Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

Have you ever wondered why you keep falling into the same patterns, even when you know better? Maybe you replay conversations in your head, shut down during conflict, worry about how others see you, or feel overwhelmed by emotions that seem to come out of nowhere. Therapy can help you understand where these patterns come from and how to begin responding differently. I work with college students and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, emotional overwhelm, and life transitions. Together, we'll explore how your past experiences, attachment style, and nervous system may be shaping the way you think, feel, and connect with others. As those patterns become clearer, you'll begin building new ways of responding with greater confidence, self-compassion, and emotional balance. My approach is warm, relational, and collaborative. I believe you're the expert on your own life, and my role is to help you better understand yourself with curiosity, compassion, and practical support. Along the way, I'll offer tools you can use between sessions so the work we do together becomes part of your everyday life. I integrate CBT, DBT, ACT, Internal Family Systems (IFS), attachment-focused therapy, somatic therapy, and polyvagal-informed approaches to meet your unique needs. Our work may include gentle nervous system regulation practices, such as grounding, breathwork, and mindfulness, alongside traditional talk therapy to help you feel more connected to yourself and better equipped to navigate life's challenges. I also support clients healing from childhood, relationship, and sexual trauma, as well as those navigating self-harm or suicidal thoughts. My goal is to help you feel safer in your own mind and body, strengthen your relationships, and move through life with greater confidence, resilience, and self-compassion.

I am a trauma-informed therapist specializing in sexual abuse, sexual assault, trauma recovery, PTSD, and chronic pelvic pain. I like to use tactile materials in session— clay, collage, knitting, sand trays, watercolor…etc. Sometimes it’s hard to sit in a room with someone and just start talking. Art is a tool we can use to ease anxiety and greet the subconscious. I don’t take too many clients, so I care deeply about each person I work with. I will remember the names of your loved ones. I will want to see pictures of your dog. I will consult with your doctors, advocate for you, and send you resources outside of session. Most of all, I will be genuinely curious to hear what you have to say. Reach out if you want a free phone consult. We can decide together if we're a good fit. You don't owe me anything and you don't have to worry about my feelings. Therapy is your sacred space— I am here to protect it.

Dr. Gonzales takes a personalized, collaborative approach that thoughtfully integrates medication management with evidence-based therapeutic techniques. He believes every patient deserves a safe space — one built on trust and open communication — because lasting change requires feeling safe and genuinely heard. He specializes in treating anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, PTSD, and ADHD across the lifespan — with a particular focus on the unique challenges facing early career professionals, young adults, college students, transitional aged youth, kids and teens. Whether you're seeking psychiatric care for the first time or you've tried other providers and are looking for a better fit, his goal is always the same: to help you grow, develop coping skills that actually work in real life, and build the kind of emotional foundation that holds. Dr. Gonzales believes that mental health care should be readily accessible — because the easier it is to engage in care, the more likely meaningful progress follows. His practice is primarily telehealth-based, removing barriers like commute time, scheduling conflicts, and the hesitation that can come with walking into an office. He currently sees patients virtually across Illinois, Florida, Wisconsin, and Texas. In-person appointments are also available in Chicago, IL for those who prefer them.

I believe having a place to express yourself with a therapist whom you trust is a pivotal first step to creating personal growth and wellness. I pride myself in establishing strong, supportive relationships with my clients and providing a safe, nonjudgemental space where healing can take place. In therapy, I work together with my clients to navigate life's challenges, develop healthy coping strategies, effectively manage difficult emotions, and establish life-long skills. My therapeutic style is highly integrative with a warm person-centered approach. Therapy is tailored to the specific needs of clients so that treatment goals and the therapeutic process fits the individuality of each client. I am passionate about my work and am very invested in helping my clients develop a greater sense of self-awareness, acceptance, and overall life satisfaction

I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago with a specialization in clinical mental health, and hold certifications in alcohol and drug counseling (CADC) and in the assessment and treatment of trauma (NMT Phase I). In my training, I have worked with adolescents and adults in a variety of settings, including community youth programming, community mental health centers, and private practice. I work from a client-centered, strengths-based, and integrative approach in which I am able to tailor therapy to the individual client’s needs. I believe in the power of utilizing attachment and psychodynamic theories to better understand the origins of symptoms along with implementing cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness techniques to relieve symptoms. Because I believe that connection is fundamental to the healing process, I aim to create a warm and accepting therapeutic relationship that allows me to understand the challenges you face, help you determine the goals you hope to work toward, and empower you to create significant and lasting change. My areas of specialization include anxiety, trauma, substance use, relational conflict, self-esteem, and life transitions. When I’m not working, you can find me going to yoga classes, working through a long bucket list of Chicago restaurants, and planning my next travel adventure.

