Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

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Hello! Many of my clients are young adult and adult students who share life experiences like: being biracial/POC, LGBTQ+, having tough childhoods, having a good sense of humor, and feeling nervous around people. They include first generation college students, and first or second gen to live in the US. I also work with people on topics like depression, anxiety, trauma, behaviors/habits you're concerned about (e.g. self harm, eating disorders), couples, and more. I meet with people individually, and I also have two monthly support groups for people who experience some or all of the factors I listed above: One group is for ages 19-25 and the other is for ages 25-34. Please email, call, or text to ask about joining a group or meeting with me to see if we'd be a good fit for doing therapy together!

Hi! I’m Will, a trauma-informed and culturally responsive therapist based in Chicago. You may be used to holding it all together, as the responsible one, the high-achiever, the bridge between different worlds. As a student, you might be navigating academic pressure, family expectations, and questions about identity or belonging, all while trying to keep up on the surface. Somewhere along the way, you lost the plot on what you actually want, not what your parents or those around you want. Therapy with me offers a space to slow down and reconnect with yourself. My approach is warm, collaborative, and insight-oriented, grounded in relational-cultural and psychodynamic therapy, with practical tools from ACT and DBT when helpful. Together, we’ll explore what’s underneath the stress or stuckness and work toward a way of living that feels more aligned and sustainable. I’m especially passionate about working with students of color, particularly Asian American and BIPOC students, who may be navigating identity, culture, and intergenerational dynamics. As the child of Taiwanese and Korean immigrants, I’m conversational in Mandarin and Korean, and we can incorporate them in ways that help you feel more at home. I’m a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Chicago. If any of this resonates, feel free to reach out. I’d love to chat.

Urban Wellness believes in making wellness a down-to-earth practice. We value making mental health accessible to all, and focusing on mental wellness as one section of health in the body. We are focused on being an Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppression practice and hold that in our beliefs and our treatments. We have almost 40 clinicians in 4 locations (and virtually) who work with anything from immigration to stress management to trauma. You will find us wearing slippers in the office, sharing snacks in the kitchen, and providing mental health care in a relaxed and comfortable setting. We will meet you where you're at and build a relationship that is person-centered and best fits your needs.

Many of us are looking for ways to find peace, be more present with our friends and family, and live in a way that feels nourishing. Therapy is an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and the people we love. I aim to use an individualized client-led approach to therapy while honoring intersecting identities. I offer my clients warmth and acceptance in our work together, encouraging curiosity and collaboration that leads to living an authentic life. I like to cultivate a strong alliance and establish a safe and supportive environment to help my clients access the power of vulnerability, honoring their true selves and desires. Some of my favorite groups to work with are gender and sexual minorities, artists, young adults, and folks navigating life and career transitions. Topics such as relational diversity and identity formation are also of special interest. My experience working in the performing arts makes artists, actors, musicians, and other creative professionals a natural fit for me. I celebrate client passion and know the importance of meaningful creativity, striving to encourage my clients to feel confident in presenting a genuine expression of who they are.

It takes great courage to live out our authentic selves, find wisdom underneath our emotions, and repair and transform relationships that are close to our heart. I admire your strength and humanity that takes you here. I am a psychologist, researcher, professor, and organizational consultant and provide individual, couple's, and family psychotherapy. As an immigrant, I witness life and culture in its nuances and complexities. I believe (and research shows) that, built upon a safe and trusting relationship, therapy can effectively support people to find clarity, authenticity, and resolution through the richness of our life journeys. Grounded in humanistic and feminist lenses, I support clients to process emotions, identify relationship patterns, and find one's agency within familial and sociopolitical systems, while integrating psychodynamic, CBT, and mind-body techniques. I also specialize in emotionally-focused couple's and family therapy. My clients experience me as warm, affirming, and collaborative. I am always humbled by those who commit to therapy and sit in front of me, because they have completed the hardest part of the journey on their own so that the journey of healing and growth could begin. I wish you well in your journey. I hope to have an opportunity to assist and support you.

