Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

Peace, love and a few good laughs…in one way or another, most of us hope to maximize the presence and growth of these delicious things in our lives. After working in a university counseling center for ten years, I have a strong sense of many of the most common concerns students may face. That being said, we are all individuals with our own strengths and struggles. Every one of us experiences unique challenges that arise within the context of living our human lives. I am a queer-identified, neurodivergent, trans-affirmative, body positive, sex positive, emotion focused, experiential therapist, working with traditional college age students and adults of all ages. I am a generalist practitioner and have experience working with a wide range of concerns. Areas of specific clinical interest include working with those addressing issues related to gender diversity and sexual orientation. My clinical expertise includes providing treatment for depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder (Asperger's/Pathological Demand Avoidance) body image concerns, eating disorders and disordered eating. I find that my approach to therapy resonates well with college students in general and specifically with therapists in training, artists and creatives (of all sorts). Please contact me directly to schedule a brief (15 minute) consultation to discuss how we might work together to increase the peace and love you find in life and to share a few good laughs along the way.

At Fables Counseling, we believe that every individual has a unique story worth telling and improving. Our mission is to support and guide our clients through their personal journeys, helping them rewrite their narratives in a way that fosters growth, healing, and empowerment. We provide a warm, welcoming environment that feels far from uncomfortable—our focus is on creating a space where you can truly feel at ease to be uniquely you as you embark on your journey toward healing. At Fables, we are deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our team of dedicated therapists brings a diverse range of experiences and specialties to our practice. Each therapist is committed to ongoing professional development and staying current with the latest in mental health research and techniques. We strive to create a safe space for all individuals, regardless of their background, identity, or experiences. Our practice is built on the principles of respect, empathy, and understanding. We look forward to engaging with you!

Clients come to me for support with overcoming adversity in order to start living their best life. My style is affirming, empathetic, and encouraging, which fosters your ability to identify unhelpful patterns, process complex emotions, and strengthen the coping skills you need for personal growth. Life can be hard and we all could use extra support. In our first session, you can expect to go at your own pace. My priority will be your comfort and emotional safety. You can expect our sessions to provide a nonjudgemental space for you to feel safe to explore, grow, and heal. We'll take time to get to know each other and talk about expectations as well as explore your current concerns, challenges, and goals for therapy. Together, we'll sketch out a plan for how to move forward with creating meaningful change in your life.

Actually ME is an intentional space crafted and created to serve YOU! We offer non-oppressive, trauma informed, client centered psychotherapy, as well as other professional services. In our creation we hold and practice values associated with not only creating but holding space! This explicitly means that our clients are heard and unconditionally accepted for all that they come with. It was done on purpose to create and hold spaces where therapists listen without judgement and guide a unique healing journey. We believe that the client is the expert and that they are capable of fulfilling the change that they want to see in themselves.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Gretchen Aich (she/her), PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who specializes in treating anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, ADHD, and substance use disorders. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Lewis University and is certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Gretchen has advanced training in crisis intervention and trauma-informed care and works with children, adolescents, and adults, including Spanish-speaking clients. Gretchen brings experience from diverse mental health settings, including emergency departments, inpatient psychiatric units, outpatient clinics, private practice, and telehealth. Her background includes supporting individuals in crisis, working in community and court-mandated programs, and collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams. During her clinical training, she worked extensively with children and adolescents with complex needs, provided substance use and court-ordered therapy, and assisted with advanced treatments such as SPRAVATO and TMS. In her work with clients, Gretchen creates a safe, judgment-free space grounded in empathy, respect, and cultural humility. She believes each person is the expert in their own life and uses a collaborative, flexible approach to care. Through active listening and evidence-based techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy, she partners with clients to set meaningful goals and support healing in a way that fits their lives.

College can feel like a lot... managing classes, relationships, identity, family expectations, and your future all at once. At Favorite Therapy, we work with students who feel overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, or unsure of themselves. You might be the “strong one” in your circle, but inside you're struggling to keep it together. We provide a welcoming, judgment free space where you don’t have to have it all figured out. Whether you’re navigating trauma, stress, burnout, or just trying to find your way. We’re here to help you feel seen, supported, and more like yourself again. We offer virtual sessions and we accept PPO insurance plans with BCBS, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Cigna, as well as self pay options with sliding scale availability. Therapy that meets you where you are so you can grow into who you're becoming.

