Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

Hi there! My name is Reese Minshew, and I work almost entirely with transgender (broadly defined) adults who have had traumatic (broadly defined) experiences. I’m licensed in California, Illinois, and New York, and work via telehealth with people located in any of those states. Clinically, I believe that the reactions we have after experiencing trauma and stress are fundamentally adaptive to the trauma, but can disrupt everyday life. In other words, if you had a difficult experience (including chronic exposure to structural stressors such as anti-trans bias, white supremacy, ableism, etc), you might not be able to eat, sleep, focus, calm down, feel excited, or be in relationships in the way you want. Whatever reaction you’re having was very helpful to you at one time, but if it’s no longer serving you then we can work on that. Most of the time we would do this by talking about what’s going on in your life right now, and working to understand it in the context of your past experiences.

Sara Pelaez is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Professional practicing in Georgia, Illinois, and Florida. She works with individuals and couples with a focus on students. Many of her clients have found great success in their personal and college lives, but struggle to feel connected in their relationships or at peace in their daily lives. Sara is particularly sensitive to clients facing present-past trauma, moments of transition, relationship or emotional issues when the delicate balance can seem to tremble, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and self-doubt can emerge. Sara’s approach is rooted in EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Emotional Focus Therapy. These are evidence-based approaches that focus on helping clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected so that they can begin to make a targeted change. It is a bottom-up/top-down approach that provides a 360 view of the client's inner world. She works to help clients understand their physical response to external stressors, and begin to problem-solve ways to introduce moments of calm, to choose to respond rather than react in the face of change. Sara is focused on ensuring that her clients see real progress: her style is interactive, non-judgmental, and positions clients as the experts on where they are now, and where they want to go. A trauma-informed therapist, Sara is sensitive to the influence of past experiences on present challenges and works closely with clients to reframe the narrative of their life in a way that increases self-confidence and compassion. Sara’s first priority in starting with a new client is ensuring that they feel safe, heard, and like an equal partner in the therapeutic process. As a seasoned telehealth provider, she offers the convenience of remote sessions to help make therapy a core component of your self-care calendar.

Welcome! At Breeze Counseling, our team of dedicated and compassionate therapists look forward to helping you find balance and live life to the fullest. We understand that it takes courage to reach out for help and it is our privilege to provide a safe and secure space to work through your struggles. We offer services in person or via telehealth, and also have spanish and arabic speaking counselors. Give us a call at (630) 506-1491, or head over to our website at www.breezecounseling.com to request an appointment. *Please note office hours are 9a-3p but appointments can be made as late as 7p with certain clinicians. Contact the office during working hours for any questions.

You've been wondering about therapy, but find reasons that keep getting in the way of reaching out. Sometimes it feels hopeless, or wonder if YOU might be hopeless. You might ask what's the point? Nothing is working. You've tried to talk to people in your life, but you don't want to burden them and fear they wouldn't understand; or worse- they could judge you. You try to make up for it but always seem to fall short, a constant feeling of disappointment. Nothing's enough and you wonder, "Am I enough?" You're curious; therapy could help. You don't want to keep repeating the same patterns; or feel stuck anymore. So here you are, taking a huge risk and thinking about talking to a total stranger. It's hard to imagine life getting better, but deep down you long for it. You CRAVE balance. You want the critical voice to stop, you want to feel happy, connected, worthy & enough. You want to quit the comparisons, bad habits, the shame & feeling responsible for everything. I'm here to help you figure out what "happiness" means for you and how to get unstuck. Together, we can achieve what you want. I utilize an eclectic, warm, compassionate and genuine approach. I am trained in EMDR, specialize in trauma and addiction. I look forward to meeting you and working collaboratively together.

