Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

Starting therapy can feel like a big step, especially when you're already balancing classes, relationships, family expectations, work, and everything else that comes with college life. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, or simply looking for extra support, I'm glad you're here. I'm Mary Mesiha, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with over 20 years of experience helping young adults navigate life's challenges. I specialize in working with college students facing anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, relationship concerns, self-esteem, trauma, and the pressures that often come with this stage of life. I believe the relationship you have with your therapist is one of the most important factors in successful therapy. My goal is to provide a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard, gain practical tools, and build confidence as you work toward the life you want. I offer a free 30-minute consultation so we can get to know each other, discuss what you're looking for, and determine whether we're a good fit. I would be honored to support you through this chapter of your life.

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.

I provide counseling and therapy services to children and teens ages (9-14 y/o), adults, and parents. We all develop unhelpful patterns that often hold us back and can harm us instead of helping us. When this happens it’s helpful to have someone we can talk to who listens and supports us without judgment. I’ve had the opportunity to help support children and parents for the past 20 years as an educator within the education systems and now through the therapeutic process as a therapist. Currently, I specialize in working with people who struggle with ADHD, anxiety, depression, chronic illness/pain, life transitions, relationship struggles, parenting, and caregiver challenges. I welcome the opportunity to support you in your process toward change, growth, and healing.

Hello! My name is Morgan, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Since starting my career in 2015, I have worked in community-based mental health, private practice, schools and hospitals. Since 2021, I have primarily worked in tele-health, so I am well versed in making virtual sessions as comfortable and productive as possible. Before becoming a therapist, I played college volleyball. When I think of the most difficult times in my life, transitioning from high school to college is near the top. Trying to juggle living on my own (being homesick), college classes and a full-time volleyball schedule was no joke. I struggled with Depression and I wish I would have had someone to talk to, someone to help me adjust to this crazy time in my life. I want to be that person for others just like me. I’ve worked with children and adults dealing with life-changing situations, such as Depression, Anxiety, and ADHD. However, I believe that therapy is for everyone, so even if you don’t feel you are dealing with severe issues, I also assist clients with stress, self-esteem issues, coping with general life changes, relationship issues, family conflicts, anger management, communication issues and coaching.

My passion for psychiatry began during my undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, where I graduated with a degree in neuroscience and a GPA of 3.9. Due to my academic excellence, I was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, America’s oldest honor society, which includes 17 former U.S. Presidents and 40 Supreme Court Justices among its members. Before pursuing a career in medicine, I taught Algebra to middle school students in New York City as a public school educator. I was initially hired to help students pass their state exams, and to my surprise, they succeeded. This experience reinforced my belief in the importance of education. At Rush University, I hold three administrative roles: Executive Chief Resident, Education Chief, and Internal Moonlighting Coordinator. As Executive Chief Resident, I organize two literature review series: Rush’s Journal Club and a program called “Controversies in Psychopharmacology,” which explores new and controversial topics in psychiatry. Together with faculty, I also coordinate the PRITE exam review series. As an enthusiastic test-taker, I achieved scores above the 90th percentile in neuroscience on the 2020 and 2021 exams. Additionally, I oversee the Balint group, a support group aimed at addressing physician burnout and promoting wellness among residents. In my role as Education Chief, I manage Rush’s Teaching Clinic, designed to support medical students. I regularly lecture to both medical students and residents. I have collaborated with my co-residents to create a personalized tutoring series for at-risk medical students focused on helping them pass their NBME shelf exams; I’m proud to report that 100% of my mentees have successfully passed. Furthermore, I co-lead a neuroscience curriculum aligned with materials from the National Neuroscience Curriculum Initiative (NNCI) and deliver lectures to my co-residents. As the Internal Moonlighting Coordinator at Rush, I ensure continuous and effective psychiatric care in the emergency department. I have logged over 1,000 hours in the emergency room, gaining experience in stabilizing high-acuity situations such as psychosis, mania, and agitation. This role has also provided me with valuable experience in accounting and bookkeeping, allowing me to work closely with the payroll department. I am actively involved in the Illinois Psychiatric Society, the Illinois branch of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). I serve on several committees, including the anti-racism committee and the government affairs committee. My interests lie in interventional psychiatry, and I currently work at Rush’s TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) and ketamine clinic. In October, I collaborated with IV Chicago Solutions and shadowed Dr. Eugene Lipov, a pioneer of the stellate ganglion block procedure for treating PTSD. You can easily schedule your session through our online booking link. Click "Website" to find a convenient time for you.

