Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

I've been a psychotherapist for over ten years skilled in treating mental health disorders or distress. I use cognitive behavioral therapy to support students with academic challenges, peer and relationship struggles, life transitions, trauma, and more. I provide individual psychotherapy services (virtually or in person) at Pure Health Center in Lincoln Park walking distance from your campus. Currently, I offer flexible evening and weekend appointments to accommodate students' busy schedules. You can search my name "Megan O'Brien- Chicago IL" on Psychology Today to learn more about my practice or find me on Pure Health Center's website. You may also send an email to schedule a FREE 15-minute consult to get started. I look forward to working with you. Warmly, Megan O'Brien

Hi! I’m Will, a trauma-informed and culturally responsive therapist based in Chicago. You may be used to holding it all together, as the responsible one, the high-achiever, the bridge between different worlds. As a student, you might be navigating academic pressure, family expectations, and questions about identity or belonging, all while trying to keep up on the surface. Somewhere along the way, you lost the plot on what you actually want, not what your parents or those around you want. Therapy with me offers a space to slow down and reconnect with yourself. My approach is warm, collaborative, and insight-oriented, grounded in relational-cultural and psychodynamic therapy, with practical tools from ACT and DBT when helpful. Together, we’ll explore what’s underneath the stress or stuckness and work toward a way of living that feels more aligned and sustainable. I’m especially passionate about working with students of color, particularly Asian American and BIPOC students, who may be navigating identity, culture, and intergenerational dynamics. As the child of Taiwanese and Korean immigrants, I’m conversational in Mandarin and Korean, and we can incorporate them in ways that help you feel more at home. I’m a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Chicago. If any of this resonates, feel free to reach out. I’d love to chat.

I believe it is my job as a clinical psychologist to help clients improve on their strengths and grow in their areas of need. Humor is highly valued in my approach and I want clients to be able to share their goals, experiences, values, thoughts, and feelings without judgment and with compassion. I work from a strength-based, collaborative approach to empower clients to improve relationships, develop identity, cope with emotional struggles, or promote balance. I specialize in helping clients understand and manage their anxiety.

You're juggling a lot right now. Classes, relationships, figuring out what you actually want to do with your life, maybe dealing with family stuff that followed you to college. Some days you feel fine. Other days, getting out of bed feels like a win. Maybe you're dealing with anxiety that won't shut off, the racing thoughts at 2am, the knot in your stomach before class, the way you replay conversations wondering if you said the wrong thing. Or maybe it's more like a fog, low motivation, feeling disconnected, going through the motions without really being present. We work with college students and young adults who are navigating: - Anxiety that gets in the way of school, friendships, or just feeling okay - Depression, low mood, or losing interest in things you used to care about - Relationship issues with partners, friends, roommates, or family - Identity questions: who you are, who you're becoming, who you want to be - Stress from academic pressure, career uncertainty, or feeling behind - Trauma or difficult past experiences that keep showing up - Coming out, gender identity, or finding your place in the LGBTQ+ community - Feeling like you have to have it all figured out (you don't) We're not going to tell you what to do or give you a bunch of homework. Therapy here is a conversation. We create a space where you can say the things you don't say out loud and figure out what's actually going on. We'll meet you where you are. We offer in-person sessions in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood and telehealth throughout Illinois. We accept BCBS PPO and Aetna PPO insurance and are happy to set up a free 15 minute phone consultation to see if we are the right fit for you.

My goal is to assist you in feeling more effective in how you face them. As a therapist, I prioritize warmth and validation to help you understand yourself, find ways to cope, and meet your goals. I work primarily with emerging and established adults who are managing anxiety, life transitions, relationship issues, and chronic pain. I also help parents feel more confident in handling behavioral challenges and emotional regulation concerns in children. I believe it is important to examine how early childhood experiences shape our mindset and behaviors. I will support you in feeling more in control, accessing your strengths, gaining insight, and breaking unhelpful patterns. With curiosity and compassion, I will encourage you to embrace discomfort, identify your values, and address anxious thoughts. I use various strategies to explore symptoms, relationships, and behaviors to develop a treatment approach that is unique to you. We will work to better understand how you have adapted to and made sense of the world around you. Let's collaborate to help you feel empowered, discover (or rediscover) your worth, and move confidently through life's journey.

My clients are people who often feel stuck in their thoughts, whether those thoughts are anxious, self-critical, perfectionistic, or filled with doubt. They might be struggling with OCD, social anxiety, phobias, trauma, or just the overwhelming pressure to always get things “right.” My clients come from a variety of background and identities. They want relief, but not just a quick fix. They’re looking to better understand themselves, break free from rigid patterns, and move toward a life that feels more connected, meaningful, and aligned.

