Therapists for college students near 60614

Therapy is a unique process, one that aims to guide you through challenges and roadblocks, helping you move towards a healthier and more meaningful life. My goal is to create a space where growth is safe and cultivated. Using an evidence-based approach, I work to help you gain awareness of your emotional experience, working to understand the way you experience and interact with the world. I help you explore parts of yourself you may not be completely comfortable with, learning to tolerate the discomfort that surfaces during this process. I challenge clients to try something different, encouraging a more intentional approach. Change can be hard and scary; it takes courage and willingness to say you need help. I see individuals with a wide range of presenting concerns, including anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship concerns, and identity development. I also maintain a strong commitment to cultural humility. Life can throw out some pretty tough things, and while we don't always have a choice in what comes our way, we do have a choice in how we respond. Let's work together to find out how you want to respond to the challenges in your life.

College and young adulthood can be an incredible time of growth, discovery, and new possibilities—and, let’s be honest, it can also feel overwhelming at times. You may be trying to balance school, relationships, family expectations, your future, and figuring out who you are, all while wondering if you’re somehow supposed to have it all figured out. You’re not alone, and you don’t have to navigate it all by yourself. I’m deeply passionate about supporting college students and young adults through this unique chapter of life. I understand the pressures, transitions, and questions that can come with becoming more independent and building the life you want. Whether you’re adjusting to college, entering the workforce, navigating relationships, or simply trying to understand yourself better, therapy can offer you a space to slow down, breathe, and feel supported. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, overwhelming stress, and difficulty adjusting to major life changes. I also have a special interest in supporting individuals as they explore cultural identity, acculturation, family expectations, and the impact of systemic stress on their emotional well-being. My approach is warm, collaborative, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed. Most importantly, I want therapy to feel like a space where you can be yourself without judgment. Your story, identity, culture, and experiences matter. Together, we can explore how your past may be influencing your present while building practical tools to help you feel more grounded, confident, and connected to yourself. Taking care of your mental health during this stage of life can be one of the most meaningful investments you make in yourself. You deserve the opportunity to feel better—not simply to get through the next semester, transition, or challenge, but to build the confidence and resilience to create a life that feels authentic and fulfilling. I would be truly honored to walk alongside you as you navigate the challenges, celebrate the wins, and grow into the person you’re becoming. You deserve support. You deserve to thrive.

Hello! We have a variety of therapists who specialize in different things, who are able to help you both virtually and in person! Please reach out to us or visit our website for more information :)

Are you having trouble with falling and staying asleep? Are you feeling anxious and overwhelmed? I specialize in working with people who are having trouble sleeping, who are experiencing anxiety, and who are going through reproductive transitions or who are experiencing distress related to their reproductive health (e.g., PMDD, pregnancy, postpartum, infertility). In my work, I aim to cultivate a safe space to hold and honor your emotions, while also providing you with new coping tools to help you process your emotions, get some distance from your thoughts, and help you engage with your life. To do this, I use a blend of evidence-based psychotherapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Interpersonal Psychotherapy.

I practice from an insight oriented, relational, and multicultural approach tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual I work with. My priority as a therapist is to create a warm, collaborative, non-judgmental space where you can work through your concerns and make the changes in your life you desire. People seek therapy for a number of reasons, perhaps to alleviate symptoms or distress, improve self-esteem, or address relationship issues. In my experience, symptoms often “mark the spot” of a deeper themes you may be grappling with and I aim to assist you uncover what the root of your concerns may be. Often therapy helps increase self-awareness, develop deeper understanding of how past experiences may be influencing the present, and provides an opportunity to learn tools to address problematic behavior(s). Having spent the majority of my training and professional life working in university counseling centers, I am passionate about working with college and graduate students. I completed my pre-doctoral internship at Pace University in New York City and my postdoctoral fellowship at University of Chicago Student Counseling Service where I gained experience working with life-transitions, relationship issues, eating disorders, and sexual trauma. Other areas of interest include identity development and intersectionality, family dynamics, anxiety, and stress management.

As a dedicated and compassionate Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I am committed to supporting students' mental health and emotional well-being. With years of experience working in diverse academic settings, I help students navigate the challenges of college life, including stress, anxiety, academic pressures, and relationship dynamics. I offer a supportive, confidential space where students can explore their thoughts, emotions, and struggles without judgment. Through evidence-based therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, and person-centered approaches, I empower students to build resilience, develop healthy coping strategies, and achieve personal growth. My goal is to create an open, inclusive environment where students can feel heard and validated while gaining the tools necessary to succeed both academically and personally. I believe in the power of self-awareness, self-compassion, and community support to foster lasting change.

At Tailwinds, we believe mental healthcare should be accessible, transparent, and deeply human. Too often, people seeking support encounter long waitlists, confusing costs, or clinicians stretched thin by systems that don’t support them. Our vision is to remove those barriers, creating a practice where clients and clinicians alike feel valued, supported, and equipped to thrive. We see mental healthcare not just as a service, but as a partnership that helps individuals, families, and communities move forward with strength, sureness, and compassion.

