Therapists for college students near 60657

Battling mental health struggles can be isolating and lonely. People can believe that no one knows what they are experiencing. You are not alone. Struggling with obsessive behaviors or destructive thought patterns? Perhaps severe anxiety and panic attacks feel debilitating. Does a past or recent traumatic event feel unbearable? Do you often feel worthless and "never good enough?" You are not alone and there is help! My intention in working with clients is to promote self-understanding and concrete skill-building, so that each individual owns their agency, and trusts their resilience. I bring a wide range of experience in mental health and wellness and have experience in multiple therapeutic approaches. This allows me to effectively use evidence-based approaches for a specific issue. I tailor a plan specially designed for you - your unique goals, characteristics, and drives. Therapy is a process, and I would love to be on that journey with you. I offer free 10 min phone consultations. This allows for us to get to know each other and offers an opportunity to ask questions. You can call or email to set up your free session. If you desire, we will set up our first session during the call and support you toward your health goals.

Tonya Vander, LCSW, understands what trauma and grief look like when life is severely altered, and she offers a strong, empathic ear and tools to guide clients through healing. She creates safe spaces for individuals to feel heard, encouraged, and accepted. She supports clients age six and up struggling with depression, family conflict, mood disorders, stress, and is especially skilled at treating: Trauma/PTSD: Tonya is highly skilled at treating trauma and supporting clients through the tremendous repair work needed to heal. She helps clients focus on hope and resiliency no matter what barriers they're facing. Tonya understands change takes time, but there's possibility to overcome anything and move forward.

Professional Statement As a clinician, my philosophy is to meet clients where they are and help them establish their own goals. I believe in empowering individuals to take ownership of their healing process, providing a safe and supportive environment where they can explore their thoughts, feelings, and challenges. My areas of specialization include trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, mood dysregulation, and domestic violence. I work with a diverse range of clients from various backgrounds and belief systems, and I am fluent in Polish, which allows me to connect with a broader population. One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is hearing clients express that they feel better after our sessions, knowing that I have helped them take another step toward healing and growth. I am deeply committed to understanding others' perspectives and feelings, and I genuinely care about helping clients achieve the goals they set for themselves. Listening actively and without judgment is a core part of my approach, and I find great fulfillment in supporting clients as they work toward positive change in their lives. What should a new client know about working with you? I believe in creating a supportive and respectful space where clients can move at their own pace. I will never push them beyond their comfort zone unless they specifically request it. With nearly 20 years of experience in providing mental health services, I understand the importance of fostering trust and allowing clients to guide their own healing process. My approach is grounded in patience and understanding, empowering individuals to take the steps they’re ready for while offering the encouragement and support they need to move forward when they feel ready. What is your typical process for working with clients? I begin by providing a brief overview of the services offered, as well as a clear explanation of HIPAA policies to ensure clients understand their rights and confidentiality. During the initial session, I conduct a thorough mental health assessment, working collaboratively with the client to develop a personalized treatment plan. This process includes helping the client identify their own goals for therapy, empowering them to take an active role in their healing journey. I also prioritize scheduling a follow-up appointment, ensuring continuity of care and the opportunity to revisit and adjust goals as needed. This approach creates a foundation of trust and allows for ongoing progress in therapy.

You’re driven, capable, and used to pushing through. On the outside, it looks like you’ve got it together—but inside, the pressure can feel relentless. Maybe your thoughts are often focused on food, weight, appearance, or productivity. You might feel anxious, guilty, or exhausted trying to meet impossible standards. Even your accomplishments don’t bring the relief you hoped for. You’re not alone—and you don’t have to keep doing this by yourself. Therapy can be a space to pause, reflect, and begin shifting the patterns that keep you stuck. Together, we’ll create a plan to help you reconnect with what matters to you—not just what you feel you should be doing. We’ll explore new ways of responding to self-criticism, perfectionism, and burnout. I offer a compassionate, inclusive space where you can show up as you are—no need to perform, prove, or push. My approach is warm, collaborative, and personalized to you. I focus on your strengths and always make space for humor. I offer virtual and in-person (Ravenswood and Wicker Park) sessions with flexible scheduling.

