Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

The majority of my clientele are in undergraduate or graduate programs. I assist clients in working through the stress, anxiety and uncertainty of this pivotal point in life.

You keep ending up in relationships that leave you anxious, hurt, and depleted. You ignore your intuition, explain away red flags, and struggle to trust your own judgment. Therapy can help you break free from cycles of chaos and instability by reconnecting you with the part of yourself that has always known what you deserve and who you truly are. I specialize in helping women heal the deeper patterns beneath chaotic relationships, codependency, people-pleasing, and chronic self-doubt. Together, we'll explore how childhood experiences, attachment wounds, and survival strategies shaped the ways you learned to seek love, safety, and belonging. If you've found yourself outsourcing your authority and ignoring your own discernment, therapy can help you reconnect with the wisdom that has always existed within you. Using Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic Experiencing®, attachment theory, and Jungian depth psychology, we'll teach your nervous system that love no longer has to come at the cost of yourself. My practice is especially affirming for women who are deeply intuitive, spiritually curious, or drawn to earth-based and nontraditional spiritual practices. I believe healing isn't about becoming someone new—it's about remembering who you were before fear, shame, and survival taught you to distrust yourself. Through a feminist, LGBTQ+ affirming, anti-racist, and sex-positive lens, I help women reconnect with their inner wisdom, build relationships rooted in mutual respect rather than pain and intensity, and create lives that feel aligned with their values instead of their wounds. I offer virtual therapy throughout Illinois and Minnesota.

You’ve taken a brave step in inviting someone into your most personal space to partner in your healing. In our time together you will find a safe, non-judgmental environment to work through difficult experiences. I will support you to find resolution to your struggles, while helping you identify your inner strengths to reveal a healthier version of you. You are respected and valued, and this will be shown via honesty and empathy. I thrive in walking alongside you in your journey healing from toxic, antagonistic and/or difficult relationships. I have been providing therapeutic services to individuals, couples, adolescents, and families for over 15 years. I look forward to joining you in your wellness journey.

College can feel like a lot. Classes, deadlines, money, relationships, family pressure, and trying to figure out who you are all at once. When the stress keeps stacking up, it can feel hard to focus, sleep, or even slow your thoughts down. If your head feels like it’s constantly spinning, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to power through it by yourself. I work best with college students and young adults who feel overwhelmed, anxious, burned out, or stuck. That might look like anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, or just feeling off and not sure why. I offer virtual therapy for students in Illinois and California, with a focus on helping you feel more grounded, more in control, and more like yourself again. Therapy with me is practical, supportive, and collaborative. We focus on what’s actually getting in your way right now and what will help you feel better moving forward. You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting. If you’re ready for some relief and want support that meets you where you are, I’d be glad to work with you. When you’re ready, you can reach out by email or schedule a first session through therapywithmicah.com.

There are so many things outside of our control that are inevitably difficult to cope with. Even with the unforeseen situations and stressors that life throws our way, the one thing we do have control over is the way we respond to them. However, it is difficult to know how to respond when we are experiencing fear, anxiety, and other heightened emotions. I want to help people strengthen their coping capabilities in an environment that is open, non-judgmental, and collaborative. My goal is to provide support to individuals, couples, and families tackling every day and life stressors with more confidence, hope, self-empowerment. I have been working in mental health for 5 years and have over 5,800 hours of supervised and specialized experience with OCD, anxiety, and ED. I use CBT, ACT, ERP, BA, and DBT Skills to treat a variety of disorders including OCD, skin picking, hair pulling, hoarding, phobias, BDD, GAD, social anxiety, panic, depression, eating disorders, and others. I am a Board Certified TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH) and a multi-state licensed professional counselor including Tennessee (LPC-MHSP), Kentucky (LPCC), Illinois (LCPC), Oklahoma (LPC), and FL. I currently live in the Chicago area and provide professional counseling to individuals in ALL FIVE states via TeleMental Health services. I look forward to connecting with you!

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.

