Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience providing individual therapy to a diverse population of adults ages 18 years and older. I have speciality in Anxiety, Depression, and provided support for those who have experienced trauma. I started EmpathicPath to help those through difficult times. I combine cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance, and solution focused therapy based an each individual client’s needs through talk therapy. I provide a nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard, understood, and respected. My goal is to help you gain deeper insight into your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and to identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck or causing distress.

Hi! I'm Hannah. Have you ever heard the phrase, “The body keeps the score”? It’s true! Our bodies are incredibly smart and know how to keep us safe. They remember our past and are doing their best to keep us safe in our present and future. But sometimes this means that it’s working overtime to protect us from anything else that could hurt us, and this can end up causing problems in relationships, jobs, schooling, and in our mental and physical health. Traditional talk therapy is often ineffective at helping the body heal from these old wounds. Instead, I use a body-based approach that provides long-lasting healing from trauma and loss. I believe that the therapeutic relationship truly heals, and I aim to be one of your biggest supporters as you overcome challenges in your life. I’ll be right there with you through some of your hardest moments, and I’ll hold onto hope even when it seems hopeless. I believe in you and your ability to do hard things. I also believe you deserve all the healing that you can possibly have in this life, and it’s my honor to guide you on your healing journey. I’m sex-positive, kink-positive, LGBTQ+ affirming, and strongly believe in racial justice.

Hi- My name is Jennifer Wolf, and I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois with 7 years of professional work experience. I obtained my Master's Degree in School and Community Counseling from National-Louis University. I have experience in helping clients of all ages with stress and anxiety, motivation, self-esteem, confidence, career difficulties, and executive functioning. We all need a bit of support in our lives at one time or another. Reaching out for this support and finding a therapist is a courageous first step toward reaching your personal, professional or family goals. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage, and I am proud of you for getting started!

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.

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!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

We are a team of therapists who are committed to providing support that perfectly blends personal compassion with science. We care deeply about our clients, and use proven, research based methods to help you cope with your personal challenges, heal, and improve your relationships.

Welcome! I am excited to meet with you. My name is Jen Stephens and I have been a counselor for over 20 years and hold licenses in Alabama, Illinois, Nevada, Oregon, and Texas. My experience includes working with substance abuse issues and various aspects of mental health. Additionally, I have worked with the military population and have supported the LGBTQ+ community. I am here to help you navigate what is important to you, and I look forward to embarking on this journey together!

I see psychotherapy as a collaborative process to help individuals gain a fresh perspective on their lives, recognize repeating patterns in their behaviors and relationships, and find new solutions for old problems. My approach is psychodynamic and eclectic, balancing both depth and real-world focus to address the unique needs of each patient at the intersection of their physical, mental, internal, external, interpersonal, and sociopolitical spheres of experience. I have a particular passion working with individuals who find themselves outside of the narrow band of supposedly “normal” identity and desire, including people who are “kinky”/involved in BDSM, nonmonogamous, polyamorous, in open relationships, queer, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and/or trans* (transitioning or not transitioning). I endeavor to use my concentrated graduate study, post-graduate training, and clinical experience in these areas to provide a warm, open, and supportive space to facilitate self-understanding and growth.

CLAY “Continue Learning About You” Therapeutic Services is an Illinois state-licensed practice serving the Hoffman Estates/Schaumburg and surrounding areas. We offer psychotherapy and counseling services as well as mediation services. Our therapists love what they do and are committed to being engaged with you to help you accomplish your goals. Our therapists offer a range of approaches and styles to assist you based on their expertise, style and theoretical orientation. We all go through changes in our lives and sometimes the changes are harder than we expect. These changes can be difficult to manage and create stress and uncertainty. Life transitions therapy can create a healthy pathway to navigate the changes and create structure while developing tools to manage the stress. Common life events that would benefit from Life transitions therapy: New job or career Post-divorce Becoming an independent adult Post-divorce dating Living alone for the first time Sobriety Loss of a relationship Going on Disability Retirement Pandemic Our therapists understand the difficulty and array of emotions involved in many life transitions. Change is not always easy, but our therapists are here to remind you that you are not alone and will provide the support and strategies with life transitions therapy you need to keep moving forward.

To the outside world, it may appear that you have it all together yet no matter how hard you try you suffer from anxiety, self doubt, people pleasing, burn out, and guilt when putting your own needs first and something needs to change. My role as a therapist is to bring light to those parts of yourself which have been blocking you from making changes and step into a life of wholeness and authenticity. As a trauma focused therapist, I integrate therapeutic techniques that encourage insight-building and guidance on taking actionable steps toward healing. Areas of specialization include trauma, anxiety, systemic abuse, life transitions, attachment wounds, imposter syndrome, identity exploration, women's issues, and college student mental health. My services are telehealth only to provide services in the comfort of your own home.

Guessing your way through life is stressful. I work with college students who are realizing that there's a lot of things that they weren't taught in school and are ready to take control of their future. Now that you have more freedom and choice, you also have to figure out what to do with it. Who are you? Who do you want to be? What do you want to do with your life? How do you get there? If you're starting out college, you might be trying to get yourself into a routine, make new friends, navigate the campus dating scene, decide on a major, or handle the stress of midterms/finals. Maybe you're past that part of your college experience, but you still haven't found a good solution to those problems: still putting off studying, dealing with friend drama, having ups and downs with dating, etc. And if you're getting towards the end of your college experience, you might be worried out about what you're going to do after college and what that will look like. You don't need to figure all that out on your own. I help people get to the root of their problems so that they can understand themselves and others better. If you can understand your past and unlearn things that aren't helping you anymore, then you can replace them with healthy ways to move forward with confidence.