Welcome, amazing human. I’m glad you're here. Whether you are feeling stuck or trying to make sense of life, let’s chat and find ways to help you find a new path forward and feel better. Research shows that the key element in counseling is the relationship between the counselor and client. If we click, counseling will likely be effective. So let me give you a sense of my approach to counseling. I think of counseling as physical therapy for the mind and soul. Connection with self and others is key. My job is to create a space for you that feels safe, validating, and supportive, where I can introduce “exercises” that help you sort things out, gain new skills, and start feeling better. And so, whether you are at a crossroads in a relationship or your career, or simply feeling adrift in life, it would be an honor to be a part of your journey. I’d love to walk with you as you move through whatever might be overwhelming you right now: the pain of indecision, anxiety, relationship struggles, or the pressures of daily life. Let’s schedule a time to talk so you can decide if we’re a good fit to work together. Your satisfaction and relief matter most to me. Wishing you well!

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Do you identify as gender diverse (transgender, non-binary, gender queer, etc)? Are currently questioning or discovering your gender and/or needing a referral letter for medical transition steps? Jack Garner, LCSW is a licensed clinical therapist in the states of Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Illinois and is a member of WPATH. Their practice is offered online where they provide individual counseling and coaching as well as referral letters for medical transition steps, such as HRT and surgeries (Note, all WPATH referral letters are provided under the informed consent model - meaning NO gate-keeping practices and it takes just one session to obtain your letter). I identify as gender diverse (AFAB, Non-Binary, Transmasc), which allows me to have a unique understanding, both personal and professional, that is not often found in the therapy world. I am passionate about serving our community and understand what it is like to question your gender, experience dysphoria, and take medical transition steps. If you are looking for a therapist who truly understands you and has 'been there' themselves - I am here for you! I look forward to meeting you and will absolutely consider it my honor to assist you in discovering and/or furthering your path to authenticity, wholeness, and joy. Please visit my website at www.JacksonGarnerLCSW.com for more information.

I especially enjoy working with student creatives—actors, musicians, dancers, writers, designers, and more—who are navigating rejection, comparison, self-doubt, and uncertainty. With a background in the entertainment industry, I personally understand the unique emotional challenges that come with being a performer. We can work together to build resilience, strengthen your sense of self, and help you stay grounded in an industry that often feels anything but. My approach is warm, collaborative, and encouraging. Therapy is a space where we slow down, ask the right questions, and help you move forward in a way that feels aligned with the life you want to live. If this resonates, I'd be glad to connect. I look forward to taking this journey together.

We are a team of therapists and coaches who are anti-racist, LGBTQIA+ affirming, fat-positive and are committed to our own journeys of healing in order to support yours. If you're struggling with substance use, perfectionism, anxiety, trauma, depression, identity exploration, athletic mindset/performance, grief, or body image we're here to help! We also offer gender affirming letters, which can be completed in one session. We have experience working with college students and college athletes and are here to talk things out, build new skills, use movement and mindfulness, and be your biggest supporters and advocates. We offer talk therapy, somatic and dance therapy, coaching, and energy healing. If you think we could be a good fit, please reach out and we'll schedule a consultation call to chat more.

I help thoughtful, high functioning adults navigate anxiety, burnout, depression, and major life transitions. I especially enjoy working with men, professionals, creatives, and new or expecting parents. My work integrates insight-oriented therapy with a practical, pragmatic approach, often utilizing mindfulness and meditation practices as a foundation for building effective skills and strategies. Additionally, I offer preparation, integration, and harm-reduction support when appropriate for clients who are exploring the benefits of plant medicines. Ultimately, my goal is to help you live a more meaningful life. I help those who desire improvement in their love life, family life, work life, or in their physical health and wellness. I emphasize the importance of developing new behaviors outside of the therapy, especially practicing mindfulness and meditation. I also specialize in psychedelic integration for those exploring alternative approaches. An initial consultation is of course no cost to you, so please feel free to call or email me with any questions. If you decide I'm not the right therapist for you, I'm happy to help you find one. I look forward to hearing from you.

