Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

Trauma impedes our natural ability as humans to be able to identify and reach goals, and connect and form relationships with others. I know that this can all be worked through with a positive therapeutic relationship and guidance to rediscovering the inner knowing you possess about what you truly need to thrive. My personal approach to therapy is what allows for others to connect with me- I am laid-back, direct, funny, caring, and most of all, nonjudgemental. I provide that open space of comfort that is needed to be your authentic self.

I am a psychotherapist specializing in evidence-based treatment for adolescents, young adults, emerging adults, and older adults with eating disorders, mood disorders, transitional issues, academic problems, identity, self-esteem issues, trauma, and OCD. I completed my clinical internship for my master’s program at Ascend CHC where the focus of my work was working with individuals across the lifespan with eating disorders at an individual and Individualized Outpatient Program (IOP) level of treatment. I also have extensive experience conducting neuropsychological assessments. Prior to joining MSC, I have gained valuable experiences in the realms mental health, neuropsychology, personality disorders, neurocognitive disorders, and autism spectrum disorder As a Latine woman, I understand the stigmas that are associated with mental health. I believe that cultural competency is essential when working with individuals from different backgrounds. I strive to provide a safe, judgment-free, no shame, accepting, and positive therapeutic space for clients to grow and feel supported through an empathetic and collaborative approach. I truly believe that the relationship with the client is the most important element to a successful and beneficial therapeutic experience. I believe in meeting the client where they are at and fostering confidence and healing. I utilize several theories to best meet the goals of my clients, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and mindfulness, with a strong foundation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral therapy (DBT) approach.

I'm here to support you in creating meaningful, lasting change. Whether you're navigating a major life transition or struggling through the stresses of college life, I'll help you uncover and shift patterns that no longer serve you. Together, we'll work toward greater clarity, purpose, and connection, so you can step into the fullest version of yourself.

College life can feel like a whirlwind—full of change, pressure, expectations, and questions about who you are and where you’re headed. If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, depressed, or struggling with self-medicating behaviors like drinking too much, you’re not alone. At Trailside Therapy, I offer a supportive and nonjudgmental space where you can talk through the challenges you’re facing—whether it’s stress, relationships, identity, academic pressure, trauma, or navigating major life transitions. My approach is person-centered, empathetic, and focused on meeting you right where you are. Therapy doesn’t have to feel clinical or intimidating. It can be a place where you feel safe to explore, process, and find hope again.

Create Balance Counseling is a boutique therapy practice dedicated to creating change by bringing awareness, creativity, movement, and well-being into balance. We provide talk therapy, art therapy, and yoga therapy for all ages, available through telehealth and in-person at our Hinsdale, IL location. At Create Balance Counseling, we are committed to our clients' overall well-being. Using a dynamic approach, we work to create a safe space for connection and healing using a combination of art, movement, and talk therapy. Our team adapts treatment plans to meet clients where they’re at in their journey, factoring in individual needs. Whether you've had experience with therapy or you're completely new to it, we collaborate to establish a comfortable space that promotes personal growth and lasting change. Our practice welcomes everyone, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, people of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with over 12 years of experience. I provide an atmosphere of trust and comfort where clients feel at ease. My style of therapy is engaging, warm and goal-oriented. Others have described me as authentic, genuine, non-judgmental and empathic. I work with adolescents and adults who are struggling with a range of issues such as anxiety, depression, school/work related challenges, family conflict, relationship issues, life transition issues and parenting difficulties. I believe there is no “one size fits all” form of treatment. I work collaboratively with my clients to help them find the necessary tools to grow, develop, and achieve their goals. I am skilled in a variety of interventions including the evidenced based approaches of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). I draw from these approaches, depending on my client’s goals and what I deem will be most effective. I received my Masters in Clinical Counseling at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. I practiced and trained in Chicago for 9 years before moving to Indiana. Prior to starting my private practice, I worked in various settings including psychiatric hospitals, partial hospitalization programming, intensive outpatient programming, within a group practice and a community mental health center.

My approach to therapy Together, we’ll untangle the stress, overthinking, and self-doubt that keep you feeling stuck. I help you build practical tools to manage anxiety, set boundaries, improve communication, and make decisions with more confidence. Our work is collaborative, honest, and focused on real-life changes you can apply outside of sessions.

