Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

We are a group practice with interns, LPCs and LCPCs providing individual therapy to teens, college students and adults. We also provide premarital and couples counseling. Some of our therapists have worked in either private practices, group practices or in a college counseling centers since 1997. We have all ages of therapists available to work with you. We find it a privilege to walk alongside people on their journey towards healing. Some clients say, that counseling is like having coffee with a friend who seeks to understand their pain & questions. We all have struggles, so why not "enjoy" walking through it together. There will be tears, there will be laughter, there will be serious dialogue.

Many of the students I work with are thoughtful, self-aware, and often hard on themselves. On the outside, they might look like they have things together—but internally, they’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or unsure of who they are and where they’re going. You might be navigating big transitions—starting college, figuring out relationships, questioning your identity, or feeling pressure to meet expectations (your own or others’). You may notice patterns in relationships that leave you feeling stuck, disconnected, or not fully understood. In our work together, I focus on creating a space where you can slow down, feel genuinely understood, and make sense of what’s coming up for you. I take a relational approach, which means I pay attention to how you experience connection—with others and with me—so we can better understand patterns and create more fulfilling ways of relating. If you’re looking for a therapist who is warm, engaged, and collaborative—and who will help you explore both your emotions and your relationships—you might find this to be a good fit.

If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or out of sorts, you've stumbled to the right place. Maybe you feel disconnected from yourself and/or your life, and are confused about where to go next. I work with creatively inclined people, educators, students, people in helping professions, entrepreneurs, and people looking for a career change. I accompany people on their search for connection, belonging, and purpose. They often feel stretched thin and have difficulty balancing their own expectations for themself with societal/cultural pressures. They might have difficulty with vulnerability and intimacy and feel isolated or lonely. As a dance/movement therapist, I help you learn how to reconnect with and trust your body. We might talk, meditate, make art, move or play, searching for what lights you up and can guide the way. Using a somatic approach, I emphasize compassion and radical acceptance as we work with the sensations and memories that arise in the process. As an empathic, creative thinker, I know how hard it can be to stay connected to our body's wisdom as the world pulls us in a hundred directions. Something in you got you to this page, trust and honor that impulse! I invite you to reach out for a free 15 minute phone consultation to see if we're a good fit.

I want to support you in finding mental and physical health through counseling and body-centered approaches to healing. Whatever challenges you may be facing at this time, I look forward to helping you meet your goals and find a satisfying life filled with ease, happiness, and connection!

Welcome! Taking the first step to start therapy can sometimes feel scary, and beginning your journey to healing is something to be proud of. I am honored to walk alongside you and help you navigate throughout this experience. My role as a therapist is to create a safe environment that helps you feel heard, understood, and valued. I bring empathy, authenticity, and genuineness to the therapeutic relationship and I value the inner strength and empowerment of every individual. I embrace the importance of working collaboratively with you to identify and achieve your therapeutic goals. I strive to facilitate a welcoming and non-judgmental space so you can be the truest form of yourself. I am particularly passionate about working with students. This phase of life comes with a unique set of challenges such as adjusting to life transitions, working through school and career stressors, managing relationship and family challenges, and exploring one’s developing identity. I aim to help you navigate stress management, prevent burnout, and set a healthy work/life balance. I also specialize in working with clients with body image issues and eating concerns, and have extensively researched ADHD and concentration difficulties in young adults. As a clinician, I integrate numerous techniques and work from a culturally-sensitive framework utilizing cognitive-behavioral, family systems, and strengths-based approaches. I also have specific training in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and the Gottman method. Experience My prior clinical experiences include providing individual, group, couples, and family therapy at a private practice and in numerous college counseling centers. I most recently completed my doctoral internship at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Counseling Center. I have supported clients from a wide array of racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds with many unique presenting concerns. I have been fortunate to work with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults throughout my training. I am passionate about empowering my clients to achieve their therapeutic goals.

