Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

Whenever you may feel overwhelmed by life, making a decision to participate in emotional therapy sessions can be beneficial. Collaborating with a trained professional to manage the complexity of what you may be facing has been proven to be effective in learning life-long skills. These skills and experiences can help in building your own wisdom in life to better live in ways that fit what you value and what is important to you

Regret, self-criticism, guilt and shame are far too often root causes of the depression and anxiety plaguing our minds. Sometimes we don’t even realize these feelings until we examine our thoughts more carefully. My goal in talk therapy is to help you recognize how thoughts and emotions impact your behaviors so we can break unhealthy patterns and find strategies that work best for you. I work to create a casual, stress-free environment where you can truly be yourself, feel understood, and validated. Using empathy and a conversational style, I bring knowledge, experience, and most importantly, a fresh perspective into the (virtual) therapy room. We will work together to build upon your strengths, and I will strive to help you find insight and practical solutions to implement into your daily life to find a path forward and heal. I offer telehealth video therapy for clients in Iowa, Illinois and Florida. I work with adults and couples aged 18+ with issues including anxiety, depression, women’s issues, empowerment, work stress, improving communication, interpersonal and relationship issues, life transitions, aging, living chronic illness, spiritual growth, and trauma.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I am a board-certified general psychiatrist. I completed my undergraduate studies in Biology and Psychology at Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY, and earned my medical degree from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Following that, I completed my residency in general psychiatry at the same institution. I have experience working in various clinical settings, including psychiatric emergency rooms, first-episode psychosis programs, obsessive-compulsive disorder clinics, and specialized psychiatric units in hospitals. I have also worked with diverse patient populations, such as refugees, veterans, and individuals from underserved urban and rural areas. My approach is centered around the patient and takes a holistic view. My treatment includes medication management along with a combination of supportive, cognitive behavioral, and psychodynamic therapies.

My interests and expertise are in general adult psychiatric medicine, with a special focus on helping patients navigate depression, anxiety, OCD, and issues related to LGBTQ+ culture. I provide management of prescription medications along with supportive psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy in every session. I am an adult psychiatrist who focuses on helping patients feel comfortable and heard during their appointments. I earned my medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and completed my psychiatry residency as chief resident at the University of Toledo Medical Center. All treatment plans are collaboratively developed in a respectful and professional environment. I take a warm and personable approach, looking forward to helping individuals achieve their best selves.

I graduated from Illinois State University in Normal, IL with my Bachelors of Social Work. I continued my education and graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL with my Masters of Social Work, specializing in mental health. While earning my graduate degree I worked on an inpatient psychiatric floor at Methodist Hospital. Mainly I worked with adults experiencing severe mental illness, however, I was also able to work with adolescents and the geriatric population from time to time. Simultaneously, I worked for a local high school as a long-term substitute teacher which provided me the opportunity of working closely with teens and their guardians. Additionally, I completed my internship in the Behavioral Health Emergency Department at Methodist Hospital where I completed assessments and linked people with resources in the community. Upon graduating, I moved to Virginia with my husband who was serving in the United States Navy, where I worked primarily with women on the postpartum units at Norfolk General Hospital. During my time at Norfolk General, I was able to assist women immediately following birth who were experiencing or at higher risk for postpartum depression and anxiety. I was also able to provide support to families who were experiencing an extended stay in the NICU. Since returning to Illinois, I have been back on one of the inpatient psychiatric units at Methodist Hospital working as a clinician. I have been primarily working with adults experiencing severe mental illness and their families by providing individual, family, and group therapy. In addition to therapy, I have been providing case management which has allowed me to familiarize myself with many of the local resources in the area. My husband and I are in the most amazing and exhausting time of our lives raising two toddler boys. We love spending time experiencing life through the eyes of our little boys. Family is everything to us. In my free time (what is that? ha-ha), I love watching Friends or One Tree Hill on repeat, going shopping with my mom, and playing video games. I believe in a holistic and person-centered approach. It's important to me for you to be the leader of your therapy. We will work as a team to set goals and work on what you feel is most important. I want to create a nonjudgmental and unbiased space for you to talk about the hard things. Your life is worth my time.

CLAY “Continue Learning About You” Therapeutic Services is an Illinois state-licensed practice serving the Hoffman Estates/Schaumburg and surrounding areas. We offer psychotherapy and counseling services as well as mediation services. Our therapists love what they do and are committed to being engaged with you to help you accomplish your goals. Our therapists offer a range of approaches and styles to assist you based on their expertise, style and theoretical orientation. We all go through changes in our lives and sometimes the changes are harder than we expect. These changes can be difficult to manage and create stress and uncertainty. Life transitions therapy can create a healthy pathway to navigate the changes and create structure while developing tools to manage the stress. Common life events that would benefit from Life transitions therapy: New job or career Post-divorce Becoming an independent adult Post-divorce dating Living alone for the first time Sobriety Loss of a relationship Going on Disability Retirement Pandemic Our therapists understand the difficulty and array of emotions involved in many life transitions. Change is not always easy, but our therapists are here to remind you that you are not alone and will provide the support and strategies with life transitions therapy you need to keep moving forward.

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.

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.

