Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

Our experienced therapists deliver evidence-based treatments to adolescents and adults suffering from eating disorders, anxiety, and related disorders. Our approach is largely behavioral and we offer tailored treatment approaches based on a thorough assessment of client’s presenting concerns. To target anxiety and OCD, I use a range of ERP, ACT, CBT, and solution focused interventions, as well as HRT for body focused repetitive behaviors (skin picking and hair pulling).

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.

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.

Warm greetings! I help overworked and overwhelmed students manage their stress and anxiety surrounding school and big life changes. I know balancing school and work is very challenging, as well as continue to have a social life and engage in the other opportunities your campus has to offer. I help you to express those stresses and learn helpful skills to manage the challenges life at this time can be.

Hi, I’m Clayton, a licensed mental health counselor and marriage and family therapist. I believe that healing begins when we feel seen, heard, and accepted for who we are. My goal is to create a space where you can explore your thoughts and emotions without judgment — whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, identity concerns, relationship challenges, or simply trying to understand yourself on a deeper level. I work with individuals, couples, and families from all walks of life, including those in the LGBTQ+ community, students adjusting to new transitions, and anyone striving to improve their emotional well-being. My approach is collaborative and compassionate — blending evidence-based techniques with genuine curiosity about your story. Together, we’ll work toward developing insight, strengthening coping skills, and helping you feel more grounded and confident in who you are. Therapy is not about “fixing” you; it’s about understanding, growth, and learning to embrace your own perfect imperfections. If you’re ready to begin that process, I’m here to walk alongside you every step of the way.

Hi, I’m Andrea Picl — a licensed therapist who’s been working in mental health for over 10 years. I’ve supported kids, teens, and adults through everything from everyday stress to complex trauma. I studied psychology and criminal justice at Illinois State, then earned my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy in Chicago. I’ve worked in schools, community agencies, and with families in crisis, and I’m trained in a bunch of therapy styles like play therapy, trauma-focused CBT, and motivational interviewing. At the core of what I do is helping people feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow.

Hold Your Own is an invitation. An offer of solidarity, connection, and hope to anyone who has experienced the profound impact of shame, loss, depression, anxiety, conflict- and the many other ways we as humans hurt or feel lost – and an opportunity to work through it together.

My first question to any new client is, "How will you know when therapy is over?" Our discussion of the questions will help us both to define the goals of individual psychotherapy. Together we'll focus on solutions to problems, and build on the strength already there.

Viva is a multi-state mental health practice with a focus on holistic treatment. We believe health looks different on everyone and work closely with clients to develop therapy sessions that work for them and their individual needs. We take a social justice and culturally competent approach to therapy and provide inclusive, accessible sessions with affordable fees.

Hi there! My name is Reese Minshew, and I work almost entirely with transgender (broadly defined) adults who have had traumatic (broadly defined) experiences. I’m licensed in California, Illinois, and New York, and work via telehealth with people located in any of those states. Clinically, I believe that the reactions we have after experiencing trauma and stress are fundamentally adaptive to the trauma, but can disrupt everyday life. In other words, if you had a difficult experience (including chronic exposure to structural stressors such as anti-trans bias, white supremacy, ableism, etc), you might not be able to eat, sleep, focus, calm down, feel excited, or be in relationships in the way you want. Whatever reaction you’re having was very helpful to you at one time, but if it’s no longer serving you then we can work on that. Most of the time we would do this by talking about what’s going on in your life right now, and working to understand it in the context of your past experiences.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

LGBTQIA-Affirming Trauma-Informed Art Therapy & Counseling in Chicago. I'm M (they/she), a Chicago-based art therapist, counselor, and trauma survivor. With two decades self-publishing comics and zines, I know firsthand how image-making and storytelling reach what words can't. I specialize in complex, religious, and sexual trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, burnout, grief, and chronic pain, and I work with folks exploring gender identity and family estrangement. My approach draws on expressive, narrative, and somatic therapies, including Instinctual Trauma Response (ITR). I've also completed 40 hours of sexual trauma crisis training and can help survivors navigate Chicago's support systems. Your voice leads the way. Let's figure this out together.

Are you struggling with the close relationships in your life? Do you often feel overwhelmed, anxious, or down, and aren't sure how to make things better? Do you wish you were better able to juggle your personal and academic responsibilities while still enjoying your life? Whatever it is you're going through, I'm here to help. I take a practical yet supportive approach to therapy so my clients walk away from our work together with the confidence and skills to start building the life they've always wanted. As a practicing Catholic, I can offer a unique, faith-based approach for Catholics and Christians hoping to integrate their beliefs into our work together. Outside of the therapy office, I'm a wife, mother, avid reader, amateur baker, and former college soccer player. I know it can be stressful reaching out for help. If you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to shoot me an email at cameron@hitcheddating.com. I offer a free phone consultation to all my clients to learn more about what it would be like working together.

