your attention inward. Using a person-centered approach, I can offer you a chance to implement empathy, compassion, and inner kindness in your life.

I use my full experience from living in China, France, Japan, and the U.S., and from working in management consulting, nonprofits, and the arts in my work as a therapist. I am adept at working with people from varied backgrounds. I am astute, compassionate, and deeply committed to my clients' well-being. I engage my clients not only on the inner- and inter-personal levels, but also in the contexts of their intersecting roles and identities. I am attuned to the mutual influence that individuals and groups have on one another and the interconnectedness in life's pain and healing. By working with a caring and attuned professional, my clients can feel safe and free to explore and work through their experiences of depression, anxiety, trauma, addictions, loneliness, shame, and anger, all the while developing their courage, resilience, understanding, and self-acceptance. I am fluent in Chinese (Mandarin) and can supplement my work with advanced French and intermediate Spanish. I also provide consultation and training to early- and mid- career clinicians in the U.S. and China.

I help adults, adolescents, and couples. I am deeply committed to my clients' well-being and dedicated to fostering a safe, respectful space where compassionate dialogue shapes our work together. Therapy, in my view, is a place where you can express yourself freely—giving voice to your innermost thoughts, emotions, and desires. It’s also an opportunity to uncover how long-standing patterns in your life influence your present experiences. By bringing these aspects of yourself into conversation, we can remove obstacles to your growth and help you find greater self-acceptance, personal empowerment, and creative resilience in navigating life’s challenges. If you would like to see if we’re a good fit or if you have any questions I might be able to answer, please reach out by phone, email, or through my website linked below.

Do you need a space to sort through the complexity of adulthood? Have you realized some mental health concerns as you navigate through college and beyond? Therapy Atlas, founded by social worker Sophia Jelsma, helps you unpack what's coming up and cope in healthy ways. She uses an evidence-based approach rooted in CBT, DBT, and EMDR.

Hello there, I’m Elisabeth and I have spent my career working with adults across the life span; much of my experience lies in working with folks experiencing challenges within the developmental transitions of adulthood, such as parenting, midlife, and aging. As a therapist I value and aim for a collaborative, warm, and active approach to your concerns. Perhaps you are coming to a crossroads in your life – a challenging life transition, a shift in roles, relationships, or your identity. You may be experiencing increased stress, grief or loss, or physical or mental health challenges. Perhaps you are rethinking what is truly important to you in your “one wild and precious life” (Mary Oliver, The Summer Day). It may be time to find an experienced professional to walk with you as you figure out what’s next, make a change, or how to cope better. My belief is that therapy starts simply with a conversation. Over time and with “a good fit” in the therapeutic relationship, these conversations can lead to a deep, trusting partnership with the capacity to promote self-awareness, growth and healing. My approach is client-centered; you are the expert of your own life, and my role as a therapist is to listen empathically, respond authentically, and use my skills and training to walk alongside you as a compassionate facilitator of your own unique experience. Like many therapists, my way of working is eclectic, yet also “evidence-guided”; this means I tailor my approach to each client informed by my areas of clinical expertise and experience, client preferences and needs, and what clinical research recommends. My work as an adjunct professor for graduate students at UIC, also informs my practice. As a social worker, I approach my work through an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and culturally sensitive lens. This lens requires continual refocusing, awareness of my positionality and privilege, and is constantly evolving. Taking the first steps to finding a therapist can be overwhelming, but if this profile has caught your attention, please get in touch with me to set up a free consultation. I am in-network with all BCBS PPO plans (including ACA plans), United Healthcare/ Optum, and Cigna/Evernorth.

Hi, I'm Sierra! I'm a licensed therapist in Chicago offering fully virtual sessions. I have expertise in helping people heal from trauma, anxiety, and depression. As a once first-generation college student, I understand the difficulties of navigating this particularly trying time in life. Working with a new therapist can sometimes feel daunting, so I get to know each person on a human level with a bit of (appropriate) humor. I'm queer, gender-affirming, and like to incorporate skills in sessions to help you develop better coping strategies. I accept all major insurance plans and can work with anyone in Illinois. If you'd like to see if we'd be a good fit, feel free to email me and we can set up a time to chat! Interested in a therapist with a different specialty? I work with Cityscape Counseling, a group practice in Chicago with over 55 licensed therapists offering treatment both in-person and online for eating disorders, substance use, OCD, and more. Connect with us at cityscapecounseling.com!