Do you often feel anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck in cycles of overthinking and self-doubt? You may be navigating academic or career pressure, family expectations, or the emotional complexity of living between cultures. Many of my clients struggle with anxiety, depression, burnout, perfectionism, and feeling “never good enough,” even when they appear capable on the outside. Therapy can be a space where you slow down, feel understood, and move forward with greater clarity, emotional balance, and self-trust. As a bilingual therapist fluent in Mandarin and English, I bring both professional training and lived experience into my work. Having studied abroad since high school, I understand the challenges of living between cultures and am deeply attuned to the invisible pressures related to identity, family expectations and adapting to new environment. My approach is client-centered and trauma-informed, grounded in empathy, authenticity, and empowerment. I believe that healing begins with understanding—and that every small step toward self-acceptance is a powerful act of growth. I look forward to walking with you on this journey of healing and rediscovery.

Our patterns, desires, and growth are often tested in relationships. It can feel like we're going in circles when we find ourselves challenged by a transition or milestone or questioning our role in the lives of those closest to us. Beneath expectations we find understanding and beneath therapy jargon lies a nonjudgmental, compassionate, and sincere relationship. Here, our explorations can lead to deeper, novel understandings of your mind and body, and foster insights and empathy for yourself and your loved ones. In our work we will begin to name the unnamed meanings, perspectives, and desires that you hold and find their place in the future you want to build. Even in the fog of day-to-day life, you are instinctively taking steps towards your goals. My role is to offer support, curiosity, and skills that appreciate and bolster your intuition and strengths.

You’re thoughtful and self-aware. You can name your patterns and handle daily demands and yet you still feel burnt out, empty, or stuck. Maybe you’ve tried therapy before and learned helpful strategies and yet something deeper still feels unsettled. For many, college brings more than academic pressure. It can intensify questions about identity, belonging, relationships, family expectations, and who you’re becoming. Sometimes what looks like anxiety or procrastination is tied to something more relational — how safe you feel being fully yourself, how you learned to manage closeness, or how you’ve had to adapt in order to be accepted. My work is depth-oriented and relational. That means we pay attention to what unfolds between us, not just the symptoms you want to reduce. I won’t rush to give you techniques or quick fixes. Instead, we slow down enough to understand what’s been shaping your experience and create space for something different to emerge.

My name is Mary Clare, and I am a dedicated mental health clinician with experience providing therapy to children, adults, and families. My approach is collaborative and compassionate, tailoring interventions to meet the unique needs of each individual. I provide a supportive space to address issues like anxiety, stress, transitions, and personal growth. I use an eclectic approach to therapy, drawing from evidence-based modalities to help clients build resilience, increase self-awareness, and achieve their goals. I am confident we can cultivate an environment for you to heal and reach your goals, and I would love the opportunity to see if we are a good fit. I am currently accepting new clients in-person and virtually.

Many of us have been wounded at some point in our lives. Psychological wounds have the capacity to change the way we view ourselves and the way we view and interact with others. Sometimes people experience difficulties articulating the way they feel or find themselves stuck in the same maladaptive patterns in relationships. Therapy can be a useful way to make sense of how your past may be affecting your emotional well being in the here-and-now by putting unformulated experiences into words to help you heal. Using a relational approach to therapy, I aspire to offer my clients the kind of empathic environment that empowers them to heal from the past, work through present-day difficulties, change long-standing patterns in relationships, and move forward in ways that are meaningful for them. If you are looking for a safe and nonjudgmental space to make meaning of your experience feel free to contact me. I value collaborating on ways to help you achieve your personal goals.

