Therapists for college students near University of Chicago
Psychotherapy is a highly individualized practice that can assist with a broad set of life problems. Each session carries the potential for change and growth. In my practice I strive to create deeply personal and meaningful experiences. I believe we best accomplish this by developing a mutual understanding of the concerns that have brought you to therapy, and then embarking on a collaborative process towards addressing your goals for treatment. I enjoy and welcome working with people from diverse backgrounds on a wide range of issues. I am a clinical associate faculty and an advanced candidate at the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis. I earned my masters degree at the University of Chicago and worked for over 10 years as a community social worker in the psychiatry department at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Hi there! My name is Cory Bedtke, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I received a Master of Social Work degree from Loyola University Chicago in 2015, and started my career as a school social worker prior to switching over to clinical work with adults. While this may seem like a big transition, it's funny how similar our problems are at the different stages of life. Currently, I enjoy working with clients in young and middle adulthood who would like to feel less stressed and anxious, improve their mood, work on communication, and feel more secure in their relationships. I also work with folks who want to process and find ways to cope with traumatic experiences. College can be an amazingly wonderful but also daunting time, so I am here to help you navigate the challenges that you face.
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 am an Indian and Pakistani cis-gender woman from an immigrant family and am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I have a Masters in Art Therapy and Counseling (MAATC) and am a Provisionally Registered Art Therapist (ATR-P). I love working with people from different backgrounds and various identities attempting to preserve a sense of authentic self in the Western world. I have a strong background working with immigrant children, their families, as well as individuals of any age desiring self-acceptance, self-esteem, and support surrounding anxiety and depression. Due to my experience navigating the various parts of myself, I am passionate about serving those with opposing or oppressed identities such as those within the BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ community. I am trilingual in Hindi/Urd’u, Spanish, and English and offer sessions in all three languages. Our various identities as individuals can sometimes pull us in opposite directions (opposing forces), occasionally forcing us to put forth different versions of ourselves and keeping our authentic selves hidden. This can cause much anxiety and panic, especially in a society where defining and boxing in individuals is the norm. As a child of an immigrant family, I am keenly aware of immigration-related anxiety and maintaining a balance between your culture and the Western world. Sometimes life can throw our internal compass/intuition off balance; for this reason, I integrate ancestral, intuitive, somatic, and spiritual practices and wisdoms into the healing process. I am passionate about increasing your sense of self-empowerment and using your authentic voice to advocate for yourself and your identities to inspire the changes you deem necessary within your community. Values and Approach It is incredibly important to me to operate from a culturally critical perspective, always questioning and expanding my understanding of one’s identities and cultures.
Prior to full-time clinical practice I was a tenured faculty member for many years. Most of my patients are trying to come to terms with their own histories, to feel more vital, and to chart an authentic path forward. I help people who find that they are stuck in their lives, and are perplexed by their reactions and those of others. I form a facilitating partnership that helps people reflect on their experiences and to make sense of them. This naturally opens new possibilities to live a more satisfying life. To my mind, finding one’s way requires a relationship with a thoughtful, genuinely caring, experienced person who is deeply engaged in helping. I strive to be that person.
Hello, I'm Kashara Allen, a licensed social worker therapist dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's challenges with compassion and expertise. With a focus on anxiety, depression, sports performance, stress, PTSD, and trauma. I provide a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or personal growth, I'm here to collaborate with you on a journey towards healing and resilience. Together, we can work towards achieving your goals and fostering a greater sense of well-being.
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I enjoy working with young adults on a variety of presenting concerns such as anxiety, depression, transitioning into adulthood, parenting, family/relationship issues, coping with the pandemic, navigating school stress, and more. Therapy is not just for crisis situations, but for helping to create more stability and purpose in life. I use a realistic and friendly approach, and enjoy incorporating humor and fun in my sessions. Therapy shouldn't have to feel like a chore, but rather an interactive and sometimes challenging experience. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you feel that you or your child need someone to talk to. I believe it is so important to find the right therapist for you, so let's chat and see how we "click"!