Whether you are seeking therapy to process life stressors, learn new coping skills, or to address your relationship with food and your body, I am here to help. Located in the heart of Roscoe Village, I offer in-person sessions as well as virtual sessions to folks living in the Chicagoland area. In our sessions, I offer individualized, compassionate, and evidence-based care to help you achieve your goals. I will be your partner in guiding you toward deeper self-reflection and helping you reconnect with your self-worth.

Allie Wills is a relational, person-centered, and trauma-informed therapist for adults and adolescents. She works from an intersectional, social justice perspective. In therapy, she focuses on providing a safe space and joining you to help you explore who you want to be and how you want to live. She is compassionate, non-judgmental, and collaborative. Allie is passionate about working with LGBTQI+ people, adolescents, and survivors of complex trauma. She has significant experience working with people with dissociative identity disorder and other dissociative disorders. She takes special interest in exploring spiritual elements with those who are interested and has training in pastoral counseling. Allie has experience and training working with people with depression, bipolar disorder, self-injury, suicidal ideation, anxiety, and psychosis. She works with people of all races, genders, sexual orientations, faiths, and disabilities.

Ignite Counseling is trauma-focused private practice located in the Lincoln Park and Lakeview neighborhoods of Chicago, with options for in-person or virtual appointments. We provide therapeutic services with a commitment to compassionate, relational, and authentic treatment in a culturally-sensitive and inclusive environment. Our therapists have a specialized focus in trauma along with the treatment of anxiety, depression, grief, relationship distress, family issues, identity struggles, racial/cultural issues, and challenges with life transitions, and we approach all clients through a trauma-informed lens. We are a close knit and highly intentional team of clinicians, and value safety and authenticity in all that we do.

The world’s a dumpster fire. I know it, you know it; I’m not about to sugarcoat that. But we only get one shot here, and therapy’s a legitimate excuse to take a deep breath, put your fucking phone away, disconnect from everything, and talk about YOU. What do you want? What are you passionate about? Who do you want to be at this moment in time, and what’s getting in the way? Maybe you don’t have the answers yet, or maybe you have an idea but the way forward is illusive. Regardless, you wouldn’t be here without recognizing change is necessary. That means you’re already invested in you, and the path you're on. I sincerely respect that. My own path began with a love of the arts and storytelling, and these things often find their way into the work I do. I believe that the art and media we consume often becomes the vocabulary of our imagination and our emotions. These can provide an entry way to talk about heavy things. Existential, narrative, and person-centered therapy are my jams. Additionally, I champion science, justice, diversity, kindness, and sex positivity. I strongly believe these values to be fundamental in cultivating the best version of ourselves and our communities. I welcome adolescents and adults of all ages, expressions, and orientations, as well as individuals within relationship dynamics of all kinds.

I am an individual and sex therapist specializing in working with clients exploring sexuality, gender, life transitions, and anxiety.

You’re the person everyone assumes is doing fine. You get good grades, show up for the people you care about, and somehow keep everything moving forward. But underneath, you might be anxious, exhausted, constantly overthinking, or wondering why life feels so much harder than it looks from the outside. I work with college and graduate students, LGBTQ+ individuals, and neurodivergent clients who are tired of feeling stuck in perfectionism, burnout, people-pleasing, self-doubt, or the pressure to have everything figured out. Many of my clients are navigating academic stress, identity exploration, relationship challenges, body image concerns, or major life transitions. My goal is to create a space where you don't have to perform, have all the answers, or hold everything together. Together, we'll make sense of what's weighing on you, better understand the patterns keeping you stuck, and help you build a life that feels more connected, authentic, and sustainable.

Rowan Tree Counseling is a group therapy practice rooted in autonomy, personal agency, and anti-oppression. We are passionate about helping individuals explore their values with curiosity and utilize their personal strengths to live their most meaningful lives. We believe strongly in the power of blazing your own trail, and we seek to help ensure that you don’t lose your way. Guided by your goals and your values, we’re here to journey beside you while you walk the course you’ve charted. All of our clinicians have committed to anti-oppressive practices and learning through continuing education. Rowan Tree offers sliding scale pricing for students.