My goal is to create a safe relationship where you can process all the pieces of your experience. We’ll look together at how your cultural identities and family context have shaped how you experience the world, and how your past impacts your present. We’ll approach your relational patterns with a sense of curiosity and compassion. We'll explore, “How did I get here, what does it mean to be here, and where do I want to go?". Whatever is bringing you to therapy, I hope to provide a space where you can face your difficulties in order to restore connection, both to yourself and to the most important people in your life. My approach is warm and direct, and I'm informed by training in attachment, trauma, grief & loss, perinatal mental health, infertility, emotional agility, embodiment, religious deconstruction, brain science, cultural influences, privilege & oppression, HAES, and couple/family systems. I am accepting new clients and I'd love to meet you! For CO: in-network with Aetna and Cigna. For IL: in-network with BCBS. I also partner with a company called Mentaya that helps clients access their out-of-network benefits. You may be eligible to receive partial reimbursements for your sessions. Contact me for more info. If you have any questions about anything on my profile, feel free to reach out!

I’m Mercedes Yates-Jones, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois and Virginia. I am also the founder of Safe to Say Therapy located in Winfield, IL. I earned my Master’s in Social Work from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and have spent over a decade helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges. Before starting my private practice, I worked with the Department of Veteran Affairs and in several private practice settings, supporting clients with a wide range of needs. I also have experience in inpatient psychiatric care, which has shaped my calm and steady presence when clients are feeling overwhelmed or facing difficult moments. I work with children ages 10 and up, adolescents, and adults who are dealing with anxiety, depression, burnout, academic stress, relationship concerns, life transitions, or periods of feeling stuck. I also have a heart for supporting students, veterans, parents, caregivers, and individuals from underserved communities. I created Safe to Say Therapy because I believe everyone deserves a space where they feel safe, understood, and truly supported. My goal is to meet you with warmth and authenticity and walk alongside you as you move toward clarity, confidence, and meaningful change, at a pace that feels right for you.

College can be one of the most exciting and overwhelming seasons of your life. You may be adjusting to being away from home, navigating new relationships, questioning your major, managing academic pressure, or quietly carrying anxiety, depression, or past trauma that hasn’t had space to heal. On the outside, it can look like everyone else is handling it just fine — but inside, you might feel stuck, exhausted, unmotivated, or unsure of who you’re becoming. If you’re in that space, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to work through it by yourself. I work with college students who are in the middle of real life transitions — identity shifts, relationship changes, academic stress, family expectations, grief, trauma, and the quiet weight of self-doubt. Depression during college often doesn’t look like “sad all the time.” It can show up as procrastination, isolation, low motivation, difficulty focusing, or feeling disconnected from the person you used to be. Trauma can show up in relationships, in trust, in sleep, or in how hard you are on yourself. Together, we slow things down. We make sense of what’s happening beneath the surface. We identify patterns that are keeping you stuck and build practical tools that help you feel more steady, confident, and grounded. My approach is collaborative and straightforward. I don’t believe in sitting back silently while you struggle to find words. We talk. We process. We challenge unhelpful thoughts. We work through emotional blocks. I integrate approaches such as CBT, trauma-informed care, and other evidence-based strategies to help you build resilience while honoring your story. My goal is not just symptom relief — it’s helping you understand yourself better so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. College is a time of growth — but growth can feel uncomfortable. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, numb, stuck, or unsure about your direction, therapy can be a space to reset and regain momentum. You deserve support as you figure out who you are and who you want to become. If you’re ready to take the next step, I invite you to Request an Initial Appointment and begin therapy. You don’t have to wait until things get worse. Let’s work together to help you regain balance, rebuild confidence, and move through this season with strength.

