Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

Have you experienced trauma? Maybe you've figured out some ways to manage it in the past, but it's getting harder since starting/going back to school. Those old coping habits aren't cutting it anymore, and it's finally time to do the work, both for the sake of your academic future, and also so you can live an authentic, fulfilling life. Welcome! My name is Caroline Lavelock, and I have worked in university counseling with large, diverse, nontraditional student populations for nearly 15 years. I bring expertise in college mental health, especially for first-generation students and children of immigrants who are balancing competing expectations between work, school, and home life. Now that I am in private practice, I am pleased to offer the longer-term, trauma-focused therapy that many students need but struggle to find in short-term counseling university counseling models. I am also a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional and can provide information about how you can use nutrition to optimize your mental health. I offer instant online booking through my group practice, Tailwinds Psychology, where you can also access psychiatry and testing services. Let's get to work!

I am a board-certified psychiatrist and Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. For me, being a physician is more than a profession—it is a vocation to help indviduals flourish. My practice is devoted to students and young adults seeking thoughtful, individualized psychiatric care that extends beyond symptom relief. I provide comprehensive evaluations that consider medical, nutritional, lifestyle, and psychological factors—including laboratory testing when clinically appropriate—to identify the contributors to emotional and cognitive health. I also specialize in evidence-based de-prescribing for patients who wish to reduce or discontinue psychiatric medications for anxiety, attention difficulties, or substance use disorders. My approach is guided by precision, humility, and restraint: using the least intensive intervention necessary while drawing upon the full breadth of evidence-based medicine. Depending on each patient's needs and goals, I integrate psychotherapy, nutrition, lifestyle medicine, exercise, targeted supplementation, and, when appropriate, carefully selected medications into a personalized treatment plan. In addition to my clinical work, I have presented internationally on psychiatric deprescribing and medical ethics. My work has been recognized with awards from the American Psychiatric Association, the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions, the American Psychoanalytic Association, and other leading professional organizations. I am the Founder & Medical Director of Verigrate Health. I am licensed to serve patients in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Lousiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., and Wisconsin.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

With over 20 years of experience as a therapist and school counselor, I am dedicated to supporting students as they navigate life’s challenges and transitions. My approach is grounded in compassion, collaboration, and evidence-based practices, with a deep understanding that every individual’s journey is unique. I specialize in providing meaningful support for individuals with ADHD, anxiety, and/or special needs. Whether a client is struggling with focus and organization, feeling overwhelmed by worry, or needing tailored emotional and academic support, I strive to create a safe encouraging space where growth and confidence can flourish. Drawing on two decades of experience in educational and therapeutic settings, I can help clients of all ages build practical skills, emotional resilience, and self-awareness. My goal is not only to address immediate concerns, but to empower individuals with tools they can carry forward—at school, at home, and in everyday life.

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.

You might be someone who, from the outside, has built a life that looks steady—getting into college, building friendships, increasing responsibilities—but inside, you feel more anxious, alone, or unsure of yourself than expected. Many of my clients struggle with anxiety, self-esteem, identity, and relationships—often shaped by life transitions, adjusting to a new environment, or disappointment and unmet expectations. These experiences make sense. Navigating them alone is hard. College is hard! My work is grounded in the therapeutic relationship. I believe growth happens in the context of feeling safe, understood, and emotionally supported. I strive to create a warm, attuned, and collaborative space where we gently explore patterns shaped by relationships, attachment, and life experiences. Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, especially if you’re used to carrying it all on your own. You don’t have to know where to start to begin. If you’re curious about working together, I invite you to reach out. I'm available in-person in the North Shore of Chicago or virtual across Illinois. I'd be so glad to partner with you!

My focus has been on individuals of all ages struggling with trauma, attachment, mood issues, and family issues. I work with individuals and families struggling with the effects of trauma, change, anxiety, and their relationships. I am here to help build a sense of safety, joy, and connection. As most people in this society, I have been affected by trauma, and I believe that my personal insight as well as my training and experience. I work with all ages, though I am unable to work with small children right now as sessions must be virtual. I love helping people feel more empowered and grow in their understanding.

Little Bird Psychotherapy is a therapeutic space for clients to explore and understand themselves with a sense of compassion and curiosity. Rooted in a commitment to collaborative care free of judgement and shame, Little Bird welcomes those with a desire to discover and rediscover who they are in order to embody their most authentic and joyful selves. We are who we have always been; Little Bird can help you see who that is. I enjoy working with adults of all ages seeking support with eating disorders/body image, gender/sexuality exploration, unique stressors of graduate school, and family of origin issues. Abolition is the primary value that guides both my own life and practice. In sessions, this involves a deep understanding and compassion for all persons and their parts and a commitment to maintaining space free of pathologization and hierarchical relationships between therapist and client. I am deeply invested in anti-carceral approaches to healing. For clients wanting to engage in a collaborative relationship to foster healing, find joy in their authentic selves, and practice more self compassion, this might be your nest.