My practice is one that helps people better understand and work through feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression–especially those arising from difficulties with their schoolwork, questions about their future, challenges in their relationships with family members, friends, and/or partners, and experiences they have been having with acute or chronic illnesses (including cancer). When working with clients, I use both psychodynamic and existential techniques to explore not only their current concerns and behaviors, but also the deeper emotional, intellectual, and relational patterns that influence them. Some goals are to help people discover the true source of their pain and make real, lasting changes in their lives. If you are ready to feel more grounded, connected, and in control of your life, I invite you to reach out to me for a free consultation. During our call, we can talk about the hopes you have for therapy and discuss how best to achieve them. A little more about me: Before beginning work at in this field, I undertook clinical training at a site that provides therapeutic services to individuals impacted by cancer. During my time there, I gained valuable experience providing both one-on-one and group therapy to adults who had been diagnosed with cancer and their spouses, partners, and caregivers. Prior to that, I practiced as an attorney at a large, international firm in downtown Chicago, focusing primarily on complex commercial, product liability, and patent cases.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and founder of Serenity Way Therapy Services, LLC. I work with individuals navigating unresolved childhood experiences, life transitions, and the stress that can come with balancing responsibilities and identity. Many of the clients I support appear to be functioning well on the outside but feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected internally. My approach is both supportive and direct. I strive to create a space where clients feel safe to explore their experiences while also being challenged in ways that promote growth. I focus on helping clients build self-awareness, improve relationships, and develop practical tools they can use in their daily lives. Whether someone is adjusting to a new phase of life, managing stress, or working through deeper emotional patterns, I aim to help them move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and intention.

From the outside, you are a high-achieving person, the one who everyone in the family relies on to be "fine." But on the inside, you feel like you are drowning in household chores, high expectations, and taking care of everyone else in your life. You just can't do it all. Many of my clients grew up with a dysfunctional, chaotic family and learned from a young age that the people in their lives couldn’t handle them having a bad day. In therapy, we won’t just talk about your stress and overwhelm; we will challenge the old patterns that cause it. I want you to connect with your feelings and take up more space! I offer a safe, welcoming space to explore your unmet needs, confidently set boundaries, say "no," communicate how you really feel, and live more authentically. My goal is to help you feel grounded, seen, and connected in your relationships and within yourself. You have spent your life making sure everyone else is taken care of; now it's your turn.

My approach to therapy is based in collaboration and empowerment with the goal of helping you better understand yourself and creating lasting change in your life. I believe that each individual and their needs are unique, and therapy should reflect that. I aim to create a therapeutic space that is safe and non-judgmental to allow you to explore the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. My role is to support you in making choices that align with your values and becoming confident in your ability to manage your mental health and navigate life’s challenges.

Hi there! My name is Kate, and I’m here to help you learn about yourself. My goal is to build a strong therapeutic alliance with you so we can understand your history, patterns, needs, and desires. I practice therapy with a trauma-informed and neurodivergent affirming lens; I believe in the importance of understanding your story and starting wherever you are. I also use a client-centered approach, meaning you get to set the pace and determine what's most important to you. So whether you’re suffering from anxiety or depression, struggling with change, or simply need a safe place to talk it out, I’m happy to be along for the ride.

I enjoy working with clients of all ages towards their therapeutic goals. After years of experience, I am still in awe of the way clients overcome trauma and hardship. I feel fortunate to be a part of the process of healing as clients use and build their strengths through challenging times. I have experience helping children and families in a plethora of family set ups such as biological, adoption, foster care, kinship, etc. I am a Registered Play Therapist and I really enjoy meeting with children, adolescents, young adults, and adults using talk and/or play therapy!

Are you feeling overwhelmed and bogged down by life? Have you been waking up and feeling that existential dread a little bit more and more as the days go by? Do you want to scream into the void a lot? Same, let's do that together! My name is Shelby and I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) who specializes in trauma, anxiety, depression, and phase of life transitions. I am an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist and integrate cultural humility within all of my sessions. I believe there is no such thing as "TMI" in therapy and that this is your space to be, authentically, unapologetically, YOU!

Many of the clients I support are college or graduate students and athletes, who are overwhelmed and struggling to create balance and peace of mind throughout the various obstacles and pressures they face. They’re dealing with anxiety, stress, burnout, low self-confidence, relationship challenges, school or sports performance issues, injuries, life transitions, and more. As a former high school social worker, women's basketball coach, and student-athlete, I have a deep understanding of the numerous challenges that go along with academics and sports. By using a collaborative, holistic, and strengths-based approach, I will tailor your therapy sessions to fit your own unique values, needs, and goals. I provide sports psychology tools for athletes and both in-person and online therapy, so you can conveniently access support amidst your busy schedule. Reach out to schedule a 15-minute complimentary consultation call. I can't wait to help you reach your goals!

As a therapist specializing in mental health and substance abuse, my goal is to provide you with a safe, supportive, and compassionate space where you can begin or continue your journey toward recovery and wellness. My work is guided by deep empathy for the challenges you face. I know that reaching out for help can be difficult, and I’m here to listen without judgment, offering the understanding and validation that can make all the difference in the therapeutic relationship. I look forward to walking the path of self-discovery and recovery with you.

I'm a Health Psychologist with extensive experience helping college students overcome personal struggles and mental health challenges. College is already demanding, but navigating it with anxiety, trauma, or health issues can make it feel overwhelming. I’ve worked with students in college counseling centers and my private practice, where I specialize in treating anxiety, trauma, addiction, and health-related concerns like sleep problems and chronic illness. Whether in person or online, I offer a space where you can feel supported and empowered to tackle what’s holding you back. If you're ready for help, I’m here to work with you through this challenging time so you can focus on achieving your goals and building the future you envision. If you need help, I will support you through so that you can focus on your future.

If you’re here, it’s probably because you’re ready to make some changes in your life. Maybe you’re struggling to form deep and meaningful relationships. Maybe you’re tired of constantly making to-do lists but never finishing them. Or maybe you’re tired of being plagued by indecision and self-doubt. As a licensed professional counselor, I’ll help you let go of perfectionism, people pleasing and other related anxieties. I’m a perfectionist therapist who loves working with high achievers, anxious college students and overwhelmed adults. I'm a licensed professional counselor in Missouri, Illinois and Colorado. I also offer Brainspotting.