I help teens and adults who struggle to connect or communicate with their parents, friends or partners. They might spend too much time on social media, struggle to feel good about themselves, have low self-esteem, have a hard time with setting boundaries, or struggle to put their needs before others. They might date people they wish they didn’t, but don’t know how to end things, or stop patterns of behavior. They may struggle with managing school life, work life, home life or social life. I enjoy working with these clients and helping them find ways to have a better and more balanced life. I can help you by making you feel comfortable and safe in my office to tell me anything that weighs on you, or keeps you up at night. I will provide you a judgement-free space where you can talk, yell, swear, laugh or cry through the many emotions, and ups and downs that get thrown at you in life. I can also hype you up and hold you accountable. Quit second guessing yourself that you "don't really need therapy", or that things really "aren't that bad." You don't need to justify needing additional support right now. Sometimes simply talking to someone once a week is all we need to feel better, and you deserve to feel better. You deserve to feel heard, understood and validated.

Hi, I’m Clayton, a licensed mental health counselor and marriage and family therapist. I believe that healing begins when we feel seen, heard, and accepted for who we are. My goal is to create a space where you can explore your thoughts and emotions without judgment — whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, identity concerns, relationship challenges, or simply trying to understand yourself on a deeper level. I work with individuals, couples, and families from all walks of life, including those in the LGBTQ+ community, students adjusting to new transitions, and anyone striving to improve their emotional well-being. My approach is collaborative and compassionate — blending evidence-based techniques with genuine curiosity about your story. Together, we’ll work toward developing insight, strengthening coping skills, and helping you feel more grounded and confident in who you are. Therapy is not about “fixing” you; it’s about understanding, growth, and learning to embrace your own perfect imperfections. If you’re ready to begin that process, I’m here to walk alongside you every step of the way.

I help with anxiety and turbulence in the middle of big transitions and times of uncertainty in your life.

Are you a resilient person who is struggling? Have you lived through a recent traumatic event or had a stressful childhood, and find yourself frequently stuck in self-destructive patterns and relationships? Is adjusting to college life causing you to feel anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed and just plain burnt out? Or have you experienced a sexual assault and don't know how to deal with it? Adjusting to college is a significant life transition and it's not always clear what to do next. Finding confidence in your own voice and abilities, and clarity about your own needs can be difficult when you've been through stressful experiences. I'm here to guide you back to yourself, offer you some coping skills, help you clarify your life direction and reach your goals. I specialize in working with professionals in the performing arts and other creative fields, as well as those who want to enter them. I also work frequently with people in the helping professions and social justice oriented fields. My approach is informed by my own life experience as a former professional dancer in the American Ballet Theatre, and by the study of meditation and yoga. I have been in the social work field since graduating from Hunter College School of Social work 2004. In addition to talk therapy, I use mindfulness techniques like meditation, guided visualizations, as well as attention to body sensations to help you identify and begin to move through where you get blocked. I am also trained in EMDR and utilize that technique to help people heal from trauma and other stressful experiences. **Will be out of office July 11-.**

Now accepting new clients ages 12-25 with immediate availability! It is exhausting to navigate the challenging waters of young adult anxiety or depression with all of the effort that comes along with college and the transition into or out of it. We understand. That’s why you can count on our clinicians and every single care coordinator on our team. We are ready to equip you with the tools, resources, support, and the best therapy for teens and young adults.

After starting a career in higher education, I realized that I wanted more opportunities to spend time with students 1:1 and support them through all of the life changes that occur throughout college: deciding on a major, finding new friends, separating from family, changing majors, figuring out how to adult, starting a career, excelling in classes that only become more rigorous, and maybe changing majors again. All of this in addition to finding time for yourself becomes quite difficult! As a psychotherapist, I work with students experiencing depression and anxiety as they navigate the challenges and stressors that come with being in college. Many have also had difficult or traumatic experiences while growing up, and are ready to figure out how to talk about them. Through weekly appointments, we'll build a therapeutic relationship grounded in trust, and quickly develop an understanding of your goals for therapy. For some, this will mean our work together is brief. For others, we'll settle into a long-term working relationship that will see you through the ups and downs over the next few years. I primarily use a psychodynamic approach in therapy, which means we'll explore your inner thoughts and feelings to understand how they affect your behaviors and relationships. I find that this approach helps you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, including how you might get in your own way from time to time and what you might want to do differently. Always, the goal is to support you as you (re)discover your strengths and learn to accept yourself as human, making both life and college a little easier to navigate moving forward. Please note: I'm licensed to see individuals in Florida, Illinois, and Michigan.

