Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL
Many of the students I work with are navigating major life transitions while carrying the weight of stress, anxiety, trauma, family expectations, relationship challenges, or feelings of not quite belonging. I especially enjoy working with first-generation college students, students from immigrant families, women, and neurodivergent students, including those with ADHD. Together, we create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can better understand yourself, build practical coping skills, strengthen relationships, and move toward a life that feels more aligned with your values. You don't have to have everything figured out before coming to therapy—we can start exactly where you are.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or out of sorts, you've stumbled to the right place. Maybe you feel disconnected from yourself and/or your life, and are confused about where to go next. I work with creatively inclined people, educators, students, people in helping professions, entrepreneurs, and people looking for a career change. I accompany people on their search for connection, belonging, and purpose. They often feel stretched thin and have difficulty balancing their own expectations for themself with societal/cultural pressures. They might have difficulty with vulnerability and intimacy and feel isolated or lonely. As a dance/movement therapist, I help you learn how to reconnect with and trust your body. We might talk, meditate, make art, move or play, searching for what lights you up and can guide the way. Using a somatic approach, I emphasize compassion and radical acceptance as we work with the sensations and memories that arise in the process. As an empathic, creative thinker, I know how hard it can be to stay connected to our body's wisdom as the world pulls us in a hundred directions. Something in you got you to this page, trust and honor that impulse! I invite you to reach out for a free 15 minute phone consultation to see if we're a good fit.
Dr. Sarah Sanders is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and life transition issues. Dr. Sanders individualizes her treatment approach to the specific needs of each client, often combining dynamic-relational, cognitive-dialectical-behavioral, and systemic-cultural approaches. Her priority is helping you work through your concerns and make changes in your life in a way that feels effective, collaborative, and nonjudgmental. Dr. Sanders completed her predoctoral internship at Northwestern University and her postdoctoral fellowship at Harper College, gaining significant experience working with life-transition issues, identity development, relationship concerns, eating disorders, and student mental health. Areas of interest also include family dynamics, anxiety, and mood disorders. Dr. Sanders' practice location is just east of Michigan Avenue on Wacker Drive. If you're ready to schedule, you are welcome to do so directly by visiting the Allow Wellness website: www.allow-wellness.com.
Life’s journey may bring times of challenge, uncertainty, and pain. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, stuck, or powerless at times. Facing these moments alone can make them even harder. In therapy, I hope to collaborate with you to build a compassionate and empathetic relationship where it is safe to be curious, observe, reflect and grow. Together we’ll understand the sources of distress in the context of your identities and experiences, try out different coping skills and identify what works best for you. We will also explore ways to navigate difficult situations in your life to support you in being your most authentic self. As a therapist holding marginalized identities, I’m passionate about working with folks in the immigrant, BIPOC, neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ communities. My training focused on anxiety, depression, trauma, relational concerns, navigating oppression and discrimination, self-esteem, and grief. I enjoy helping clients find ways to live the life they envision. I provide therapy in both English and Mandarin.
Our team is composed of clinicians who value diversity and acceptance. We combine education with experience to deliver professional, effective, personalized counseling to our clients. Our goal is for our clients to be seen and heard and feel like their voices matter. In our client relationships, we function as guides to support and coaches to encourage progress and healing. We treat clinical issues (stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, etc.) through a relational lens. We explore how you function in your relationships, how they may be impacting current challenges and how they can be improved to help you move forward. We promise to treat you with respect and integrity. We are affirming and allied with no bias towards race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, religion, or socioeconomic status. We desire to help you grow from your struggles, heal from your pain, and move forward to create the life you want.
Everyone seeks support for different reasons, and I’m here to honor yours. In a world of constant connection, the present moment can still feel distant. As a daughter of Polish immigrants, I value cultural heritage and offer support in both English and conversational Polish. I’m especially passionate about working with people navigating family dynamics, intergenerational trauma, cultural identity, and the journey of reconnecting with younger parts of themselves. I believe healing happens through empathy, humor, and collaboration. I specialize in working with teens and adults experiencing: Identity exploration and cultural stress Trauma and intergenerational wounds Relationship challenges and attachment concerns Anxiety, self-esteem, and perfectionism Queerness and LGBTQIA+ identities Life transitions and emerging adulthood Neurodivergence, including ADHD and sensory sensitivities I am DBT-Certified and I co-facilitate the Thursday Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Class at Mind Body Co-op. Alongside DBT, I integrate somatic therapies, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to support a compassionate, body-aware, and client-centered process. Whether you’re facing long-standing patterns or new changes, therapy offers space for clarity and growth. Through gentle challenge, curiosity, and affirmation, we’ll explore what helps you move forward with confidence. I earned my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from National Louis University, where I learned to value presence and acceptance. A favorite quote of mine is by Eckhart Tolle: “How do you know this is the experience you need? Because this is the experience you are having at the moment.” Your experience matters—and I’d be honored to support you in making meaning of it.
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.
We're here because we've been there, so we can't help but to be wholeheartedly invested in your journey. We want to provide you the warmth, validation, and affirmation that can feel so rare in adulthood. Working with us will challenge you, but it will also feel like coming home. We're fired up about your freedom and fight for it alongside you. Always intersectional, pleasure-positive, and identity-celebrating, we have a low tolerance for boxes, assumptions, and systems that stifle your creative healing. We are your unashamed and unapologetic accomplices in doing life-changing, culture-shifting work. We're obsessed with staying up-to-date on affirming, anti-oppressive language and concepts, and think learning directly from queer and BIPOC community leaders is just as important as gathering data from research. We believe in the transformative power of accurate information about sex, gender, and relationships.