Margarita Kos is a board-certified Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) and a licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) in Illinois. She obtained her MSN as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) from Loyola University and post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health certification from Maryville University. She has over 25 years of nursing experience that includes working in the emergency room, family practice, pain management, and psychiatric mental health as a registered nurse (RN) and APN. Margarita is fluent in English and Polish. Margarita is actively practicing in the Chicago-land area with a focus on maintaining mental health wellness, providing psychopharmacologic treatment management, and improving the quality of life of her patients through preventative healthcare. Her areas of special emphasis include mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for a variety of mental illnesses amongst the childhood, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations. Margarita is dedicated to providing compassionate care to her patients while maintaining a safe environment to promote therapeutic relationships. By actively adapting to the needs of each patient on a personal level, Margarita is able to assist patients in developing treatment plans to meet their goals and desired outcomes. Margarita strives to develop mental health treatment plans through various approaches including psychological or physical well-being, lifestyle changes, and self-care strategies.

Stephanie is a licensed therapist with over a decade of mental health experience across multiple cities and care levels. Her foundation as a clinician is built on evidence-based training, cultural sensitivity, and a deep commitment to helping people feel seen, understood, and empowered.

I incorporate trauma-focused approaches and specialize in working with adults and college students who struggle with stress, anxiety, creating life balance, and showing up for themselves in their relationships. My therapeutic orientation is humanistic integrative. I adapt evidence-based therapeutic models and interventions to the unique needs of each person that I work with. Given the complexity of each person’s life experiences, I emphasize multicultural sensitivity and the use of a holistic approach to therapy. Honoring who you are is an essential part of experiencing a collaborative and compassionate relationship. Therapy is a space for you to feel seen, validated, and supported while working towards goals that reflect your own needs and desires in wellness and personal growth.

Sometimes you feel like you just can’t take it anymore. Sometimes it's just a gnawing question. Everyone emphasizes the fun and freedom of your college years, but they don't always mention that emerging adult years are also HARD. You're building a whole new life, a whole new independent person. I have helped hundreds of people in serious situations turn things around and build the lives they want. I know what it’s like to be in your head with doubt and worry and shame, and can help people who are struggling with mental health and/or substance use get real results. If you're holding secrets and stresses that are keeping you up at night, affecting your appetite, your friendships, your concentration, your academics, reach out. I offer a free 10 minute chat that can be your first step to freeing yourself from the burden of what you’ve been carrying. Let me know if I can be of service to you. You don't have to do this alone.

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You don’t have to carry this alone. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, trauma, or stuck in patterns that feel impossible to break—please know that you’re not alone. It takes incredible courage to reach out for help, and that first step can be the beginning of real, lasting change. I’m here to walk alongside you on your journey toward healing. I work with individuals navigating a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, low self-esteem, and parent-child relationship difficulties. I understand how complex and deeply personal these struggles can be. That’s why I offer a flexible, compassionate approach tailored to your unique needs—not a one-size-fits-all solution. Together, we’ll create a space where you feel safe, heard, and supported. We’ll focus on building practical coping strategies, strengthening your emotional resilience, and helping you reconnect with a sense of stability and purpose. Healing is possible—and it starts with a conversation. If you’re ready to take that next step, or even if you’re just thinking about it, I invite you to reach out. Schedule an appointment or send a message today. Let’s work together to help you move toward a healthier, more balanced, and empowered life.

