Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

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.

I offer virtual mental health services to AZ, IL and MD residents. Life is completely unpredictable, fast moving, unstoppable and often complicated. Do you feel lost, hurt, lonely, confused, depressed, and/or anxious? Do you suffer from pain that has no medical explanation? Do you worry endlessly about your physical health or medical diagnosis? If so, I will be able to help. I offer a non-judgmental space where all of your feelings and questions can be expressed and explored with kindness, compassion, and acceptance.

Hello and welcome! If you are looking for a psychiatrist-- or, perhaps, looking to switch from the psychiatrist you are currently seeing-- the chances are good that you have been asking yourself some difficult questions. For example, you may be asking yourself: * Do I really "need" to take psychiatric medications? Are there any other strategies available for managing my symptoms and reaching my goals? * If I decide to take psychiatric medications, which ones should I take (and what should the dosage be)? How risky are these medications? For how long will I need to take them? * Am I on too many medications? How many medications are "too many"? * Should I be seeing a talk therapist? If so, what kind? * Are there any lifestyle changes that might help me to feel better? * What about all of these "alternative medicine" treatments that I've read about? Do they work? Are they safe? * What should I know about newer FDA-approved treatments such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and ketamine (Spravato)? My goal as a psychiatrist is to help you find answers to these questions. I am not here to "dictate" a course of treatment, but instead to advise you of a range of possible treatment approaches, describing the benefits and risks of each one.

I strive to do this in manner that is clear, detailed, easily understood, and-- most important of all-- unbiased. I do not accept "speaking fees", free steak dinners, or other forms of payment from drug companies.

I help teens and adults who struggle with depression, anxiety, self injury, intense emotions, ADHD, substance misuse, as well as identity, sexuality, and gender questioning. I’m passionate about helping people begin to understand themselves, face what’s been holding them down, and develop new skills and resources while creating new paths forward. Witnessing people in therapy recognize their strengths, develop self acceptance, understand what is most important to them, and show self compassion to themselves is the best part about being a therapist and one I am grateful for.

I prioritize seeing a holistic view of a person. I find joy in helping assist individuals find their meaning and finding balance in every aspect of their life. Whether that's physically, mentally, emotionally, and/or spiritually. I find it to be a great privilege to listen to someone’s story, and for the past eight years I’ve worked with children, adolescents, and young adults for experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and overall life transitions, especially when it comes to going to college. I would be happy to work with you whether that may be in person or virtually. I am licensed in Illinois and Missouri!

You’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, and you don’t know how to manage everything. You feel like no one understands and it seems as though life keeps getting harder. It seems like you’ve tried everything and nothing is working. Do you often ask yourself what can I do to feel better? Do you find yourself wanting to connect with someone? Everyone deals with a hardship at one point in their lives. During this time it can be difficult to feel heard, understood, supported. I understand that reaching out for the initial session can be difficult, but take the first step, it’s the hardest. I am here to support and guide you in creating positive change. Imagine understanding your triggers, so you have a better understanding of how to manage them. No matter what you’re dealing with or what age you are, I can help you with the difficulties you’re facing. I’ve spent years helping clients learn about themselves and make positive life changes. I offer a safe space for clients to feel comfortable and confident about managing life‘s challenges. I look forward to working together.

The daily grind of work, family, friends, and life can be so demanding. Trying to juggle and balance it all at once. It can be too much pressure. You don't have to do it all, and certainly not alone. When feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, therapy can provide a space to have time to focus on you: to be heard, get feedback, and process through the hard stuff that's going on in your life. I enjoy practicing with individuals, couples, and familes. I am specialized in trauma, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and couples. I am trained and certified in EMDR and perinatal. I have extensive experience working with trauma recovery, survivors of abuse, and relationship and intimacy difficulties. As a working mom myself, with over 17 years of clinical experience, I take a direct and compassionate approach to therapy that allows for interactive dialogue and feedback to identify things that are working, and incorporate them into places that don’t seem to be working so well. We collaborate to create treatment goals, identify barriers, and create a plan.