We can't always decide what happens to us in life, but we can choose what we do about it. I love working with clients who are open to building trust, ready to begin exploring, and want to create change. You don't have to have it all figured out right now, I would be honored to share space with you and start the process of rediscovering yourself. I have the most experience working with self-esteem issues, anxiety, depression, difficult family relationships, romantic relationship stressors, gender identity, and sexuality. I want to learn what makes you unique, help you build trust in yourself, and help you reclaim your life narrative. My passion is in learning people's stories. I use trauma-informed techniques to look at the context of our lives, and together we can forge a new path forward towards the life you find most fulfilling. I draw from narrative therapy to learn about your story, and I use EMDR to help reprocess our experiences.

Parkside Psychological Services is dedicated to serving people of all ages and needs. Our team of diverse, talented providers is committed to understanding the root of client’s concerns and working with them to bring about effective changes for recovery. Different providers are available 7-days/wk including daytime, evening, and weekends to suite your needs. We are currently accepting patients with a wide spectrum of symptoms. Able to connect in-person (Lake Forest, IL) or virtually (PsyPact membership connecting to 42 states nationwide!). We are in-network with BCBS PPO and Medicare. Out-of-network rates can be discussed as needed with option of superbills to support your request for reimbursement. Please reach out to Dr. Smiley directly to discuss your needs and preferences, and get started right away! Ideally an initial appointment will be scheduled within a week.

Drawing from 10+ years of clinical experience, I use a solution-focused approach to teach skills to overcome worry, depression, anger, stress, guilt, low self-esteem, sleep issues, relationship struggles, and parenting challenges. My clients and I work on improving their wellness and their lives by exploring helpful solutions, perspectives, and habits.

Hi, I’m Sarah, and I’m so glad you’re here. Living with ADHD or autism, especially as a woman or parent, can be overwhelming in a world that often misunderstands or overlooks neurodivergent experiences. Whether you're juggling college, burnout, or just trying to feel like yourself, you don’t have to do it alone. I offer counseling in South Carolina (in person and telehealth) and Illinois (telehealth only), with a focus on supporting neurodivergent women and parents. My approach is personalized and affirming, drawing from CBT, Mindfulness-Based DBT, and Narrative Therapy. Together, we’ll work to reduce distress, explore your story, and reconnect with your strengths, all without trying to “fix” who you are. You deserve care that meets you where you are, honors how your brain works, and supports you as your full self.

I believe in providing a safe and supportive environment for clients to express themselves without judgment. My approach to therapy is collaborative and tailored to the client - I believe that different techniques work better for different people. I integrate cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavior, and humanistic styles into my treatment plans to create a productive and empathetic therapeutic experience. My clients have described me as comforting yet honest, with a knack for encouraging insight. I specialize in working with members of the LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, and disabled communities, though I’m passionate about providing compassionate therapy for all. I have experience with a diverse range of clients and presenting problems. I worked as a special education recreation counselor for children and adolescents with developmental and physical disabilities. My clinical experience comes from working in a residential treatment center with a focus on trauma, eating disorders, and addiction. Many of my clients have also struggled with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorders.

I often work with students navigating big changes—adjusting to college life, managing stress, or figuring out who they are and where they fit in. Maybe you’re balancing school with work or family expectations, or feeling pressure to succeed while silently struggling. I offer a supportive, judgment-free space where you can slow down, talk things through, and learn to care for yourself while meeting life’s demands. Together, we can work on easing anxiety, building confidence, and finding balance that feels sustainable.

Feeling more overwhelmed than usual? Noticing the weight of past experiences getting in your way? Looking to move toward healing? Wanting to lean into a healthier version of yourself? These types of thoughts are common. We all struggle, at times, with how we react to different situations. Our life experiences and environments have an affect on our thoughts, feelings and emotions. I believe that you are capable of breaking patterns that no longer serve you and finding your way towards a more intentional and fulfilling life. I offer support in your growth towards more ease and grounding no matter the circumstance. I will offer you a secure space that is welcoming and open to all as well as filled with compassion, acceptance, and curiosity. I believe that you will find me easily approachable and responsive to your unique needs and experiences. I hold a relational focus because the connection that you and I create is essential for the work it takes to get you closer to what you are looking for in your life. I am authentic and honest in my approach because we are humans coming together in a common experience that requires trust and vulnerability to be able to work on hard things together.

I believe that the therapeutic relationship is at the crux of change. Through this lens, I offer a safe and empathic space for clients to explore their inner world. Counseling is not just for those experiencing a life crisis or a current difficulty— it is an opportunity to learn new skills, gain new insights, and position oneself for increased health and wellness. Every client is unique and needs something different from the therapeutic process. Pulling from a variety of modalities, I tailor techniques in a creative way to fit those needs. Through working together, I believe that I can help you find your way to the path for growth. I have experience working with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, relationship problems, work-life balance concerns, familial troubles, grief and loss, life transitions and trauma. I'm particularly passionate about working with college students and emerging adults. This time of life can be fraught with anxiety related to academic performance and career choices, making this life stage feel quite unpredictable and isolating, which is why I believe therapy is so important during this time. My goal is to help you gain useful tools to not only help you navigate this life stage, but also to carry with you in the future. I earned my M.A. in Counseling from Northwestern University and my B.A. in Psychology and Communications from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I have previously worked in various community mental health and private practice settings.