heARTful wellness is the community care division of heARTful remedies, LLC. Renée (she/her), founder of heARTful remedies, LLC defines heARTful wellness as “being well at a heart level” and believes that these characteristics are all part of experiencing heARTful wellness. The goal of these community care options is to use creativity and mindfulness as a way to support access to mental health wellness skills outside the therapy room. Below is information about different community care offerings: 1. heARTful wellness workshops: Renee is providing art and mindfulness workshops (educational, not therapy) for anyone 18+ in person (STL) and virtually each month. In person: Offered every first Friday of the month @EMPOWERED Spaces in St. Louis, MO from 6-7:30pm CST; Virtual: Offered every second Wednesday of the month VIRTUALLY from 7-8:30pm CST (zoom link sent after sign up). *Full and Partial Equity scholarships for in-person sessions at EMPOWERED Spaces available. Contact Kelly at kkcaul@yahoo.com to inquire about the equity scholarships available! Vist: https://www.heartfulremedies.com/heartful-wellness-workshops Sign up here: https://bit.ly/heARTfulWellnesSTL heARTful remedies is passionate about empowering people to remember and reconnect with their creativity as part of collective liberation. These workshops are a space to reclaim your creativity as an act of Self–care while also building community with other like-hearted individuals. The inspiration for creating the heARTful wellness workshops are founded on these 6 principles: Open Access — making mental health support available outside the therapy room Self–Care — reclaiming prioritized time to nurture yourself Growing Awareness — practicing how to be grounded in the present moment (e.g., mindfulness) Creative Outlet — dedicated space to play and imagine creatively Building Community — connecting with like-hearted people Genuine Wellness — feeling like you have the tools to be your authentic Self 2. heARTful wellness workbook: Renee has published a mindfulness adult coloring workbook that can be used with anyone 13+ to be a supportive (outside of therapy) resource with journaling prompts and mindful coloring options. Visit for more info and purchase options: https://www.heartfulremedies.com/heartful-wellness-products Shop here: https://bit.ly/heARTfulproducts 3. heARTful wellness monthly newsletter: Renee and the heARTful wellness team are putting out a monthly newsletter with wellness tips and info about what heARTful wellness is doing out in the community each month that you can subscribe to on the website or send an email to wellness@heARTfulremedies.com saying you would like to be added. 4. Follow heARTful remedies on social media: Renee and the heARTful wellness team are working to put out creative wellness content regularly on social media as a way to support our collective wellness (can be used by all ages). Follow us @heartfulremedies (IG, FB, TikTok).

Our Collinsville, Illinois office location is a quick ten-minute drive from downtown St. Louis. We offer appointment availability seven days a week and can provide up to two or three appointments per week, if needed. Our other offices are located in Lake in the Hills, Schaumburg, and St. Charles, Illinois. Two current therapists at Owens Counseling can offer telehealth services across the Illinois/Missouri state line (Lori Kaniewski and Michael Peila). Our Collinsville office is part of a large group practice with multiple therapists, with varying clinical backgrounds and expertise, to offer support with any mental health concern. Two other therapists are available to offer bilingual services in Spanish, Polish (Craig Janowiak), and American Sign Language (Amber Kay). Our admin team is very helpful in navigating insurance and establishing an initial appointment. We work with many insurance companies and offer self-pay options to qualify for. Our main office and admin office is located in Lake in the Hills, Illinois.

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.

Margarita Kos is a board-certified Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) and a licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) in Illinois. She obtained her MSN as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) from Loyola University and post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health certification from Maryville University. She has over 25 years of nursing experience that includes working in the emergency room, family practice, pain management, and psychiatric mental health as a registered nurse (RN) and APN. Margarita is fluent in English and Polish. Margarita is actively practicing in the Chicago-land area with a focus on maintaining mental health wellness, providing psychopharmacologic treatment management, and improving the quality of life of her patients through preventative healthcare. Her areas of special emphasis include mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for a variety of mental illnesses amongst the childhood, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations. Margarita is dedicated to providing compassionate care to her patients while maintaining a safe environment to promote therapeutic relationships. By actively adapting to the needs of each patient on a personal level, Margarita is able to assist patients in developing treatment plans to meet their goals and desired outcomes. Margarita strives to develop mental health treatment plans through various approaches including psychological or physical well-being, lifestyle changes, and self-care strategies.

As a licensed therapist with over three decades of experience, I specialize in supporting individuals through life's complex challenges. My practice centers on helping clients navigate stress, anxiety, family dynamics, grief, and significant life transitions. I bring a compassionate and nuanced approach to addressing communication challenges, workplace issues, and personal growth. My work is deeply rooted in understanding the unique experiences of women, young adults, and individuals facing profound life changes, including those dealing with cancer or end-of-life transitions. I am committed to creating a supportive, empathetic space where clients can explore their personal narratives, heal from past experiences, and develop meaningful strategies for emotional well-being. Drawing from my extensive background, I offer culturally responsive care that honors each individual's journey. My goal is to walk alongside you, providing thoughtful guidance and support as you move toward greater understanding, resilience, and personal empowerment.

