Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

I work with those who struggle with trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, and not taking care of oneself first. Trauma comes in many forms and may not always look like what you'd expect. I also work well with caregivers and other helpers who experience compassion fatigue, along with those who find themselves giving more than they receive in their relationships. No matter the circumstances that bring you into therapy, we will spend time on how to set boundaries, tune in to your needs, and heal your trauma. Sessions are tailored to your needs and focused on attainable goals. I use a combination of methods from CBT, Family Systems, Attachment Theory, and EMDR to create a plan tailored to your specific needs. I practice non-judgmentally and offer a safe space for everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community. I offer free phone consultations so we can decide together if I would be the right fit for you. Making that first contact is the hardest step, but please know that once you do, you are no longer alone. It is an honor to walk with you on your journey to wellness and I am grateful for your consideration in letting me join you. ** I do not accept insurance. My fee is $150 per session **

Though I am experienced with most general mental health struggles (depression, anxiety, ADHD, etc.), some of my specialties include those grappling with - ⁃ Loneliness ⁃ Toxic relationships ⁃ Setting boundaries with friends/roommates ⁃ Transitioning to college life ⁃ Perfectionistic tendencies and cycles of shame ⁃ Relationship breakups and friendship ruptures ⁃ Procrastination with schoolwork ⁃ Comparing self to others' achievements ⁃ Negative self-talk ⁃ Time management ⁃ Choosing a major

Hi there! I’m Dawn Meyer, and I’m here to help you navigate whatever life is throwing your way—whether it’s anxiety, depression, trauma, family conflict, or just the everyday stress of college life. I know reaching out for therapy can feel like a big step, but my approach is straightforward and compassionate. We’ll work together to help you manage big stressors or work on issues related to your mental health. Feel free to call, text or email me for more information. I am a fully virtual therapist. Life’s tough sometimes, but you don’t have to face it alone.

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.

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!

Melody Stauffer, LCPC is a licensed clinical professional counselor in Illinois who has counseled children, teens, and adults for over 10 years. She graduated from Judson University with a bachelor’s in psychology. She then graduated from Argosy University in 2013 with a Master of Arts in Community Counseling. Her areas of expertise include: depression, anxiety, trauma, parenting, children/adolescents, communication issues, stress management, grief & loss, self-esteem issues, self-harm, substance abuse, psychosis, and crisis stabilization. Melody recognizes each client has their own story to tell and specific wounds to heal and will let her clients lead the way on their mental health journey. Melody is also trained in EMDR therapy that is helpful with patients with trauma, old or new. Schedule your appointment with me by simply clicking on the "Visit Website" link below!

We are a team of clinical social workers specializing in yoga/mindfulness, EMDR, and CBT. Our understanding is that in order to truly heal, we must honor our whole-body and mind working together. Many of our clients find that much of their suffering is stored throughout their bodies as anxiety, depression, and stress begin to take over. We support students as they navigate the unfamiliar and sometime daunting transition into adulthood and offer a warm, hopeful guide towards joy and purpose. Our virtual counseling services are available to individuals located in Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Vermont, Maine, Illinois, and California. We welcome you to get to know us, the services we offer, and reach out to schedule session.

Are you burnt about life in general? Life can be demanding at times and can often feel overwhelming especially as college students. I am a first generation Latinx, Spanish speaking therapist! I work with a lot of students, children, adolescents, young adults, couples, families, etc. to explore their mental health needs. I am here to guide you and support you on your healing journey. I have experience in trauma, depression, anxiety, stress, and much more. I am an eclectic therapist and use a lot of therapeutic approaches. Some examples are, Psychodynamic, CBT, Trauma- Informed CBT, EMDR, and many more according to what I see you need. You don't have to be alone in this, lets talk about ways to create new coping skills and work through those challenges. Book your appointment on the website! I'm excited to hear from you!

I have worked with higher education students extensively and am deeply understand the unique challenges this population faces. I am trained in CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Insomnia) and provide structured interventions that can be incredibly beneficial for those suffering from insomnia, including children, adolescents, and adults. I am currently providing telehealth services in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Florida, Alabama, and New Mexico. I specialize in sexual trauma, child and adolescent trauma, play therapy, and parenting. I am currently accepting clients age 2y and up for individual therapy, in addition to parenting and family therapy. Please feel free to call, text, or email with any questions and to schedule an initial appointment.

In December 2008 I graduated from Freed-Hardeman University with Masters of Counseling degree. I obtained certification as a National Certified Counselor (NCC# 247220) in 2016. I obtained license as a Licensed Professional Counselor from Illinois (LCPC #180.011277) in 2017. I have gained over 14 years of experience empowering clients to embrace their worth and utilize their strengths, values, talents, & interests to remove barriers that lie between them and their happiness. I have experience in helping clients diagnosed with depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse disorders, PTSD, ADHD improve their well-being and quality of life. My professional counseling experience includes providing individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and multi-family groups within a variety of treatment settings (e.g. residential, outpatient, in-home, foster-care programs, in prisons, rehabilitation, and via telehealth). I have experience serving children, adolescents, and adults to cope with mental illness, addictions, trauma, phase of life challenges, and relationship stress. I have also provided counseling on a variety of issues that includes but are not limited to the following: emotional regulation, anger management, interpersonal skills enhancement, stress management, parenting education, executive functioning problems, decision-making skills, and parenting skills education. I focus on collaborating with my clients to create effective treatment plans and ensure that the best counseling interventions are being implemented. I strive to establish an open, safe, and confidential environment where clients can share thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment .The theoretical techniques I use often vary depending on the needs of each of the individual client .I have experience with utilizing the following evidence-based approaches; Person-Centered Approach, Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Behavior Activation Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Positive Psychology. In efforts to maximize the benefits of counseling, I will often ask clients to complete homework assignments including practicing new skills.

