Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

I’m a first-generation South Asian American therapist who works with students navigating anxiety, academic pressure, identity exploration, perfectionism, and cultural or family expectations. College can feel overwhelming—especially when you're trying to meet high standards or carry the weight of multiple identities. I offer a compassionate, culturally aware space to slow down, be heard, and reconnect with your true self. My approach is holistic and mindfulness-based, blending evidence-based therapy with tools from yoga, meditation, and Eastern psychology. I offer virtual sessions in CA and IL, and in-person sessions in Ventura, CA.

I am so happy you're here! Higher education is challenging and comes with a lot of changes. If you're feeling anxious, depressed, or not like yourself, therapy may be a good place to start feeling better! Clients can expect a non-judgemental, empathetic environment where it's safe to be authentically yourself. We are connected by our relationships and managing/maintaining relationships can be extraordinarily challenging in college. In therapy with me, we will look at your history, how that informs your present and collaborate on ways to healthily and positively impact your future. Please reach out if you have any questions or if you're interested in working with me!

I'm a licensed therapist who works with children (4+), adolescents, adults, and couples. I provide support for anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship concerns, and neurodivergence (ADHD, autism, etc.) in a strengths-based and neurodiversity-affirming way. I specialize in working with teens, college students, and emerging adults, as well as neurodiverse individuals of all ages. I see you as the author of your own life and myself as an editor. I’ll help you revise and reshape your thought patterns, self-talk, and communication strategies to move your story forward in a way that aligns with your goals and values. My approach is affirming, playful, and practical, creating a space for you (or you and your partner) to gain insight and build resilience. I draw from a variety of therapeutic modalities to meet your unique needs, including Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), the Gottman Method, play therapy, narrative therapy, and brain-based approaches. I earned my BA from Washington University in St. Louis and my MSW from Loyola University Chicago. Before becoming a therapist, I worked in K–12 education as a tutor and executive functioning coach. I'm committed to lifelong learning and am always expanding my therapeutic toolkit through continuing education.

Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or tired? Having problems in your relationships? Do you need help finding clarity? Are you scared of what the future holds and unsure of what path to take? Do you find yourself having to make adult decisions for the first time? While everyone else is making headway in life, does it seem like you’re still stuck on the sidelines? If you're looking for support, I'm here to help. I believe in being open, direct, and unafraid to challenge you when necessary. But I also value laughter and simplicity in our work together. My online Psychotherapy and Coaching services provide a safe and non-judgmental space where you can freely express your feelings.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

In the complex journey of life, we all encounter obstacles that challenge us. When these obstacles involve mental health, it’s essential to have a guide by your side. Alicia Covington, LCSW, is passionate about accompanying children, adolescents, and young adults, as well as their families, on this journey. She helps them skillfully navigate and overcome their unique challenges. Imagine yourself or your loved one as the central character in a tale of transformation and growth, with Alicia as a supportive, understanding, and skilled ally. She specializes in addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, and behavioral challenges. Through a relational, strengths-based approach, Alicia helps her clients harness their unique abilities, enhance their skills, and foster healthier interpersonal relationships. Embracing diversity and individuality, Alicia provides affirmative therapy for LGBTQIA+ youth. She is experienced in aiding young people as they bravely tackle issues of homophobia, discrimination, coming out, and building supportive peer networks. Alicia’s educational background includes a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Art in Psychology from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Her professional journey, spanning several years, has allowed her to serve clients aged 3-22 in many settings. Her internship at Hearts and Homes for Youth and Adventist Behavioral Health Hospital has further equipped her with the tools to help young individuals grappling with chronic mental illness and behavioral challenges. In her downtime, Alicia enjoys the simple pleasures of life, like spending quality time with family, cooking, and running. Her diverse taste in music, including artists like Billie Eilish, Carrie Underwood, Adele, John Legend, Beyoncé, and a fondness for film soundtracks, makes her relatable to clients of varying age groups. An avid fan of TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy, House, This is Us, and The Office, Alicia appreciates the power of storytelling, its capacity for teaching empathy, and its ability to shed light on the intricacies of the human condition. With Alicia, you’re gaining more than a therapist; you’re gaining a patient and compassionate guide who believes in you and your capacity for growth, healing, and triumph. Remember, you’re the hero of your story, and Alicia is there to help you write the chapters of your journey to better mental health.

