Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure who you’re becoming? Maybe you’re starting school, adjusting to a new country or community, exploring your identity, or trying to balance creativity, responsibility, and perfectionism. If you’re still reading this, I want you to know how proud I am of you. Reaching this point is no small thing. By exploring support, you’ve already begun your healing journey, and I’m proud of you for honoring yourself in this way. I specialize in supporting college students, especially underrepresented students, including international, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and First-Generation students. I am also passionate about helping adults working through childhood trauma, teens who have experienced bullying, artists, and single parents who are navigating academic or career stress, transitions, identity exploration, creative blocks, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm. As a bilingual immigrant therapist and formerly international student, I understand how hard it is to adjust to new systems while trying to stay true to yourself. My approach is grounded, approachable, and evidence-informed: as a certified art therapist, I blend art therapy, talk therapy, and somatic tools (like breathwork and grounding practices) tailored to your needs. You won't need to bring the “right” words—I’ll help you access insight through images, movement, and your own embodied experience. Together, we’ll explore what feels stuck and what feels possible for you. I’ll help you reconnect with your creativity, soothe anxiety, build self-compassion, and feel more firmly rooted in your values and identity. I’ll be with you to create a safe space as you explore your identity, memories, and the emotions they carry. I would love to be part of your journey, toward celebrating your identity, honoring your story, and discovering that what makes you different is, in fact, your greatest strength. If something in this profile resonates with you, I’d love to connect. Please reach out for a free 15-minute consultation call to see if we're a good fit!

I’m a psychotherapist and trauma-focused yoga teacher with an approach grounded in psychoanalytic theory and practice. While I work with a wide variety of folks, I have a soft spot for artists and young adults. Although rooted in psychoanalysis, I practice eclectically, meaning I tailor our sessions to your individualized needs while offering a warm, attentive environment in which your experiences, feelings, and questions are explored. I place a strong emphasis on building a trusting therapeutic relationship with you so that we explore patterns shaped by past relationships and experiences to make room for greater authenticity and self-understanding. I don’t see psychotherapy as a way to fix or judge, but as a way to learn to approach ourselves with curiosity, and maybe even a little humor, whether this is through talk therapy, trauma-focused yoga, or a combination of the two.

Do you feel disconnected from yourself, your relationships, or the life you want to create? Are you longing to feel more authentic, grounded, and at home within yourself? Through curiosity and exploration, I help you honor your experiences, soften protective patterns, and reconnect with your inner wisdom and strength. I support individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, complex family dynamics, PCOS/PMOS, PMDD, and life transitions. I especially enjoy supporting those who have learned to prioritize others’ needs while losing touch with their own voice, desires, and inner knowing. My approach is holistic, intersectional, feminist, and trauma-informed; I integrate mindfulness, somatic, and body-based practices to support individuals navigating anxiety, stress, life transitions, and patterns that may no longer serve them. I welcome clients who are seeking a deeper connection with themselves, their bodies, and their relationships. Together, we can create a nurturing and collaborative space where you feel seen, supported, &understood. Through presence, self-exploration, and self-compassion, we can move toward greater clarity, connection, and alignment. There's also room for play, creativity, and humor along the way!

I know that reaching out for therapy can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already carrying so much. You don’t have to do this alone. I’m Mariana Bednarek, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, and life transitions. I offer a warm, nonjudgmental space where you can feel seen and accepted as you are. As an LGBTQ+ and neurodiversity-affirming therapist, I am committed to helping you feel safe, validated, and understood.

Are you feeling trapped in a cycle of uncertainty, dissatisfaction, and self-doubt? You're not alone. Life can sometimes feel unmanageable, making us feel overwhelmed, anxious, down, or even lost. It can often feel easier to continue in the same maladaptive behavioral patterns instead of shifting to healthier ways, which is why change can be so hard! I'm here to help and support you while you navigate some of life’s turbulent waters. On this journey, I would work with you to take steps toward discovering a path of inner peace and fulfillment while creating the changes you want. Your unique journey matters, and I'm committed to understanding it, supporting you through it, and helping you feel more equipped on this journey. Whether it's the weight of indecision, the shadow of anxiety, or the cloud of depression, I offer a safe, friendly, and nonjudgemental space where we can explore your emotions, thoughts, and concerns together. If you're experiencing relationship issues or facing significant changes, I'm here to lend a compassionate ear and offer insights or practical strategies. You don't have to face these challenges alone. Let's embark on this transformative experience together. I can't wait to hear from you and begin this process together.