Who We Are: Cherry Hill Counseling provides a safe space dedicated to giving you and your family the care, support, and guidance you need whenever you need it. What We Do: We work hard to restore relationships, heal families, and make a difference in our community by fostering a sense of genuine support and healthy living. Why We Do It: As a practice, we pride ourselves on our broad spectrum of experiences and qualifications, all of which ensure that you will find the help you’re looking for.

I’m a licensed psychologist with specialty training in exposure therapy for OCD and anxiety disorders, evidence-based trauma treatments, and transgender and queer healthcare. My passion is engaging in short-term, collaborative change processes with people—helping them make their lives bigger and more fulfilling, while providing the skills to better weather the stresses of life. It’s a hard world to live in for many of us, and I believe one of the best things we can do is get connected to the people and things that make our lives matter, even when it’s hard. In my experience, the thing that usually makes us the most miserable is when we avoid our internal experiences and move away from the things we actually want and value. Therapy can build your resilience, help you get past the barriers to living the life you want, and give you tools to manage or overcome the symptoms that get in your way. My style of practice is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a treatment modality which can improve the symptoms of many problems in 12-16 sessions and emphasizes the practice of therapy skills in between sessions to maximize gains. My passion in CBT is exposure therapy: approaching the risks we are avoiding and learning, by living, what we are capable of. I have completed exposure therapy training at the Trauma and Anxiety Disorders Clinic at Central Michigan University as well as a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for OCD and Anxiety Disorders in St Louis. Another passion of mine is improving access to, and quality of, healthcare for LGBTQ+ people. I helped develop a specialty queer & transgender mental health program at St Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute and served as the clinical director of that program prior to beginning my work at CBT Solutions. In addition to CBT, in therapy I also incorporate strategies from Acceptance Based Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Mindful Self-Compassion. In couples work, I use the Gottman Method of Relationship Therapy. The integration of these strategies can address both short-term change and longer-term self-exploration work. I work with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, trauma and PTSD, people coping with sexual assault, Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Specific Phobia, perfectionism, and unhelpful personality patterns. I particularly enjoy working with LGBTQ+ clients, and I welcome ethical nonmonogamy, nontraditional family structures, and kink lifestyles in my practice. I work with adolescents, adults, and couples / relationship partners. I look forward to getting to know you better! Schedule a free 20-minute consult so we can discuss what you want out of therapy and whether I am a good fit for helping you move towards your goals.

Little Bird Psychotherapy is a therapeutic space for clients to explore and understand themselves with a sense of compassion and curiosity. Rooted in a commitment to collaborative care free of judgement and shame, Little Bird welcomes those with a desire to discover and rediscover who they are in order to embody their most authentic and joyful selves. We are who we have always been; Little Bird can help you see who that is. I enjoy working with adults of all ages seeking support with eating disorders/body image, gender/sexuality exploration, unique stressors of graduate school, and family of origin issues. Abolition is the primary value that guides both my own life and practice. In sessions, this involves a deep understanding and compassion for all persons and their parts and a commitment to maintaining space free of pathologization and hierarchical relationships between therapist and client. I am deeply invested in anti-carceral approaches to healing. For clients wanting to engage in a collaborative relationship to foster healing, find joy in their authentic selves, and practice more self compassion, this might be your nest.

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!

Thank you for considering us as your source for therapy. We are located just outside of Chicago and offer a variety of therapy options for Adults and Adolescents from all backgrounds. Whether you are seeking support for mental health, performance coaching, or struggling with substance use in your life we are here to help. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing compassionate and personalized care to ensure your well-being.

You've worked hard to get to where you are today, but your trauma is still holding you back. Anxiety keeps you up at night. You can't quiet the voice in your head that's telling you you're not good enough. You feel disconnected from other people and wonder how others seem to maintain their relationships. And interactions with your family members leave you thoroughly exhausted. You're suffering from the legacy of childhood emotional neglect and trauma. You had to take care of yourself from a very early age because there wasn't anyone else to do it. Now, you're struggling to stay afloat and maintain the life you've always wanted. It’s time find peace with your past and create a life you love. If you're ready to break free from repetitive thoughts and behaviors that hold you back, heal from past hurt and trauma, develop a greater sense of inner peace and self-confidence, improve your relationships with others and yourself, and reconnect with your body and emotions, then keep reading. My specialty is working with adults who have experienced childhood emotional neglect and trauma. I'm a Level 2 trained IFS clinician, and I bring years of experience to helping my clients heal and live the lives they want to live. It's possible for you, too. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation and start on the path to healing.

I believe that everyone deserves a safe, compassionate space to be heard, understood, and supported. My work is grounded in empathy, respect, and a deep commitment to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with confidence and resilience. I am especially passionate about supporting teens, young adults, and individuals seeking trauma-informed care. My approach is evidence-based, yet flexible—focused on empowering you with practical tools while honoring your story and strengths.