Dr. Sarah Sanders is a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of the boutique mental health practice, Allow Wellness. She is a specialist in treating depression, various anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and identity development concerns. She has been working with the mental health needs of graduate and undergraduate students of the Chicagoland area since 2006. Please visit the Allow Wellness website to learn more: www.allow-wellness.com.

Are you feeling stuck? Does your anxiety, stress, or use of poor coping skills prevent you from reaching your goals? I work with adults looking to develop useful tools to decrease unwanted feelings and increase self-confidence. My overall approach remains solution-focused by encouraging growth and progress over the course of treatment. I can provide the space needed to help navigate life's challenges, while feeling secure about the choices you make! I am a Licensed Clinical Counselor and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. My specialities include supporting individuals with anxiety and substance abuse, which can commonly co-occur. Understanding addiction and having the tools to manage emotions can lead to a healthier lifestyle. Let's challenge some of your common unhealthy thoughts together! Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and being active with my dog Auggie. I believe my energy and personality remain calm and balanced, making it easier to open up. I am clear, communicative, and convenient when it comes to therapy, scheduling, and fees so you can focus on progress.

My work as a therapist is deeply rooted in connection. Creating a safe space is essential in order to explore and uncover unconscious thoughts and feelings. Considering important aspects of connection such as attachment style, communication, and intimacy can enhance not only the relationship with one’s self, but also with others. I am passionate about working with individuals who have survived trauma, live with anxiety, depression, grief, codependence, as well as interpersonal and internal conflict. My individualized care caters to each client and meets them where they are, while considering each of their identities. Building strong connections with each client is essential as well as my belief that each person is the expert of their own experience. I have worked with many students and understand academic stress as well as the many adjustments that come along with being a student in higher education. I am here to provide support, understanding, and non-judgement.

Many of the students I work with are thoughtful, self-aware, and often hard on themselves. On the outside, they might look like they have things together—but internally, they’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or unsure of who they are and where they’re going. You might be navigating big transitions—starting college, figuring out relationships, questioning your identity, or feeling pressure to meet expectations (your own or others’). You may notice patterns in relationships that leave you feeling stuck, disconnected, or not fully understood. In our work together, I focus on creating a space where you can slow down, feel genuinely understood, and make sense of what’s coming up for you. I take a relational approach, which means I pay attention to how you experience connection—with others and with me—so we can better understand patterns and create more fulfilling ways of relating. If you’re looking for a therapist who is warm, engaged, and collaborative—and who will help you explore both your emotions and your relationships—you might find this to be a good fit.

I specialize in therapy with children, adolescents, and young adults struggling with mood and anxiety disorders, specific phobias, OCD, and challenges with emotional regulation. Common areas of focus in my work include chronic worry, panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, obsessions and compulsions, difficulty managing big emotions, perfectionism, struggles with life transitions, as well as generalized anxiety and depression. As a former Division 1 college athlete, I also understand the unique demands and pressures placed upon athletes and love to work with individuals to manage this pressure, recover from injuries, and explore identity around sports. I offer therapy for athletes as well as other high-demand professions and lifestyles. I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and additionally work from Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) methods.

Relief and hope can grow from psychotherapy - lasting effects of nonjudgment, trust and stable support from another. Learning to talk through issues can lead to the development of your own unique voice - intrapersonally and with others - spur creative ways to address problems, and result in new or greater insight and a deeper understanding of feelings and needs.

I'm a bilingual therapist offering both in-person and virtual sessions. Whether you're navigating life transitions, pursuing personal growth, or simply in need of support, I commend you for taking this meaningful step. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, understood, and genuinely supported. Together, we’ll explore your experiences, uncover your strengths, and develop practical tools to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. I bring a unique perspective to my practice, rooted in connection, trust, and shared understanding. My approach is shaped by my professional experience, education, and personal journey—including my roles as a wife, mother, large family dynamic, and as a Chicago native. I look forward to the opportunity to support you on your path to growth and healing.