Are you struggling with anxious racing thoughts, depressed moods, or overwhelming stress? We can help you manage. You possess your own wisdom and natural tendency towards growth; we will help uncover that. While we are laid back, relatable and warm, we take our work very seriously and consider it an honor to work with you. You’re welcome to seek treatment in the comfort of your own space through our convenient, secure telehealth platform. It’s essential for us that our clients get quality, comprehensive care. We go the extra mile to make sure you are receiving an excellent service, whether that’s by sending helpful resources, suggesting “assignments” between sessions, or introducing you to another trusted provider to join your treatment team. With your permission, we collaborate with your other providers as needed to make sure you receive the best treatment possible. We realize that seeking therapy can be a brave first step to getting help, or you may be already familiar with the concept and this is a trusted tool to maintain mental wellbeing. Wherever you are in your process, we meet you where you are at.

Arena specializes in serving individuals who are currently struggling with the weight and pressures of daily life, as well as those feeling the heaviness of their past, difficult life experiences. We often see survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, community violence, and childhood trauma, and also work with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, and stress surrounding their every day life who want to improve their mental wellness, happiness, and quality of life. Our team reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Among our staff are individuals who are immigrants and Muslims, each bringing lived experience and cultural insight to their work. Together, we are committed to increasing access, representation, and visibility for historically underrepresented communities, and to providing care that honors the full identities of those we serve. We offer flexible scheduling. If you don't see your preferred availability, please reach out and we will do my best to accommodate your needs.

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.

When people come to treatment with problems, it is important to remember that they are trying to cope with them in the best way they can. With that in mind, I offer a reflective and engaging partnership with my clients, working toward the goal of helping them to be autonomous, authentic and compassionate in a world that can be extremely stressful. Although my work is solidly grounded in psychodynamic, cognitive/learning, and systems theories, my approach is client-centered, practical and strengths-based. I bring honesty, warmth, and humor to the therapy relationship. I am LGBTQ affirmative and invested in doing cross-cultural therapy which is culturally sensitive. I have a dog, Bracket, who works with me, and I have been doing AAT since 2002. There is a growing body of research which suggests that AAT (Animal-Assisted Therapy) can be helpful with a range of diagnoses, including Depression, PTSD, and Autistic Spectrum. Many therapists know little about online games such as World of Warcraft and Second Life. They may dismiss it as unimportant, or assume it is a problem. I am a gamer-affirmative therapist, meaning I’m more interested in understanding your in-world experience and activity than pathologizing it.

I am an ANCC Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner as of 2023. I started out as an RN nine years ago and have experience in mental health. I received my Master's Degree in Psychiatric Mental Health from Northern Kentucky University. I take great pride in being able to help patients when they need it most, fully aware of how difficult it can be to battle with mental health issues. I’m committed to making a difference in the lives of those struggling with mental health challenges. I believe in taking a holistic approach to mental health, understanding that each mental health problem and situation is unique for each individual—no single scenario is ever the same. I look forward to embarking on your mental health journey with you and will always be nonjudgmental, supportive, and empathetic to your needs. Schedule your session easily through our online booking link. Click "Website" to find a time that works for you.

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Meet Emma Flores – Your Support for Life’s Transitions and Challenges College is full of new experiences—some exciting, some stressful, and some that catch you completely off guard. Whether you’re starting your first semester, adjusting to campus life, or preparing for what comes after graduation, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed at times. Emma Flores is here to help you navigate it all. Emma is a warm, approachable therapist who truly understands the unique challenges college students face. She knows that life during these years isn’t just about getting good grades—it’s about finding your identity, managing relationships, coping with change, and balancing independence with responsibility. She creates a safe, welcoming space where you can talk openly about what’s on your mind without fear of judgment. Emma works with students who are feeling anxious, stressed, stuck, or uncertain about the future. She also supports those dealing with depression, relationship issues, self-doubt, and big life transitions. Her style is collaborative—you bring your experiences and goals, and together you’ll explore what’s getting in the way and how to move forward. One of Emma’s strengths is making therapy feel comfortable and relatable. She understands that reaching out for help can be intimidating, so she meets you exactly where you are. Her sessions feel like a genuine conversation with someone who’s fully in your corner—someone who will listen, guide, and challenge you in ways that feel safe and encouraging. Emma is especially passionate about helping students: Manage anxiety, stress, and burnout Navigate family, friendship, and romantic relationship changes Build confidence and self-worth Adjust to new environments or cultural transitions Develop healthy coping skills for academic and personal challenges She believes that therapy is not just for times of crisis—it’s also a tool for growth, clarity, and self-discovery. Working with Emma means gaining insight into your patterns, building resilience, and creating the life you want, one step at a time. If you’ve been feeling like you have to “hold it all together” on your own, Emma wants you to know that you don’t. She’s here to remind you that it’s okay to ask for help—and that doing so is a sign of strength, not weakness. Whether you’re looking for short-term support to get through a rough patch or ongoing therapy to help you grow and thrive, Emma is ready to walk alongside you. Your college years are a time of change, growth, and possibility. With the right support, you can face challenges with confidence—and Emma Flores is here to help you do just that.