I earned my PhD in Counseling Psychology from Loyola University Chicago and my Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. I completed my APA-Accredited internship in health service psychology from the University of Pennsylvania Counseling & Psychological Services program. I’ve worked in many diverse settings with diverse roles in college counseling centers, private practice, and community mental health. I provide individual therapy and have extensive experience in outreach and consultation services related to mental health topics, advocacy, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, I have extensive program development and evaluation experience. I am process-oriented and work from a relational-cultural perspective heavily considering how my client’s unique life experiences such as their family dynamics and upbringings, significant life events, communities, values, and cultural identities relate to their presenting concerns and needs in our work together. I view therapy as an opportunity to cultivate a collaborative relationship with my clients while centering connection, exploration, validation, and growth. I invite my clients to use therapy as a space to slow down and practice curiosity towards themselves and their experiences. I have worked with clients presenting with all types of concerns and therapeutic goals. From my clinical and research experiences, I have particular expertise in working with individuals managing the imposter syndrome (objectively successful people with feelings of self-doubt and incompetence); BIPOC individuals and individuals from historically minoritized groups; individuals navigating interpersonal relationship challenges such as identifying relational patterns, addressing conflict, and learning how to communicate and set boundaries that honor the client and their unique personal and cultural values; individuals seeking to explore the impact of the sociopolitical climate on their mental health, particularly with clients holding multiple minoritized identities; and college, graduate, and professional students with issues related to work/life balance, academic identity, and self-worth. --- The Center for Liberation & Wellness, PLLC (The CLW) is a private therapy practice located in Chicago founded by Dr. Lincoln Hill. The CLW has a mission of providing culturally humble therapeutic services utilizing Black feminist and relational-cultural theoretical paradigms as guiding principles towards health, liberation, and wellness. The CLW believes that prioritizing healing is not a luxury, but a necessity for self and communal growth. The CLW is committed to advocacy efforts that promote anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and, subsequently, a more just society for all humanity, particularly those from historically minoritized communities.

Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure who you’re becoming? Maybe you’re starting school, adjusting to a new country or community, exploring your identity, or trying to balance creativity, responsibility, and perfectionism. If you’re still reading this, I want you to know how proud I am of you. Reaching this point is no small thing. By exploring support, you’ve already begun your healing journey, and I’m proud of you for honoring yourself in this way. I specialize in supporting college students, especially underrepresented students, including international, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and First-Generation students. I am also passionate about helping adults working through childhood trauma, teens who have experienced bullying, artists, and single parents who are navigating academic or career stress, transitions, identity exploration, creative blocks, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm. As a bilingual immigrant therapist and formerly international student, I understand how hard it is to adjust to new systems while trying to stay true to yourself. My approach is grounded, approachable, and evidence-informed: as a certified art therapist, I blend art therapy, talk therapy, and somatic tools (like breathwork and grounding practices) tailored to your needs. You won't need to bring the “right” words—I’ll help you access insight through images, movement, and your own embodied experience. Together, we’ll explore what feels stuck and what feels possible for you. I’ll help you reconnect with your creativity, soothe anxiety, build self-compassion, and feel more firmly rooted in your values and identity. I’ll be with you to create a safe space as you explore your identity, memories, and the emotions they carry. I would love to be part of your journey, toward celebrating your identity, honoring your story, and discovering that what makes you different is, in fact, your greatest strength. If something in this profile resonates with you, I’d love to connect. Please reach out for a free 15-minute consultation call to see if we're a good fit!

I work with clients who experience anxiety, depression, body image issues, disordered eating, and struggles with life transitions. I am passionate about creating an empathetic, nonjudgmental space where you can be fully yourself! I strive to cultivate a therapeutic bond based on trust and authenticity. I want therapy  to be collaborative, because I truly believe you are the expert on your own life. Therapy sessions  should be unique to you and your goals, and I want to ensure that you feel heard. I take a systemic approach that prioritizes the impacts that culture, power imbalances, and larger societal systems can have on your life, while also attending to your personal narratives. I aim to facilitate healing by offering compassionate perspectives and attentive listening.

Hello! For over 30 years, I have worked with clients as a clinical psychologist providing a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space for adolescents, adults, and couples of all genders and sexualities. My counseling focuses on embracing tools for self-empowerment, self-worth, self-compassion, self-care, and assertiveness through reclaiming parts of oneself to feel whole. Reaching out for therapy can be intimidating and my goal is to make this experience as comfortable, safe and welcoming as possible! I have worked extensively--30 years with college students specifically--struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar, suicidality, body image issues, abuse, trauma, self-mutilation, addiction, ADHD, grief/loss, gender/sexual identity, parenting, intimacy issues, spirituality, and cultural/religious identity. I also have supervised/consulted with doctoral students and fellow psychologists to help them find their own unique way of practicing. Additional certifications: EMDR for trauma MBSR/Yoga/Reiki for meditation/movement/breath work Insurance: BCBS PPO/out of network receipts are provided