You weren’t meant to spend your life in survival mode. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, stress, or a major life transition, or noticing patterns in relationships, self-doubt, or emotional overwhelm that feel hard to break, therapy can help you make sense of what’s going on beneath the surface. I work with adolescents and adults to understand how anxiety, trauma, and current life stressors shape your present experience, helping you move with self-compassion, reconnect with your authentic self, and build a life that feels more grounded and fully your own. Stress, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem concerns, relationship challenges, and major life transitions can leave you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected. Therapy offers space to slow down, understand patterns, and gain clarity. Using a trauma-informed, collaborative approach, I support clients in building resilience and a more authentic way of living. Taking steps toward change takes courage, especially when you’ve been carrying things on your own. I’m here to walk alongside you in that process. If you’re looking for a therapist who will honor your strengths, respect your story, and offer a supportive space to make sense of what you’ve been carrying, I’d love to connect.

As a bilingual (Spanish & English) trauma-sensitive therapist, I offer integrative, individualized care. My approach is shaped by your unique needs. Everyone has a unique story and deserves an individualized approach to treatment. I believe in a holistic and caring approach, actively listening and engaging with you to build a strong therapeutic alliance- a vital step in healing. In our work together, my focus will be on understanding you as a whole person, shaping our therapeutic path around your unique experiences and needs. I believe that building a strong, trusting relationship is the foundation of all healing. In the safe space we create, you'll have the opportunity to process your emotions, build resilience, and discover new ways of coping. With a deep respect for your background and identity, I am committed to empowering you to improve your quality of life and mental health.

Hello! My name is Dr. Ashly Lawrence. I have been working with college students and young adults for almost twenty years. College is a time of self-exploration, transition, and identity development. It can also bring great stress, existential questions, and family of origin issues. I am here to support it all. I practice from a relational feminist lens and am best suited to support clients struggling with stress, anxiety, identity development, trauma, family of origin issues, relationship stressors, and life transitions. I am LGBTQ+ affirming and often work with folx with one or more marginalized identities.

College can feel like a lot... managing classes, relationships, identity, family expectations, and your future all at once. At Favorite Therapy, we work with students who feel overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, or unsure of themselves. You might be the “strong one” in your circle, but inside you're struggling to keep it together. We provide a welcoming, judgment free space where you don’t have to have it all figured out. Whether you’re navigating trauma, stress, burnout, or just trying to find your way. We’re here to help you feel seen, supported, and more like yourself again. We offer virtual sessions and we accept PPO insurance plans with BCBS, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Cigna, as well as self pay options with sliding scale availability. Therapy that meets you where you are so you can grow into who you're becoming.

A lot of the students I work with look like they’re holding it together, but inside they feel overwhelmed. You might be lying in bed with your mind racing, replaying conversations, worrying about grades, or second guessing where you stand with friends, a roommate, or a partner. College transitions can make everything feel louder, with new expectations, new relationships, and sometimes pressure from back home. In therapy, we’ll slow things down, figure out what’s fueling the stress, and build tools you can use right away so you feel more grounded, more confident in your choices, and more like yourself.

Guided Pathway Counseling, PLLC helps support individuals struggling with an array of mental health issues, some of which include depression, anxiety, trauma, stress management, life transitions, and issues relevant to the LGBTQ community.

I am a young adult therapist who helps clients control their behavioral response to challenging emotions, effectively adjust to change, and live a life that makes them proud. I have experience with young adults with anxiety, depression, self-injurious behavior, ADHD, and life transitions. I create a safe space and act as a guide, assisting the client as they explore past and current issues, unhealthy patterns, and identify overall goals. I utilize evidence-based strategies and techniques from an integrated cognitive-behavioral, individual psychology approach. Additionally, I incorporate aspects of mindfulness, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing. I am accepting new clients and would love to be apart of your journey to overall wellness and success.

Hi, my name is Selena Bradshaw. With a lifelong passion for helping others, I am a dedicated Licensed Social Worker with experience in both child welfare and school social work. I have always been driven by a deep desire to support individuals and families in navigating life's challenges, fostering resilience, and empowering positive change. My work is rooted in trauma-informed care, ensuring that each person I work with receives compassionate, individualized support. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy being outdoors and staying active, as I believe in the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between physical and emotional well-being.