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Life can be challenging. I believe psychotherapy with a therapist who is a good match can help one more successfully navigate those challenges. I work collaboratively with my clients. I aim to create a nonjudgmental and supportive environment to explore difficult issues together -- to better understand what one is currently facing, to help manage those difficulties, and to ultimately make life more rewarding and meaningful. I have over 30 years of clinical experience and have worked in a variety of settings including university counseling centers (Univ. of Illinois, Univ. of Michigan, Northwestern Univ., The School of the Art Institute of Chicago), and LGBTQ and feminist services (Howard Brown Health Center, Planned Parenthood, Chicago Women's Health Center). I maintain a general practice where I see a wide diversity of men and women for issues including anxiety, depression, relationship problems, and identity.

Hi! We are a team of therapists with a special focus on emerging adults navigating the pivotal transition into college and adulthood. We understand the unique challenges of this stage, from the pressures of academic responsibilities and perfectionism to struggles with self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. We’re also here to help with relationship, roommate and friendship issues, as well as concerns around dating, sexual health, and identity. We approach our clients with cultural humility and create a non-judgmental space for all types of relationships, sexualities and genders.

Do you find it challenging to relax and enjoy the present moment? Are you struggling to quiet your inner critic? Do you have a hard time sitting with intense emotions, naming them, and expressing them to others? I work with female and queer clients who want to feel more grounded, present, and empowered in their lives. Things such as trauma, substance use, anxiety, and depression can impact our ability to connect with our bodies, feel our feelings, and experience safety in the present moment. At the end of sessions, I offer Reiki, a Japanese energy healing practice that reduces stress, eases pain, and promotes deep relaxation. In addition to talk therapy, I offer somatic therapy: Brainspotting (which is similar to EMDR) and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. Somatic therapy uses a bottom-up approach of feeling vs. thinking. The body contains so much intuitive wisdom, and being able to sit with challenging sensations – in a safe and controlled way – can lead to better emotion regulation. Therapy can be challenging, so I strive to provide a light-hearted, non-judgmental space where humor and laughter become a part of the process. If I could be a good fit for you, email me to schedule a free consultation, or to schedule an initial session.

I am a trauma-informed therapist specializing in sexual abuse, sexual assault, trauma recovery, PTSD, and chronic pelvic pain. I like to use tactile materials in session— clay, collage, knitting, sand trays, watercolor…etc. Sometimes it’s hard to sit in a room with someone and just start talking. Art is a tool we can use to ease anxiety and greet the subconscious. I don’t take too many clients, so I care deeply about each person I work with. I will remember the names of your loved ones. I will want to see pictures of your dog. I will consult with your doctors, advocate for you, and send you resources outside of session. Most of all, I will be genuinely curious to hear what you have to say. Reach out if you want a free phone consult. We can decide together if we're a good fit. You don't owe me anything and you don't have to worry about my feelings. Therapy is your sacred space— I am here to protect it.

Welcome. I’m glad you’re here. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges, relationships, and personal growth. I believe therapy is a collaborative process built on trust, compassion, and a genuine understanding of each person’s unique story. My approach is warm, supportive, and thoughtful while also helping clients identify patterns, develop new skills, and create meaningful change. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, life transitions, grief and loss, perfectionism, self-esteem concerns, and challenges related to family and interpersonal relationships. I believe that people often develop ways of coping that once served an important purpose, and therapy provides a space to better understand those patterns, build on strengths, and move toward a more fulfilling life. My goal is to provide a safe, nonjudgmental environment where you feel heard, understood, and supported. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, facing a transition, or simply wanting to better understand yourself, I would be honored to work with you on your journey toward growth and healing.

Accepting New Clients! Many people begin searching for therapy when they’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or uncertain about how to move forward. If that’s you, I’m really glad you’re here. Whether you’re navigating intense emotions, unhelpful thought patterns, identity exploration, or a difficult life transition, you don’t have to do it alone. I can help you figure out what you need in order to feel more like yourself. Together, we’ll work toward greater self-understanding, emotional resilience, and meaningful, lasting change. If you are ready to see yourself thrive and not just survive, I believe I can help you. I am passionate about working with queer community, neurodivergent folks, younger adults and those within the non-monogamous or kink communities. Though normies are welcome too. I frequently work with people who are struggling with issues like anxiety, OCD, depression, self esteem, body image issues, and very common emotion "this sucks". Everyone is looking for something different in therapy. Some folks want direct skills others want to process more, either way I can help. My approach is flexible but will include principles of mindfulness, self-compassion, and values identification. I believe therapy is a space for growth, deep connection, and sometimes humor. Book directly on my website. Cost for therapy is determined by Insurance plan coverage. Reach out for more info. Your cost will likely be affordable (0-$50) if in network.