Navigating college and young adulthood can be overwhelming—balancing academics, relationships, and personal growth while managing stress, anxiety, or past experiences that weigh heavily. I work best with students who feel stuck, uncertain, or disconnected. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, substance use, self-doubt, or major life transitions, I provide a supportive space to explore, process, and grow. My approach is warm, interactive, and nonjudgmental. I believe therapy should be a place where you can be your full self—messy thoughts, complicated emotions, and all. Together, we’ll untangle challenges, develop strategies that work for you, and build confidence in your ability to navigate life’s ups and downs. Having worked in both mental health and substance use treatment, I understand how stress, coping, and self-destructive patterns can get in the way of the life you want. I also know change is possible. Whether you need a space to be heard, tools to manage emotions, or guidance in rediscovering your strengths, I’m here to help.

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 licensed psychologists who've been working with students for 20+ years. We understand and care about college student concerns -- from adjusting to campus life, navigating friend-groups, reflecting on family, and making your way academically. We can help. In addition, we're "PsyPact certified" in 42 states and counting, which means when you head home for breaks or intern out of state, there's a really good chance we can provide continued support so you can maintain the gains you've made.

I believe that the therapeutic relationship is at the crux of change. Through this lens, I offer a safe and empathic space for clients to explore their inner world. Counseling is not just for those experiencing a life crisis or a current difficulty— it is an opportunity to learn new skills, gain new insights, and position oneself for increased health and wellness. Every client is unique and needs something different from the therapeutic process. Pulling from a variety of modalities, I tailor techniques in a creative way to fit those needs. Through working together, I believe that I can help you find your way to the path for growth. I have experience working with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, relationship problems, work-life balance concerns, familial troubles, grief and loss, life transitions and trauma. I'm particularly passionate about working with college students and emerging adults. This time of life can be fraught with anxiety related to academic performance and career choices, making this life stage feel quite unpredictable and isolating, which is why I believe therapy is so important during this time. My goal is to help you gain useful tools to not only help you navigate this life stage, but also to carry with you in the future. I earned my M.A. in Counseling from Northwestern University and my B.A. in Psychology and Communications from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I have previously worked in various community mental health and private practice settings.

Are you having trouble with falling and staying asleep? Are you feeling anxious and overwhelmed? I specialize in working with people who are having trouble sleeping, who are experiencing anxiety, and who are going through reproductive transitions or who are experiencing distress related to their reproductive health (e.g., PMDD, pregnancy, postpartum, infertility). In my work, I aim to cultivate a safe space to hold and honor your emotions, while also providing you with new coping tools to help you process your emotions, get some distance from your thoughts, and help you engage with your life. To do this, I use a blend of evidence-based psychotherapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Interpersonal Psychotherapy.

I try to provide a warm but structured therapeutic experience designed to help my clients address their difficulties in productive and forward-moving ways. I use a variety of different therapeutic techniques designed to help my clients gain insight into their behavior and the behavior of others, and together we work toward devising new approaches to past problems that will serve them better. I have over 25 years experience working with young adults. I particularly enjoy working with anxious clients suffering from stress, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety, providing them with ways to manage their stress and thoughts using cognitive restructuring, behavioral calming strategies, mindfulness, meditation, and problem-solving strategies. I also have expertise in working with individuals who have OCD and use an exposure with response prevention paradigm in treatment. In addition, I have also had considerable training and experience in working with individuals who struggle with anorexia and bulimia as well as those struggling with relational problems. I think flexibility and collaboration with clients is the key to a positive therapeutic experience.

We are Peace in Counseling, a small group practice of fully licensed social workers, and professional counselors. We provide individual, family, and couples therapy. We specialize in depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and eating disorders. At Peace in Counseling, we strive to provide our clients with perspective, exploration, acceptance, comfort, and empowerment to make lasting changes. We believe YOU are the expert on your own life, and will assist you in harnessing your full potential.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I like to think of therapy as a journey of inner exploration and I am along as a guide. I believe that therapy is most effective when it is a combination of intellectual understanding and emotional experience. In that regard, it feels like your feelings are our road signs that we are in the right track to self-growth. I try to not have a specific agenda going into sessions, but rather to go where it is you feel like you need to go at that time. I believe that it is my role to create a safe space for you to express and explore whatever it is that is inside you. Compassion is key, and cultivating self-compassion is one of the most important elements of therapy. I look forward to helping you explore and become more self-aware and self-compassionate!

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.

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.

Hi, I’m Kaitlyn. My commitment to overall well-being, particularly in counseling individuals with diverse identities, is more than just professional; it's a core part of who I am. These convictions shape my therapeutic approach to be inclusive, empathetic, and focused on individual empowerment. Helping clients realize their own agency in crafting their future is where the magic of therapy happens. For me, therapy sessions can feel relaxed and even funny while also being deep, authentic, powerful, and effective. Join me in a space where you can be unapologetically yourself. Support for: LGBTQIA+ Counseling, College Student Therapy Services, Stress and burnout (including among current and future healthcare professionals), Relationship and family issues, Stress Management, Counseling for Anxiety and Depression, Counseling Services to help with Life Changes, Attachment Therapy Services. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois. I earned my Bachelor's of Arts and Masters in Social Work degrees from St. Ambrose University. I offer both telehealth and in-person counseling services in Swansea, Illinois.