Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

Are you feeling stuck? Does your anxiety, stress, or use of poor coping skills prevent you from reaching your goals? I work with adults looking to develop useful tools to decrease unwanted feelings and increase self-confidence. My overall approach remains solution-focused by encouraging growth and progress over the course of treatment. I can provide the space needed to help navigate life's challenges, while feeling secure about the choices you make! I am a Licensed Clinical Counselor and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. My specialities include supporting individuals with anxiety and substance abuse, which can commonly co-occur. Understanding addiction and having the tools to manage emotions can lead to a healthier lifestyle. Let's challenge some of your common unhealthy thoughts together! Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and being active with my dog Auggie. I believe my energy and personality remain calm and balanced, making it easier to open up. I am clear, communicative, and convenient when it comes to therapy, scheduling, and fees so you can focus on progress.

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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.

We are a group of skilled clinicians dedicated to creating space for wellness through thoughtful, evidence based care. Many of us from marginalized communities know what it’s like to have our voices ignored or dismissed. At Ida Lillie, we acknowledge the history and reality of systematic oppression while offering our patients deep healing and change. Our team is passionate about providing reparative care through diverse representation in a field that often lacks it. At Ida Lillie, we offer expert clinicians who support all identities in their mental wellness.

I believe it is my job as a clinical psychologist to help clients improve on their strengths and grow in their areas of need. Humor is highly valued in my approach and I want clients to be able to share their goals, experiences, values, thoughts, and feelings without judgment and with compassion. I work from a strength-based, collaborative approach to empower clients to improve relationships, develop identity, cope with emotional struggles, or promote balance. I specialize in helping clients understand and manage their anxiety.

Dr. Gonzales takes a personalized, collaborative approach that thoughtfully integrates medication management with evidence-based therapeutic techniques. He believes every patient deserves a safe space — one built on trust and open communication — because lasting change requires feeling safe and genuinely heard. He specializes in treating anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, PTSD, and ADHD across the lifespan — with a particular focus on the unique challenges facing early career professionals, young adults, college students, transitional aged youth, kids and teens. Whether you're seeking psychiatric care for the first time or you've tried other providers and are looking for a better fit, his goal is always the same: to help you grow, develop coping skills that actually work in real life, and build the kind of emotional foundation that holds. Dr. Gonzales believes that mental health care should be readily accessible — because the easier it is to engage in care, the more likely meaningful progress follows. His practice is primarily telehealth-based, removing barriers like commute time, scheduling conflicts, and the hesitation that can come with walking into an office. He currently sees patients virtually across Illinois, Florida, Wisconsin, and Texas. In-person appointments are also available in Chicago, IL for those who prefer them.

Ami Goetz received her Masters from the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice (Top-Ranked). She is a compassionate and motivated therapist who strives to create a safe, accepting environment to help clients overcome obstacles, strengthen relationships, and achieve their goals. Ami has extensive experience partnering with individuals from a variety of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. She has high interest in the areas of depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, sexual assault, life transitions, grief, disabilities, executive functioning, and relationships. Ami also works well with patients who struggle with executive functioning and time management as a part of her disability background. She utilizes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Informed approaches, Mindfulness, and Contemporary Psychodynamic Psychotherapy to foster self-acceptance and build resilience. Ami applies a strengths-based, holistic approach that tailors treatment to each individual’s particular needs. She is certified in Trauma-Informed Care (TIC), is a Certified Trauma Professional (CTP), and practices cultural competency, attunement, and humility to cultivate a nonjudgmental, safe space where the therapeutic relationship can continue to evolve and progress. Ami values transparency, equity, loyalty, and unconditional acceptance which she emulates in each session. She is passionate about partnering with clients to improve their daily lives and achieve their desired outcomes.

Our vision at Little Seed Wellness (formerly known as Practical Magic Healing) is to build a future where Queer individuals have the freedom and autonomy to make empowered decisions about their lives and bodies. We aim to cultivate inclusive communities that inspire healing, growth, and representation, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and compassionate world. Our therapists specialize in trauma focused care, EMDR, IFS/Parts Work, eating disorder and substance abuse counseling, and harm reduction practices.

Anxiety doesn't always look like panic. Sometimes it looks like overthinking every decision, constantly questioning yourself, feeling like you have to get everything "right," or struggling to quiet your mind long enough to enjoy the present. If fear, perfectionism, or self-doubt have been keeping you stuck, therapy can help you build confidence and move forward with greater clarity. I work with college students, graduate students, and young adults navigating anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), low self-esteem, identity development, family-of-origin challenges, and major life transitions. Together, we'll identify the patterns that keep you feeling stuck, better understand the fears driving them, and develop practical strategies to help you live with greater confidence and flexibility. My approach is warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to help you better understand yourself while building on your strengths. Rather than letting anxiety make your decisions, we'll work toward creating a life that feels more aligned with your values, goals, and the person you want to become. I also work with couples navigating communication challenges, intimacy concerns, relationship transitions, and sexual wellness. Whether you're seeking support as an individual or in a relationship, my goal is to create a space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to make meaningful, lasting changes. My hope is that therapy helps you trust yourself more fully, strengthen your relationships, and move through life with greater confidence, self-compassion, and purpose.

