Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

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For Real Therapy is rooted in the belief that therapy is a political act -- where resilience and rest are supported simultaneously. It is a practice for people who recognize the ripple effect of their impact on the world at large, and why it is integral to commit to the work of intentional self-healing to relate to yourself so you can best relate to others.

Providing culturally sensitive and inclusive therapy services to adults, including college students. "To care for another individual means to know and to experience the other as fully as possible." - Irvin D. Yalom, M.D. As a South Asian therapist, I understand the deep value of family and the intricate meanings tied to being an immigrant and a woman of color. I believe that every person's lived experiences uniquely shape their life and perceptions, which is why finding congruence and meaning in one’s life is important. This helps align one's actions with their true values, reducing internal conflict and enhancing overall well-being. As a therapist, I understand that building trust and rapport are critical for effective progress and meaningful change. To do so, I provide my clients with a safe and supportive environment for them to explore their inner thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, to foster personal growth and healing. In my practice, I utilize an integrative approach that blends systems, humanistic, and multicultural frameworks. My goal is to empower you to achieve your personal and psychological goals while providing a safe, non-judgmental, and culturally sensitive space where you can explore your inner self. I am committed to creating an environment where you can feel at ease, be your authentic self, and build a trusting relationship with me. Together, we'll work collaboratively to build insight, draw on your strengths, process difficult emotions and experiences, and form a meaningful narrative for your life. With a kind, empathetic, and compassionate approach, I strive to create a therapeutic environment where you feel supported and empowered to achieve your goals. I look forward to accompanying you on your path to well-being and self-discovery.

The distressing problems that bring you to therapy will later be revealed as the unlikely pathways towards a well-lived life. Pervasive sadness, suicidal thoughts, the heaviness on your shoulders are your psyche’s misunderstood messengers to summon you on a healing journey. Your symptoms have meaning and we will work together to understand them. In therapy, we will first work together to establish a sense of stability: from the first session, we’ll build a trusting relationship that offers a much-needed space for your concerns. You may benefit at this initial stage by simply having a trustworthy ear to hear. As a psychotherapist, I hold the tension of psychotherapy as a mysticism and a science. But it is no snake oil: community, storytelling, and self-exploration are the elixirs which lead to healing. If you would like to learn more about my approach, see if we may be a good fit, or schedule a session, please contact me today by call, text message, or email.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Group therapy practice located in downtown Chicago specializing in Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adults, Adolescents and Families.

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Ashley (Evans) McTaggart is a Registered Dietitian and a alumna of Northern Illinois University. With over six years of experience in the eating disorder field, Ashley is deeply passionate about supporting individuals in their recovery journey. She began her nutrition career at a residential eating disorder facility in downtown Chicago and later expanded her expertise through roles in Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) levels of care. Ashley’s nutrition philosophy emphasizes building a healthy and positive relationship with food, integrating mental, emotional, physical, and social health.

Gabi is a board-certified, licensed clinical counselor and a Registered Art Therapist. She holds a masters degree in Counseling & Art Therapy from Adler University. Rooted in a passion for fostering community, connection, understanding, and belonging, Gabi is committed to guiding clients through their unique journeys, holding space for their truths and experiences. Through a blend of talk therapy, art therapy, mindfulness, body-centric work, and play, she fosters trust and belonging. Her art therapy encourages intuitive expression, allowing clients to authentically explore emotions, memories, and body-felt experiences, creating a safer inner space for self-discovery. Outside of private practice, Gabi worked as a therapist and clinical supervisor within community mental health, as well as an art therapist with marginalized Chicago youth. She has experience working with the spectrum of age, from as young as 5 into adulthood, as well as families. Gabi has experience working with a wide range of presenting concerns, but specifically has a passion for working with 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, those navigating past and present trauma, those experiencing significant life transitions (transitioning into adulthood, college, becoming a parent) as well as those wanting to further connect with the experiences of their body.

At times it may feel as though our power in our lives has been taken from us. Stress, life transitions, family issues, relationships, and many other factors can play a large role in making us feel anxious, depressed, and not living to our fullest potential. If you relate to this, therapy can help you find your power again. I have experience working with adolescents and adults who have experienced a myriad of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, bipolar disorder, and anger. My passion is helping girls and women reach their fullest potential and overcome challenges through empowerment.

As a first generation American with a multifaceted cultural background and personal identity, I understand just how unique every individual is. For this reason, I find it important to meet clients where they are at and create a supportive and safe space where they can be their true authentic selves. I use an integrative approach to therapy based in multicultural, person-centered, and psychodynamic frameworks. I enjoy using a narrative approach to empower clients to re-author their life story, make more informed choices, and create positive change that will help them to live in a way that reflects their true goals and values. Together we can explore and process your life experiences, consider the various aspects of your identity (race, culture, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc.), and explore your many abilities, skills, values, and beliefs. I may incorporate Motivational Interviewing, CBT, REBT, Relational Therapy as needed to facilitate progress towards your goals. I am experienced in working with clients from diverse backgrounds and ages/ life stages, from adolescents to older adults. I have supported clients through both group and individual therapy to help them overcome a variety of challenges, such as substance use issues, anxiety, depression, relational issues, PTSD, ADHD, and more.