I am a thoughtful, warm, seasoned therapist who combines a relational approach to counseling with sound clinical judgement. I have had the privilege to work with clients who are courageous, hardworking, introspective, and some of the most wonderful people I have met. I am inspired by my clients daily. I greatly enjoy walking alongside individuals and partnering with them as they pursue wholeness. Most frequently, I see clients facing challenges with anxiety, trauma, and spiritual concerns. I provide a safe place to explore concerns about family, racial identity, gender and sexuality. I have interest in clients who have shifting belief systems or have wounds from faith communities. I also enjoy working with those in the Helping Professions including: therapists, teachers, social workers, first responders and medical professionals. No matter your background, I would be glad to talk with you to see if we would work well together or if I know of a therapist who would be right for you. Finding a therapist can feel daunting but doesn’t have to be. My first step is a 15 minute call to explore whether we would be a good fit. Feel free to email and I would be glad to arrange a conversation.

College and young adulthood can be both exciting and overwhelming. Between academic pressure, changing relationships, and the constant push to “have it all figured out,” it’s easy to feel anxious, lost, or unsure of who you’re becoming. In therapy, I offer a space where you can slow down, make sense of what you’re feeling, and reconnect with yourself—so you can move through this chapter of life with more balance, clarity, and confidence. I specialize in working with students and emerging adults navigating anxiety, perfectionism, relationship stress, and life transitions. You might be adjusting to college life, struggling to manage expectations, or balancing independence with family or cultural pressures. Maybe you’re exploring your identity, healing from past experiences, or learning how to set boundaries in relationships. Whatever brings you here, you don’t have to face it alone. My approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and grounded in authenticity. I believe therapy works best when it feels like a genuine conversation—open, supportive, and down-to-earth. I draw from evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and attachment-based work to help you manage anxiety, build emotional resilience, and strengthen your connection to yourself and others. My goal is to help you feel grounded and confident as you navigate change and uncertainty. Together, we’ll explore what matters most to you, develop practical tools for managing stress, and create space for self-compassion and growth. Whether you’re adjusting to college life, preparing for graduation, or figuring out who you want to be, therapy can help you reconnect with your values and feel more like yourself again. I offer both telehealth and in-person sessions in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, and I’d be honored to support you as you move through this stage of your journey.

Hi! I am a clinical social worker with about 15 years of experience working across the lifespan and really enjoy working with young adults. I am in Lakeview/Lincoln Park above the Core Yoga building, and in network with BCBS PPO plans.

I am a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive therapist dedicated to supporting individuals with a history of trauma and life challenges related to mental health issues. My practice focuses on working with people navigating the effects of trauma, which often manifest as mental and behavioral conditions such as PTSD, C-PTSD, Panic Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, Codependency, Dissociation, and Addiction. I'm trained in addiction and trauma recovery and am a certified EMDR therapist through the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association (EMDRIA). Additionally, I'm also Internal Family Systems (IFS) informed. In my practice, I integrate techniques from EMDR, IFS, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Motivational Interviewing, Existential Therapy, and Relationship Therapy. I use EMDR and IFS to help clients access and process difficult memories, fostering psychological healing and resilience. What sets my approach apart is my unwavering commitment to creating a safe, non-judgmental therapeutic environment. I believe in the power of collaboration and work closely with clients to develop personalized treatment plans and mutual goals. As a member of a minority group, I deeply understand the importance of cultural sensitivity and strive to provide a space where clients from all backgrounds feel valued and heard. Beyond my professional practice, I am a lifelong learner, continually staying informed about the latest advancements in mental health to better serve my clients.

You don’t need a polished goal to start therapy. I work with adolescents and adults who are dealing with anxiety, stress, burnout, identity questions, or major life changes, as well as people who just want to understand themselves better. We can start wherever you are. Therapy can serve different purposes at different times. It might be a space to slow things down, to make sense of experiences, or to experiment with new ways of responding to challenges. We adjust the focus as your needs become clearer. I’ve spent the last decade working with a variety of Chicagoans across the city, from the North Side to the South Side. I love the work because I get to grow and learn from the people I support just as often as I offer them opportunities for their own growth. I believe the greatest strength of the human species is our ability to support each other. I will never be judgmental. I think everyone deserves second chances and I will fight to help you find yours. Therapy can be overwhelming, but a first session should simply introduce two people and lay out the groundwork for future sessions. Once we understand your goal, and align our expectations, we can start digging into the process behind it. Just ask!