Trauma-informed counseling for women and mothers. Specialize in using mindfulness based techniques to reduce stress and embrace imperfections. EMDR Certified
I love working with people who think they may have lost the plot. Who wonder if their symptoms may be a natural reaction to our society and our utter disconnection....from everything. I see you, and I get it. I think there is more to a life well-lived than mainstream notions of success. Come explore your life through values exploration and honest self-assessment, whether short or long-term. Welcoming and affirming for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC. I have an eclectic approach, which is a fancy way of saying that I don't rely on any one way of approaching curiosities. But my starting point is always from a place of your strengths, the things you are doing well, and your unique interests/wants/needs. I trend toward elements from Acceptance and Commitment, Positive Psychology, Existentialism, Brief Solution- Focused, Motivational Interviewing, Behavioral Activation, Radical Acceptance, and Mindfulness. I am progressive in my politics, non-religious, and I believe that cursing is a valid form of self-expression. Humor is a big part of how I communicate and I believe it can get us through a lot of things. Despite being a middle-aged white woman who grew up in the south, you will find no bigoted mindset here. I will never pretend to understand the totality of your experience, but I do promise to see you, hear you, and respect you, while being mindful of the systemic, familial, and cultural issues that may be impacting you. I have stopped taking insurance because of all the barriers it creates from its medical model of viewing functionality and need. I know this creates a financial barrier for some, but I believe that until the system changes, its more of a detriment overall. But lets check those out-of-network benefits and see what we can squeeze out of the insurance company for you :)
Melissa is an LCPC in Illinois. As an Aud_HD therapist, she offers individual therapy, family therapy, and parenting support. She has lived experience, and has received neuro-affirming training in supporting the neurodivergent community, specifically Autism, ADHD, PDA, CPTSD, OCD and Giftedness, with a particular interest in providing acknowledgement and support for the misattunement and trauma that often is a part of our lived experience. She is passionate about supporting clients in their journeys of understanding themselves internally with authenticity and acceptance, including those who are exploring their gender and/or sexual identities. She uses different modalities as a way of giving clients options that fit them. Melissa loves somatic based approaches, including Transformative Touch Therapy, where the work is to support the client through pre-verbal attachment wounding, eventually working through integrating primitive reflexes. It is her passion to connect with her clients and give them a space to explore their intrinsic experience with curiosity, compassion, and understanding. When she is not in the therapy room, Melissa enjoys presenting to private practices and facilitating groups to build community for those supporting autistic clients and families. You can work with Melissa in the state of Illinois through telehealth or in person in Hinsdale.
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Do you often ask yourself what is my life's purpose, is and struggle with emptiness each day? Are you struggling to make life decisions amid feelings of uncertainty, that you are always going to make a wrong decision? Do you question your current relationships, but struggle with relational patterns such as manipulations, attachment issues, co-dependency, problems setting boundaries, narcissism-controlled environments, and emotional abuse? At Inspired Beginnings Counseling Services, PLLC we understand the pressures of life at these transition stages. Specializing with young and middle-aged adults, navigating through a journey toward empowerment, self-discovery, and self-love. Specialized experience in life transitions, narcissistic abuse syndrome, and co-dependency. The first step in change is reaching out and exploring what could be different. Together we can work towards a life of more freedom and change and overcome the barriers that hold you back. I look forward to working with you!
Welcome to The Black Sheep Sanctuary, where therapy isn’t about “fixing” you—it’s about helping you make sense of your beautifully messy, wonderfully weird, and sometimes chaotic life. We’re here for the overthinkers, the socially anxious, the “why am I like this?” crowd, and anyone who’s ever felt like they don’t quite fit in. We believe that being different isn’t a flaw—it’s just you, being you. But let’s be real, sometimes figuring out “you” can feel overwhelming without a little guidance. That’s where we come in. Therapy with us isn’t stiff or clinical—it’s a conversation. Sometimes deep, sometimes hilarious, but always real. We show up as ourselves so you can too. Whether you're navigating anxiety, ADHD, relationships, or just trying to function without wanting to scream into the void, we’ve got you. No judgment. No weird therapy head tilts. Just real talk, practical tools, a couple of “f-bombs”, and a safe space where you don’t have to filter yourself. Welcome to the flock. You belong here.
Hi, I’m Sydney. Any type of schooling can be exciting, stressful, confusing, and everything in between — and my job is to help you sort through all of it. I work with students dealing with anxiety, burnout, identity questions, friendships, and relationship stress. In therapy, you can expect honesty, warmth, and practical tools that fit your real life, not a textbook version of it. I also have a passion for working with a multitude of populations. I have extensive experience not only in outpatient, but also with inpatient care that I find can be helpful in times of stress or crisis.
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.
Are you feeling stuck in patterns that seem impossible to break? Do relationship issues, leave you feeling disconnected or unsure of your worth? Are you constantly overthinking, struggling with anxiety, or battling feelings of depression that make it hard to move forward? Maybe you’ve been pushing yourself to the limit as an overachiever, yet deep down you feel unfulfilled or burned out. Are procrastination and anxiety holding you back in college, making you feel like you’re falling behind? Or perhaps your traumatic childhood still impact your life today. Do you want to rebuild your confidence? Are you hoping to let go of the past? I am multicultural competent and will always keep your values in mind. My goal is to make sure that you are safe and equipped to handle life's ever changing circumstances. I pride myself on being personable and do not consider myself to be your average therapist. I will laugh with you, be silent with you and whatever you need to feel comfortable. I do offer free consultations to make sure we are a good fit, let's connect. A sense of connection, safety, honesty & open-mindedness are the values that I strive for. Clients can expect a relaxed environment coupled with passion & non-judgement. I do accept multiple different insurances.
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My role as a therapist is to provide guidance, insight, and encouragement while empowering clients to recognize their own resilience and capacity for transformation. Whether working through anxiety, depression, life transitions, or relationship difficulties, I strive to create a space where clients feel heard, validated, and supported in their journey toward well-being. My belief is that therapy is a collaborative journey toward healing, growth, and self-discovery. I integrate evidence-based practices with a person-centered philosophy, ensuring that therapy is tailored to the needs and goals of the unique client. Your feelings are valid, and your experiences matter. Taking the first step isn’t always easy, but it’s a sign of courage and self-care. When you’re ready, I’m here to listen.