I believe that clients are fundamentally trying their best to survive and thrive in the world as they understand it, and may need assistance in gaining new tools, new perspectives, or adapting to a new context. I am a member of and passionate about working with the LGBTQ+, immigrant, disabled, kink/BDSM, and alterhuman & furry communities.

Life can sometimes move too fast, too slow, or just become a bit too much. You may feel overwhelmed, frustrated or discouraged as you try to keep up, while the world around you continues to change. Your thoughts run on overdrive, you feel stuck moving through the motions but no closer to where you’d like to go. In our darkest moments, we often need someone else to shine a light on our capabilities. I believe there’s strength in every person, even when it feels out of reach. Wherever you are on your path, I hope to honor your lived experience while also noticing the glimmers of change as they come. Together, we will identify the root of what’s holding you back, strengthen intrinsic motivation, and take steps toward meaningful, lasting change. Drawing from an integrative, holistic and affirming approach, I work with individuals and couples from all walks of life. With training in Somatic Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Gottman Method, Motivational Interviewing, LGBTQ+ and neurodiversity affirming practice, I weave experiential methods of therapy with evidence-based interventions. I love supporting people to gain self-insight, and build better communication skills that support fulfilling and intentional relationships. Sometimes the first step is the hardest. If you feel that my approach may be a good fit for you, I invite you to reach out. Whether with me or another counselor, it would be a privilege to witness you on your new path.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Freelife is an LGBTQ+ affirming practice with strong experience serving University Counseling Students with their unique set of needs. We offer therapy online and in-person in the Andersonville area. Whether you are seeking help with relationships, anxiety/depression, autism-ADHD-neurodivergence- trauma, PTSD, adjusting to a new environment, sexual/gender identity, or any life transition, Freelife is here to help.

Therapy works best when we start with a strong working relationship and center our approach on what works best for you. I will always start by getting to know you and collaborating on goals. Together, we find the tools and frameworks that respond to your strengths and preferences. You are the expert on your own experience. I practice a Neurodiversity Affirming (NDA) approach that affirms the full and natural range of neurological diversity and human development, supports self-advocacy, and rejects a conceptualization of “normal” that pathologizes difference and marginalizes communities. Nothing for you, without you. I take a person-centered, integrative, and relational approach with individuals from all backgrounds, utilizing trauma-informed and NDA lenses. As a therapist and Social Worker, I strongly believe in identifying the social, political, and environmental factors that impact your well-being and the harm within the dominant culture. Whether it’s a particular life transition or the compounded impact over time, I will unpack the complexity, grief, and potential with you. It’s your story. I’m here to help you decide what happens next.

Will is a psychoanalytic candidate with the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis and practices an integrative approach to therapy that is rooted in psychoanalysis, drawing from experiences of working in residential therapy and community mental health. He is also trained in Child and Parent Psychotherapy, an evidence-based practice that works to mitigate the negative effects of trauma by strengthening the parent-child bond for young children aged 0-6 and their caregivers. Will believes we all make sacrifices to try and fit it; he believes this to be the origin of many of our symptoms which he understands to the be the reasons and experiences that bring clients to therapy. We try to be good workers, family members, and citizens, but oftentimes, in our struggles to fit it, belong, or be good human beings, we lose sight of something inherent in ourselves. “Fitting in” has a price. If you’re coming to therapy, the price probably feels too costly. No matter how hard we try, sometimes we don’t fit in or we feel like an outsider or an imposter. We might feel like there’s something we’ve lost or something we’ve never had. People who hear voices, live through anxiety and fear, think or experience the world differently, and are in mourning have a place in my practice. Will offers a place to relationally understand these sacrifices and symptoms; to discover where they come from and make space for something new. Through a therapeutic relationship built on trust, respect, and collaboration, we’ll work to understand the choices we unknowingly make and look to untangle the knots that oftentimes get in the way of living the life we want.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.