I am a double board certified psychiatrist and have been 22 years of experience providing psychiatric care in a variety of settings including outpatient and hospital settings. I see adult patients and address a number of psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD and OCD. My areas of interest include the treatment of mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorder) and psychiatric issues associated with other medical conditions.

Are you a resilient person who is struggling? Have you lived through a recent traumatic event or had a stressful childhood, and find yourself frequently stuck in self-destructive patterns and relationships? Is adjusting to college life causing you to feel anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed and just plain burnt out? Or have you experienced a sexual assault and don't know how to deal with it? Adjusting to college is a significant life transition and it's not always clear what to do next. Finding confidence in your own voice and abilities, and clarity about your own needs can be difficult when you've been through stressful experiences. I'm here to guide you back to yourself, offer you some coping skills, help you clarify your life direction and reach your goals. I specialize in working with professionals in the performing arts and other creative fields, as well as those who want to enter them. I also work frequently with people in the helping professions and social justice oriented fields. My approach is informed by my own life experience as a former professional dancer in the American Ballet Theatre, and by the study of meditation and yoga. I have been in the social work field since graduating from Hunter College School of Social work 2004. In addition to talk therapy, I use mindfulness techniques like meditation, guided visualizations, as well as attention to body sensations to help you identify and begin to move through where you get blocked. I am also trained in EMDR and utilize that technique to help people heal from trauma and other stressful experiences. **Will be out of office July 11-.**

I provide attentive, non-judgmental, individualized counseling services for students wanting a different relationship with their anxiety, OCD, and trauma. I find a lot of joy in working with LGBTQ+ and immigrant clients and feel that even with shared identities, no two experience is the same. I accept both MO and IL clients.

At Oswego & Plainfield Wellness we understand that psychological struggles can feel so isolating, yet are experienced by everyone at various points in our lives. We want to partner with you to create a treatment plan that encompasses the very idea of wellness--in all of the facets of your life that matter most to you. The ultimate goal of treatment is to reduce your suffering, so that you can live your most meaningful and fulfilling life.

Looking for someone to help you carry your baggage? Someone to listen to it, to help unpack it, to help put the pieces back together & help you figure out what life looks like moving forward? I'm here to help. Therapy doesn't have to be scary. Thriving Daisies is located in downtown Frankfort and offers a cozy spot to dig into your scaries and most vulnerable parts. I have experience at multiple levels of care - but prefer individual outpatient work and have been practicing in this setting for 4 + years. I am the opposite of cold & clinical - you can expect a friendly, warm and chill experience working with me. I happily offer a free 15-minute consultation - let's chat and see if we are a good match :)

Has your stress and anxiety hit a breaking point, leaving you nowhere to turn? Are you looking for a solution, but not sure where to start? Well, you’re at the right place, and I want to congratulate you for taking your first step towards relief. I understand that sometimes we feel like we should only rely on ourselves to solve problems, so as to not burden others. Or perhaps it’s challenging to ask for help. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I pride myself on providing a welcoming, safe environment for clients to explore and grow into the best version of themselves. My treatment approach focuses on utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) as well as exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy. I am passionate about supporting my clients through challenging experiences and working together towards their individual goals. Please feel free to reach out via phone or email to schedule an appointment or consultation.

My goal is to create a safe relationship where you can process all the pieces of your experience. We’ll look together at how your cultural identities and family context have shaped how you experience the world, and how your past impacts your present. We’ll approach your relational patterns with a sense of curiosity and compassion. We'll explore, “How did I get here, what does it mean to be here, and where do I want to go?". Whatever is bringing you to therapy, I hope to provide a space where you can face your difficulties in order to restore connection, both to yourself and to the most important people in your life. My approach is warm and direct, and I'm informed by training in attachment, trauma, grief & loss, perinatal mental health, infertility, emotional agility, embodiment, religious deconstruction, brain science, cultural influences, privilege & oppression, HAES, and couple/family systems. I am accepting new clients and I'd love to meet you! For CO: in-network with Aetna and Cigna. For IL: in-network with BCBS. I also partner with a company called Mentaya that helps clients access their out-of-network benefits. You may be eligible to receive partial reimbursements for your sessions. Contact me for more info. If you have any questions about anything on my profile, feel free to reach out!