Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or homesick? College life adjustment stress is not what you expected? I engage my clients with warmth, humor, and a strengths-based perspective. I specialize in helping students facing difficult decisions, time management struggles and procrastination, family concerns, social anxiety, low self- esteem, and relationship and roommate issues. I will work with you to identify your values and construct adaptive, practical ways to break old patterns, improve communication, develop resilience, and solve problems.

My approach to therapy is based in collaboration and empowerment with the goal of helping you better understand yourself and creating lasting change in your life. I believe that each individual and their needs are unique, and therapy should reflect that. I aim to create a therapeutic space that is safe and non-judgmental to allow you to explore the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. My role is to support you in making choices that align with your values and becoming confident in your ability to manage your mental health and navigate life’s challenges.

Experiencing anxiety can feel overwhelming and you may find yourself avoiding people, places and things in an attempt to manage your symptoms. You may find that your world is getting smaller and smaller and may feel like you are in a constant cycle of anxiety and a mix of other painful emotions. I would like to help you change your relationship with anxiety. Through collaboration, you can learn skills to help you face and manage your anxiety symptoms, so that you can live the life that you want to live.

I believe in providing a safe and supportive environment for clients to express themselves without judgment. My approach to therapy is collaborative and tailored to the client - I believe that different techniques work better for different people. I integrate cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavior, and humanistic styles into my treatment plans to create a productive and empathetic therapeutic experience. My clients have described me as comforting yet honest, with a knack for encouraging insight. I specialize in working with members of the LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, and disabled communities, though I’m passionate about providing compassionate therapy for all. I have experience with a diverse range of clients and presenting problems. I worked as a special education recreation counselor for children and adolescents with developmental and physical disabilities. My clinical experience comes from working in a residential treatment center with a focus on trauma, eating disorders, and addiction. Many of my clients have also struggled with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorders.

When it comes to supporting you and providing you, your care must be adaptable, empathetic, individualized. Whether you are seeking dramatic change, collaboration on a major life decision, or just in need of someone to discuss the trials and tribulations of life, it is important that therapy reflects your uniqueness through its uniqueness. I have experience across a diverse array of clients with a strong belief that care should promote equity, unconditional positive regard, and identity affirming care. I have experience working with clients seeking help for depression, anxiety, trauma, OCD, gender affirming care, pro LGBTQIA+ care, and general life stressors in young adults and adults ages 18-35. I am also a firm believer in the power of remote therapy, if you are going to be vulnerable you should at least be able to choose where you are vulnerable. What should a new client know about working with you? I believe that care should be individualized and adaptive. Open communication is crucial as it helps me adapt to what your needs are and makes for better collaboration on care. I am a firm believer that therapy must also address what is happening in society, and strongly believe in recognizing how systemic issues may influence life’s struggles. My therapy is inclusive and an LGTBTQIA+ safe space. What is your typical process for working with clients? Therapy is a dialogue, I will not just be a bystander who listens, I ask you to challenge your negative beliefs and reflect on statements that you may not even realize you are saying. We will work together to understand how your thoughts, feelings, and past affect each other and influence your behaviors and beliefs. Typically I achieve this through motivational interviewing, psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, psycho education, and a systems focused outlook.

Hello, I’m Ashley! My passion is to support people and meet them where they are on their journey. I've worked at a school as a Social Worker, and at a private practice doing individual therapy and family sessions. It’s important to me to work with clients and families as a team, when possible, so that they feel comfortable not only asking for support, but also advocating for themselves. I understand how intimidating it can be to ask for help. I encourage you to take the first step toward strengthening your overall wellbeing. I look forward to working together!

Welcome! I am excited to meet with you. My name is Jen Stephens and I have been a counselor for over 20 years and hold licenses in Alabama, Illinois, Nevada, Oregon, and Texas. My experience includes working with substance abuse issues and various aspects of mental health. Additionally, I have worked with the military population and have supported the LGBTQ+ community. I am here to help you navigate what is important to you, and I look forward to embarking on this journey together!

LifeStance Health offers an array of services, including therapy, medication management, and psychological testing. We have providers from all disciplines and walks of life, offering a variety of different experiences. Whatever you are looking for, we likely have someone who can meet your needs! We have locations throughout the state, and offer telehealth services, so there is no interruption in services whether you are at home or staying on campus.

Beth Thornton is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). She earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing from the University of Louisville in Kentucky and completed her specialized psychiatric training at Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts. Beth’s approach to care is grounded in patient-centered practice, where your unique needs, experiences, and values guide the treatment process. She is committed to creating a compassionate and supportive environment, emphasizing respect, empathy, and empowering you to actively participate in your mental health journey. Beth integrates the latest research and evidence-based practices to tailor treatment plans that address your individual needs. Passionate about demystifying psychiatry, she welcomes all questions and strives to make the process clear and approachable. "Empowering you to take an active role in your care is my passion. Every session provides an opportunity to review and adjust your treatment plan to ensure your concerns and goals are met. Life brings changes, and you deserve a flexible treatment approach that supports you through every season. Please note, I generally do not prescribe controlled substances during an initial consultation." Sessions are designed to be low-stress, and questions are always encouraged. You are unique, and we will take the time to thoroughly discuss your needs before crafting a plan that supports you in achieving your goals.