Hey there!! My name is Kim Koehler and I am the founder and lead therapist at Afterglow Counseling. I am accepting new clients in Indiana and Illinois! I have several years of experience in counseling and therapy with individuals of diverse backgrounds. I specialize in treating individuals who are survivors of various forms of trauma, and those struggling with body image issues/changes, low self-esteem, life transitions, women’s issues, depression, OCD, and anxiety disorders. My approach is to meet you with patience, understanding, and empathy as you share your vulnerable moments with me. I believe that everyone has the power to make changes to parts of their lives that no longer feel aligned with themselves, and am here to offer you encouragement to do so. I have extensive training in trauma and crisis intervention, as well as several years in the private practice setting working with clients of various backgrounds and presentations. I value collaborative relationships, and believe that creation of your own goals for your journey in therapy is the first positive step towards regaining control and autonomy. I believe in empowering individuals to reflect on barriers in their lives, and the strengths they currently possess and skills they can add to overcome these barriers. I believe in practicing self-compassion during difficult periods of our lives, and am committed to working with you to improve your sense of self in the hopes of leading a life you love.

You are holding a lot right now... Balancing coursework, expectations, relationships, and the quiet pressure to figure out who you are (and who you are becoming) can feel overwhelming. From the outside, it might look like you are managing, but internally, there may be anxiety, self-doubt, burnout, or a sense of disconnection that is harder to name. I work with college and graduate students who are navigating exactly these kinds of experiences. Many of the people I support are thoughtful, driven, and deeply self-aware, yet find themselves feeling stuck, exhausted, or unsure of how to move forward in a way that actually feels aligned. Therapy becomes a space to slow down. A place where you do not have to perform, keep up, or have everything figured out. Together, we begin to make sense of what is underneath the stress, whether that is long-standing patterns, identity exploration, relationship dynamics, or the impact of academic and societal pressures. My approach is relational, collaborative, and grounded in a sociological lens, meaning we do not just look inward, but also consider the larger systems and expectations shaping your experience. I integrate attachment-based, psychodynamic, and trauma-informed care, while also offering practical tools when helpful. I am especially attuned to: • Academic pressure and burnout • Anxiety and emotional overwhelm • Identity exploration (including cultural, relational, and personal identity) • Life transitions and uncertainty about the future • The pressure to “hold it all together” while feeling unseen or unsupported Our work unfolds in a space that is steady, thoughtful, and deeply human. We move at a pace that honors your capacity, gently creating room for clarity, compassion, self-trust, and more sustainable ways of showing up in your life. You do not have to navigate this chapter alone. I offer tele-health sessions for students located in Illinois, Iowa, and Nevada, and would be honored to support you in this season of your life!

Our boutique Lincoln Park counseling practice works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and to attain the personal growth they are seeking. This is accomplished by adhering to our practice’s central values: compassion, empathy, and courage. We work with teens, emerging adults, adults, couples, and families from diverse backgrounds who experience a wide range of anxiety and depressive disorders. Our areas of expertise include treating anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. Our therapists have specialized training to treat relationship issues, life transitions, post-traumatic stress disorder, difficulties in emotion regulation, and men’s issues.

Intentions Psychotherapy provides therapy and life counseling in Chicago, IL via tele-health. Our goal is to help clients in their healing, struggles and suffering from current and past life experiences. Therapy allows us to see patterns that are not serving us well and gain insight on new behaviors and changes we can make to improve our circumstances. Therapeutic interactions and coping skills can help clients work through painful life events and create a new narrative in how they experience the world. With time and patience you can discover a path to living a better quality of life. We are here to help clients find meaning and understanding, as they become positive agents in their lives. Change is waiting for you!

We are all about empowering women and femme-folks through psychotherapy! We're located in Chicago and see clients virtually across the state of Illinois. We love to work with college students around relationship issues, stress, and overall managing their mental health.