Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL
Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and over 8 years of emergency department experience. Skilled in psychiatric assessment, psychopharmacology, and evidence-based interventions for diverse populations. Experienced in both telehealth and in-person care, with a focus on patient-centered, holistic treatment. Passionate about improving mental health outcomes through collaboration, education, and individualized treatment planning. Committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care while staying current with best practices in psychiatry.
I am a firm believer that making the decision to address your issues takes a great deal of courage and bravery. Many of us come from circumstances or environments that encourage us to push through pain by burying it, outworking it, or avoiding it. While these coping skills help us to survive, they don't necessarily encourage us to thrive. As a therapist with psychodynamic training and extensive life coaching experience, it is important to me that our sessions focus on identifying where core issues are coming from, encourage collaborative problem solving, as well as create space for intentional goal setting. I have a great deal of experience helping young adults and professionals with life transitions. Building an authentic sense of self is the first step to cultivating a sense of purpose, empathetic relationships, and healthy boundaries. I approach therapy from a multi-modal lense and take great care to address and honor differences in lived experiences. If anything above resonates please contact me! Being a first-generation Arab American myself, I know how difficult it can be to move past the stigma of pursuing mental health services. That being said, I also know that the most difficult things in life also tend to be the most rewarding. You should be proud of yourself for taking this first step!
Therapy is not about “fixing” yourself. It is about making space to understand yourself, and developing compassion for the parts of you that feel confusing, painful, or hard to face. Healing begins when we stop running from ourselves and start acknowledging what has been asking for our attention. I offer a therapeutic space that is warm, curious, and non-judgmental. I work with adults navigating depression, anxiety, identity exploration, family and relationship dynamics, and more. I am passionate about supporting the LGBTQ+ community, those struggling with strained or painful relationships, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of themselves. I invite those who feel their experiences are not always affirmed by the world around them to explore what it means to feel seen, find clarity, and build self-trust.
Welcome! I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, family conflicts, motivation, self-esteem & confidence. I also have experience working with coping with life changes and parenting issues. In my practice, I have worked with families, individuals, and children/teens. As a woman of color, I am especially passionate about working with female BIPOC children, adolescents, and adults. I find it deeply rewarding to work with clients to reach their goals and achieve overall better well-being. I create a strong relationship with my clients by giving them an environment where all of their feelings are welcome.
I work with individuals and couples who are struggling with anxiety and depression, major life transitions, relationships, and self-discovery. I strive to create a welcoming environment, taking the time to get to know you and work together towards your goals. I am currently studying clinical mental health counseling, and my training includes theater, improv, and yoga. Want to know next steps? I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation and answer any questions via email. Please reach out if you'd like to schedule a call or intake session. At Main Street Counseling, we accept BCBS PPO and offer a sliding scale to those who qualify.
There are many ways we learn to cope with hurt, stress, and loss and, given our past experiences and upbringing, these ways can often involve avoidance – wanting to escape or numb the pain. This may look like excessive screen use, emotional eating, self-medicating, isolating, self-harm, etc. If you’re noticing that what helped you get by until now no longer works, if it’s impacting your ability to show up in your life and engage with the things you care about most, then I want to be your ally and support you through the process of change. My approach is collaborative, non-judgmental, and warm. In each session I prioritize creating a safe space for you to explore what brings you into therapy while providing a constructive environment, utilizing evidence-based approaches, to help you learn healthier coping strategies and facilitate the change you want to make. I want you to know that you are not alone and asking for help is an act of courage. I want to hear your story and have the privilege to accompany you on your journey of self-exploration, healing, and growth. To quote Brené Brown, “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do.”
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As you navigate your journey through college, I understand that this phase of life brings both stress and excitement. At my therapy practice, I believe in supporting your mental health from a holistic perspective. What does this mean exactly? Mind-Body Connection: Holistic therapy recognizes the intricate link between your mind and body. My approach integrates mental and physical well-being, acknowledging that both aspects are essential for overall health. Emotional and Spiritual Wellness: Beyond addressing immediate concerns, I strive to nurture your emotional and spiritual wellness. This may involve exploring your values, purpose, and inner growth. Lifestyle and Environment: I consider your lifestyle choices and environment as integral parts of your well-being. From sleep habits to social interactions, these factors play a crucial role in your mental health.
I work with clients who are feeling stuck, lost, and struggling to move forward with their life. Seeking help might be intimidating, but therapy can be a space to receive support with navigating the constant struggles of life, and it can be an empowering journey of finding meaning and thinking more thoughtfully about your relationship with yourself and others. This is why I value creating a strong and authentic therapeutic relationship to support your growth and empower you to create the change you desire. I utilize various techniques that are tailored to your specific needs, and I strive to create a warm environment where we can explore different topics and work towards your goals together. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, stress, relationship issues, life transitions, and trauma. I assist my clients with managing professional and academic concerns, creating healthier habits, finding balance, and feeling more fulfilled with their lives. I also offer couples therapy for those seeking to improve intimacy, communication, trust, and emotional closeness with their partners. Additionally, I’m passionate about working with international students and immigrants, a path close to my heart as a former international student from Italy. This firsthand experience of navigating the immigration system and adjusting to a different culture has shaped my approach to therapeutic work, ensuring sensitivity to my clients’ unique experiences, beliefs, and marginalized identities. I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling from Loyola University Chicago, and my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Dayton. I have previously worked in hospitals and community mental health settings, and I especially enjoy working with college and graduate students, international students, early and mid-career professionals, and couples. I also offer therapy in Italian.