Ellen is a Licensed Professional Counselor and art therapist. She received her Masters degree in Art Therapy & Counseling from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Ellen loves working with children and young people. She has experience working with neurodivergent children on issues such as social skills, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Ellen also has experience in providing affirming care to the LGBTQIA+ community. As an art therapist, Ellen utilizes art and art making to facilitate therapeutic discussions and insights with her clients. She utilizes a wide variety of art mediums to explore, create, and investigate within therapy. This practice appeals to a wide variety of populations and experience levels–no prior experience with art is required! Ellen firmly believes in the healing power of art making and sharing that power with others. Ellen’s practice as a therapist is founded on social justice and feminist frameworks, as well as relational-cultural theory. This means she conceives of therapy as a collaborative partnership between therapist and client, one that that relies on respect for each other’s knowledge and perspectives. Ellen holds space for all of a potential client's identities and cultures as you work together in the therapeutic space.
Rowan Tree Counseling is a group therapy practice rooted in autonomy, personal agency, and anti-oppression. We are passionate about helping individuals explore their values with curiosity and utilize their personal strengths to live their most meaningful lives. We believe strongly in the power of blazing your own trail, and we seek to help ensure that you don’t lose your way. Guided by your goals and your values, we’re here to journey beside you while you walk the course you’ve charted. All of our clinicians have committed to anti-oppressive practices and learning through continuing education. Rowan Tree offers sliding scale pricing for students.
Hello, I'm Mili Kuriakose, and I work at The Family Institute. As a therapist, I believe in meeting you exactly where you are on your journey. My approach is centered on collaboration — together, we’ll build a therapeutic path that highlights your strengths and addresses your unique needs. By understanding your personal history and the ways it intersects with society, I strive to embrace the complexities of your experiences. My goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where you can feel comfortable exploring your thoughts, feelings, and goals.
"Growth is never by chance; it is the outcome of people working together." Are you ready to work together in achieving your personal goals? Are your goals to be less anxious and/or depressed and have more meaningful relationships? I understand today's stresses for college students in balancing school/work, challenges with focus, relationships, physical health and future planning beyond college. As a Therapist, my focus in working with my clients is on identifying your personal strengths and helping you to recognize them so you can work to achieve and maintain a healthy physical and mental balance in your life.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
At Ida Lillie, we believe that everyone deserves compassionate, culturally sensitive, and affirming mental health care. As a Black, woman-owned practice, we are dedicated to creating a healing space that centers the voices and needs of marginalized communities while welcoming individuals from all walks of life. Our goal is to offer support that empowers you to explore your unique experiences, challenges, and personal strengths with confidence and clarity.
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.
Life can be challenging. I believe psychotherapy with a therapist who is a good match can help one more successfully navigate those challenges. I work collaboratively with my clients. I aim to create a nonjudgmental and supportive environment to explore difficult issues together -- to better understand what one is currently facing, to help manage those difficulties, and to ultimately make life more rewarding and meaningful. I have over 30 years of clinical experience and have worked in a variety of settings including university counseling centers (Univ. of Illinois, Univ. of Michigan, Northwestern Univ., The School of the Art Institute of Chicago), and LGBTQ and feminist services (Howard Brown Health Center, Planned Parenthood, Chicago Women's Health Center). I maintain a general practice where I see a wide diversity of men and women for issues including anxiety, depression, relationship problems, and identity.
I believe having a place to express yourself with a therapist whom you trust is a pivotal first step to creating personal growth and wellness. I pride myself in establishing strong, supportive relationships with my clients and providing a safe, nonjudgemental space where healing can take place. In therapy, I work together with my clients to navigate life's challenges, develop healthy coping strategies, effectively manage difficult emotions, and establish life-long skills. My therapeutic style is highly integrative with a warm person-centered approach. Therapy is tailored to the specific needs of clients so that treatment goals and the therapeutic process fits the individuality of each client. I am passionate about my work and am very invested in helping my clients develop a greater sense of self-awareness, acceptance, and overall life satisfaction
Hey there! Are you dealing with feelings of guilt, negative self-talk, doubt, or worthlessness? You don't have to handle these challenges on your own. My aim is to assist you in navigating your emotional struggles using various theoretical approaches, such as cognitive behavior therapy, existential therapy, and solution-focused therapy. I believe that therapy shouldn't be one-size-fits-all; that's why I customize my approach to suit your personality and specific needs. I am dedicated to creating a warm, nonjudgmental, and supportive environment to ensure that each session is both helpful and enjoyable for you. I have been fortunate to work closely with individuals dealing with a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, life transitions, trauma, relationship difficulties, self-esteem issues, eating disorders, imposter syndrome, and addiction. I am passionate about helping people overcome challenges and embrace their true selves. If you are ready to start a new chapter in your life, I encourage you to take the first step toward change by scheduling a free consultation with me today!
I’m a bilingual (Tagalog/Filipino) psychotherapist who creates a culturally responsive, trauma-informed space where you feel seen and empowered. I use CBT, DBT, ACT, mindfulness, and expressive arts to support anxiety, depression, identity, and life transitions. My experience as an Asian American daughter of immigrants informs my inclusive approach. Together, we’ll explore your strengths and build a sense of belonging. My pronouns are she/her.