Therapeutically, we approach each client differently, and pick our tools according to your needs and preferences. We are looking to help you find acceptance, success, meaning, and/or anything else on your terms, as you define it. We share a commitment to practicing in anti-oppressive, harm reductive, and relational ways, but each clinician has their own eclectic approach. Our clinicians have deep experience working with LGBTQ+ and especially trans/non-binary/gender expansive clients — from childhood through adulthood. As an organization founded by queer folks, we’re here to provide a space where you can feel safe and brave all at once. Our clinicians also focus on chronic illness or disability, and neurodivergence.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi! Whether you just need someone to talk to or are looking for some practical skill building and coping strategies, I am happy to help you! I work with clients struggling with depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, life transitions, and stress management, among other concerns. I work to provide a comfortable space that allows clients to feel validated and seen. My hope is that you walk away from our therapy sessions with more insight, self-awareness, and the self-confidence to show up in your life in a healthier, authentic, and empowered way. I support and affirm the LGBTQ+ community as an ally. I received my Bachelor's degree in Public Relations and Advertising and my Master's degree in Counseling, both from DePaul University. In my free time, I love spending time with my husband, kids, and dog. I enjoy playing sports and seeking out new experiences around the city.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Brave Talk Therapy is a group practice on the Northwest side of Chicago. We aim to work with those who are struggling with mental health. Brave Talk Therapy is a place that aims for our clients to feel authentic in sessions and ensure that they are meeting with clinicians who are authentically themselves. We specialize in working with those who are struggling with trauma, depression, anxiety, life transitions, peer issues, family dynamics and much more.

College can be a lot with classes, deadlines, jobs, family stuff, friendships, big decisions about your future. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, anxious, unmotivated, or just not like yourself. You might be struggling quietly, or maybe everything feels loud and heavy. Either way, you don’t have to figure it out alone. At Ellie Mental Health – Lincolnwood, we get that life can be messy, especially during college. We offer therapy and psychiatry services for individuals, couples, families, and groups, and we meet you wherever you’re at—with no judgment, no pressure, and no confusing clinical talk. Just real support from people who care. Our therapists are down-to-earth, compassionate, and here to help you work through whatever you're carrying, whether it's stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, identity questions, or just needing a space to talk. We focus on what matters to you and give you tools that actually help, not just homework. Starting therapy can feel awkward or intimidating, but we’ll make it as easy and comfortable as possible. You’re not just another name on a schedule—you’re a real person, and your story matters. When you’re ready, we’re here. Let’s figure it out, together.

Hi! My name is Solo (she/her/hers). I am an experienced social worker who has worked in universities, hospitals, and private practice. Specializing in anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief, identity, and executive functioning. I meet people where they are at and make therapy a safe, comfortable place where people feel safe, seen, and heard. I work primarily with people 14 and up, but am open to working with anyone that would love to work with me!. I love coffee, nature, music festivals, spend too much time on tik tok, and enjoy getting to know my clients.

Hi! My name is Mary France Bazan, therapist and founder of MFB_THERAPY. Our office is located in Countryside, IL and offers a warm and nurturing space that empowers clients as they navigate life's challenges. We offer individual therapy that provides guided growth to young adults. We invite you to reach out to us to learn more!

Hi! I’m Becca. I work with children, teens, and young adults who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, difficulty transitioning to college, and/ or learning more about identity. I use the therapy space to get to know you on a human level, work through unhelpful patterns, and develop new skills and strategies more aligned with where you want to be. Therapy is a place for growth but also plenty of laughter as well. I identify as queer and am dedicated to providing a supportive space to explore your experiences and learn more about yourself. If this sounds like it could be a good fit, I offer 15 minute consultations. Filling out the contact form on my website is the best way to get in touch.

Are you an individual on the autism spectrum and looking to gain skills and independence? Have Dreams' therapists are here to help! We support children, adolescents, and young adults with autism in progressing toward their individual goals, be that working on building social and communication skills, addressing emotion regulation and stress management, preparing for employment, or developing executive functioning skills like staying organized and managing time effectively. We also offer parent education and support around new diagnosis.

At Holding Space our mission is to empathically walk alongside our patients providing a safe and stable “holding space” that promotes acceptance, confidence, healing, and growth. Beyond our training and education, respect and authentic care is at the heart of all our work. The therapeutic journey isn’t always easy, and sometimes it can get messy. Our commitment to our patients is that we are here to help you hold the weight of your pain, and inspire hope in moments that feel hopeless. We’re here to help make sense of the absurd and confusing moments and hopefully make you laugh from time to time. We trust that our patients feel our genuine care as we work together toward the shared goals of living healthier, fuller, more empowered lives.

We know that no two people are the same and, as such, we tailor therapy to meet the specific needs of each client. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, disordered eating, or other issue, we help our clients to recognize underlying problems, fully realize their strengths, and adjust certain behaviors and thoughts to see things in a different, healthier way. Our practice specializes in treating adolescents, college students, and adults of all ages. We pride ourselves in providing evidence-based treatment approaches and borrow heavily from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. We know that all clients have personal strengths. We consider it our job to help our clients get back in touch with them.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.