I enjoy helping people navigate things like the coming out process, grieving a death or anticipated one, relational struggles, exploring their sexual and gender identities, loss, major life transitions, and more. I specialize in treating grief, loss, complex trauma, and life transitions using attachment-based therapies and Internal Family Systems. Grief is a part of life that surfaces during death, loss, breakups, identity shifts, and more. As a grief therapist, I guide clients through the often overwhelming emotions that accompany these changes. Whether you're grieving a death, navigating a breakup, or facing life transitions like coming out, I offer tools to express pain, honor your experiences, and find meaning. Together, we’ll work on reconciling parts of you that may feel isolated in your grief or afraid to show your true feelings, while another part is longing for help and connection. Please reach out if you're ready to begin your healing journey. I care deeply about attuning to you and encouraging your healing process by asking meaningful questions and creating a space where safety and vulnerability can thrive. Therapy offers us a chance to collaborate on the issues you’re facing. Please reach out if you are interested in working together.

Dr. Hannah Waldman is a psychotherapist who works with emerging adults, young adults, and older adults facing a range of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, relationship challenges, and difficulties related to stress and life transitions. She takes an integrative and collaborative approach to therapy, blending symptom-focused techniques—such as CBT, DBT, and ACT—within a relational framework. Hannah is committed to staying current with the latest research, particularly in areas relevant to her clients’ needs. She has experience supporting individuals dealing with aging, grief, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, eating disorders, chronic pain, and navigating gender-affirming care. Throughout her career, Hannah has worked with clients from diverse backgrounds across the lifespan, including varied identities in terms of gender, sexual orientation, religion, race, culture, nationality, and socioeconomic status. Her additional clinical interests include mood disorders, personality disorders, and religious trauma. In her work, she strives to empower clients while fostering deeper insight into the self, personal history, and relationships.

I specialize in helping college and graduate students manage anxiety, stress, and navigate relationships. My approach to therapy is rooted in wellness, incorporating mindfulness techniques that are both practical and powerful. Whether you're dealing with the pressures of academics, relationship challenges, or personal stressors, I’m here to support you in finding balance and clarity. In our work together, I integrate a variety of mindfulness exercises—some that you can use in the moment when you're feeling overwhelmed, and others that, with practice, will help you build long-term resilience. My goal is to equip you with tools that not only address immediate concerns but also foster your overall well-being. I offer both virtual and in-person therapy in Chicago, allowing us to create a space that fits your needs. Whether you're on campus, at home, or balancing a busy schedule, therapy is accessible and fits into your life. If you're ready to take a proactive step toward managing your stress, anxiety, or relationship challenges, let’s connect and work together to create a meaningful path forward.

You Want To Feel Better. You Want Your Life To Be Better. We Are Here To Help. Find individual, couples, family and group counseling, in person at one of our 5 Chicagoland locations or from the comfort of your home, using a secure, online platform. Find out about Telehealth Services, serving all Illinois and Indiana, here. The Juniper Center is here to help you or someone you love to heal from symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, behavioral issues, relationship issues and more. We work at the forefront of brain science to provide evidence-based results for you. Helping you live your best life.

I earned my master’s degree in social work, with a concentration in mental health, from the Jane Addams School of Social Work at UIC in 2017. Since then, I have worked in multiple settings, including residential treatment, schools, and traditional clinical placements. I have a passion for doing this work and absolutely love my job. I have worked primarily with adolescents and families from diverse backgrounds, and I am excited to work with clients from all walks of life, whether they are on specific journeys of growth and healing, or just trying to figure some things out. I believe that everyone already has within them the inner strength and talents they need to create the life they want. Sometimes, we just need some help recognizing or tapping into our gifts. I’m a firm believer in the strengths-based approach, along with cognitive behavioral and reality therapy, and work from a combination of these perspectives. This means that in essence, I believe that learning the how and why behind the choices we have made in the past, is the most important part of learning how to choose wisely in the future. My goal is to create a safe place where we can talk openly about those choices without judgment, process the consequences both good and bad, and progress towards making different choices leading to different outcomes.

Students work with me when painful experiences of anxiety, depression and stress interfere with their ability to find enjoyment and success in relationships and academically. Psychotherapy with me usually begins with a discussion of the concerns, problems and distress from which you are suffering and seek relief. The goal of the work is to solve the problems, alleviate the distress and place the concerns in the context of your personal development. Results of this effort often include increased self-awareness, enhanced self-esteem, recognition of unique strengths and potentials, and more positive feelings. Appreciation of one’s unique circumstances and developmental history makes for a more meaningful therapy experience. I have over twenty-five years of experience as a former college counseling center Director and Dean.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I am a queer, neurodivergent, South Asian adoptee and first-gen immigrant who is dedicated to social justice and equitable care. I take a collaborative, compassionate approach, creating a safe and open space to explore your identities, experiences, and goals. I know finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming—particularly when navigating complex and marginalized identities. My priority is building an authentic, warm relationship where you feel truly seen and heard. Together, we’ll customize our work to support your growth and healing at a pace that feels right for you. I’m passionate about working with marginalized communities, including LGBTQIA+ folks, immigrants, adoptees, neurodiverse people, and people of color. I have a particular interest in autistic adults and ADHD, and also have experience working with mood disorders, anxiety, complex PTSD, and substance use concerns. I use trauma-informed applications of Client-Centered Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Video Game Therapy (ask me about it!). I believe that you’re the person who knows yourself best. It’s my hope that in our work together, we can find ways for you to implement compassion, kindness, and empathy in your life. A little about me: I am a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) with a master’s in social work from the University of Chicago. Outside of therapy, I enjoy playing video games, learning about herbalism, and engaging in artistic expression. If you’re interested in working together, I’d love to hear from you!