Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

Everyone deserves to feel heard, empowered, and respected, especially during life’s most challenging moments. Therapy provides a safe space for healing, and I would be honored to support you in your journey toward self-empowerment. As a collaborative and non-judgmental therapist in Chicago, my goal is to work with you to find the best path to healing that aligns with your unique needs. With personal experience navigating anxiety, depression, and life transitions, I understand the emotional and relational challenges that many face. I have had the privilege of working with clients from all walks of life, helping them process difficult emotions and navigate major transitions—whether in relationships, work, or health. I specialize in supporting folks as they manage the pressures of life, relationships, and mental health. Together, we will address anxiety, depression, and other emotional struggles, develop strategies for managing overwhelming feelings, and create practical plans to face challenges with confidence. I approach therapy with humor, thoughtfulness, and a focus on affirmations, believing that trust and respect are the foundation of any therapeutic relationship. During our sessions, I will bring my genuine and authentic self to create a warm and empowering environment. A phone consultation is available to explore your treatment intentions and schedule an initial session, where we will discuss your goals and begin to shape your healing journey. My modalities include: Trauma-Informed Therapy Play Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Strength-Based Therapy Mindfulness-Based Therapy My specialities: Anxiety Depression ADHD LGBTQ+ Issues Academic Stress Parenting Support Trauma

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Dr. Carrera is a licensed clinical psychologist. She works with adults and adolescents to help them understand the impact of their thoughts, feelings, and actions on their wellbeing. She offers an active and empowering space to navigate issues such as anxiety, low mood, family of origin concerns, identity confusion, and cultural adjustment and transitions. She also provides therapy and coaching for work and school-related struggles, including low motivation, attention difficulties, and time management concerns. Clients working with her will strengthen their awareness of ways that their life experiences may affect their ability to cope with challenges effectively. Dr. Carrera provided psychotherapy to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at Northwestern University’s Counseling and Psychological Services, where she completed her clinical training (Postdoctoral Fellowship). She completed her Doctoral Internship at the University of California, Berkeley. She graduated with her doctorate in Counseling Psychology (Ph.D.) from Iowa State University, a program accredited by the American Psychological Association. She is an active member of the National Latinx Psychological Association and the Society of Counseling Psychology. Born and raised in an Ecuadorian-American home, Dr. Carrera is bilingual and bicultural. Clients can speak English, Spanish, and Spanglish in their work with her. She lived and studied for several years in England and Italy; these life experiences, as well as her identity as a woman of color working in several professional settings, fuel her empathy for clients navigating various cultural messages and social pressures at home, work, and school. She is committed to fusing clinical work with social justice advocacy alongside clients who may feel silenced, marginalized, and disempowered.

Maribeth is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who works with adolescents and adults to help find flexibility and ease in their lives. She specializes in addressing trauma, eating disorders, mood disorders, and family of origin challenges. Additionally, Maribeth works with couples to enhance emotional connection and strengthen relationship satisfaction. As an immigrant herself, she is passionate about supporting fellow immigrants and members of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community. Maribeth is bilingual and provides counseling in both English and Tagalog. Maribeth is known for her gentle yet directive approach that creates a space for clients to foster curiosity about their fears, build insight and understanding with themselves, and feel empowered to make changes. She believes that when we approach all parts of ourselves with compassion and curiosity, we can live a more authentic, fulfilling, and joyful life. Using a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Internal Family Systems, Shame-Informed Therapy, and ACT, she helps clients process their emotions and develop skills for their personal growth journey. When she’s not sitting in the therapist chair, Maribeth enjoys traveling, collecting pens and stationery supplies, and spending time with her family and their dog.

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.

Skylight Counseling Center provides professional counseling services to individuals, families, couples and groups. Founded in 2011, we are dedicated to the growth and development of our clients and ourselves. We aim to help people gain insight into themselves, and to live their lives with deeper passion, conviction and harmony. Our therapists utilize various modalities of psychotherapy and healing to provide the best possible opportunity for change. Our goal is to create healthier societal systems so that our world is more just, equitable and inclusive. We look forward to working with you!

I aim to create a space of warmth, respect and curiosity where, together, we can explore the nuance and depth of your story. While everyone's individual challenges differ, I believe that fundamentally, the process of feeling, experiencing and examining our struggles promotes growth—increased awareness, new ways of being, more empathy, different ways of relating to ourselves and others, and more meaning and connection. Please be in touch if you'd like to explore working together.