Feeling seen, heard, and understood is essential to healing. If you’re struggling with life’s challenges, I want you to know that you don’t have to navigate them alone. Whether you’re facing anxiety, big transitions, grief, or simply feeling stuck, I’m here to offer a space where you can feel safe, supported, and truly listened to. Over the years, I’ve walked alongside people as they’ve found clarity, built resilience, and made meaningful changes—whether that’s finding their dream home, growing their family, stepping away from toxic relationships, or discovering a career path that brings them joy. Healing looks different for everyone, and together, we can find what works for you. My practice is inclusive and welcoming to individuals of all backgrounds, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and those from diverse cultural experiences. I understand the pain of otherness, the loneliness of feeling invisible, the weight of being overlooked, pushed aside, or silenced, the hiding that can come from not feeling safe to be fully yourself. This space is meant to honor all of who you are. Here, you don’t have to explain or justify your existence; there is room for your story, your identity, and your truth to be seen, heard, and held with care. No matter how painful or overwhelming your emotions may feel, you don’t have to carry them alone. I am accepting new adult patients for in-person therapy in my Marin office, which is only 13 miles north of San Francisco. I also offer telehealth for adults throughout California. Please see my website for more details about me and my practice https://www.drbernecker.com. You can also call for a free 20-minute phone consultation at 415-354-4241.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Your first session is simply the beginning. There’s no pressure to have everything figured out. We’ll start by getting to know each other and talking about what is bringing you to therapy. I’ll ask questions to better understand your experiences, your strengths, and what feels most important to focus on right now. Therapy is a collaborative process, and this first meeting is about taking those initial steps together. We’ll begin identifying your goals and what meaningful change would look like for you. Just as importantly, this is your opportunity to see how it feels to work with me. A strong therapeutic fit matters, and I want you to feel comfortable, supported, and confident moving forward!

I am a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Case Western Reserve University and my Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. I am passionate about mental health and the people who struggle with it. As a provider, I aim to educate others as well as myself about what mental wellness and illness look like to a variety of people with a variety of life circumstances. I am especially passionate about the stories of marginalized populations and strives to provide accessible care. I am committed to ensuring that my clients have the resources they need to not only overcome their current struggles but to succeed and thrive in the future.

I work with college students and adults who are navigating stress, anxiety, academic pressures, relationships, and life transitions. I take a collaborative and supportive approach, tailoring therapy to each person’s unique needs and goals. Some clients choose to explore EMDR, and I’m trained to use it when it fits, but many find our sessions helpful through conversation, reflection, and practical coping strategies. I aim to create a space where students feel understood and empowered, whether you’re struggling with burnout, uncertainty about the future, or past experiences that continue to affect your life. I accept BCBS of Michigan and BCN and offer telehealth sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays to make therapy accessible and easy to fit into a busy schedule.

Hello! We have a variety of therapists who specialize in different things, who are able to help you both virtually and in person! Please reach out to us or visit our website for more information :)

I’m so glad you’re here. I’m Winter, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and I truly am glad you’re here. I know reaching out for support can feel scary at first, but you don’t have to get started alone. I help burned-out, overwhelmed college students sort out big life stressors, relationship issues, and attacks of the "Sunday Scaries" or chronic test anxiety. You've done everything to stop your overthinking, and I am ready to calm the chaos. My therapeutic style is warm, nurturing & person-centered. Healing begins when we feel genuinely heard, safe, accepted without judgment, and when we’re met with lots of empathy.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to make sense of who you are, where you’re going, and how to handle life’s challenges. I work with students who feel like their emotions are out of control, are struggling with identity, navigating family stress, searching for community, or carrying the impact of past experiences. I understand how culture, family, and community shape our stories. Sometimes in ways that bring strength, and other times through cycles we want to break. I believe therapy is a collaborative process. Together, we’ll build coping tools, create balance, and honor your culture, story, and strengths as you move toward a life that feels more meaningful and manageable.

My approach to treatment is to introduce and guide you down a pathway that you feel is suitable for you and your lifestyle. I use my sessions to learn and understand who you are as a person. It is essential for me to identify your specific concerns and then provide psychiatric treatment that aligns with your goals and values in life. I am passionate about discussing more than medication as treatment as I feel it takes more than medicine to develop a balanced, comfortable lifestyle.