We believe that under the right conditions, all humans have the ability to reach their greatest potential. Our psychologists develop trusted relationships with their clients, validating their worth and value while facilitating growth towards becoming their unique, authentic selves. They see each client as a whole, complex person, and through safe exploration of clients’ emotions, thoughts, behaviors, greater awareness is fostered toward identifying the path of becoming one’s true self. We believe that being alive is a gift, yet being human is challenging and difficult. There are many beautiful aspects of life itself, and at the same time life has a lot of suffering. We are human and we are fallible and life involves a lot of difficult external influences. Navigating both seeing and embracing the beauty while also coping with and overcoming the suffering is the key to finding internal happiness, contentment, and peace.

I believe having a place to express yourself with a therapist whom you trust is a pivotal first step to creating personal growth and wellness. I pride myself in establishing strong, supportive relationships with my clients and providing a safe, nonjudgemental space where healing can take place. In therapy, I work together with my clients to navigate life's challenges, develop healthy coping strategies, effectively manage difficult emotions, and establish life-long skills. My therapeutic style is highly integrative with a warm person-centered approach. Therapy is tailored to the specific needs of clients so that treatment goals and the therapeutic process fits the individuality of each client. I am passionate about my work and am very invested in helping my clients develop a greater sense of self-awareness, acceptance, and overall life satisfaction

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I practice with a psychodynamic lens. I specialize in young adulthood and everything that the quarter life brings. Who am I, who do I want to be, who are my people etc.

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.

It can be exhausting trying to hold everything together while you're also trying to figure out who you are. Maybe you're navigating anxiety, struggling with self-esteem, questioning a relationship, grieving a loss, or adjusting to a major life change. Whatever you're carrying, therapy can help you better understand yourself and move through this stage of life with greater confidence and clarity. I work with college students, graduate students, and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, relationship challenges, identity development, grief, trauma, and life transitions. Together, we'll explore the experiences that have shaped you, strengthen your sense of self, and develop practical tools to help you manage life's challenges in ways that feel authentic and sustainable. My approach is warm, collaborative, and culturally responsive. I believe meaningful change happens when you feel supported enough to explore your emotions, relationships, and patterns without judgment. We'll work together to strengthen self-esteem, set healthier boundaries, improve relationships, and create a life that feels more aligned with your values. I integrate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness to help you build resilience, develop self-compassion, and navigate difficult emotions with greater confidence. My hope is that therapy helps you feel more grounded in who you are, more confident in your relationships, and better equipped to handle life's inevitable changes with resilience and self-trust.

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I specialize in working with children, adolescents and adults struggling with anxiety, behavioral challenges, depression, addiction, grief & loss, and trauma. I also help those who are struggling with transitional changes, relationship stressors and identity challenges. Additionally, I help couples' work through conflict and improve communication in their relationship.

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Have you ever felt like you don't quite fit into the boxes other people expect of you? Maybe you're exploring your identity, questioning family expectations, discovering you're neurodivergent, or trying to understand parts of yourself that haven't always felt accepted. Therapy can be a place to get curious about who you are, without feeling like you have to hide, explain, or change yourself to belong. I work with college students, graduate students, and young adults navigating ADHD, AuDHD, depression, relationship and family challenges, identity exploration, and life transitions. I'm especially passionate about supporting neurodivergent students, LGBTQIA+ students, and those exploring racial, cultural, disability, or biracial and mixed-race identities. My approach is collaborative, creative, and affirming. Together, we'll explore the experiences that have shaped you, build on your strengths, and develop practical ways to navigate relationships, emotions, and everyday challenges with greater confidence and self-compassion. I draw from Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Gestalt Therapy, and queer feminist perspectives while honoring your lived experiences, culture, and personal interests. Therapy doesn't have to look the same for everyone. Alongside conversation, we might incorporate art, music, movement, games, or other creative approaches that help you express yourself in ways that feel natural and meaningful. I also support clients navigating family-of-origin concerns, racial, historical, and intergenerational trauma, sexual exploration, and kink in an affirming, nonjudgmental space. My hope is that therapy helps you feel more connected to yourself, more confident in your identity, and more at home in who you are.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.