Introduction Dr. Victoriya Tsaran completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology at Loyola University, and completed both her Master’s and Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Schaumburg. Currently, Dr. Victoriya Tsaran is the owner and clinical director at Progressive Psychological Healthcare. Dr. Tsaran’s multicultural background allows her to utilize the awareness and understanding of diverse client needs, and utilizes multicultural sensitivity and appreciation in her therapuetic approach. Dr. Victoriya Tsaran provides therapy services in both English and Russian. Experience Dr. Victoriya Tsaran has worked in a wide range of professional settings, including behavioral health hospitals, community mental health centers, skilled nursing facilities and medical rehabilitation centers providing mental health services. In addition, Dr. Tsaran has worked in school settings as well as therapeutic schools and private group practices. Dr. Tsaran’s clinical experience includes working with hundreds of unique, complex and diverse clients. She believes that the client’s success is born out of a trusting and supportive relationship that the client and therapist build together. This is not an easy task since many components play a role in the type of relationship that is allowed to be developed in the therapeutic relationship. The relationships that Dr. Tsaran has developed with her clients and patients was based on her ability to empathize with their developmental needs and understand their unique environment, their perspective of the world around them, and the way they view themselves and others while maintaining healthy professional boundaries. Providing a safe and nurturing environment that encourages a trusting relationship is the goal Dr. Tsaran has for her clients, especially during the early stages of therapy. Therapy Approach Dr. Tsaran’s clinical work revolves around being supportive, flexible, and progressive. Dr. Tsaran approaches her patients and their problems from an individualized perspective and utilizes an individualized treatment plan that is tailored specifically to her patient’s individual and unique needs. Over the years, Dr. Tsaran has developed an eclectic perspective to therapy and utilizes a unique combination of psychotherapy, mind-body awareness, family systems therapy, emotion focused therapy and cognitive behavioral techniques. Her wide range of knowledge and competency in various psychological theories allows Dr. Tsaran to be flexible in her individualized treatment approach with every client. Dr. Tsaran’s areas of specialty include: working with children, young adults, adults, families and couples therapy. She is experienced in treating various clinical presentations including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, adjustment disorders, behavioral problems, relationship conflict and parenting stress. “I aim to revive my patients from the current positions in their lives and help bring in the much needed harmony and infused positivity that will allow my clients to progress in their minds, their mental health and their overall life.”

Brightland Health is a leading Lincoln Park/Lakeview boutique mental health practice. Our team of Chicago Psychiatrists and Therapists go above and beyond by providing each individual with personalized care.

Chicago Counseling Collective is an inclusive, downtown Chicago-based group practice offering collaborative, culturally informed care for individuals, couples, and groups. We provide both in-person and virtual sessions.

I’m a Clinical Psychologist who works with a large number of students and early career professionals navigating a wide range of emotional and relational challenges. I offer both in-person and telehealth sessions for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship and family concerns, and identity-related questions. I believe that therapy is a collaborative and creative process that unfolds through developing a strong alliance with a therapist. I strive to provide a warm, supportive, and nonjudgemental space for people to name, feel, and share their unique experiences. Although it can be difficult to put your emotional life into words, the decision to do so has the power to open up new ways of knowing and understanding yourself. It can also reveal patterns in your life that you might wish to explore in order to create space for more meaningful and satisfying possibilities. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation, please feel free to reach out.

As a therapist and pleasure activist I strive to create a safe, accessible environment for you to connect with and express your most authentic self. During sessions, your trust and safety are priorities for me. I practice from a relational and client-centered framework, understanding that you are the expert in your own experience. With my warm and direct approach, I seek to ask the right questions to help you make new connections and provide a fresh perspective. I have experience supporting clients through gender-identity development, C-PTSD, Dissociative Identity Disorder, gender dysphoria, anxiety and depression. As a therapist, researcher, and pleasure activist I strive to create a safe, accessible environment for you to connect with and express your most authentic self. During sessions, your trust and safety are priorities for me. I practice from a relational and client-centered framework, understanding that you are the expert in your own experience. With my warm and direct approach, I seek to ask the right questions to help you make new connections and provide a fresh perspective. I have experience supporting clients through gender-identity development, C-PTSD, Dissociative Identity Disorder, gender dysphoria, anxiety and depression. With my lived experience as a transgender woman, I bring a compassionate and affirming approach to my therapeutic practice. I am passionate about working with transgender/gender diverse, Autistic, and Disabled clients, and pride myself as a kink/BDSM, polyamory/ENM, and sex-worker allied therapist.

Meredith Starr is a Registered Dietitian and Director of Nutrition Services at Allow Wellness in Chicago. She is an alumna of the University of Illinois at Chicago Coordinated Nutrition Program and began her nutrition career at UI Health general inpatient services while working part-time at a residential treatment facility for eating disorders. Meredith is deeply passionate about the treatment of eating disorders and has been practicing in this field for the past nine years. Meredith's personal nutrition philosophy centers on building a healthy relationship with food and is inclusive of mental, emotional, physical and social health. Meredith aligns herself with size-inclusive and non-diet nutrition approaches. She is passionate about empowering others in their relationship with food and their bodies. Allow Wellness is currently offering outpatient group nutrition sessions and profession presentations. Meredith welcomes all stages of readiness with regard to your relationship with food and your body shape and weight. If ready to schedule, please contact her today.