Hello! I believe in a holistic approach to treatment and meeting the client where they are to assist them in where they want to be. I offer a unique understanding and appreciation for those who are also in the helping profession. My empathetic and culturally sensitive method strengthens self-esteem and motivation; heals abuse; rebuilds careers; resolves conflicts; supports dreams; teaches effective communication/relationship skills; helps to lower reactivity; identifies triggers; lessens anxiety and depression; heightens creativity, and offers coping techniques towards creating a life well-lived. As a Licensed Master Clinical Social Worker, I have over 13 years of experience and specialize in work with those impacted by: complex trauma, depression, anxiety, life-transitions, education/work/life balance, family dynamics, co-parenting issues, racial identity, interracial/interpersonal relationship challenges. I am trained in EMDR. I am Trauma Focused CBT certified. Finding a therapist who is a good fit can seem like a difficult task. It's important to feel understood, heard, and accepted in a non judgmental space. *Treatment is provided exclusively 100% via HIPPA compliant tele-psychotherapy (video)* Don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email with questions and to schedule a free consultation. I will respond.

Hello and welcome! Thank you for considering going on this journey with me! Here is a little bit about me- I have experience working with issues such as trauma, suicidal ideation, family dynamics, ADHD, Autism, anxiety, and depression. I enjoy working with individuals across the lifespan. As a therapist that identifies as Queer and Neurodivergent, I am passionate about working with and advocating for LGBTQIA+ individuals, as well as other marginalized identities. I welcome topics such as diversity and identity in the counseling room. When I am not practicing therapy, I enjoy singing, songwriting, and playing instruments. I also love to include music and art within therapy. I feel that utilizing creativity and mindfulness can be healing in many ways. I believe that everyone has a story to tell and thank you for being open to sharing yours with me.

I have been working with the college population throughout my career and I am aware of the unique challenges students face. If you feel that you are constantly fighting an upward battle, that no one understands your pain, that you don't know how to get out of "the pit," I am here for you. As an international psychologist trained in counseling and sport psychology, I am especially passionate about working with students of minority identities and student athletes. I also love working with couples regarding all kinds of relationship concerns. I enjoy laughing with my students in therapy, sometimes crying too, and that's okay.

If you feel stuck emotionally, mentally, or in your relationships, you’re not alone. Life transitions, anxiety, depression, past trauma, or daily stress can leave you overwhelmed and unsure how to move forward. My goal is to create a safe, affirming space where you can unpack challenges, gain clarity, and build coping skills that help you feel more grounded, confident, and connected to yourself. I use a person-centered, strengths-based approach, blending CBT, mindfulness, and solution-focused techniques. In sessions, we’ll explore what’s working for you, challenge unhelpful patterns, and create practical strategies to manage emotions, set realistic goals, and achieve lasting change. Taking the first step can feel hard, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re ready to explore healing and growth, I invite you to book a session through my online calendar today. Together, we can work toward clarity, relief, and a stronger sense of self-worth.

Hello! I help women who feel like they are struggling with anxiety, relationships, or challenging life transitions, to go from feelings of anxiety, self-doubt, and emotional overwhelm to reclaiming their voice, strength, and sense of self. I use an empowering, strengths-based approach to support my clients in their growth and healing. I believe therapy can be a space to finally breathe, feel seen, and to start finding clarity about what you need. My style is... • Trauma-informed, non-judgmental, client-centered, and strengths-based. • Creates a space that is compassionate and affirming, where you can show up fully as yourself and be met with understanding and support. • Respects your lived experience and the context in which it was shaped – including relationships, culture, and systemic influences. My therapeutic approach is guided by you. Since each person’s experiences are unique, I use interventions in a way that is responsive to each client’s needs. It's important that you feel comfortable with your therapist. I would be happy to talk with you to explore your needs and whether we would be a good fit.

Therapists Kellie Masters and Kelly Arensen have openings! Both are equipped to walk with you through the stresses and uncertainty of life. Their compassion creates a safe place for you to heal and grow. Contact either one of them for a brief, free consultation. https://relationshipworks.life/team-member/kellie-masters https://relationshipworks.life/team-members/kelly-arensen The cost depends on whether or not you have insurance. If you have BCBS and have met your deductible, you should only have a small copay. If you don't have BCBS insurance, we're happy to talk with you about what you can afford to pay for therapy.