No matter what you do, you feel like you are never good enough. You are consumed with thoughts of food and shame about your body. You’ve tried everything to control your eating, but in the end feel like it is food that controls you. If this is you, know that you are not alone and you can find healing. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, disordered eating, or body image, I can help you find acceptance and finally feel at home within your body. We will work together to explore your beliefs about food, your body, and yourself to uncover what’s not working and keeping you from what matters most to you. I provide a warm, compassionate space, (with some humor sprinkled in) in which you can breathe and connect with who you truly are. Through a social justice-informed Health at Every Size framework combined with acceptance and mindfulness-based approaches, we will explore and practice new ways for you to cope with difficult thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Many of the clients I work with struggle with intense self-criticism, perfectionism, and feeling like they are both “too much” and “not enough.” During our initial sessions, we will explore the challenges impacting you most deeply and work together to identify initial goals to help you soften that self-critical voice and build more self-compassion. I also collaborate with clients to identify specific skills to work on between sessions to integrate what you are learning into daily life.

I have experience working with adults and teens in an outpatient setting. A priority of mine is helping clients develop healthy coping mechanisms to reduce stress, depression, anxiety, and burnout. Everyone’s healing journey is unique, so I utilize a multi-dimensional approach, incorporating both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) with a person-centered approach. I customize sessions to find what works best for each person. It is my honor to be a part of your healing journey. I believe in creating a safe, empowering, and collaborative space for each of my clients while holding space for each client to be unapologetically themselves. My goal is to help you live a happier life and reach your highest potential!

Hello! Are you struggling with generalized anxiety or social anxiety? Do you have excessive worries that control your daily functioning? Are you an athlete struggling with anxiety and perfectionism? Are you going through a major transition/adjustment in your life? Having family issues? What about acculturation? Dealing with 1st generation American issues with parents or 1st generation college student concerns? Struggling with career issues? I can help. I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy and EMDR (brain and body work) to address your concerns. I have expertise in Family therapy, Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Issues, Trauma, Children impacted by Divorced parents, Anxiety, Career Counseling.

I specialize in overthinking, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome. Clients who come to me often struggle with feeling “enough.". They often feel an imbalance in their lives and are quick to sacrifice self-care for others or in the face of stress. They feel their emotions strongly and sometimes feel controlled by them, leaving them often emotionally and physically drained. My clients are ready to create change in their lives and feel more peace of mind.

can look like everyone else has it together while you’re just trying to keep your head above water. Between classes, relationships, family expectations, money stress, and figuring out who you even are right now—it can be a lot. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, or just not like yourself, you’re not alone. I work with college students who are navigating stress, burnout, anxiety, relationship challenges, and the weight of life transitions. Many of the students I support are high-achieving, first-generation, or carrying responsibilities that others don’t see. Some are trying to heal from past experiences while still showing up every day and getting things done. My approach is supportive, honest, and down-to-earth. Therapy with me isn’t about being “fixed” or told what to do—it’s about having a space where you can be real, ask hard questions, and build tools that actually work for your life. We’ll move at your pace, focus on what matters to you, and work toward feeling more grounded, confident, and in control. You don’t have to do college—or life—on your own. If you’re ready for support that feels human, not clinical, I’d love to work with you.