I love working with people who think they may have lost the plot. Who wonder if their symptoms may be a natural reaction to our society and our utter disconnection....from everything. I see you, and I get it. I think there is more to a life well-lived than mainstream notions of success. Come explore your life through values exploration and honest self-assessment, whether short or long-term. Welcoming and affirming for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC. I have an eclectic approach, which is a fancy way of saying that I don't rely on any one way of approaching curiosities. But my starting point is always from a place of your strengths, the things you are doing well, and your unique interests/wants/needs. I trend toward elements from Acceptance and Commitment, Positive Psychology, Existentialism, Brief Solution- Focused, Motivational Interviewing, Behavioral Activation, Radical Acceptance, and Mindfulness. I am progressive in my politics, non-religious, and I believe that cursing is a valid form of self-expression. Humor is a big part of how I communicate and I believe it can get us through a lot of things. Despite being a middle-aged white woman who grew up in the south, you will find no bigoted mindset here. I will never pretend to understand the totality of your experience, but I do promise to see you, hear you, and respect you, while being mindful of the systemic, familial, and cultural issues that may be impacting you. I have stopped taking insurance because of all the barriers it creates from its medical model of viewing functionality and need. I know this creates a financial barrier for some, but I believe that until the system changes, its more of a detriment overall. But lets check those out-of-network benefits and see what we can squeeze out of the insurance company for you :)

My goal is to create a safe relationship where you can process all the pieces of your experience. We’ll look together at how your cultural identities and family context have shaped how you experience the world, and how your past impacts your present. We’ll approach your relational patterns with a sense of curiosity and compassion. We'll explore, “How did I get here, what does it mean to be here, and where do I want to go?". Whatever is bringing you to therapy, I hope to provide a space where you can face your difficulties in order to restore connection, both to yourself and to the most important people in your life. My approach is warm and direct, and I'm informed by training in attachment, trauma, grief & loss, perinatal mental health, infertility, emotional agility, embodiment, religious deconstruction, brain science, cultural influences, privilege & oppression, HAES, and couple/family systems. I am accepting new clients and I'd love to meet you! For CO: in-network with Aetna and Cigna. For IL: in-network with BCBS. I also partner with a company called Mentaya that helps clients access their out-of-network benefits. You may be eligible to receive partial reimbursements for your sessions. Contact me for more info. If you have any questions about anything on my profile, feel free to reach out!

Anjuli Maharaj Shah is welcoming new patients for video appointments. As a holistic provider, she integrates non-pharmacologic approaches in addition to medication in her psychiatric treatment. She has a particular interest in nutritional psychiatry. In addition, Dr. Shah has had focused training in various therapeutic modalities, including psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing. She utilizes such therapeutic approaches in medication management appointments as well as dedicated therapy sessions. Dr. Shah celebrates diversity; many of her patients are adults with non-traditional backgrounds. Her approach is culturally sensitive, taking full account of the impact of environmental and social factors on mental heath. She is committed to destigmatizing mental health and enjoys educating the public about psychiatric treatment.

Sara Pelaez is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Professional practicing in Georgia, Illinois, and Florida. She works with individuals and couples with a focus on students. Many of her clients have found great success in their personal and college lives, but struggle to feel connected in their relationships or at peace in their daily lives. Sara is particularly sensitive to clients facing present-past trauma, moments of transition, relationship or emotional issues when the delicate balance can seem to tremble, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and self-doubt can emerge. Sara’s approach is rooted in EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Emotional Focus Therapy. These are evidence-based approaches that focus on helping clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected so that they can begin to make a targeted change. It is a bottom-up/top-down approach that provides a 360 view of the client's inner world. She works to help clients understand their physical response to external stressors, and begin to problem-solve ways to introduce moments of calm, to choose to respond rather than react in the face of change. Sara is focused on ensuring that her clients see real progress: her style is interactive, non-judgmental, and positions clients as the experts on where they are now, and where they want to go. A trauma-informed therapist, Sara is sensitive to the influence of past experiences on present challenges and works closely with clients to reframe the narrative of their life in a way that increases self-confidence and compassion. Sara’s first priority in starting with a new client is ensuring that they feel safe, heard, and like an equal partner in the therapeutic process. As a seasoned telehealth provider, she offers the convenience of remote sessions to help make therapy a core component of your self-care calendar.

I specialize in ADHD therapy for teens and adults who struggle with executive functioning, overwhelm, procrastination, and follow-through. You may be intelligent, motivated, and capable,but still find yourself feeling scattered, burnt out, or frustrated by difficulty starting or finishing tasks. Many people describe long-term patterns of underachievement, forgetfulness, emotional overwhelm, or feeling like they are constantly “behind,” even when they are trying their best. As an ADHD therapist, I help clients understand how their brain works and develop practical, sustainable strategies for focus, organization, emotional regulation. I help clients with ADHD, anxiety, burnout, relationship stress, and low self-esteem linked to feeling overwhelmed or “not enough.” My approach is structured, practical, and compassionate, focusing on executive functioning, emotional regulation, and real-life skills. Virtual therapy in VA, IL, MD. In-network with BCBS, Cigna, and United Healthcare. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated managing ADHD, you don’t have to figure it out alone. ADHD therapy can help you understand how your mind works and build practical tools that fit your life. When you’re ready, I invite you to reach out to explore whether working together feels like a good fit and supportive for you.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

You've been wondering about therapy, but find reasons that keep getting in the way of reaching out. Sometimes it feels hopeless, or wonder if YOU might be hopeless. You might ask what's the point? Nothing is working. You've tried to talk to people in your life, but you don't want to burden them and fear they wouldn't understand; or worse- they could judge you. You try to make up for it but always seem to fall short, a constant feeling of disappointment. Nothing's enough and you wonder, "Am I enough?" You're curious; therapy could help. You don't want to keep repeating the same patterns; or feel stuck anymore. So here you are, taking a huge risk and thinking about talking to a total stranger. It's hard to imagine life getting better, but deep down you long for it. You CRAVE balance. You want the critical voice to stop, you want to feel happy, connected, worthy & enough. You want to quit the comparisons, bad habits, the shame & feeling responsible for everything. I'm here to help you figure out what "happiness" means for you and how to get unstuck. Together, we can achieve what you want. I utilize an eclectic, warm, compassionate and genuine approach. I am trained in EMDR, specialize in trauma and addiction. I look forward to meeting you and working collaboratively together.