One of the most important parts of therapy is the relationship between therapist and client. I value bringing trust, progressive expertise, and authenticity to the experience of each of my clients. You will not get a stoic therapist, but rather one with a real personality that enjoys cracking jokes! Don't get me wrong, I will take your needs and concerns very seriously, but I will also ensure that you feel comfortable and feel that you are connecting with another human. Carla Laury holds experience working in a non-profit setting and in private practice. Carla works really well with young people, and finds her young adult clients appreciate her progressive approach to therapy. She holds decades of experience providing therapy, mentorship, and leadership work with adolescent individuals and groups. Since internship practice, Carla has learned the careful work of providing therapy for young children and working with their parents toward a positive growth. She holds a master's level degree in Mental Health Counseling from Trinity International University (2015) and a bachelor's level degree in Psychology from The University of Texas - Pan American (2012). She is a member of the American Counseling Association.

Welcome! I offer a warm, strengths‑based space for college students navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, self‑esteem, academic stress, perfectionism, and life transitions. I specialize in supporting neurodiverse students and young women, and I bring personal understanding of neurodivergent experiences to my work. My approach is person‑centered, collaborative, and grounded in helping you feel seen, understood, and empowered.

Hello, I know finding a therapist is overwhelming and difficult. My job is to help you make this journey as simple and painless as possible. We will discuss difficult things, but we will have fun doing it. If you are interested in a free consultation, please call or text me at 773-280-7321. I look forward to meeting you!

I help everyday people struggling with anxiety, trauma, and/or depression find the root of their troubles & take back control of their lives. I treat conditions such as: PTSD, anxiety, trauma, phobias, OCD, depression, addictions, & related symptoms. I take a Solution-Focused & evidence-based therapeutic approach for creating solutions rather than focusing on problems. You may request a for 15 minute consultation today, just visit the Alma website at the link below.

Mental Health Moments Counseling provides a safe space for you to have a moment to yourself to comfortably process life's obstacles and demands. Congratulations on taking a moment to start caring for your mental health. You are important! Your journey starts now! Welcome! I provide in person and telehealth therapy services to children, adolescents, young adults, and families that experience deep pain. I have experience working with a number of issues including: anxiety, depression, anger management, stress, life transitions, trauma, family conflict, self-esteem, identity, and more. I help my clients grow to be able to live a healthy life and be the best version of themselves! Although I work with all racial and ethnic backgrounds, I am particularly passionate about educating and removing the stigma of mental health and therapy in communities of color. My treatment approach varies with each individual, as everyone is unique. I believe that the relationship is a vital component in a successful counseling experience. I want to understand and get to know your world. You are the expert of your life. I am here to provide you with support and a safe space for you to explore your authentic self. Therapy is a very sacred space and I am honored to walk alongside you throughout this journey. I believe that each individual I work with has the power to create change within themselves and their lives if given the space and opportunity to learn how to use it. I am here to help my clients discover that power, so that they can live their best life!

Hi, I’m Andrea Picl — a licensed therapist who’s been working in mental health for over 10 years. I’ve supported kids, teens, and adults through everything from everyday stress to complex trauma. I studied psychology and criminal justice at Illinois State, then earned my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy in Chicago. I’ve worked in schools, community agencies, and with families in crisis, and I’m trained in a bunch of therapy styles like play therapy, trauma-focused CBT, and motivational interviewing. At the core of what I do is helping people feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow.

Theraviv Wellness seeks to work with individuals and couples to learn to love themselves and each other through boundaries, communication and education. Amanda specializes in sex therapy and maternal mental health.