I help people process trauma, manage their emotions and anxiety, and maximize their performance with the combination of talk therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Brainspotting, and/or Internal Family Systems (IFS). A Free 15-minute consultation is offered to ensure a good fit.

Dr. Shana Mehta works with teenagers and adults who struggle with various forms of anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. She has expertise with individuals who experience mood difficulties, generalized anxiety or panic, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, addiction, trauma, divorce, parenting difficulties, and significant life transitions. Additionally, she specializes in eating disorder treatment, specifically binge eating, compulsive overeating, emotional overeating, and mindless eating. Dr. Mehta views therapy as a collaborative process. She works with her client to gain a deeper understanding of past struggles and tendencies, assist in managing current challenges, and develop achievable goals. She uses a combination of evidence based therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive-Behavioral, Dialectical Behavioral, and Exposure Therapy. Dr. Mehta believes that there are many complex components that make ‘life change’ difficult. She finds passion in assisting clients in uncovering emotional layers, helping them to achieve realistic improvements, and finding enjoyment and happiness in life. If you're ready to schedule, visit www.allow-wellness.com to directly reserve an intake time.

Life doesn’t come with a manual—though it sometimes feels like everyone else secretly got one. When stress, anxiety, trauma, or old patterns start getting in the way, I can you you figure out what isn’t working, understand why it keeps showing up, and develop realistic strategies to move forward. My approach is collaborative, grounded, and goal-oriented.

If you find yourself not feeling good enough, struggling to cope with worries, traumas, and pain from the past, or wanting to learn more about yourself and why you think and behave in the ways that you do, my therapeutic approach may be right for you. Depending on your goals/needs, we will work together to increase your insight, explore alternative coping strategies, and help you feel empowered to make different decisions in life to get your closer to who and where you want to be. My intention in our work together is to see you, understand you, and challenge you to grow. When necessary/needed, we will use humor along the way! I specialize in working with adults struggling with feelings of Unworthiness/Low Self-Esteem, Trauma/PTSD, Family/Relationship Conflict, Anxiety, and Depression. I am passionate about working with the LGBTQIA+ community, BIPOC, Mental Health Professionals, Artists, Immigrants, First-Generation Americans, Bi-cultural Individuals, and the Kink community. I would be honored to be a part of your journey. Through our work together, you can learn to practice more self-compassion, feel more grounded, and better manage all the thoughts and feelings you're experiencing. If you connected to what I've shared and feel like we would be a good fit, feel free to message me to arrange a free phone consult.

Many of the students I work with feel like they’re carrying more than what shows on the outside. Between school, family expectations, friendships, and figuring out who they are, it can feel like there’s never enough space to just breathe. Some describe feeling anxious, weighed down, or stuck between different parts of their life; like they’re trying to hold it all together but don’t always know how. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. I work especially well with students who: ◦ Feel pressure to succeed academically while juggling family or cultural expectations ◦ Notice anxiety or low moods making it harder to focus or enjoy daily life ◦ Struggle with relationships, whether that’s family, friends, or dating ◦ Are first-generation, or navigating life between more than one culture ◦ Want a space that feels supportive, flexible, and understanding Therapy with me is about having someone on your side who understands those layers. We’ll take it step by step, focusing on what matters most to you so you can feel steadier, less weighed down, and more like yourself again.

I’m here to support college students and young adults as they figure out who they are and where they’re going. My approach is all about creating a space where you feel genuinely safe, heard, and never judged. With a background in schools and working with families, I’ve spent years helping teens and young adults navigate the tough stuff—like transitioning into adulthood, managing ADHD and executive functioning challenges, or understanding learning differences. I love helping people build confidence, work through relationship challenges, and grow into themselves with curiosity and self-compassion. I’m LGBTQIA+ affirming, sex-positive, and support body liberation. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just unsure, therapy can be a great place to start finding your way.

Bethesda Behavioral Health Services fosters the personal, emotional, and social well-being of its clients and helps them reach their fullest potential by providing comprehensive clinical counseling, consultation, coaching, supervision, crisis intervention, and psychoeducational services.