Therapists for college students near 60637
Megan Little
Hello! My name is Megan Little, I am a passionate individual who enjoys building a connection with those I work with. I am a licensed social worker who has experience working with adolescents, young adults, and older adults who face a variety of struggles throughout their lifetime. My areas of specialization include anxiety reduction, grief counseling, relationship issues, occupational issues, Christian counseling, learning disabilities, parenting issues, and woman’s issues. I began my career working at a behavioral hospital and as a school social worker. Through many different focuses throughout my career, I truly fell in love with one-on-one based therapy. I truly believe that every person has a story and deserves to be heard. Life can be difficult, but with a helping hand, nothing is impossible to achieve. As a therapist, I feel very passionate empowering my clients to gain control of their lives back and the goals that they once wanted to pursue. Throughout therapy, I may utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) focuses along with holistic and existential therapy approaches to help my clients further explore their goals, beliefs, and their own personal values. I am a strong advocate that everyone brings their own unique life experiences and strengths to the table, and that there is no true exact replica approach to therapy. My goal and purpose is to individually invest in each person who I meet with and to utilize my strengths, expertise and approach to each individualistic client’s needs. Languages Spoken: English Professional Photo:
Harmony Counseling PLLC Jenn Aardsma
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Coastal Center for Collaborative Health
At Coastal Center for Collaborative Health we are a collaborative team of therapists who work together to help clients feel better about themselves and their relationships. We are therapists with diverse backgrounds, training, and specialties. We offer sessions face-to-face as well as online using a secure website for medical and mental health professionals. Please visit our website to fill out a New Client Request Form and it helps us if you indicate that you found us through Thriving Campus. We look forward to meeting you!
Sarah Mocco
As a therapist specializing in mental health and substance abuse, my goal is to provide you with a safe, supportive, and compassionate space where you can begin or continue your journey toward recovery and wellness. My work is guided by deep empathy for the challenges you face. I know that reaching out for help can be difficult, and I’m here to listen without judgment, offering the understanding and validation that can make all the difference in the therapeutic relationship. I look forward to walking the path of self-discovery and recovery with you.
Mercedes Yates-Jones
I’m Mercedes Yates-Jones, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois and Virginia. I am also the founder of Safe to Say Therapy located in Winfield, IL. I earned my Master’s in Social Work from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and have spent over a decade helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges. Before starting my private practice, I worked with the Department of Veteran Affairs and in several private practice settings, supporting clients with a wide range of needs. I also have experience in inpatient psychiatric care, which has shaped my calm and steady presence when clients are feeling overwhelmed or facing difficult moments. I work with children ages 10 and up, adolescents, and adults who are dealing with anxiety, depression, burnout, academic stress, relationship concerns, life transitions, or periods of feeling stuck. I also have a heart for supporting students, veterans, parents, caregivers, and individuals from underserved communities. I created Safe to Say Therapy because I believe everyone deserves a space where they feel safe, understood, and truly supported. My goal is to meet you with warmth and authenticity and walk alongside you as you move toward clarity, confidence, and meaningful change, at a pace that feels right for you.
Colby Brooks, M.Ed
I’m a therapist passionate about helping people heal and feel more like themselves again—without judgment, pressure, or pretense. I work with emerging adults and adults navigating trauma, anxiety, relationship stress, burnout, boundaries, and major life transitions. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or trying to untangle patterns that no longer serve you, we can sort through the mess together and find a way forward. I earned my Master’s in Counseling from DePaul University, with a concentration in College Counseling and Student Affairs. My background in community mental health and higher education has shaped how I show up in the therapy room: down-to-earth, affirming, and collaborative. I primarily draw from Person-Centered Therapy and CBT, while tailoring our work to your individual needs, experiences, and goals. I care deeply about creating an inclusive space where people from all backgrounds can feel seen, heard, and understood—especially women and those carrying the weight of trauma or intergenerational pain. My goal is to help you better understand yourself, strengthen your voice, and move from survival mode toward greater clarity, confidence, and emotional freedom.
Cassie McCarthy, LICSW
Cassie McCarthy's therapy practice is tailored to help individuals, especially college students, navigate and overcome the challenges of anxiety or living through traumatic/painful events in their past. She also has a specialized expertise in helping survivors of sexual trauma overcome the unique effects of sexual & relationship violence. Cassie leverages science-backed approaches, and focuses on teaching practical skills and techniques to effect lasting change. Her approach is results-oriented, utilizing homework, worksheets, and real-time progress tracking to ensure therapy is tailored to each individual's needs. This practice is ideal for college students looking to take control of their mental health and wellbeing, offering tools and support to move beyond their past and thrive in their personal and academic lives. She uses Evidence-Based therapy approaches such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) to help clients meet their goals. For a free phone consultation, visit www.CassieMcCarthy.com or call 978-403-6400
Taylor Yong
Guessing your way through life is stressful. I work with college students who are realizing that there's a lot of things that they weren't taught in school and are ready to take control of their future. Now that you have more freedom and choice, you also have to figure out what to do with it. Who are you? Who do you want to be? What do you want to do with your life? How do you get there? If you're starting out college, you might be trying to get yourself into a routine, make new friends, navigate the campus dating scene, decide on a major, or handle the stress of midterms/finals. Maybe you're past that part of your college experience, but you still haven't found a good solution to those problems: still putting off studying, dealing with friend drama, having ups and downs with dating, etc. And if you're getting towards the end of your college experience, you might be worried out about what you're going to do after college and what that will look like. You don't need to figure all that out on your own. I help people get to the root of their problems so that they can understand themselves and others better. If you can understand your past and unlearn things that aren't helping you anymore, then you can replace them with healthy ways to move forward with confidence.