Hello! Making the decision to begin therapy is an important investment in your quality of life. I can help you understand and transform painful and confusing experiences. I specialize in treating relationship distress, emotional abuse, narcissistic abuse and gaslighting, depression and anxiety, and trauma recovery. It is my passion to support clients toward feeling freer, happier and more at peace. I am licensed in both MO and IL. I accept Anthem/BCBS, United Healthcare, Aetna and Cigna, as well as UMR and out-of pocket. ALL SERVICES ARE TELEHEALTH.

Have you recently started to understand yourself in a new way—maybe through a neuropsychological evaluation, a late diagnosis, or content you’ve encountered online during college? Are you finding that the strategies that seem to work for others don’t quite fit your brain? I specialize in working with college students and young adults who discover later that they are neurodivergent. Together, we explore what this identity means for you in the context of academics, relationships, independence, and future goals. My approach supports you in building systems that actually work for your brain, while creating a life that feels authentic, sustainable, and aligned with your values.

We are excited about the opportunity to work with you as you journey through a major part of your life. You are an emerging adult and that comes with a lot of life transitions. Let us support you as you navigate change, disappointment, hurt, and pain, but let us also celebrate you when you achieve a goal or new milestone in life. At Of Vineyards and Canopies Therapy Services, we want to be one of your supports, so that you do not feel alone. Do not be afraid to reach out to us, so that we can get you scheduled as soon as we can. You will be met with kind and compassionate therapists, who want to provide a safe space for you to process through whatever may be bothering you or stressing you out.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Are you searching for a nurturing space to heal and break free from intergenerational patterns affecting your relationships? At HealingWorks, we excel in offering compassionate counseling to couples and individuals. Our mission is to empower you to shatter generational chains and nurture relationships founded on understanding, connection, and love. Whether you're single, married, or in a committed relationship, HealingWorks equips you with the necessary tools to pursue a purposeful, soulful life. In our work together, you will feel seen, heard, and held as we embark on this exciting therapeutic journey. Our therapists act as a guide, helping you confidently navigate through challenges to attain the love you deserve. At HealingWorks, we provide a collaborative healing space where your voice is heard. You are worthy of connection. When you begin to heal yourself and connect more deeply to others, you develop resilient love that extends to everyone around you. Together, we will get you on a path to a life full of love. Join us at HealingWorks and let's embark on a journey of healing to break generational patterns and flourish!

Do you often ask yourself what is my life's purpose, is and struggle with emptiness each day? Are you struggling to make life decisions amid feelings of uncertainty, that you are always going to make a wrong decision? Do you question your current relationships, but struggle with relational patterns such as manipulations, attachment issues, co-dependency, problems setting boundaries, narcissism-controlled environments, and emotional abuse? At Inspired Beginnings Counseling Services, PLLC we understand the pressures of life at these transition stages. Specializing with young and middle-aged adults, navigating through a journey toward empowerment, self-discovery, and self-love. Specialized experience in life transitions, narcissistic abuse syndrome, and co-dependency. The first step in change is reaching out and exploring what could be different. Together we can work towards a life of more freedom and change and overcome the barriers that hold you back. I look forward to working with you!

I strive to create meaningful and lasting, positive changes unique to you. My approach to therapy is a mixture between humorous and energetic, and empathetic and warm. I will always aim to create a safe space where you will feel heard, you can be your authentic self, and you will never be judged. I am here to help you process the difficult thoughts and emotions you are experiencing while creating a space that empowers and uplifts you. We will work together to open your eyes to new ways of seeing the world and interpreting your thoughts. We will truly be a team working together to meet your goals in therapy. I am a Clinically Licensed Professional Counselor with specialized training in trauma. I will honor your unique background, personality, and life experiences taking them into consideration during our sessions to help you gain a deeper sense of self-understanding. I take pride in providing the most effective and evidence-based therapy that will meet your needs. I frequently use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and will integrate some techniques from EMDR-Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing-if you have a history of trauma, anxiety, or depression. After having a personally hard postpartum journey, an interest and passion in perinatal care developed as well! To all the struggling mamas, I am here, you are not alone! I’m in the process of getting certified with perinatal care for even more effective therapy targeting these very necessary and important needs. Personally, I am a wife, mama, and fitness lover. I love being around positive people/energy and always seeking ways to better myself. I am obsessed with coffee, nature, and reality tv. I look forward to working with you! Email me personally with any questions: brandykelleylcpc@gmail.com.