You're more than just a client—and therapy is more than a place to vent. It’s a space for healing, growth, and transformation. I offer a warm, supportive, and empowering environment where you can safely explore who you are and where you're going. I’m a faith-affirming and culturally responsive therapist with over ten years of experience working with adults, teens, and families. My approach integrates evidence-based therapies like CBT, ACT, and Solution-Focused Therapy with attention to spiritual well-being, generational healing, and identity development. Whether you're facing anxiety, depression, trauma, or feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve you, I’m here to help you move from surviving to thriving. Together, we’ll work toward peace, clarity, and lasting change.

I often work with students navigating big changes—adjusting to college life, managing stress, or figuring out who they are and where they fit in. Maybe you’re balancing school with work or family expectations, or feeling pressure to succeed while silently struggling. I offer a supportive, judgment-free space where you can slow down, talk things through, and learn to care for yourself while meeting life’s demands. Together, we can work on easing anxiety, building confidence, and finding balance that feels sustainable.

Colleen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who enjoys collaborating with adolescents, adults and families in order to help them make changes that will allow them to find balance, and an enhanced quality of life. Having worked closely with adoptive families, families experiencing crisis and violence in the home, veterans, and individuals managing severe and persistent mental illness, Colleen is well versed in the treatment of trauma and attachment, mood, and anxiety disorders. Colleen's greatest reward as a therapist is helping clients explore ways to make changes in their lives that allow them to look forward with hope and confidence. Her specialties include depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Her special interests include adoption, divorce, trauma, and relationships. We all need someone to talk with who will really listen and accept us without judgment. Colleen creates that warm, nonjudgmental environment. With a caring, supportive, strengths-based focus - and a touch of humor, Colleen uses a variety of approaches and interventions such as EMDR, CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness and Harm Reduction.

Hi, I’m Justine, and I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I specialize in working with BIPOC, neurodivergent, non-binary, and LGBTQIA+ adults who often feel different, alone, or misunderstood. I also support BIPOC couples struggling with conflict or communication struggles. My approach is simple: I meet you exactly where you are and help you move toward where you want to go. In our first few sessions, you can expect empathy, compassion, transparency, and genuine collaboration. You’ll never be asked to shrink, mask, or pretend. This is a space where all the parts of you can breathe. What makes my practice unique is that I show up authentically, so you can too. I believe in modeling openness, honesty, and humanity in the therapy room. Together we’ll create a space where your identity, your struggles, and your strengths are seen and respected. If you’re looking for a therapist who honors who you are and walks with you at your pace, here.

As a licensed psychologist, I specialize in delivering empathic, client-centered mental health care for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, and trauma. As a member of both the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, I bring a unique lived perspective to my work and am deeply committed to providing culturally sensitive, affirming, and evidence-based care that is tailored to your individual needs and goals. I draw on a range of evidence-based approaches in my work, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma. I also integrate cognitive-behavioral and dialectical behavior strategies to help individuals build effective coping skills, manage distress, and navigate life’s challenges more confidently. Personally, I am a proud pet parent and enjoy spending time with my chosen family and friends. Interests and hobbies include going to concerts, dancing, creative activities, going on adventures, leisure hikes, jigsaw puzzles, and playing board games.

Hi, I’m Sarah, and I’m so glad you’re here. Living with ADHD or autism, especially as a woman or parent, can be overwhelming in a world that often misunderstands or overlooks neurodivergent experiences. Whether you're juggling college, burnout, or just trying to feel like yourself, you don’t have to do it alone. I offer counseling in South Carolina (in person and telehealth) and Illinois (telehealth only), with a focus on supporting neurodivergent women and parents. My approach is personalized and affirming, drawing from CBT, Mindfulness-Based DBT, and Narrative Therapy. Together, we’ll work to reduce distress, explore your story, and reconnect with your strengths, all without trying to “fix” who you are. You deserve care that meets you where you are, honors how your brain works, and supports you as your full self.

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.

Existing in the world right now may feel overwhelming and reaching out for support may be even more daunting. Maybe you've struggled to feel safe enough in your body to tend to your own needs. Or maybe you've felt disconnected from yourself and adrift in your relationships. However lost or stuck you may be feeling, you deserve an inclusive space to feel valued and held. Building on the inner resilience you already hold, together we can practice slowing down, invite curiosity and compassion into your life, and expand your comfort zones to make life more manageable and meaningful. My style is warm, relational, and collaborative and my approach is rooted in anti-oppressive practice, trauma-informed care, and harm reduction principles. I view therapy as a space that we build together and offer an eclectic range of tools and perspectives to meet your unique needs. As a queer and trans therapist, I believe that therapy can be a powerful tool in our path towards collective liberation. I accept Quartz, Dean, GHC-SCW (under Mental Health Collective) insurances.

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.