Stephanie Ranson
You deserve a safe space where you feel heard, understood, and supported. I provide compassionate, person-centered therapy for children (ages 3–12), teens (13–17), adults, families, and couples. My goal is to meet you where you are, build a trusting therapeutic relationship, and help you feel empowered as you work toward healing and meaningful change. I specialize in trauma and related concerns, including sexual abuse, domestic violence, childhood abuse or neglect, traumatic experiences, dissociation, panic attacks, night terrors, chronic worry, irritability, sleep and concentration difficulties, and substance use. I also support clients navigating stress, emotional challenges, relationships, and other life transitions. My approach is affirming, strengths-based, and focused on treating the whole person. I believe you already possess strengths, abilities, and resources that can be built upon throughout the therapeutic process. Using evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches, I work collaboratively with each client to develop healthy coping skills, increase self-awareness, process difficult experiences, and create lasting positive change. Clients describe me as empathetic, understanding, encouraging, and attentive. I strive to provide a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where you can feel safe being your authentic self. I believe healing begins with trust, compassion, and the experience of feeling genuinely seen, heard, and understood. I offer in-person and virtual therapy throughout Tennessee, with weekday, evening, and weekend availability. I offer a free 15-minute consultation and accept self-pay and insured clients, including Medicaid/TennCare. My practice offers a warm, affirming, strengths-based approach that honors each client’s unique qualities, skills, and values. Together, we build trust, empowerment, and resilience while navigating life’s challenges and working toward meaningful goals. Taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to navigate it alone. Contact me by phone, text, or email to begin your healing journey. CALL ME, TEXT ME, AND EMAIL ME, as well as the going on my websites. https://stephanie-ranson.clientsecure.me.
Bailey Benes
You might be someone who, from the outside, has built a life that looks steady—getting into college, building friendships, increasing responsibilities—but inside, you feel more anxious, alone, or unsure of yourself than expected. Many of my clients struggle with anxiety, self-esteem, identity, and relationships—often shaped by life transitions, adjusting to a new environment, or disappointment and unmet expectations. These experiences make sense. Navigating them alone is hard. College is hard! My work is grounded in the therapeutic relationship. I believe growth happens in the context of feeling safe, understood, and emotionally supported. I strive to create a warm, attuned, and collaborative space where we gently explore patterns shaped by relationships, attachment, and life experiences. Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, especially if you’re used to carrying it all on your own. You don’t have to know where to start to begin. If you’re curious about working together, I invite you to reach out. I'm available in-person in the North Shore of Chicago or virtual across Illinois. I'd be so glad to partner with you!
Emily Buckelew-Wieringa
My name is Buck, I am relatable, empathic, and easy to talk to. I love working with teenagers and adults of all ages, including athletes. My clinical specialties include working with athletes struggling with performance anxiety, depression, burnout, difficult life transitions, occupational stress, low self-esteem and self-confidence, stress management. Clients who have made the most progress working with me have been those who identify as athletes or other performers, teenagers and adults of any gender. Regardless of athletic ability, I am always happy to be someone's teammate in their therapy process. Obtaining my dual master’s degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Sport and Human Performance was just the start of my ongoing learning. Interventions I commonly focus on most include values identification, reframing thinking patterns, boundary setting, mindfulness, motivation exploration, and emotional regulation. As an athlete myself, I have experienced performance anxiety that led to difficult athletic transitions as well as the struggle of what my identity entailed beyond college. A combination of personal experience and supporting clients has allowed me to fully understand the grueling nature of attempting to juggle many obligations and roles in life that can create the feeling of being “spread too thin” and leading to potential burnout. My hope is to create a strong sense of rapport from our first session, creating a safe and comfortable atmosphere, where we can collaborate to help you identify and reach your therapy goals to promote an enhanced quality of life.
Alex Kwait
The first step is the hardest and it takes great courage to ask for help. I strive to help people navigate how to cope with life's challenges and transitions. My goal is to provide you with support by providing a judgement free space to process your feelings and help you gain positive coping skills. Together, we will work through life's hardships and discover ways to improve your quality of life.