No matter what you do, you feel like you are never good enough. You are consumed with thoughts of food and shame about your body. You’ve tried everything to control your eating, but in the end feel like it is food that controls you. If this is you, know that you are not alone and you can find healing. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, disordered eating, or body image, I can help you find acceptance and finally feel at home within your body. We will work together to explore your beliefs about food, your body, and yourself to uncover what’s not working and keeping you from what matters most to you. I provide a warm, compassionate space, (with some humor sprinkled in) in which you can breathe and connect with who you truly are. Through a social justice-informed Health at Every Size framework combined with acceptance and mindfulness-based approaches, we will explore and practice new ways for you to cope with difficult thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Many of the clients I work with struggle with intense self-criticism, perfectionism, and feeling like they are both “too much” and “not enough.” During our initial sessions, we will explore the challenges impacting you most deeply and work together to identify initial goals to help you soften that self-critical voice and build more self-compassion. I also collaborate with clients to identify specific skills to work on between sessions to integrate what you are learning into daily life.

Great to meet you! My name is Kyle and I have been in the field of for many years and graduated with my MA degree in 2011. Some of my specializations and interest areas include EMDR, PTSD, social anxiety, career counseling, and couple's counseling (Gottman Method). When I am not counseling, some of my interests include playing guitar, comic book movies,diet/nutrition and exercise. A bit about my approach to therapy: I utilize an integrative approach when working with my clients with a particular emphasis on Cognitive Behavioral and Existential Therapy. While I believe that it is important to help clients alter their perceptions that surround their upsets, I also believe that it is essential to assist clients in finding meaning in life and taking responsibility for one's choices. I believe that these factors together play an integral role in the promotion of mental and emotional well-being. What you can expect from our first session: I try to be as collaborative as possible with clients. I want to work together toward your specific goals instead of telling you what to do. I also try to keep a calm and relaxed environment in session as well as incorporate humor when possible

My ideal client is wanting to recreate the moments they desire most within their relationships and at school. My goal is to help people embrace their strengths. I do this through creating an environment where differences are appreciated and authentic choices can be identified. I enjoy helping students as they adjust to life changes, navigate friendships, and cope with school related stressors. I value working with couples as they identify ways to maintain intimacy. I enjoy helping students and their families adjust to life changes. I believe it is possible for you to experience a deeper connection. If you are interested in making this happen, feel free to reach out to me via email or by phone. I look forward to getting to know you more and seeing if I am a good fit within your journey.

Hi, I’m Payton Smith, and I believe therapy should be a space where you can show up fully as yourself, without judgment, pressure, or expectations. I strive to create an environment where you feel safe enough to explore your experiences, process what’s been weighing on you, and begin to make sense of your story. My role as a therapist is to walk alongside you, helping you reconnect with your strengths while building the tools needed to navigate life with more confidence. I use a flexible, collaborative approach that allows me to meet you where you are and adapt to what you need in each moment. I value going beyond surface-level conversations and creating space for meaningful, honest work.

I welcome the individual that is curious to understand the myriad of feelings, patterns and issues in one's life. I create space to be known and understand the self. Young adulthood is a time of discovery, to figure out how you want to be. Old defenses and coping skills may not be working as well. My professional interests are broad when it comes to the human condition including grief and loss, relationships and transitions. I work through a relational psychodynamic strength-based attachment lens. You and I work within the relational interaction between us as we discover your self-structure. This allows a person to expand and evolve. The hardest step is reaching out. If the way I work is of interest, please give me a call to see if treatment would be a good fit. All questions are good questions. Invest in yourself, you are worth it. I practice in Missouri, Maine, Illinois and New Mexico. My undergraduate educational experience is from Dartmouth College along with my MSW from Washington University. I have certificates of study from the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute, in the Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Program and from The National Institute for the Psychotherapies, NYC, in Integrative Trauma Studies. I am currently in year 2 of Somatic Expererience Method Training. I have worked inpatient, residential and outpatient with a team oriented approach in nationally known facilities, McLean Hospital, St. Louis Children's Hospital, and Care and Counseling St. Louis prior to opening my own practice in 2015. Be well, Cindy

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 have experience working in treatment, community, group, and correctional settings with adolescents, young adults, and adults. Primary clinical approaches include evidence-based therapies focused on generating behavioral results. I have an in-depth understanding of the mental health issues that arise from incarceration and the stressors associated with navigating the post-incarceration process. I specialize in working with complex behavioral issues such as: conduct disorders, addition, sexual behavioral problems, and personality disorders. Other issues I specialize in include Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, and adolescent, young adult, and transitional issues. The decision to come to therapy can be overwhelming, especially when current approaches are not successful. If you are results-oriented and are willing and open to challenge yourself I encourage you to contact me. I am currently accepting new clients.

Hi! I’m Carolyn and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) with more than 13 years of experience helping individuals find their footing during some of life’s most difficult transitions. My practice focuses on anxiety, depression, substance use, and the kind of uncertainty that comes with major life changes. If you are a managing anxiety or feeling stuck, navigating a life transition, or someone who is ready to take a closer look at how substance use is showing up in your life, I would be glad to connect. I offer a free 15-minute consultation so you can get a sense of whether working together feels like the right fit.