I incorporate trauma-focused approaches and specialize in working with adults and college students who struggle with stress, anxiety, creating life balance, and showing up for themselves in their relationships. My therapeutic orientation is humanistic integrative. I adapt evidence-based therapeutic models and interventions to the unique needs of each person that I work with. Given the complexity of each person’s life experiences, I emphasize multicultural sensitivity and the use of a holistic approach to therapy. Honoring who you are is an essential part of experiencing a collaborative and compassionate relationship. Therapy is a space for you to feel seen, validated, and supported while working towards goals that reflect your own needs and desires in wellness and personal growth.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in the Chicago area, with over a decade of experience walking alongside people through moments of crisis, transition, and healing. Since earning my Master of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago in 2016 and becoming clinically licensed in 2018, I’ve worked in a wide range of settings—from private practice and partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs (PHP/IOP) to high school and college counseling offices.

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.

Do you struggle with feelings of quiet desperation, affecting your ability to be engaged in life? Do you feel like you’re treading water, lost in how you ended up here? Do you wonder if you could be more present and intentional? Now more than ever, people are feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about what to do and experience a loss of meaning in their life. I believe there is hope and answers. I offer therapy to people who feel stuck. We start by exploring your past and problems you face to understand what you’re trying to move on from. We’ll challenge the assumptions keeping you stuck and create actionable steps to make positive changes. I offer a safe, steady space where you can talk openly, get feedback, and create lasting progress. Helping people understand themselves and make positive changes is my passion. We’ll work together to build a better understanding of yourself, improve your engagement, and feel more alive. Give me a call or email today for a free consultation and we’ll see if this all makes sense for you.

Third Eye Counseling is a psychotherapy practice in the Lakeview/Roscoe Village area of Chicago providing individual therapy, yoga-informed therapy, and couples counseling. Our services are wellness-based, authentic, focused on growth, and grounded in social justice. We aim to balance motivating and challenging each client towards change with providing space for acceptance and acknowledgement of strengths.

I work with clients who experience anxiety, depression, body image issues, disordered eating, and struggles with life transitions. I am passionate about creating an empathetic, nonjudgmental space where you can be fully yourself! I strive to cultivate a therapeutic bond based on trust and authenticity. I want therapy  to be collaborative, because I truly believe you are the expert on your own life. Therapy sessions  should be unique to you and your goals, and I want to ensure that you feel heard. I take a systemic approach that prioritizes the impacts that culture, power imbalances, and larger societal systems can have on your life, while also attending to your personal narratives. I aim to facilitate healing by offering compassionate perspectives and attentive listening.

I help thoughtful, high functioning adults navigate anxiety, burnout, depression, and major life transitions. I especially enjoy working with men, professionals, creatives, and new or expecting parents. My work integrates insight-oriented therapy with a practical, pragmatic approach, often utilizing mindfulness and meditation practices as a foundation for building effective skills and strategies. Additionally, I offer preparation, integration, and harm-reduction support when appropriate for clients who are exploring the benefits of plant medicines. Ultimately, my goal is to help you live a more meaningful life. I help those who desire improvement in their love life, family life, work life, or in their physical health and wellness. I emphasize the importance of developing new behaviors outside of the therapy, especially practicing mindfulness and meditation. I also specialize in psychedelic integration for those exploring alternative approaches. An initial consultation is of course no cost to you, so please feel free to call or email me with any questions. If you decide I'm not the right therapist for you, I'm happy to help you find one. I look forward to hearing from you.

You don’t need a polished goal to start therapy. I work with adolescents and adults who are dealing with anxiety, stress, burnout, identity questions, or major life changes, as well as people who just want to understand themselves better. We can start wherever you are. Therapy can serve different purposes at different times. It might be a space to slow things down, to make sense of experiences, or to experiment with new ways of responding to challenges. We adjust the focus as your needs become clearer. I’ve spent the last decade working with a variety of Chicagoans across the city, from the North Side to the South Side. I love the work because I get to grow and learn from the people I support just as often as I offer them opportunities for their own growth. I believe the greatest strength of the human species is our ability to support each other. I will never be judgmental. I think everyone deserves second chances and I will fight to help you find yours. Therapy can be overwhelming, but a first session should simply introduce two people and lay out the groundwork for future sessions. Once we understand your goal, and align our expectations, we can start digging into the process behind it. Just ask!