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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.
So often when we are going through a time of transition and change, we can feel consumed by thoughts of worry. We often feel pre-occupied with thoughts about the future, our relationships, our bodies, or how to get through so many changes at once. Not only are we struggling to cope with so many changes, we are losing sleep and feeling disconnected from the things that matter most to us. As a therapist, I strive to help clients get unstuck from all those thoughts and re connect with the parts of their lives that they value the most. I believe that my clients are the experts in their lives; they know what they feel like they are missing out on and what matters most to them. Together we get curious about their lives and what can help them begin to once again move close to what matters most. I am a people and relationship driven person who brings a mix of compassion, curiosity, and a sense of humor to my sessions. I offer a free 15 minute phone consultation to determine if we feel like we would be a good fit to work together. I would love to hear from you and be a support for you!
Everyday Psychotherapy Chicago focuses on helping clients bridge the gap between insight gained in the therapy room and meaningful action in daily life. Our goal is to create a collaborative space where you can develop practical, evidence-based skills — emotional regulation, communication, problem-solving, and self-awareness — and actively practice them outside of sessions. Whether you’re navigating stress at work, deepening relationships, managing ADHD, building resilience after loss, or striving for personal growth, therapy becomes a rehearsal space for real-world living. We work together to translate concepts into concrete strategies you can use in everyday moments — from morning routines to high-stakes meetings, from quiet reflection to important conversations. At Everyday Psychotherapy Chicago, change isn’t limited to our sessions — it’s woven into the way you think, feel, and respond in your daily life.
I specialize in partner betrayal, anxiety and pornography and sex addiction. I have experience in issues with lack of guidance, nurturing and support in the mother daughter relationship.
I help with anxiety and turbulence in the middle of big transitions and times of uncertainty in your life.
Adulthood comes along with a lot of invisible changes that you won't find a college course about. From changes in those lifelong relationships and family dynamics as you find your own place in the world, which require new effort & boundary setting. To all the what if's about your future that make it feel like you're so behind if you don't have an answer NOW. Alternatively, if your career plans ARE clear, it can create a lot of pressure to succeed. On top of managing a schedule that's much more flexible & a course load that actually matters, this time can be filled with stress and uncertainty. We are here to walk through these unknowns with you & help you find your footing.
Sara Pelaez is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Professional practicing in Georgia, Illinois, and Florida. She works with individuals and couples with a focus on students. Many of her clients have found great success in their personal and college lives, but struggle to feel connected in their relationships or at peace in their daily lives. Sara is particularly sensitive to clients facing present-past trauma, moments of transition, relationship or emotional issues when the delicate balance can seem to tremble, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and self-doubt can emerge. Sara’s approach is rooted in EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Emotional Focus Therapy. These are evidence-based approaches that focus on helping clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected so that they can begin to make a targeted change. It is a bottom-up/top-down approach that provides a 360 view of the client's inner world. She works to help clients understand their physical response to external stressors, and begin to problem-solve ways to introduce moments of calm, to choose to respond rather than react in the face of change. Sara is focused on ensuring that her clients see real progress: her style is interactive, non-judgmental, and positions clients as the experts on where they are now, and where they want to go. A trauma-informed therapist, Sara is sensitive to the influence of past experiences on present challenges and works closely with clients to reframe the narrative of their life in a way that increases self-confidence and compassion. Sara’s first priority in starting with a new client is ensuring that they feel safe, heard, and like an equal partner in the therapeutic process. As a seasoned telehealth provider, she offers the convenience of remote sessions to help make therapy a core component of your self-care calendar.
I strive to create meaningful and lasting, positive changes unique to you. My approach to therapy is a mixture between humorous and energetic, and empathetic and warm. I will always aim to create a safe space where you will feel heard, you can be your authentic self, and you will never be judged. I am here to help you process the difficult thoughts and emotions you are experiencing while creating a space that empowers and uplifts you. We will work together to open your eyes to new ways of seeing the world and interpreting your thoughts. We will truly be a team working together to meet your goals in therapy. I am a Clinically Licensed Professional Counselor with specialized training in trauma. I will honor your unique background, personality, and life experiences taking them into consideration during our sessions to help you gain a deeper sense of self-understanding. I take pride in providing the most effective and evidence-based therapy that will meet your needs. I frequently use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and will integrate some techniques from EMDR-Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing-if you have a history of trauma, anxiety, or depression. After having a personally hard postpartum journey, an interest and passion in perinatal care developed as well! To all the struggling mamas, I am here, you are not alone! I’m in the process of getting certified with perinatal care for even more effective therapy targeting these very necessary and important needs. Personally, I am a wife, mama, and fitness lover. I love being around positive people/energy and always seeking ways to better myself. I am obsessed with coffee, nature, and reality tv. I look forward to working with you! Email me personally with any questions: brandykelleylcpc@gmail.com.
I believe in using a holistic, collaborative approach that focuses on client’s strength in order to promote progress and healing. I recognize that facing fears and challenges can be an incredibly difficult process. Therefore, I believe it is imperative to hold a balance of warmth and compassion, as well as honesty and authenticity, to help individuals achieve their goals. In my work I use a myriad of evidence-based treatments to individually tailor care to my clients; yet, additionally I acknowledge there is no “one size fits all” approach. This distinction informs the devotion, care, and time I take to ensure my clients feel empowered in their treatment