Ashley (Evans) McTaggart is a Registered Dietitian and a alumna of Northern Illinois University. With over six years of experience in the eating disorder field, Ashley is deeply passionate about supporting individuals in their recovery journey. She began her nutrition career at a residential eating disorder facility in downtown Chicago and later expanded her expertise through roles in Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) levels of care. Ashley’s nutrition philosophy emphasizes building a healthy and positive relationship with food, integrating mental, emotional, physical, and social health.

I work with young adults managing stress, anxiety and life transitions. Many of the college students I work with are seeking help with adjustment to college, gaining a greater understanding of friendship and relationship dynamics, and building stress management strategies. My office is conveniently located blocks from DePaul's Lincoln Park Campus.

Grey Area Therapy is a small practice located in the Wicker Park/Bucktown Neighborhood. Our team specializes in working with young adults and we provide support to folks working with anxiety, depression, life transitions, academic and vocational stress, trauma, eating disorders, perfectionistic tendencies, supporting folks identifying as LGBTQ, and folks with relationship issues. We are in network with most commercial insurance providers (BCBS PPO and Blue Choice, Aetna, Cigna, and United). We have in person and virtual openings and we offer weekday daytime, evening, and weekend availability.

I approach therapy with authenticity, empathy, and the belief that meaningful change happens within a trusting therapeutic relationship. Whether you are navigating anxiety, trauma, family challenges, or life transitions, I strive to meet you where you are and work alongside you towards your goals. I have extensive experience working with children and families and am particularly passionate about supporting those affected by anxiety, trauma, attachment concerns, and relationship difficulties. Through my work, I have seen how deeply our experiences, relationships, and environments shape our emotional well-being. Because of this, I often view therapy through a systems lens, recognizing the important role that family and support networks can play in healing and growth.

Charissa Simon-Wright earned her BA in Criminal and Social Justice from the University of Arizona (formerly Ashford University), MS in Psychology with a Specialization in Addictions from Perdue University (formerly Kaplan University). Charissa has received a doctoral degree at Walden University- Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Health Psychology. She is a member of Psi Chi, International Honor Society in Psychology, since June of 2019. Charissa has also obtained certifications as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), a Co-Occurring Disorder Professional (CODP-I), and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). Charissa has worked passionately in the behavioral health field for over fifteen years with children and families in multiple roles such as a case manager, housing specialist, family preservation worker, and counselor. While working at the second largest health department in Illinois, Charissa gained vast knowledge and skills that encompasses group counseling, individual counseling, clinical assessments, crisis counseling, addiction counseling, and trauma counseling. Charissa believes in treating the whole person. This means that she takes into consideration the underlying factors that can inhibit a person’s ability to practice healthy habits, so that she and the client can address the root of the issue and not just the symptoms in a collaborative manner. Charissa believes that the client is in charge of their own treatment which creates a sense of autonomy and empowerment that enables the client to move towards identified goals.

Erika Siesennop, Beckie Magnuson, and Sarita Aguirre are Registered Dietitians who specialize in working with individuals who struggle with disordered eating and body image. An anti-diet, weight-inclusive approach. We accept BCBS PPO and Blue Choice PPO plans.

***Book a Free Consultation Online at Our Website Below On the outside, people tend to see you as doing fine – or even put-together, independent and successful. Lately, life has you feeling anxious, overwhelmed and stuck grasping for any semblance of control. No one really prepares you for the stress and confusion of the transition to adulthood – it’s a lot of pressure. How do you convince your friends, family, teachers, or boss that you know what you're doing? More importantly, how do you convince yourself? The overwhelm of reality makes you want to nap, doom scroll or binge watch Netflix for a lifetime -- or anything else that will quiet your mind. We specialize in equipping you with the tools needed to feel confident, successful, and independent -- so you can live your life without unnecessary burdens and limitations. You DO belong here and it WILL get easier, but you’re meant to navigate these things with support. Let's collaborate to build you're confidence and emotional control. We’ll break it down so it feels more manageable and work to understand everything in the context of YOU. We'll identify the "whys", practical strategies to help you manage day-to-day, and move towards long-lasting peace, balance and meaning. We’ll clarify your values & identity, boost self-esteem, & achieve a healthy study, work, life, etc. balance. Through the process, you will develop a healthier relationship with yourself and others. The anxiety, overwhelm and defeat cycle is rough. Sometimes the internal dialogue makes it seem like things are beyond repair, but we're here to assure you there is absolutely hope and resolution available to you. We'll help you along that path.