Elizabeth Culnan
Are you having trouble with falling and staying asleep? Are you feeling anxious and overwhelmed? I specialize in working with people who are having trouble sleeping, who are experiencing anxiety, and who are going through reproductive transitions or who are experiencing distress related to their reproductive health (e.g., PMDD, pregnancy, postpartum, infertility). In my work, I aim to cultivate a safe space to hold and honor your emotions, while also providing you with new coping tools to help you process your emotions, get some distance from your thoughts, and help you engage with your life. To do this, I use a blend of evidence-based psychotherapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Interpersonal Psychotherapy.
Focus Group Wellness Partners
Focus Group Wellness Partners was created with the mission to provide comprehensive mental health care for all. At Focus Group Wellness Partners, we believe all individuals deserve accessible, affordable, and informed mental health care regardless of age, race, socioeconomic status, ability, gender, sexual orientation, or religion. We are committed to promoting a culture of inclusivity and diversity while empowering our clients on their wellness journeys. We accept all insurances and can see clients virtually or in person.
Brandi Kelly
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.
Clara Donaldson, LCPC, CCTP
Could you use a safe space to process a major life transition? Are you looking for guidance on improving your relationships? I see therapy as a valuable tool to reflect on life, unpack how you're feeling, and discover what changes you can make to be more satisfied. My therapeutic style tends to be a good fit for clients who identify as perfectionists, struggle with anxiety and uncertainty, or who are experiencing stress from significant phase of life changes like starting school, getting married, or having kids. As a violinist myself, I love working with creatives, musicians, and performing artists. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and currently working towards my Perinatal Mental Health Certification. I strive to cultivate a supportive and compassionate relationship with my clients while also encouraging growth and accountability. I utilize evidence-based techniques, including ACT and CBT, to help clients improve their mental health. I also draw from my experience as a couples counselor to assist clients in developing more satisfying relationships. I received my EdS degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Loyola University Chicago and hold a degree in Violin Performance from Northwestern University. I started my private practice, Vivant Counseling & Psychotherapy, in 2022. Outside of the therapy room, I love taking walks with my pitbull Rosie, cooking pasta, and British crime dramas.
Casey Paladin
You find yourself stuck in cycles of overhwelm and numbness. Your anxiety is increasing. You've experienced loss or trauma. Maybe you spend hours scrolling, avoiding painful emotions. You crave a life of connection - whether that is with yourself, others, or the world around you. Who I am: I am an experienced mental health therapist with a master’s degree from the University of Chicago. I have a passion for helping people overcome anxiety, navigate life transitions, heal from trauma, and build more fulfilling relationships. Who you are: I love working with all types of clients, but I most often find myself working with people who struggle with perfectionism, people pleasing, boundaries, and healing from complex relational trauma. My therapeutic style: I strive to be real and relatable - the type of person who can see the complexity and nuance of life. What therapy with me looks like: My approach helps people identify unhealthy thoughts and behaviors, most commonly associated with feelings of depression, anxiety, and interpersonal conflict, and provides people with tangible skills that enable you to think and behave in ways that promote inner confidence, strength, and achievement of goals.
Modern Soul Therapy LLC
Modern Soul Therapy, Modern therapy for the Modern Soul. We are a holistic mental health and well-being private practice, for humans 18+. We provide individual and couples counseling. We specialize in eclectic, creative, empathic care, that is tailored to meet your needs. Currently we have immediate openings with our BIPOC therapist, Amira Walton. As well as our queer identifying therapist, Jordan White. Humans of every shape color and kind are ALWAYS welcome in the MoSo community.* Join us to explore your inner world and learn how you can thrive!
Nikhaar Surti
Feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or stuck on repeat? You’re not alone. I help people move through anxiety, burnout, grief, trauma, and big life transitions. Whether you're navigating relationship struggles, self-doubt, or feeling disconnected from who you are, we’ll work together to uncover what’s keeping you stuck, and build real strategies to help you feel more grounded, confident, and in control of your life. Healing isn’t just about “fixing your mindset.” It’s about reconnecting with your whole self, your emotions, your body, your creativity, and your inner resilience. Let’s create space for you to breathe, and heal. Curious about working together? Let’s start with a free 15-minute consultation: onelovestudio.clientsecure.me/request/clinician
L Shaw Behavioral Health Solutions, LLC
Hello. I'm Dr. LaShara Shaw. I believe that we have basic needs. We have needs for personal power, freedom, fun, survival, and secure connections (a choice-theory perspective). Sometimes these needs are not met or we have difficulty attending to them. I think it is crucial to reflect upon what matters in your life and what you consider your responsibility to achieve a flourishing life. Sometimes thoughts, insecurities, and behaviors can be taught, and they do not serve us in the best capacity. In those instances, I believe that humans are capable of learning new things. There is power and brevity in recognizing choices, and there is autonomy to choose how to engage with those circumstances through the collaborative process. Feel free to see my Psychology Today profile, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/lashara-shaw-naperville-il/845893.