Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

Hello, and welcome. We're a small relational trauma-responsive strengths-based psychotherapy practice that serves clients across incomes, race, gender, age, ability, interests, etc. We're also a diverse group of therapists with our own specialties, modalities, and service populations -- one of our therapists worked in higher education for over 10 years. But each one of us can see any type of client. Check out our profiles for more information and please don't hesitate to reach out.

Whether you have specific goals in therapy, or are simply struggling to keep your head above water, therapy can be a space to slow down and allow yourself the opportunity to sit with your experiences and feelings. I love working with queer and trans folks, people exploring their gender and sexuality for the first time, as well as people with Autism and ADHD, and people who are exploring the possibility that they may be neurodivergent. I also enjoy working with people with complex trauma histories, religious trauma, complicated family dynamics, as well as people struggling with anxiety and mood disorders. I am dedicated to working with clients to identify and process what is keeping them “stuck,” so clients can create for themselves a healthier future. I believe that harnessing creativity within the process of therapy can be extremely beneficial, especially for clients who have a more difficult time verbally expressing their thoughts and feelings. As a nonbinary and neurodivergent person, I know how important it is to find a therapist who shares your identities. I generally tend to be laid-back and very relational as a therapist and enjoy using humor to build rapport. Ultimately, this is YOUR space, and I want clients to feel like therapy is a place where they get to exercise autonomy.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I work with young adults managing stress, anxiety and life transitions. Many of the college students I work with are seeking help with adjustment to college, gaining a greater understanding of friendship and relationship dynamics, and building stress management strategies. My office is conveniently located blocks from DePaul's Lincoln Park Campus.

Today’s world presents many challenges: navigating family, careers, relationships, stress, and personal concerns, as well as wider issues like racism, political changes, and the demands of a post-pandemic world. You may feel somewhat lost or distressed in what can feel like an ever-changing landscape. This can be felt as depression, anxiety, addiction, alienation or difficulties in understanding identity. Although these challenges can be intimidating, there is hope. Through psychotherapy, I can support you in examining and exploring the intersection of identity and mental health. This can help you live a fuller, more authentic life, with meaning and direction. I will work collaboratively with you to build a relationship that is trusting, non-judgmental and compassionate. Beyond this, psychotherapy can help you to understand mental health concerns, and can reduce symptoms and their impact on your daily life. I teach my clients coping skills, such as mindfulness practices and cutting-edge exercises drawn from the latest research, as well as ways of troubleshooting specific problems, such as communication and stress-management. In this way, there is space for you to tackle issues as they arise throughout the process of therapy. This creates opportunities for you to learn and practice skills independently, with a newfound sense of self-reliance and confidence. I venture to help you nurture a strong and consistent sense of self, so you can bring out the very best versions of yourself. I specialize in working with trauma, depression, anxiety and exploring identity across culture, society and values. Additionally, I have extensive experience working with youth and young people. I have experience supporting my clients in many ways, including through processes of fostering an authentic sense of self, working through challenges with emotional regulation and expression, exploring unique family dynamics, and navigating the complexities of societal and social pressures. Understanding one’s place in the world can be difficult, especially when facing added difficulties brought by concerns related to one’s mental health. If you feel you could benefit from psychotherapy, please reach out. I value and embrace diversity in both my personal and professional life, and have had the privilege of living, working and learning from peoples of various backgrounds throughout my career. This shapes my cross-cultural existential therapy perspective, where I help my clients nurture their best selves within the balance of society, culture, values and spirituality. Together my clients and I find solutions to challenges with their mental health, as well as to connect them with their roots and place within the world beyond. In addition to adults, I have worked with youth, supporting them in developing emotional regulation skills, understanding family dynamics and managing social pressures. Men’s issues are also important to me, especially destigmatizing male mental health challenges, and exploring both positive and negative aspects of traditional masculinity across cultures. With all my clients I value navigating challenges collaboratively, and look forward to the opportunity to support you on your journey. ​ Some of my favorite activities include cooking, global history, playing my guitar, drawing, and staying active, both in nature and the gym.

I work with clients struggling with trauma, grief, depression, anxiety, and identity. During our initial sessions we spend time trust building by getting to know one another, creating a safe environment, and establishing goals. I collaborate with clients through creative expression to develop a plan for addressing issues at hand, decrease stress, and increase mind-body connection.

Welcome. My name is Shinhae. I believe therapy is a journey of understanding and healing your inner self in the process of rebuilding a relationship with yourself as well as with others. My own therapeutic journey has allowed me to find new meaning and insight for me to embrace myself wholeheartedly. I strongly empathize with what it feels like to be alone in a cage of emotional and mental struggles. It is hard to overcome the situation with a hopeful mindset while in the state of being most vulnerable. I believe that understanding of self can uplift you to move forward with hope. I am grateful to walk along on your journey as if someone did to me.

We are here to support you. Life Aligned Counseling offers individual, couples, and family counseling services. Our team of therapists has experience in a wide variety of issues including depression, anxiety, trauma recovery, grief, relationship issues, self-esteem and self-concept, emerging adult issues, family conflict, stress management, spirituality, significant life transitions, men's issues, etc. We are committed to providing empathetic, affirming, and culturally sound care that creates a safe space for healing and transformation. Visit our WEBSITE at lifealignedcounseling.com to get scheduled.

As a queer, disabled person, engaging in topics of systems, religion, and relationships is both my lived experience and my passion. As a clinician-in-training, I see the counseling process as a collaborative, client-centered time for exploring patterns, story, and skill-building for your relationships to yourself and the world around you. Whatever patterns, questions, or pain you may bring, therapy is your space to make self-compassionate change happen. I utilize narrative, art, emotional regulation, somatic, executive functioning, and mindfulness approaches to the treatment of Depression/Anxiety, ADHD, LGBTQ+ Issues, and Relationship Concerns (self, others, political environment, earth, etc). In short: my style of therapy is warm, client-centered, trauma-informed, and rooted in curiosity. I am committed to providing therapy that recognize intersections of potential pain and power within myself and others (race/ethnicity, gender/sexuality, religion/spirituality, disability, immigration status, etc). Whatever your pain may be, I look forward to learning more about and from your lived experience as we work together towards healing.

I am a queer, feminist, down-to-earth therapist who prioritizes the comfort of and connection with my clients. I have experience working with clients from a wide variety of identities, but I am especially passionate about working with LGBTQ+ people, mothers and parents, and navigating life transitions. If you’re looking for a therapist who sees therapy as a healing process, which addresses feelings, experiences, and parts of yourself that have been ignored or are causing you distress, we may be a good fit. I work with clients of all ages and specialize in LGBTQ+ affirming care, maternal mental health, trauma/PTSD, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and grief. The core of my practice involves centering each client’s needs and intersectional identities, focusing on individual strengths, and providing relational, trauma-informed care. I believe that each individual is the expert on their own experience, and my goal is to help you gain insight into the impact of those experiences. By taking this first step in starting therapy with me, we’ll create a space that is safe, trusting, and led at your own pace.