In a world that tells us to be independent and mask our pain, reaching out for help can feel like a weakness or failure. I am here to tell you that there is strength in vulnerability and that you are not alone. We are built for connection and cannot heal in isolation. You deserve to reconnect with your values, to develop nurturing relationships, and to live as your most authentic self. I believe you are the expert of your own experience, and that the client-therapist relationship is collaborative. We will work together to develop a transparent, curious, and caring environment where you can safely and creatively explore your goals. As an art therapist and counselor, I practice from a trauma-informed, intersectional-feminist, relational, and person-centered approach and have experience working with adults, couples, and groups in a variety of levels of care. I specialize in EMDR, trauma, relationship issues, self-worth issues, mood disorders, grief, eating disorders, and substance use.

Are you exhausted? Is your anxiety running the show? Do you feel burnt out from your classes, your responsibilities, or living through a pandemic? Maybe you know what you want but need assistance getting started. Maybe you're unsure of what you want, but know that something feels off and your current situation isn’t serving you. The good news is things CAN get better. Together we’ll talk about where you are, where you want to be, and create a plan to get you there. I have experience in a number of concerns including burnout, depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, and life transitions.

Hello, I am a huge advocate for school and I am so glad you want to better your life! I offer a welcoming environment for students and encourage you to be open. This is a judgment-free zone. I specialize with clients whom are experiencing depression, anxiety, school stressors, life stressors, and in many other areas.

I earned my PhD in Counseling Psychology from Loyola University Chicago and my Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. I completed my APA-Accredited internship in health service psychology from the University of Pennsylvania Counseling & Psychological Services program. I’ve worked in many diverse settings with diverse roles in college counseling centers, private practice, and community mental health. I provide individual therapy and have extensive experience in outreach and consultation services related to mental health topics, advocacy, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, I have extensive program development and evaluation experience. I am process-oriented and work from a relational-cultural perspective heavily considering how my client’s unique life experiences such as their family dynamics and upbringings, significant life events, communities, values, and cultural identities relate to their presenting concerns and needs in our work together. I view therapy as an opportunity to cultivate a collaborative relationship with my clients while centering connection, exploration, validation, and growth. I invite my clients to use therapy as a space to slow down and practice curiosity towards themselves and their experiences. I have worked with clients presenting with all types of concerns and therapeutic goals. From my clinical and research experiences, I have particular expertise in working with individuals managing the imposter syndrome (objectively successful people with feelings of self-doubt and incompetence); BIPOC individuals and individuals from historically minoritized groups; individuals navigating interpersonal relationship challenges such as identifying relational patterns, addressing conflict, and learning how to communicate and set boundaries that honor the client and their unique personal and cultural values; individuals seeking to explore the impact of the sociopolitical climate on their mental health, particularly with clients holding multiple minoritized identities; and college, graduate, and professional students with issues related to work/life balance, academic identity, and self-worth. --- The Center for Liberation & Wellness, PLLC (The CLW) is a private therapy practice located in Chicago founded by Dr. Lincoln Hill. The CLW has a mission of providing culturally humble therapeutic services utilizing Black feminist and relational-cultural theoretical paradigms as guiding principles towards health, liberation, and wellness. The CLW believes that prioritizing healing is not a luxury, but a necessity for self and communal growth. The CLW is committed to advocacy efforts that promote anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and, subsequently, a more just society for all humanity, particularly those from historically minoritized communities.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in the Chicago area, with over a decade of experience walking alongside people through moments of crisis, transition, and healing. Since earning my Master of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago in 2016 and becoming clinically licensed in 2018, I’ve worked in a wide range of settings—from private practice and partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs (PHP/IOP) to high school and college counseling offices.