Actually ME is an intentional space crafted and created to serve YOU! We offer non-oppressive, trauma informed, client centered psychotherapy, as well as other professional services. In our creation we hold and practice values associated with not only creating but holding space! This explicitly means that our clients are heard and unconditionally accepted for all that they come with. It was done on purpose to create and hold spaces where therapists listen without judgement and guide a unique healing journey. We believe that the client is the expert and that they are capable of fulfilling the change that they want to see in themselves.

Margarita Kos is a board-certified Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) and a licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) in Illinois. She obtained her MSN as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) from Loyola University and post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health certification from Maryville University. She has over 25 years of nursing experience that includes working in the emergency room, family practice, pain management, and psychiatric mental health as a registered nurse (RN) and APN. Margarita is fluent in English and Polish. Margarita is actively practicing in the Chicago-land area with a focus on maintaining mental health wellness, providing psychopharmacologic treatment management, and improving the quality of life of her patients through preventative healthcare. Her areas of special emphasis include mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for a variety of mental illnesses amongst the childhood, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations. Margarita is dedicated to providing compassionate care to her patients while maintaining a safe environment to promote therapeutic relationships. By actively adapting to the needs of each patient on a personal level, Margarita is able to assist patients in developing treatment plans to meet their goals and desired outcomes. Margarita strives to develop mental health treatment plans through various approaches including psychological or physical well-being, lifestyle changes, and self-care strategies.

Gretchen Aich (she/her), PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who specializes in treating anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, ADHD, and substance use disorders. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Lewis University and is certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Gretchen has advanced training in crisis intervention and trauma-informed care and works with children, adolescents, and adults, including Spanish-speaking clients. Gretchen brings experience from diverse mental health settings, including emergency departments, inpatient psychiatric units, outpatient clinics, private practice, and telehealth. Her background includes supporting individuals in crisis, working in community and court-mandated programs, and collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams. During her clinical training, she worked extensively with children and adolescents with complex needs, provided substance use and court-ordered therapy, and assisted with advanced treatments such as SPRAVATO and TMS. In her work with clients, Gretchen creates a safe, judgment-free space grounded in empathy, respect, and cultural humility. She believes each person is the expert in their own life and uses a collaborative, flexible approach to care. Through active listening and evidence-based techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy, she partners with clients to set meaningful goals and support healing in a way that fits their lives.

Our general approach to therapy is to view each individual with no judgments or preconceptions; whatever you want to focus on will be our focus as well. At the end of the day, we want you to leave our sessions having either added more tools to your tool belt or having strengthened the tools that you are already using. We primarily approach therapy with a “Person-Centered” orientation; we understand that you are the expert on yourself, and we are only there to provide context, to facilitate your growth, and to help you overcome or manage any obstacles you may be facing. Our specific interventions depend on what we may be working on at the time, and may draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness based therapies, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Reality Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Some of our specialty areas with our clients are cultivating healthy and strong relationships (romantic, family, friends), couples, grief, trauma, anxiety, low self-esteem, career counseling, and others.

Stephanie is a licensed therapist with over a decade of mental health experience across multiple cities and care levels. Her foundation as a clinician is built on evidence-based training, cultural sensitivity, and a deep commitment to helping people feel seen, understood, and empowered.

Are current or past stressors leaving you feeling overwhelmed, disconnected in relationships, or unfulfilled? At times, it may feel hard to understand or process what you are experiencing emotionally, leaving you feeling stuck or uncertain about how to move forward. My goal is to help you gain insight into your thoughts, feelings, and past experiences while exploring how relationships and life systems have shaped your journey, so you can find healing, clarity, and growth.