Hi, I’m a first-generation Mexican-American bilingual therapist (¡HABLO ESPAÑOL!) offering compassionate, non-judgmental care for individuals who are ready to heal, grow, and reconnect with themselves. I’m deeply committed to supporting the Latinx community, LGBTQ+ individuals, teenagers, college students, young adults, adults, eldest daughters, and señoras navigating life’s challenges. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, suicidal thoughts, self-harming behaviors, emotional struggles, relationship issues, family conflict, low self-esteem, imposter syndrome, and school-related stress. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by family expectations, struggling with perfectionism or people-pleasing, carrying the pressure of being the eldest daughter, or finding it difficult to set boundaries and say “no,” you do not have to navigate it alone. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling emotionally exhausted, disconnected from themselves, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. You may feel like you’re constantly putting others first, avoiding your emotions, struggling to protect your peace, or carrying the weight of generational trauma. Together, we’ll work toward healthier boundaries, greater self-confidence, and breaking patterns that no longer serve you. My approach is rooted in empathy, cultural sensitivity, and authenticity. Together, we’ll build insight into your thoughts, emotions, and behavioral patterns so you can stop feeling stuck in survival mode and begin moving forward with greater clarity, confidence, and self-compassion. With me, you can expect to feel truly listened to. My calm, lighthearted presence helps create a space where you’ll feel safe to open up, even when things are heavy. I pride myself on creating a warm, supportive environment where you can explore your emotions without fear of judgment. I’ll also gently challenge you when needed, helping you face yourself with honesty so you can grow. That may mean confronting difficult emotions, patterns, or experiences, but always with care, respect, and your best interest at heart. If you’re ready to do the work, whether that means challenging old habits, trying new coping strategies, or showing up with honesty and curiosity, we’ll likely be a great match. Therapy with me is about creating momentum toward the life you want and becoming the version of yourself that feels most authentic, empowered, and at peace. Therapy is not about being “fixed”. It’s about learning to care for yourself in ways you may have never been taught. I would be honored to support you on your healing journey.

The Trauma-Informed Campus Collective is a clinical practice serving college students exclusively. Our work focuses on trauma-informed care with students navigating complex family systems, identity development, emotional regulation, and belonging within the college environment.

Melody Stauffer, LCPC is a licensed clinical professional counselor in Illinois who has counseled children, teens, and adults for over 10 years. She graduated from Judson University with a bachelor’s in psychology. She then graduated from Argosy University in 2013 with a Master of Arts in Community Counseling. Her areas of expertise include: depression, anxiety, trauma, parenting, children/adolescents, communication issues, stress management, grief & loss, self-esteem issues, self-harm, substance abuse, psychosis, and crisis stabilization. Melody recognizes each client has their own story to tell and specific wounds to heal and will let her clients lead the way on their mental health journey. Melody is also trained in EMDR therapy that is helpful with patients with trauma, old or new. Schedule your appointment with me by simply clicking on the "Visit Website" link below!

I've spent years helping kids and families navigate life's challenges, and I love supporting college and graduate students because I know growing up doesn't stop after high school. School brings new pressures, relationships, and responsibilities. It's normal to feel overwhelmed sometimes. I strive to create a space where you can be yourself, talk openly about what's on your mind, and build the confidence and skills to handle whatever comes next. No one has it all figured out. We can work through it together.

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.

I earned my **Master’s degree in Counseling from Freed-Hardeman University in 2008** and became a **National Certified Counselor (NCC #247220) in 2016**. I have been a **Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois (LCPC #180.011277) since 2017**. With more than **14 years of counseling experience**, I have worked with adolescents, college students, and adults facing a wide range of mental health and life challenges. I specialize in helping individuals manage **anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma/PTSD, substance use concerns, stress, relationship difficulties, and major life transitions**. I understand that the college years can bring unique pressures—academic stress, uncertainty about the future, balancing relationships, adjusting to independence, identity exploration, and feeling overwhelmed by expectations. My goal is to provide a supportive space where students can build confidence, strengthen coping skills, and develop practical strategies to succeed both personally and academically. My background includes work in **outpatient, residential, in-home, rehabilitation, foster-care, correctional, and telehealth settings**. I have experience providing **individual, group, and family therapy**, with a strong focus on helping clients improve emotional regulation, executive functioning, stress management, communication skills, decision-making, and healthy relationship patterns. I take a **collaborative, nonjudgmental, and strengths-based approach** to therapy. Together, we will identify your goals and create a treatment plan that fits your needs and values. I want clients to feel safe, heard, and respected throughout the counseling process. My therapeutic approach is tailored to each individual and may include evidence-based methods such as: * **Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)** * **Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)** * **Mindfulness-Based Interventions** * **Solution-Focused Therapy** * **Motivational Interviewing** * **Attachment-Based Therapy** * **Behavioral Activation** * **Person-Centered Therapy** * **Positive Psychology** To help students get the most out of therapy, I often provide **practical exercises, skill-building activities, and between-session strategies** that can be applied in daily life, academics, and relationships. Seeking support is a sign of strength, and I would be honored to work with you as you navigate the challenges and opportunities of your college experience.