Hi! I'm Aaliyah McNair, LCSW, and I'm passionate about helping adolescents and adults navigate life's challenges with compassion, honesty, and practical support. I have experience working across hospital, emergency, and outpatient mental health settings, supporting individuals through anxiety, trauma, major life transitions, and emotional overwhelm. I also enjoy working with professionals and caregivers experiencing compassion fatigue and burnout. I believe therapy should be a space where you don't have to pretend you're okay. Whether you're feeling anxious, navigating a difficult transition, processing past experiences, or simply feeling stuck, my goal is to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where you feel heard and understood.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Many people I work with feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of their next steps. They want clarity, steadiness, and a space where they can slow down and feel genuinely understood. I welcome clients from all backgrounds and strive to be culturally responsive, with a deep respect for those from marginalized or stigmatized communities. I offer a calm, collaborative space where you can explore your story, reconnect with your strengths, and move toward meaningful, lasting change. I support adults navigating substance use, shame, guilt, or impulsive patterns. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in harm-reduction and emotional insight. Together, we slow things down, build awareness, and create practical strategies that support healthier choices and greater self-trust. Reaching out can feel intimidating, and it’s okay if you’re unsure where to begin. I offer a brief 15–20 minute consultation where you can ask questions and get a sense of whether we’re a good fit. When you’re ready, I’m here to help you take the next step.

Hello. If you are motivated for help, I would like to work with you. I have lots of experience. I am eclectic, but often use Psychodynamic Therapy abd Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help the clients I see. I have a general practice, but I’m particularly interested in helping with anxiety, depression,,eating disorders, body image relationships and grief and loss. I am currently only doing Telehealth/ virtual So it is very convenient and I can see anyone who lives in Illinois at the time of our sessions. Free 15 minute phone consultation. I am listed on Psychology Today.

Hey there!! My name is Kim Koehler and I am the founder and lead therapist at Afterglow Counseling. I am accepting new clients in Indiana and Illinois! I have several years of experience in counseling and therapy with individuals of diverse backgrounds. I specialize in treating individuals who are survivors of various forms of trauma, and those struggling with body image issues/changes, low self-esteem, life transitions, women’s issues, depression, OCD, and anxiety disorders. My approach is to meet you with patience, understanding, and empathy as you share your vulnerable moments with me. I believe that everyone has the power to make changes to parts of their lives that no longer feel aligned with themselves, and am here to offer you encouragement to do so. I have extensive training in trauma and crisis intervention, as well as several years in the private practice setting working with clients of various backgrounds and presentations. I value collaborative relationships, and believe that creation of your own goals for your journey in therapy is the first positive step towards regaining control and autonomy. I believe in empowering individuals to reflect on barriers in their lives, and the strengths they currently possess and skills they can add to overcome these barriers. I believe in practicing self-compassion during difficult periods of our lives, and am committed to working with you to improve your sense of self in the hopes of leading a life you love.

Welcome to The Healing Palace ✨ College life can feel like a whirlwind — balancing classes, relationships, work, and figuring out your future. At The Healing Palace, we understand that behind the hustle, students often carry stress, anxiety, trauma, and unspoken challenges. We’re here to be your safe space. A place where you can breathe, unpack the weight you’ve been carrying, and discover healthy ways to thrive mentally, emotionally, and socially. Our team of therapists specializes in supporting young adults as they navigate identity, relationships, and the pressures of everyday life. Whether you’re seeking one-on-one therapy, group support, or just a space where you can feel heard without judgment, The Healing Palace is here to walk with you. Because your mental health matters. Your voice matters. You matter.

For a long time, life may have felt overwhelming, even if everything on the surface looks "fine." You might tell yourself, “I’m fine, it could be worse,” yet underneath, there’s a constant sense of tension, exhaustion, and burnout. You may feel detached, you’ve become skilled at hiding your pain and no one seems to notice. This can leave you feeling lonely, even when surrounded by others, and stir up complex emotions like guilt, shame, and resentment. Deep down, you long to live more authentically, but looking inward feels uncertain and even frightening. What’s in that "Pandora’s box" of emotions? What if it’s too much? I believe in the power of relationship and self-exploration. With compassion, curiosity, and a bit of humor, we'll uncover the layers of your experience. Together, we'll create a safe space to explore your emotions, past experiences, and underlying patterns. We’ll build self-awareness, tools for emotional comfort, and guide you with your authentic values. It can feel like you're carrying everything on your own, but you're not meant to. I'm here to support you in a trusting, empathetic therapeutic relationship, one where we move at your pace. If you're ready to explore, heal, and reconnect with yourself, I’m here to walk alongside you when you’re ready.