Have you experienced trauma? Maybe you've figured out some ways to manage it in the past, but it's getting harder since starting/going back to school. Those old coping habits aren't cutting it anymore, and it's finally time to do the work, both for the sake of your academic future, and also so you can live an authentic, fulfilling life. Welcome! My name is Caroline Lavelock, and I have worked in university counseling with large, diverse, nontraditional student populations for nearly 15 years. I bring expertise in college mental health, especially for first-generation students and children of immigrants who are balancing competing expectations between work, school, and home life. Now that I am in private practice, I am pleased to offer the longer-term, trauma-focused therapy that many students need but struggle to find in short-term counseling university counseling models. I am also a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional and can provide information about how you can use nutrition to optimize your mental health. I offer instant online booking through my group practice, Tailwinds Psychology, where you can also access psychiatry and testing services. Let's get to work!

As a dedicated and compassionate Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I am committed to supporting students' mental health and emotional well-being. With years of experience working in diverse academic settings, I help students navigate the challenges of college life, including stress, anxiety, academic pressures, and relationship dynamics. I offer a supportive, confidential space where students can explore their thoughts, emotions, and struggles without judgment. Through evidence-based therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, and person-centered approaches, I empower students to build resilience, develop healthy coping strategies, and achieve personal growth. My goal is to create an open, inclusive environment where students can feel heard and validated while gaining the tools necessary to succeed both academically and personally. I believe in the power of self-awareness, self-compassion, and community support to foster lasting change.

I help women on the road to parenthood specializing in infertility, loss, pregnancy and postpartum phase. I also help college students struggling with anxiety.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to make sense of who you are, where you’re going, and how to handle life’s challenges. I work with students who feel like their emotions are out of control, are struggling with identity, navigating family stress, searching for community, or carrying the impact of past experiences. I understand how culture, family, and community shape our stories. Sometimes in ways that bring strength, and other times through cycles we want to break. I believe therapy is a collaborative process. Together, we’ll build coping tools, create balance, and honor your culture, story, and strengths as you move toward a life that feels more meaningful and manageable.

My approach to treatment is to introduce and guide you down a pathway that you feel is suitable for you and your lifestyle. I use my sessions to learn and understand who you are as a person. It is essential for me to identify your specific concerns and then provide psychiatric treatment that aligns with your goals and values in life. I am passionate about discussing more than medication as treatment as I feel it takes more than medicine to develop a balanced, comfortable lifestyle.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Many of us lead busy lives with little space to breathe, think, and make choices with clarity. We hold ourselves to unsustainable standards in our careers, relationships and as individuals. We may run from day to day with an anxious stream of thoughts, or float numbly with disconnection and over-scheduling as a way to avoid pain. Sometimes our expectations, goals and circumstances come at the expense of clarity and fulfillment. I work with individuals & couples to reconnect while understanding how the past impacts present living. We collaborate to build a foundation of skills that promote healing as individuals and within relationships. My approach is grounded in human capacity for growth using a humanistic and strength based approach. I incorporate these modalities for processing trauma, anxiety, depression, and performance blocks. Therapy should be a collaborative process that provides a safe space to rediscover your strengths, while understanding and creating meaning from experiences, relationships and culture. Integrating our past and present empowers us to become creators of our lives rather than observers. Let’s work together to discover your path towards healing with sustainable growth and inner happiness.

Hi! I'm Hannah. Have you ever heard the phrase, “The body keeps the score”? It’s true! Our bodies are incredibly smart and know how to keep us safe. They remember our past and are doing their best to keep us safe in our present and future. But sometimes this means that it’s working overtime to protect us from anything else that could hurt us, and this can end up causing problems in relationships, jobs, schooling, and in our mental and physical health. Traditional talk therapy is often ineffective at helping the body heal from these old wounds. Instead, I use a body-based approach that provides long-lasting healing from trauma and loss. I believe that the therapeutic relationship truly heals, and I aim to be one of your biggest supporters as you overcome challenges in your life. I’ll be right there with you through some of your hardest moments, and I’ll hold onto hope even when it seems hopeless. I believe in you and your ability to do hard things. I also believe you deserve all the healing that you can possibly have in this life, and it’s my honor to guide you on your healing journey. I’m sex-positive, kink-positive, LGBTQ+ affirming, and strongly believe in racial justice.

I prioritize seeing a holistic view of a person. I find joy in helping assist individuals find their meaning and finding balance in every aspect of their life. Whether that's physically, mentally, emotionally, and/or spiritually. I find it to be a great privilege to listen to someone’s story, and for the past eight years I’ve worked with children, adolescents, and young adults for experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and overall life transitions, especially when it comes to going to college. I would be happy to work with you whether that may be in person or virtually. I am licensed in Illinois and Missouri!

Hello and welcome! My name is Carlton Hemphill, a 34-year-old Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the state of Illinois who is also board certified (NCC). I received my Master’s degree from Roosevelt University in Clinical Psychology-Counseling Practice, with a concentration on child and family dynamics. I have been working in the field since 2015 and practicing as an independent clinician in my own private practice since June 2023. My therapeutic approach is grounded in behavioral and cognitive theories, focusing on how your recent experiences, environment, and thought patterns shape your current emotions and behaviors. Together, we’ll explore how these elements influence your present life, helping you make meaningful changes and move forward with confidence. I also integrate existential perspectives to help you explore your purpose, values, and fulfillment. I provide a warm, supportive environment where we focus on what’s happening in your life right now. Through direct, thought-provoking questions and unbiased feedback, I’ll help you gain clarity and make informed decisions. This process is centered on your insights, growth, and goals, and I’ll respect your pace and direction as we work together.

I offer virtual mental health services to AZ, IL and MD residents. Life is completely unpredictable, fast moving, unstoppable and often complicated. Do you feel lost, hurt, lonely, confused, depressed, and/or anxious? Do you suffer from pain that has no medical explanation? Do you worry endlessly about your physical health or medical diagnosis? If so, I will be able to help. I offer a non-judgmental space where all of your feelings and questions can be expressed and explored with kindness, compassion, and acceptance.