Our boutique Lincoln Park counseling practice works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and to attain the personal growth they are seeking. This is accomplished by adhering to our practice’s central values: compassion, empathy, and courage. We work with teens, emerging adults, adults, couples, and families from diverse backgrounds who experience a wide range of anxiety and depressive disorders. Our areas of expertise include treating anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. Our therapists have specialized training to treat relationship issues, life transitions, post-traumatic stress disorder, difficulties in emotion regulation, and men’s issues.

I absolutely love working with young folks who feel stuck, anxious, or alone in dealing with the stressors that life brings. I am a relational therapist that holds space for young adults to build connection, develop mindfulness, and explore what values will be motivating for their life choices. This work is rooted in prioritizing self-acceptance: one of the best gifts we can give ourselves in individual talk therapy. In a group therapy setting, I aim to create freedom for individuals to get better at feeling emotions and communicating them to others, as a way to navigate symptoms of anxiety, depression, or trauma. Let’s talk more about how I can help you explore self-doubt, dysregulated emotions, academic anxiety, peer conflict, grief, apathy, anger, addiction, shame, or sadness. The experience of emerging adults today is not hopeless; there is ample opportunity to build resources for connection. This connection creates confidence in your ability to cope, grow, and heal on the journey towards a meaningful life!

Meridian Psychiatric Partners provides best-in-class mental health services to children, adolescents, emerging-adults, and adults with an expert team of psychiatrists, psychologists and psychotherapists. Specialists cover many areas, including mood and anxiety disorders, women's mental health, child and adolescent mental health, addictions, eating disorders, ADHD and personality disorders. Let’s work together to achieve your goals of symptom remission, better functioning and improved well being.

Perhaps you're down or anxious - maybe you're unsure about the future of a relationship, or just feel that you aren't living the life you were meant to lead. Whatever your needs may be, I am here to offer support. Therapy is a process of growth and self-discovery, and in my sessions I promote behavioral transformation by encouraging a positive outlook and the adoption of new attitudes and reactions. I have the tools and professional experience to help you get back on track. I have a Bachelors of Art Degree in Psychology from DePaul University and a Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology from Adler University, both located in Chicago, Illinois. In addition, I am a bilingual/bi-cultural native Spanish-speaking psychologist with extensive experience working with the Latinx community. My training experiences include working with child and adult victims of domestic violence and trauma, community mental health centers, and hospital outpatient clinics.

Our patterns, desires, and growth are often tested in relationships. It can feel like we're going in circles when we find ourselves challenged by a transition or milestone or questioning our role in the lives of those closest to us. Beneath expectations we find understanding and beneath therapy jargon lies a nonjudgmental, compassionate, and sincere relationship. Here, our explorations can lead to deeper, novel understandings of your mind and body, and foster insights and empathy for yourself and your loved ones. In our work we will begin to name the unnamed meanings, perspectives, and desires that you hold and find their place in the future you want to build. Even in the fog of day-to-day life, you are instinctively taking steps towards your goals. My role is to offer support, curiosity, and skills that appreciate and bolster your intuition and strengths.

At Resilient Creatures Counseling, we encourage people from all walks of life to honor their resilience. We specialize in treating Trauma and PTSD and serving marginalized communities including queer and gender diverse clients as well as BIPOC and immigrants.

College and early adulthood can be exciting while also overwhelming, confusing, and exhausting. If you’re feeling like life is harder than it should be, you’re not broken, and you’re definitely not alone. I have clinical experience in supporting individual clients with anxiety, depression, suicidality, codependency, emotional overwhelm, and life transitions, with particular interest in working with clients who are seeking support around complex trauma, narcissistic abuse, religious trauma/spiritual abuse, family of origin issues, and other relationship concerns. My hope is to support clients toward experiencing emotion regulation, attunement with their bodies, self-compassion, self-understanding, authentic and healthy relationships, and a meaningful life. Using an attachment-based and trauma-informed lens, I primarily draw from ACT, DBT, IFS, and somatic approaches to support clients with practical coping tools as well as facilitate a space in which clients can make sense and meaning of their experiences. I also work with couples to support communication difficulties, emotional distance, trust concerns, cultural/familial differences, and partnerships with different neurotypes. I use a neurodivergent-affirming framework, incorporate EFT principles, and have completed Level 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. I would love to connect and talk more about what you're looking for from therapy!

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